The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2024. edited by Hugh Howey
THE BEST AMERICAN SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY 2024
RATED 88% POSITIVE. STORY SCORE 3.95 OF 5
20 STORIES : 5 GREAT / 11 GOOD / 3 AVERAGE / 1 POOR / 0 DNF
The latest edition of Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy offers an equal split between the two genres, with final selections curated by a distinguished author in the field. This year’s guest editor is Hugh Howey, the celebrated author of the bestselling Silo series. As in past editions, the collection resists a singular theme, instead showcasing the diversity that defines speculative fiction in 2023. The stories feature a wide range of perspectives, including works by female authors and those featuring LGBTQ+ characters.
While I’m not generally a fan of fantasy—often finding it unappealing—I was pleasantly surprised by this collection. The fantasy selections lean more toward horror, eschewing the traditional tropes of knights, princesses, and elves. Even as a skeptic of the genre, I found these stories enjoyable. For dedicated fantasy enthusiasts, the book will likely be an even greater delight.
Notably, Amazon Original Fiction emerges as a standout contributor, supplying a significant portion of the 10 science fiction entries.
Five Stories Joined by All-Time Great List:
How It Unfolds by James S. A. Corey
A small group of scientists are duplicated and sent across the universe(folded), only to discover that very few of them have survived. As they attempt to learn how to make the most of their existence, voices of their alternate selves lead one man - Roy - to grapple with the romantic pain he was unable to leave behind.
Window Boy by Thomas Ha
A young boy lives safely in a fortified house. The outer darkness is patrolled by monstrous “Mailmen” - part human and part machine. Despite being told not to do so, the young boy feeds and befriends the desperate malnourished “Window Boy.” But the Window Boy has something far more sinister planned.
Calypso’s Guest by Andrew Sean Greer
A touching, gay retelling of Calypso in a science fiction context. A man who will not age has been stranded on a planet for a very long time. Robots serve his every whim, except that they won’t help him leave. One day, another man crashes down and a love affair begins. No surprises, except how well the story overcomes my cynicism.
Once Upon a Time at The Oakmont by P. A. Cornell
The Oakmont is a special apartment building in New York, literally on the precipice of time. People from different years live there together under a number of rules that keep time in line. A woman from 2023 and a man from 1941 have a romance that give a framing to the exploration of The Oakmont. I really loved this. One of my very favorite stories this year.
Falling Bodies by Rebecca Roanhorse
Nature vs Nurture is examined against a backdrop of colonialism, conquest, and the youthful desire for self expression. Ira is a human raised by a senator of the conquering Genteel. Now he is on probation for a horrible crime. An anonymous student at a far distant university, he must stay quiet and unremarkable, even while being drawn to a group of rebellious humans.
The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2024
20 STORIES : 5 GREAT / 11 GOOD / 3 AVERAGE / 1 POOR / 0 DNF
How It Unfolds by James S. A. Corey
Great. A small group of scientists are duplicated and sent across the universe(folded), only to discover that very few of them have survived. As they attempt to learn how to make the most of their existence, voices of their alternate selves lead one man - Roy - to grapple with the romantic pain he was unable to leave behind.
Eye & Tooth by Rebecca Roanhorse
Good. Fun and spooky horror fantasy. A brother and sister head out to an old rural house to help some creepy people with their monster problem. Predictably, all isn’t quite what it seems.
Zeta-Epsilon by Isabel J. Kim
Good. In a militarized future, Zeta San Tano, a Gen-1 Pilot mentally fused to his AI counterpart Epsilon, struggles with the confines of their symbiotic bond aboard a starship. He begins to question his role, leading to an act that reshapes both their fates.
Bari and the Resurrection Flower by Hana Lee
Average. In a mythical Joseon-era Korea, Bari, outcast by her royal family, must explore the underworld for a cure for her estranged parents’ poisoning. Journey reveals deeper truths about her identity, her family, and the price of power.
