THE BEST SCIENCE FICTION OF THE YEAR Volume One

This inclusive collection starts with Neil Clarke's introduction about the state of short science fiction in 2015. Each story begins with a brief author biography, with additional titles. Narrating duties are skillfully shared by Amy Tallmadge and Jeremy Arthur. "The Murmuration" by Alastair Reynolds is movingly told by Arthur, who inhabits the story’s scientist and his mixed emotions as he observes how starlings react to a sparrow hawk drone that they think is real. Yoon Ha Lee's "The Cold Inequalities," narrated by Tallmade, is a passionate defense of books in the midst of a battle between librarians on an archive ship. The standout is "Today I Am Paul," by Martin L. Shoemaker. Arthur expertly portrays the android that cares for Paul's mother, Mildred, in her final days. Arthur's android touchingly "pretends" to be Paul and significant others in Mildred's life to comfort her in this bittersweet story. Everyone should find something to enjoy in this varied collection. S.G.B. © AudioFile 2016, Portland, Maine [Published: DECEMBER 2016]