[Home Page][Index of Reviews][May 2002][Next]

Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine
August 2002

This month's issue of Asimov's features a Reflections column by Robert Silverberg who looks at the discovery of a very unusual squid found in very deep waters. He notes that much of the deep ocean is still unexplored and speculates on what other wonderful creatures are living down there, unknown to man.

Stories featured in this issue are:

"The Engine of Desire" by William Barton. A story with a vast scope set in the far future after mankind has been scattered around the galaxy, a pawn in a massive war between two alien species. One 'man', saddened after the loss of a 'friend' finds new 'companions' and, through them, learns to live again.
"The Second Wave" by Robert Silverberg. An interesting story set in Silverberg's alternate universe where the Roman Empire still survives. The Roman Emperor sends another expedition to conquer the New World after the previous one fails. The trials and tribes encountered in the New World may prove to be more difficult for Roman might to conquer.
"Free Floaters" by Brenda Cooper and Larry Niven. A fascinating story about two humans sent to establish contact with an alien species that lives in the stormy atmosphere of a gas giant planet. Can they communicate with the aliens and discover what it is the aliens want? Will the results put all involved at risk of death?
"Duce" by William Sanders. A time travel story with a twist. Two people wait in a car for a certain leader to arrive. Their task is to change history and ensure a better outcome. But things may not be so easy when other people arrive with a different historical agenda.
"Jamie Says" by Louise Marley. A story set in a place that looks, on the face of it, to be a farming community on a far off world. But as events progress, it becomes apparent that something has gone very wrong with it but it the community willing to admit it?
"Ghost Chocolate" by Daniel Abraham. A touching tale about a man who has to make a tough decision in a world where copies of a person's memories can be transferred into another body. Unfortunately, something goes wrong with the process and now he had to make a choice that could determine a man's life.

[Home Page][Index of Reviews][May 2002][Next]

Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine August 2002

Asimov's Science Fiction Magazine
August 2002