Asimovs opens its account for the new decade with it's 408th issue. And it's a good one; almost every story is at least enjoyable, and more than half of them are outstanding. Plus there are non-fiction contributions from editor Sheila Williams, Robert Silverberg, James Patrick Kelly and reviews by James Patrick Kelly, as well as poetry from Mark Rich and Ruth Berman. Plus fine cover art by Jeroen Advocaat.
Geoffrey A. Landis
Geoffrey A. Landis opens the fiction with 'Marya and the Pirate,' in which widescreen space opera collides with Tom Godwin's 'The Cold Equations,' and the former emerges triumphant. Domingo Bonaventura is desperate, desperate enough to glide millions of kilometres across interplanetary space. May Hamilton is the lone pilot of the ship he boards. It's engaging and both characters are likeable, although certain aspects lose some of their credibility on reflection. Nonetheless, it's highly enjoyable and looks certain to make various Year's Best lists. Recommended.
Felicity Shoulders returns after a significant absence with 'Conditional Love,' a look at designer babies, one of whom with a feature that is to be sincerely hoped is never repeated in reality. When Doctor Grace Steller meets a young boy who loses his memory at periodic intervals, she must between what is right for the boy and her career. Highly Recommended.
Steve Rasnic Tem
Steve Rasnic Tem has become an Asimovs regular in the last couple of years, and 'A Letter from the Emperor' is his best yet. An Imperial Envoy is left alone after his shipmate commits suicide, and faced ith an outlying colony who count among their number an old friend of the Emperor, must confront and somehow transcend his limitations. Written in a dry, spare voice that unexpectedly turns to lyricism, 'A Letter' is poignant even as the reader recognizes the bitter truth behind the lyricism. Absolutely Outstanding.
Chris Roberson's 'Wonder House' is the one comparatively weak story in the issue. Set in the same Aztec-ruled world as several of Roberson's other stories, 'Wonder House' shares with Lavie Tidhar's 'Funny Pages' an Israeli milieu (albeit an alternate one) and an emerging art form. The story's weakness is that its narrative is really only an excuse for Roberson to itemize a list of alternate pulps.
Robert Reed
If Roberson's story is the weakest, then another alternate history, Robert Reed's 'The Good Hand' is the pick of the issue. From the moment the Soviets attempt to infiltrate the Manhattan Project were exposed Reed's world takes a very different path. When the French begin secret weapons tests in North Africa, an American salesman on a trip to France is caught up in a tense stand-off between the countries. Sometimes Reed's ideas are let down by an inability to emotionally engage the reader, but Kyle Betters is one of his best, most rounded characters. An early contender for one of the best stories of the year: Absolutely Outstanding.
Carol Emshwiller's 'Wilds' tells of a recluse hiding out in the mountains who meets a fugitive on the run with some of the proceeds of her misdeameanours. Emshwiller neatly contrasts 'nature' and 'civilization' through their differing priorities. Her narrative never takes the expected route and 'Wilds' is no exception. Recommended.
Allen M. Steele
Allen M. Steele rounds out the issue with 'The Jekyll Island Horror,' Steele's contribution to the secret SF history sub-genre, and a notable departure from his recent Coyote series. Set on an exclusive Georgia island resort in 1934, Steele's setting and characterization feel entirely credible, and without offering anything original he still provides an enjoyable offering to round out the opening issue of the decade, illustrated by Jeroen Advocaat.
Colin Harvey - Author six novels, and editor of four anthologies; professional reviewer since 2003, including six years at Strange Horizons. Member of ...
