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The Universe of Xuya #(A Hundred and Seventy Storms
Uncanny Magazine Issue 11: July/August 2016
The July/August 2016 issue of Uncanny Magazine.
Featuring new fiction by Aliette de Bodard, Sabrina Vourvoulias, Caroline M. Yoachim, Catherynne M. Valente, and Isabel Yap, reprinted fiction by Kelly Link, essays by Sarah Kuhn, Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky, Sigrid Ellis, and Kelly McCullough, poetry by Jessica P. Wick, Bryan Thao Worra, and Ali Trotta, interviews with Sarah Kuhn and Sabrina Vourvoulias by Deborah Stanish, a cover by Antonio Caparo, and an editoral by Lynne M. Thomas and Michael Damian Thomas.
Featuring new fiction by Aliette de Bodard, Sabrina Vourvoulias, Caroline M. Yoachim, Catherynne M. Valente, and Isabel Yap, reprinted fiction by Kelly Link, essays by Sarah Kuhn, Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky, Sigrid Ellis, and Kelly McCullough, poetry by Jessica P. Wick, Bryan Thao Worra, and Ali Trotta, interviews with Sarah Kuhn and Sabrina Vourvoulias by Deborah Stanish, a cover by Antonio Caparo, and an editoral by Lynne M. Thomas and Michael Damian Thomas.
138 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 5, 2016
About the author
Lynne M. Thomas
99 books217 followersIn my day job, I am the Head of the Rare Book & Manuscript Library and Juanita J. and Robert E. Simpson Rare Book and Manuscript Professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, one of the largest public university rare book collections in the country. I used to manage pop culture special collections that include the papers of over 70 SF/F authors at Northern Illinois University. I also teach a Special Collections course as an adjunct in the iSchool at Illinois, and used to do so at SJSU.
I'm an eleven-time Hugo Award winner, the Co-Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Uncanny Magazine with my husband Michael Damian Thomas. The former Editor-in-Chief of Apex Magazine (2011-2013), I co-edited the Hugo Award-winning Chicks Dig Time Lords, Whedonistas, and Chicks Dig Comics. I moderated the Hugo-Award winning SF Squeecast and contribute to the Verity! Podcast. You can learn more about my shenanigans at lynnemthomas.com.
I'm an eleven-time Hugo Award winner, the Co-Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of Uncanny Magazine with my husband Michael Damian Thomas. The former Editor-in-Chief of Apex Magazine (2011-2013), I co-edited the Hugo Award-winning Chicks Dig Time Lords, Whedonistas, and Chicks Dig Comics. I moderated the Hugo-Award winning SF Squeecast and contribute to the Verity! Podcast. You can learn more about my shenanigans at lynnemthomas.com.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
August 16, 2016
Review first posted on Fantasy Literature. Right now this review is just for the short story "An Ocean the Color of Bruises" by Isabel Yap; I'll probably add more short fiction reviews later. This story is free online at Uncanny Magazine:
Five old college friends, Heinz, Nina, Rich, Josie and Chino, reunite for a three-day vacation on Punta Silenyo, a small island in Phillipines where, many years ago, a tropical storm killed a large group of high school and college students there for Beach Week.
“An Ocean the Color of Bruises” is an oddly introspective horror story. The narrator seems to be the entire group of friends, speaking always as an elusive “we” that is not the viewpoint of any particular person. The terror that they face on Punta Silenyo is just a different type of horror than the despair of their day-to-day lives, where the friends all feel lost and adrift.
3.5 stars.
Five old college friends, Heinz, Nina, Rich, Josie and Chino, reunite for a three-day vacation on Punta Silenyo, a small island in Phillipines where, many years ago, a tropical storm killed a large group of high school and college students there for Beach Week.
