Frankenship | AstraDaemon

DAMAGE by David D. Levine is a mind-blowing piece of science fiction. This is so much more than just an AI story...the author should get major props for describing a war through the POV of a combat spaceship. The ship itself is cobbled together from the remains of two other ships damaged in battle, resulting in a form of PTSD in the consciousness of the ship.

I love all the characters, both human and inhuman, and the ending is absolutely fantastic. I would love to read more by Levine, and I highly recommend this short, even if you aren't normally a sci-fi fan.

As always,

AstraDaemon

A Life For A Life | AstraDaemon

LA SIGNORA by Bruce McAllister is a fantasy short about an American teen attending a village school in Italy, during the Cold War. He makes new friends by bonding over fishing, among a few other things. As time goes by, he begins to hear references to the "Signora."

When his father becomes distraught, his friends offer an unusual solution. Unfortunately, tragedy strikes during the special night with his friends, and he learns the hard way what it is to love too much.

Well-written, and full of suspense.

As always,

AstraDaemon

What If | AstraDaemon

RING THE BELL by Josie Jaffrey is a very intense dystopian short. I skipped over the author intro because I wanted to read this without any expectations. The Surge is horrifying on its own, but, as the ices fell into place, and I began to realize the real reason the race is held, I felt sick.

The author does a fantastic job of creating an allegory to convey current events in a way which emphasizes how conditioned our society has become. Jaffrey challenges readers to examine our real-life morality through the generational struggle of her characters.

Not the kind of story I usually choose, but definitely one I needed to read.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Such Variety | AstraDaemon

On a savage backwater world, the last ragged survivors of an expedition to hunt down the infamous war criminal known as The Beast Magrison set off into an inhospitable wilderness in search of the alien village that may be sheltering this beast. The hunters are aliens from two different species, the village is inhabited by strange aliens of yet another species, and Magrison himself is no sterling advertisement for humanity.

OUR HUMAN by Adam-Troy Castro is a fascinating sci-fi short about a group of aliens, all criminals from their home worlds hunting down a human, who is also a criminal. As they track him down to a village full of isolated aliens, members of their hunting party die, until one finally realizes his fatal mistake.

I love the inclusion of the Trivids POV. I laughed at their final thoughts, but I'm not sure if the author intended their perspective to be humorous.

The author has a great talent for creating characters/species, and I highly recommend this short to science fiction readers.

As always,

AstraDaemon

I Think Therefore I Am | AstraDaemon

CRAZY ME by James Patrick Kelly is an unusual short story. I'm not sure if the main character has a split personality, or a secret twin. Not much really happens, and yet I remained captivated from beginning to end. The mystery and confusion is entertaining in a perverse way.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Full Moon Party Crasher | AstraDaemon

THE CAGE by A.M. Dellamonica is one of the best werewolf stories I've ever read. I love the personal angle of the lycans trying to assimilate with the rest of society...the difficulty of raising their young, while hate-filled bigots attempt to hunt them down.

The best part is how another community, also targeted by bigots and facing similar hate throughout history, comes to the rescue. I'm strongly recommending this one to ALL fiction readers.

This story is from 2010, but the subject matter still seems highly relevant...yes, even with werewolves.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Plans Fall Through | AstraDaemon

PREPARATIONS by Mark Mills is a flash fiction piece about a young man who thought he had planned for every possible variable in a zombie outbreak. Unfortunately, you need to stick to the plan...any deviance can lead to all kinds of problems.

Mills delivers an action-packed worse case scenario with a touch of dark humor. Refreshing.

As always,

AstraDaemon