The Free Orcs of Cascadia, by Margaret Killjoy

[F&SF]

★★☆☆☆ Not Recommended

(Near-Future SF) In the remains of a burned forest, a journalist interviews the head of a group of “Orcs,” a murderer who killed a rival onstage, who tries to explain what the point of it all is. (6,740 words; Time: 22m)

The Fortunate Death of Jonathan Sandelson, by Margaret Killjoy

[Strange Horizons]

★★☆☆☆ Not Recommended

(Hacker SF) When someone murders the corporate executive Jae has spent the past year cyberhacking, the Feds come looking for her. (7,995 words; Time: 26m)

Into the Gray, by Margaret Killjoy

[Tor.com]

★★★☆☆ Average

(Dark Fantasy) Laria lures bad men to their deaths at the hands of the Lady of the Waters, whom she loves and wishes she could join, if only she could learn to breathe water. (5,683 words; Time: 18m)

The Barrow Will Send What it May, by Margaret Killjoy

[Tor Novella]

★★★★☆ Interesting Characters, Good Action, Cool Plot

(Dark Modern Fantasy; Danielle Cain) A group of young, anarchist, demon hunters come to a town where some of the dead are walking. (27,064 words; Time: 1h:30m)

This story largely stands alone, but readers will benefit from reading “The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion” first. See related articles on Tor.com.

The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion, by Margaret Killjoy

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(Near-Future Fantasy) In the dried-out ruins of an Iowa town, anarchists cope with a demon deer they summoned to protect themselves from “predators” but which seems to have its own definition of the word. (25,011 words; Time: 1h:23m)

Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average

See related articles on Tor.com.

Men of the Ashen Morrow, by Margaret Killjoy

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(High Fantasy) In Laria, summer doesn’t end unless someone summons the god Hulokk, and he usually takes a human sacrifice. Sal is one of the best summoners, but she’s tired of losing friends. (3,835 words; Time: 12m)

Rating: ★★☆☆☆ Not Recommended

Everything that Isn’t Winter, by Margaret Killjoy

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(Post Apocalypse) Just as things are looking up, survivors in a Northwest community face a threat from the east. (6,503 words; Time: 21m)

Rating: ★★★★★ Award-Worthy

The Name of the Forest, by Margaret Killjoy

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(Horror) Jimmy, a young tramp hitchhiking through the Midwest, gets a ride with Suzie, a pottery teacher who gives him an uneasy feeling. (4,999 words; Time: 16m)

Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average