The tragedy wasn’t real to us. Typical Philippines: large swathes of people cleared out in one go, like a giant hand had slapped them off the earth. Everyone thought Punta Silenyo wouldn’t recover, but even if it never regained its former glamour, people came just the same. Even the ghost–hunting tours stopped after awhile. Death is only one other song often played on these islands.Even though the island is, curiously, almost deserted, the group of five friends enjoys reconnecting. Heinz and Chino are dating, but the rest haven’t seen each other much lately. They go parasailing, get drunk, and just hang out and enjoy each other’s company … until horror crawls in through the hotel window.
“An Ocean the Color of Bruises” is an oddly introspective horror story. The narrator seems to be the entire group of friends, speaking always as an elusive “we” that is not the viewpoint of any particular person. The terror that they face on Punta Silenyo is just a different type of horror than the despair of their day-to-day lives, where the friends all feel lost and adrift.
3.5 stars.
April 24, 2020
I just read Good Neighbors BY JESSICA P. WICK
I am pretty new to SF poetry and poetry in general. I haven‘t read many poems since my school days. So I am very unused to analyzing and understanding them. This one I found quite gripping, although I am not sure if I understood it correctly. Does she turn into those she was afraid of to protect herself?
Can be read for free here: https://uncannymagazine.com/article/g...
If you liked her poem, have a look at this one:
The Root Queen’s Winter by Jessica P. Wick - https://enchantedlivingmagazine.com/t...
I am pretty new to SF poetry and poetry in general. I haven‘t read many poems since my school days. So I am very unused to analyzing and understanding them. This one I found quite gripping, although I am not sure if I understood it correctly. Does she turn into those she was afraid of to protect herself?
Can be read for free here: https://uncannymagazine.com/article/g...
If you liked her poem, have a look at this one:
The Root Queen’s Winter by Jessica P. Wick - https://enchantedlivingmagazine.com/t...
July 8, 2016
Usually I notice a thread between stories in Uncanny's issues, but I didn't notice one this time around. My favorite pieces were: "Travels with the Snow Queen" by Kelly Link, a popular fairytale retelling I've read many times; an essay about podcasting; and an unsettling poem about witches and neighbors by Jessica Wick called "Good neighbors". Most of the short stories were predictable, for me. This may be my least favorite issue, but I still enjoyed reading it.
Fiction
“A Hundred and Seventy Storms” by Aliette de Bodard: A ship's AI fears her ship is weathering her last storm. Predictable, but still good. 3.5/5
“El Cantar of Rising Sun” by Sabrina Vourvoulias: An epic about Alonso, a brother, a friend, an uncle, in a crime-ridden city where the young die from gunshot wounds. 3/5
“The Words on My Skin” by Caroline M. Yoachim: You can write who you want to be on your skin, and a mother tries to write good things on her rebellious daughter, who turns around and writes her own words. Not a fan of this one. The daughter already had the traits she rebelliously tattooed on her skin, so what was the point of the speculative element? 2/5
“Snow Day” by Catherynne M. Valente: Gudrun's mother Ruby fears the apocalypse is coming and moves them to a secluded home in Hawaii, full of 1960s sci-fi erotica. Years and years later, after Ruby dies, something weird happens. Would like to read more about what happens next, but I often think that with Valente stories. 4/5
“An Ocean the Color of Bruises” by Isabel Yap: A group of friends go to the beach that's oddly empty, until the bodies come out of the ocean. Seems like a commentary on Filipino drownings, but I'm not familiar with current Filipino issues. A bit much for me at the end, but I enjoyed the characters. 3/5
