I did not like the writing, to much of a childern's fairy tale for me, but the end was just soooo right

Merged review:

I did not like the writing, to much of a childern's fairy tale for me, but the end was just soooo right

2021 Hugo Award Finalist - Best Short Story (approx. 17 pages)

This is a modern fable about a mermaid who longs to visit other stars and other worlds. When she gets the chance, she is warned there will be consequences, but she is nevertheless determined to go. The moral of the story is that we all face life-changing decisions, particularly in regard to choosing a career and where to live, and sometimes those decisions mean leaving the safely and comfort of home, and the love of family. Whatever the outcome, we make do with our decisions because that's all we can do. Perhaps not too profound, but in this case it makes for a sweet, relaxing story.

Merged review:

2021 Hugo Award Finalist - Best Short Story (approx. 17 pages)

This is a modern fable about a mermaid who longs to visit other stars and other worlds. When she gets the chance, she is warned there will be consequences, but she is nevertheless determined to go. The moral of the story is that we all face life-changing decisions, particularly in regard to choosing a career and where to live, and sometimes those decisions mean leaving the safely and comfort of home, and the love of family. Whatever the outcome, we make do with our decisions because that's all we can do. Perhaps not too profound, but in this case it makes for a sweet, relaxing story.

Even though this is a short story I felt like it had a slow start. I was not hooked right away. But once the story got going I became attached to our main character and the relationship with the sister. Good stuff.

Merged review:

Even though this is a short story I felt like it had a slow start. I was not hooked right away. But once the story got going I became attached to our main character and the relationship with the sister. Good stuff.

The Mermaid Astronaut by Yoon Ha Lee.

Read for 2021 Hugos
This was a cool science-fantasy take on The Little Mermaid, following the titular character's journey to the stars. The only small nitpick I have with the story was that it was sort of in the middle space between a short story and a novelette. I would have liked it to be either slightly shorter and tighter, or to expand on the story just a bit. Overall, very enjoyable, though.

Merged review:

Read for 2021 Hugos
This was a cool science-fantasy take on The Little Mermaid, following the titular character's journey to the stars. The only small nitpick I have with the story was that it was sort of in the middle space between a short story and a novelette. I would have liked it to be either slightly shorter and tighter, or to expand on the story just a bit. Overall, very enjoyable, though.

Spring 2020 (April);
-- specifically "The Mermaid Astronaut"

This was so amazingly good. It's part Little Mermaid retelling, part Girl Runs Away on an Adventure, all wrapped up in the gorgeous cosmos of space. I have a warm net woven around my heart about this story. I loved the way the Mers were described under the sea, how they were, how names happened, and choices. I loved how the spacefaring was handle, from the bottom up realistically, and how families are formed and mourned everywhere.

And I love, love, lvoe the retake on The Sea Witch, both previous to the space travel, and when she returns. The compassion and understanding, but, also, the price, and you continue to fill the roles that came before you, walking the steps of those who were just like you not so many turns of the wheel ago.

The story of a mermaid who wants to get beyond the bounds of her world isn't new but this is a new slant. This mermaid has a chance to go into space and see what that will give, and what it will take too. I found it an interesting story that has very little conflict but an interesting exploration of what the costs of leaving your normal can be.


Merged review:

The story of a mermaid who wants to get beyond the bounds of her world isn't new but this is a new slant. This mermaid has a chance to go into space and see what that will give, and what it will take too. I found it an interesting story that has very little conflict but an interesting exploration of what the costs of leaving your normal can be.

Wonderful combination of fantasy and sci-fi, for a mermaid who wishes to travel on ships amongst the stars, what she'll do to achieve it, and the effect it has on her.

Merged review:

Wonderful combination of fantasy and sci-fi, for a mermaid who wishes to travel on ships amongst the stars, what she'll do to achieve it, and the effect it has on her.

Another retelling: nice enough, but not particularly striking.

Merged review:

Another retelling: nice enough, but not particularly striking.

This review is for The Mermaid Astronaut

What a fun story. It makes good use of the format and I enjoyed the ending quite a bit.