Window Boy by Thomas Ha
Great. A young boy lives safely in a fortified house. The outer darkness is patrolled by monstrous “Mailmen” - part human and part machine. Despite being told not to do so, the young boy feeds and befriends the desperate malnourished “Window Boy.” But the Window Boy has something far more sinister planned.
Disassembling Light by Kel Coleman
Poor. A spark-craftman at a small building in the woods takes on a female apprentice and puts her through various challenges. Gotta admit that I forgot this story also as soon as I put the book down.
The Long Game by Ann Leckie
Good. A “Mousy, Slug Thing” works its short life in service of humans. When it discovers the truth of human life spans, an obsession is born.
John Hollowback and the Witch by Amal El-Mohtar
Good. A man with a hole in his back goes to a witch for help. He slowly learns the horrible truths about himself and his past deeds.
Calypso’s Guest by Andrew Sean Greer
Great. A touching, gay retelling of Calypso in a science fiction context. A man who will not age has been stranded on a planet for a very long time. Robots serve his every whim, except that they won’t help him leave. One day, another man crashes down and a love affair begins. No surprises, except how well the story overcomes my cynicism.
The Blade and the Bloodwright by Sloane Leong
Good. Violent bloody fantasy about a ‘bloodwright’ who is a slave with the forbidden power to twist and manipulate the bodies of others in horrible ways. She is deployed across an archipelago by a ‘blade’ wreaking havoc until the ‘blade’ starts to have a change of heart.
Form 8774-D by Alex Irvine
Good. Pleasant enough super hero story about a woman who works as the first conversation for people declaring their 'superpower' status. Vignettes alternate with sections of the Form these people must fill out.
Resurrection Highway by A. R. Capetta
Good. Automancer raises a car from the “dead” and reconnects with his old gang to rescue a friend via a violent grungy roadtrip.
The Four Last Things by Christopher Rowe
Good. A very ambitious and challenging story that may get better as I reread and work with it. Four different vignettes around the arrival of a ship to an alien world where sea-worms make a drumming noise that may or may not have meaning. Inspired by elements of catholic theology, but no direct one-to-one connection to catholic theology. As far as I can tell.
Ankle Snatcher by Grady Hendrix
Good. Chilling horror. As a child, our protagonist’s father was arrested for killing his wife. He claims innocence. He claims it was the Ankle Snatcher beneath the bed. As an adult, the protagonist never gets out of bed without the lights on. Until he brings a girl home after at date…. I found this very scary.
Emotional Resonance by V. M. Ayala
Good. Indentured robots, with human consciousness embedded, find love during their 1000 year service doing violence for their corporate overlords.
Bruised-Eye Dusk by Jonathan Louis Duckworth
Average. Spellbreaker and witch killer is hired to kill a which who is harming a small town. Of course, things aren’t what they seem. The best thing here is that the main character rides an alligator.
Once Upon a Time at The Oakmont by P. A. Cornell
Great. The Oakmont is a special apartment building in New York, literally on the precipice of time. People from different years live there together under a number of rules that keep time in line. A woman from 2023 and a man from 1941 have a romance that give a framing to the exploration of The Oakmont. I really loved this. One of my very favorite stories this year.
How to Raise a Kraken in Your Bathtub by P. Djèlí Clark
Average. (revised down on reread) In an alternate past when the British Empire has been fighting the Mermen, one ambitious jerk buying a kraken egg from a magazine and tries to raise it in his bathtub. Of course, things go horribly wrong.
Falling Bodies by Rebecca Roanhorse
Great. Nature vs Nurture is examined against a backdrop of colonialism, conquest, and the youthful desire for self expression. Ira is a human raised by a senator of the conquering Genteel. Now he is on probation for a horrible crime. An anonymous student at a far distant university, he must stay quiet and unremarkable, even while being drawn to a group of rebellious humans.
If Someone You Love Has Become a Vurdalak by Sam J. Miller
Good. The Vurdalak is a vampire that can only feed from someone who loves it. This is a powerful analogy for living with a loved one in the throes of addiction.