Reprint Fiction
“Travels with the Snow Queen” by Kelly Link: A retelling of The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen. I've read this multiple times, but it's always good. 5/5
Nonfiction
“We Were All Trini: Searching for Asian American Mirrors in SF/F” by Sarah Kuhn: As title describes, with some memoir. 4/5
“So You Want to Start a Podcast” by Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky: Good advice. Been thinking about recording stories for podcasts, so I'll be returning to this article when I finally decide to give it a go and need to purchase equipment. 4.5/5
“The Death of Very Special Diversity Comics” by Sigrid Ellis: A brief history of special edition diversity comics, with current recs of comics that do diversity right (and what that means). 3.5/5
“Myth Has Momentum, or: How I Accidentally Deified a Jar of Jelly” by Kelly McCullough: 3.5/5
Poetry
“Good Neighbors” by Jessica P. Wick: Love witches, and this one's very interesting. 4.5/5
“Phaya Nak Goes to the West” by Bryan Thao Worra: 3.5/5
“The Persecution of Witches” by Ali Trotta: 4/5
Interviews
Sarah Kuhn interviewed by Deborah Stanish: 4/5
Sabrina Vourvoulias interviewed by Deborah Stanish: 4/5
Fiction
“A Hundred and Seventy Storms” by Aliette de Bodard: A ship's AI fears her ship is weathering her last storm. Predictable, but still good. 3.5/5
“El Cantar of Rising Sun” by Sabrina Vourvoulias: An epic about Alonso, a brother, a friend, an uncle, in a crime-ridden city where the young die from gunshot wounds. 3/5
“The Words on My Skin” by Caroline M. Yoachim: You can write who you want to be on your skin, and a mother tries to write good things on her rebellious daughter, who turns around and writes her own words. Not a fan of this one. The daughter already had the traits she rebelliously tattooed on her skin, so what was the point of the speculative element? 2/5
“Snow Day” by Catherynne M. Valente: Gudrun's mother Ruby fears the apocalypse is coming and moves them to a secluded home in Hawaii, full of 1960s sci-fi erotica. Years and years later, after Ruby dies, something weird happens. Would like to read more about what happens next, but I often think that with Valente stories. 4/5
“An Ocean the Color of Bruises” by Isabel Yap: A group of friends go to the beach that's oddly empty, until the bodies come out of the ocean. Seems like a commentary on Filipino drownings, but I'm not familiar with current Filipino issues. A bit much for me at the end, but I enjoyed the characters. 3/5
Reprint Fiction
“Travels with the Snow Queen” by Kelly Link: A retelling of The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen. I've read this multiple times, but it's always good. 5/5
Nonfiction
“We Were All Trini: Searching for Asian American Mirrors in SF/F” by Sarah Kuhn: As title describes, with some memoir. 4/5
“So You Want to Start a Podcast” by Erika Ensign and Steven Schapansky: Good advice. Been thinking about recording stories for podcasts, so I'll be returning to this article when I finally decide to give it a go and need to purchase equipment. 4.5/5
“The Death of Very Special Diversity Comics” by Sigrid Ellis: A brief history of special edition diversity comics, with current recs of comics that do diversity right (and what that means). 3.5/5
“Myth Has Momentum, or: How I Accidentally Deified a Jar of Jelly” by Kelly McCullough: 3.5/5
Poetry
“Good Neighbors” by Jessica P. Wick: Love witches, and this one's very interesting. 4.5/5
“Phaya Nak Goes to the West” by Bryan Thao Worra: 3.5/5
“The Persecution of Witches” by Ali Trotta: 4/5
Interviews
Sarah Kuhn interviewed by Deborah Stanish: 4/5
Sabrina Vourvoulias interviewed by Deborah Stanish: 4/5
March 16, 2017
I liked this story very much. The writing is sharp and raw and immediate; you feel the characters' pain and frustration, rage and despair. The story both has a wide sweep and also a close, almost claustrophobic setting. Very well done.
