We Dance Upon Demons by Vaishnavi Patel

Published May 12, 2026 from S&S/Saga Press

1: I assume the repeated word choice is intentional, but I think it would read more smoothly if the language were varied.

2: The descriptions feel distant and detached in a way that’s effective for putting us in the character’s mindset. The repeated sentence structure creates a nice rhythm.

 

1: Some interesting character details, but the language is a little abstract and hard to get a hold on.

2: These more specific details are helpful for establishing the scene.

 

1: The descriptions feel kind of vague. Specific images or anecdotes might be more effective.

2: I like the comparison and its tying together of cultural references.

Verdict: Some compelling ideas but the writing isn’t really grabbing me.

Homebound by Portia Elan

Published May 5, 2026 from Scribner

1: Fun to start out with the narrator’s take on the concept of coding. But the language is a little vague and abstract, so it’s hard to get a hold on what’s being discussed.

2: Repeated word choice.

 

1: Some decent scene-setting.

2: The descriptions are maybe a little simplistic, but they get across some useful character information.

 

1: Interesting for the narrator to address another character in second person. It’s a quick indication of their closeness.

2: This is a sweet anecdote.

3: Slipping in some character information from the side.

 

1: Kind of a strange image. Hard to picture letters that are glowing and also opaque.

2: Repeated word choice.

3: A typo? Awkward...

4: I like the anecdote, but the language feels a little on-the-nose.

Verdict: I’m interested but not quite drawn in.

The Last Contract of Isako by Fonda Lee

 

Published May 5, 2026 from Orbit

A decent character introduction. It shows her dissatisfaction with her job, and some bitterness comes through in the tone. But at the same time, the language is a little bland and doesn’t make her voice feel very distinctive.

 

It starts out with a nice description, but then it drops a bunch of worldbuilding terms in a row. They’re all pretty self-explanatory, so they don’t get in the way too much, but they don’t really add texture to the setting.

 

1: Nice to get character information through body language.

2: The stiff language gets across the discomfort of the interaction. But the corporate-speak seems to be part of her inner voice, which isn’t super compelling to read.

 

Some nice description that introduces the character efficiently.

Verdict: I’m not invested, but I’m open to reading more.

An Accident of Dragons by Cheri Radke

 

Published April 28, 2026 from Erewhon Books

1: Nice opening, I like the way it comes at the story from the side.

2: The word choice gives him a very distinctive inner voice.

3: Some nice character tidbits.

4: Some interesting worldbuilding details. I like the idea of a dragon being able to change a person’s physique.

 

1: I can see the overly deliberate writing style becoming tedious, but for the moment I’m enjoying it.

2: I like the details of the setting.

 

1: These descriptions feel a little abstract, not the most effective way to impart character information.

2: Maybe a bit lacking in self-awareness?

Verdict: Slightly on the dry side, but I’m intrigued enough to continue.