July 26, 2023
Rated for Kelly Link's wonderful "Travels with the Snow Queen"
Currently reading
August 4, 2016Snow Day (Valente)- 5 stars
I have this huge problem with Valente (clearly my problem and not hers): I love her ideas, and absolutely adore her stories when she keeps the language and imagery relatively non-baroque, which seems to be a very small percentage of her writing (although I should probably try reading more). When she does full-on Valente I just can't. Can't! I'm shoved out of the narrative by too convoluted metaphors and over-the-top imagery and think where is the story? Where are the characters, underneath all this? I just hate to think that I am missing out on stories like Snow Day or The Bread We Eat in Dreams because I am incapable of penetrating her usual style, but I simply can't. Or I can penetrate it, but my suspension of disbelief gets left behind. Clearly there are lots of people who enjoy her denser style, and after all it is her choice, and it's probably, possibly, more unique, but still I feel like I'm totally missing out on some great stories.
I have this huge problem with Valente (clearly my problem and not hers): I love her ideas, and absolutely adore her stories when she keeps the language and imagery relatively non-baroque, which seems to be a very small percentage of her writing (although I should probably try reading more). When she does full-on Valente I just can't. Can't! I'm shoved out of the narrative by too convoluted metaphors and over-the-top imagery and think where is the story? Where are the characters, underneath all this? I just hate to think that I am missing out on stories like Snow Day or The Bread We Eat in Dreams because I am incapable of penetrating her usual style, but I simply can't. Or I can penetrate it, but my suspension of disbelief gets left behind. Clearly there are lots of people who enjoy her denser style, and after all it is her choice, and it's probably, possibly, more unique, but still I feel like I'm totally missing out on some great stories.
August 9, 2017
Another gorgeous edition of this beautiful magazine. My stand-out favourites would be the de Bodard and the Yap stories. Also really enjoyed listening to their interviews about these stories in the podcast.
Perfect for me
Enjoyable, worked for me
* "A Hundred and Seventy Storms" by Aliette de Bodard - A gorgeous version of the future of starships and families.
"The Words on My Skin" by Caroline M. Yoachim - Who would we be if we could choose?
"Snow Day" by Catherynne M. Valente - Story of a mother and a daughter woven together by pieces of erotic novels.
** "An Ocean the Colour of Bruises" by Isabel Yap - Gorgeous and so creepy! I made the mistake of listening to the audio version as I was falling asleep...
Fine, but not my thing
"El Cantar of Rising Sun" by Sabrina Vourvoulias - I did not get this one. The structure and style just kept me at arms' length.
"Travels with the Snow Queen" by Kelly Link - I just don't get this author's stories. I know many people love them, but I just don't follow the subtext.
Not my cup of tea
Perfect for me
Enjoyable, worked for me
* "A Hundred and Seventy Storms" by Aliette de Bodard - A gorgeous version of the future of starships and families.
"The Words on My Skin" by Caroline M. Yoachim - Who would we be if we could choose?
"Snow Day" by Catherynne M. Valente - Story of a mother and a daughter woven together by pieces of erotic novels.
** "An Ocean the Colour of Bruises" by Isabel Yap - Gorgeous and so creepy! I made the mistake of listening to the audio version as I was falling asleep...
Fine, but not my thing
"El Cantar of Rising Sun" by Sabrina Vourvoulias - I did not get this one. The structure and style just kept me at arms' length.
"Travels with the Snow Queen" by Kelly Link - I just don't get this author's stories. I know many people love them, but I just don't follow the subtext.
Not my cup of tea
June 16, 2023
read and liked Valente's Snow Day (weird pretty), Yap's An Ocean the Color of Bruises (kinna still wanna go to the beach after all that), Link's Snow Queen (they became lesbians right), tried to read Bodard and got confused
oh man and the time capsule of Kuhn's pre-2016 election essay on representation. she was so excited about Kelly Marie Tran getting to be in Star Wars 🥲
oh man and the time capsule of Kuhn's pre-2016 election essay on representation. she was so excited about Kelly Marie Tran getting to be in Star Wars 🥲
January 8, 2024
Rated for Aliette de Bodard's A Hundred and Seventy Storms, which instantly became my favorite short of hers I've ever read, and which made me actively cry at 1 something in the morning when I should have been doing work or sleeping.
March 4, 2024
My review only reflects the fiction in this issue. I enjoyed it well enough.
August 17, 2018
****Travels with the Snow Queen by Kelly Link
***El Cantar of Rising Sun by Sabrina Vourvoulias
****A Hundred and Seventy Storms by Aliette de Bodard
****The Words on My Skin by Caroline M. Yoachim
***Snow Day by Cathrynne M. Valente
***An Ocean the Color of Bruises by Isabel Yap
***El Cantar of Rising Sun by Sabrina Vourvoulias
****A Hundred and Seventy Storms by Aliette de Bodard
****The Words on My Skin by Caroline M. Yoachim
***Snow Day by Cathrynne M. Valente
***An Ocean the Color of Bruises by Isabel Yap
August 3, 2016
Each issue of Uncanny Magazine is a delight. Following along with the Uncanny Magazine Year Three Kickstarter campaign made reading this issue feel like an interactive experience and has me excited for what's to come next. There was a lot for me to love in this issue. Reading fiction by Catherynne Valente has always been a pleasure for me and "Snow Day" didn't disappoint. The article by Sarah Kuhn was excellently written and had important points about fiction reflecting the actual world we live in, and it was nice to read in sync with her new book Heroine Complex (which I am loving, possibly even more than One Con Glory, because friendships between women and a good Scooby gang bring my joy). Reading "Travels with the Snow Queen" by Kelly Link prompted me to go check out one of her short fiction collections from my local library and I will be starting it as soon as I wrap up Heroine Complex.
Read
September 20, 2021Definitely on another poetry kick. I started this issue with 'The Persecution of Witches' by Ali Trotta. It gave me chills.
It's a commentary on modern rape culture and I recommend everyone read it. Very strong, very poignant. Available online here.
Tell me what ‘legitimate’ means—
how much proof do I need
to convince you
that blood is blood
and bruises are bruises?
Why is my voice a casualty
of violence you won’t examine?
It's a commentary on modern rape culture and I recommend everyone read it. Very strong, very poignant. Available online here.
October 25, 2016
Another excellent and broad set of shortish stories, some poems (which I did like two of this time) and thought provoking essays on diversity. And podcasting.
Written on the Skin and 1000 storms topped my lists this issue.
Written on the Skin and 1000 storms topped my lists this issue.
January 10, 2017
I really liked the mood and the characters, however the plot, not so much.
Merged review:
This is a beautiful and rather disturbing story as many of Bodard's stories. It is filled themes of family, identity and choice.
Merged review:
This is a beautiful and rather disturbing story as many of Bodard's stories. It is filled themes of family, identity and choice.
September 24, 2019
170 storms - feels like a small bit of backstory for the larger universe more than an interesting story in itself - 2.5 stars
Good neighbors - a little too abstract for me: 2 stars
Listened to via Uncanny Magazine Podcast 1/1/2016; enjoyed the interview with Aliette de Bodard
Good neighbors - a little too abstract for me: 2 stars
Listened to via Uncanny Magazine Podcast 1/1/2016; enjoyed the interview with Aliette de Bodard
July 23, 2016
Lots of good stuff in this issue, but it's worth it for the Cathrynne M Valente story alone.
April 6, 2017
Snow Day is so cleverly structured, well characterised, and very well written indeed. It is often quite funny and satirical, and the magical realism within - which, let's face it, Valente is quite the master of - works wonderfully. Enjoyable and thought-provoking.
April 21, 2017
I bought this specifically to read Cat Valente's "Snow Day", because Valente's stories are well worth the money, even had I not liked any of the other stories. However, I also really enjoyed "A Hundred and Seventy Storms" by Aliette de Bodard, "Travels With the Snow Queen" by Kelly Link, and "Myth Has Momentum, or: How I Accidentally Defied a Jar Jelly" by Kelley McCullough, and "Good Neighbours" by Jessica P. Wick.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews