Weekend Shorts - Alien Animal Encounters by John Scalzi

Name - Alien Animal Encounters

Written by - John Scalzi 

Published on - Strange Horizons (October 15, 2001)

Well, I read about this short story from the author on Bluesky about how this was his first published story 25 years ago. And I wanted to check out the humble beginnings of a superstar writer like Scalzi.

It was an unconventionally formatted story about people encountering strange aliens and animals. There are some twists like an alien encountering dogs or one human mistaking earthly animals for aliens.

This was an entertaining short and breezy read and has the early examples of the charming signature humor that John Scalzi has become known for. But it was also a bit uneven in describing some stories as is expected from someone in the early stages of mastering the craft.

It was especially enjoyable to me as I myself have recently started trying to write short fiction and praying for that big break of first publication.

I will give this 4 out of 5 stars.

Link to the story - https://strangehorizons.com/wordpress/fiction/alien-animal-encounters/

New Metal Review - In Perfect Stillness by Domhain

Album Name - In Perfect Stillness

Band Name - Domhain 

Genre - Atmospheric Black Metal/ Post Metal / Blackgaze

Label - These Hands Melt 

Release Date - February 20, 2026

Line Up -

  Andy Ennis - vocals, bass

  Anaïs Chareyre-Méjan - drums, vocals & cello

  Mete Aker - vocals

  Ashley Irwin - guitars, backing vocals

Black Metal can be the most constrictive genre in the hands of unskilled musicians; it can also be the most diverse genre of extreme metal in the hands of musicians who are passionate and who dare to experiment and broaden their perceptions in terms of creating something evocative and memorable. And in their debut album 'In Perfect Stillness', Domhain once again proves that Black Metal can be one of the most beautifully crafted genres when you set your mind to it.

Any band that reminds me of the likes Agalloch, Primordial and Alcest within five minutes of starting my listen deserves to be appraised carefully. I did spend quite a lot of time listening to this five track album of only 35 minutes, and still I long to return to its landscape of soothing yet aggressive brand of fusion of post metal, atmospheric black, blackgaze/shoegaze and even some doom metal inspiration; that Domhain have created in their first full length release.

Andy Ennis gives a masterclass performance in varied vocals delivery with both melodic clear singing and aggressive black metal growls dispersed throughout the album, which is accompanied and accentuated by Anaïs Chareyre-Méjan creating a sense of duality in singing which helps with the creation of the emotionally drenched atmosphere. 

Nathan Irvine does most of the guitar work with a thick and moody layer of post metal chords, but he is also helped by guitar work of Ashley Irwin who also provides some backing vocals. In addition to her vocals Anaïs Chareyre-Méjan is also responsible for drums and cello, working like a machine. While Andy Ennis also contributes with bass, adding into the background yet another layer creating the soundscape.

The album opens with a sparse and bare opener with a cello infused vocalization. Then begins the first real track 'Talamh lom' which is a piece of well-crafted post black track with haunting vocals and oozing atmosphere. Then comes my favorite track 'Footsteps II' with its beautiful tunes incorporating piano and cello with traditional metal instruments and melancholy dual vocals. 'In Perfect Stillness' is a much more straightforward black metal track reminding me of the later day aggressive Agalloch containing some angry growls and blistering drumming. Then the album closes with majestic 'My Tomb Beneath the Tide', which incorporates everything the band has to offer with calming intro and outro and the band showing their varied skill set all throughout the track.

And immediately after finishing it, I was gripped with listening to it again. Wanting to re-experience some bits or remember a particularly haunting section. This is the greatest strength of any good album, dragging you into its embrace once more after you finished listening to it.

Overall Score - 

                                 9 out of 10.

For more info check out the bands official website and their metal-archives page -

https://domhain-band.bandcamp.com/

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Domhain/3540531779

Weekend Shorts - Sing by Jules Bly

Name - Sing

Written by - Jules Bly

Published on - Beneath Ceaseless Skies Issue #448, January 8, 2026

I came upon this short accidentally, and am quite glad to have read it. It is a simple tale with a beautiful message. There is no over-complicated structure or convoluted plot but rather the tale of a man who has to keep singing no matter what happens to him.

This is yet another tale written mostly in second person. This is the tale of a man who is burdened with the responsibility to keep singing till his death or the world is bound to vanish. This is his tale of finding love and peace, and finally him finding out that fate is not inevitable despite his initial belief.

This one teaches us to try to find a better future for ourselves, teaches us that we can make our own fate if we try hard. This tale also teaches us to do the right thing despite it being uncomfortable and to try to find peace in simplicity, and also to try to be adventurous once in a while.

"You sing a different song.

You act recklessly.

The world does not vanish."

The only little gripe is some repetitive use of phrases to emphasize a point across was a bit unnecessary in my opinion.

Nevertheless, I will give this 4 out of 5 stars.

Weekend Shorts - Really and truly dead by Emma Burnett

Name - Really and truly dead

Written by - Emma Burnett

Published on - Flash Fiction Online October 2026

Well, to my understanding, this one has all the ingredients that make a flash piece shine and stay memorable long after it's read. There is somewhat unreliable yet sympathetic narrator, a suitable mystery and hints at poking jabs at our current reality with its problems despite its speculative setting.

Our narrator starts the story in a room full of dead and also ends it there. In between, by the use of an unusual second-person perspective, describe how the world around them has changed into something sinister.

I really loved this little paragraph, detailing how uncertain and illogical life under a fascist regime is for someone suddenly thrust into it, "You knew nothing about it until after the soldiers attacked, clearing out the people and claiming the resources in the name of a state that isn’t this city, but isn’t not this city. All the villages are being emptied out, their residents fleeing to the city. All the resources are now owned by the state, which feeds the city. You don’t understand how this helps anyone."

The story also features an interesting twist at the end, leaving the reader wanting to learn more about the character and their world.

This is an almost perfect flash piece, thus gets 4.5 out of 5 stars from me.

New Comic Reviews - Midnight Universe Descends

It was really surprising to see Marvel ending its very successful new Ultimate Universe line so suddenly, abruptly and unexpectedly.

But, they somehow decided to end it and start a new imprint, the 'Midnight Universe' from this month.

So I also decided to do a new thing and review the first issues of the three new Midnight series together here.

Name: Midnight Spider-Man #1

Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson

Artist: ScieTronc

Colorist: Neeraj Menon

Based on the first issues, this is my pick of the lot. It has a teenage Peter Parker with a much more tragic and horrific childhood, yet brought up with a healthy dose of principles who tries to fight the fascist and corrupt corporations as a social media activist.

The start has much room for maneuvering and the side characters that appeared so far seem to be presented in a very promising way so far. The new and twisted motto of 'Power makes monsters' also gives the setting an interesting nudge in a new direction.

I liked what the art on offer so far with its Asian manga inspired style and some unusual choices. The coloring also adds to the horrific effect and the stylistic charm.

I give this opening issue 4 out of 5 stars.

Name: Midnight Fantastic Four #1

Writer: Benjamin Percy

Artist: Kev Walker

Colorist: Frank D'Armata

Well, this is a bit unusual in its choice of direction so far. I loved the Lovecraftian bits and the jump scares, but some story bits like how Victor was taken to Latveria and how Reed is so uncaring regarding the harm that befalls others due to his whimsical attitude and the mysterious pills need some explanation in future to make this right.

I hope the author gives all the characters enough room for development rather than focusing too much on the reimagined dynamics between Reed and Storm, despite enjoying the changed roles.

The art is as unorthodox as the story at times, but the eerie drawings do add to the cosmic horror angle that the team tried to convey so far. Maybe it needs a bit more nuance in my opinion.

3.5 out of 5 stars, based on what's on offer here.

Name: Midnight X-Men #1

Writer: Jonathan Hickman

Artist: Matteo Della Fonte 

Colorist: Arthur Hesli

What Hickman produced with 'HoX/PoX' was something I enjoyed quite a lot. Despite how Krakoan age has both fans and haters, the initial dual mini-series did something incredible, made use of the vast lore available, and made people interested in X-Men comics after a long time.

But, it was also very convoluted and required much prior knowledge to fully appreciate. What 'Midnight X-Men' starts in first issues is not so much old lore heavy. Rather it is a gothic and moody piece introducing readers to the new universe and its status quo. It doesn't do anything really spectacular or original, but it has time and scope it it's future issues for development.

This issue has the best drawing of the three so far, in my opinion. Matteo Della Fonte used his prowess with style to create quite an engrossing and dark atmosphere. I just hope he gets to draw more characters in the future and Hickman decides to use the depth of available characters in the X-Men universe to create something memorable.

So far, I am not overly impressed and will give this 3.5 out of 5 stars.

New Book Review - Thornhedge by T. Kingfisher

Name - Thornhedge 

Written by - T. Kingfisher 

Narrated by - Laurel Lefkow 

Published by - Tor Books / Titan Books

Audiobook by - W. F. Howes Ltd 

Another Hugo Winner read, it seems I am somehow into the flow of reading award winning stuff. 'Thornhedge' is a novella that is much more than a simple retelling of the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale. It is also much more than a tale of the witch who has cursed the beauty to eternal sleep in a new light. The story of Toadling has so much more to offer than a fairy tale done differently, it is the story of becoming more than what you were supposed to, learning to love people despite appearances, and letting go of your prejudices to try to do the right thing even if it's hard. And above all, it's a mesmerizing and fun tale.

It is hard to come up with new things to say for a work as thoroughly talked about as this one, so instead I will just write about the things I felt about it, things I picked out thinking back on it after finishing listening to it. It is apparent from the title that this book is about the barrier that Toadling has kept erect between her and the outside world for a long time, about the hedge of thorns she kept strong all throughout her life, making it impossible for her to truly connect with anyone from the earthly realm.

Toadling was stolen by the Fae, which was tragic; then she was brought up by the Greenteeth, who loved her in their own peculiar way and made her feel she belonged. But things again turned bad when she was tasked with dealing with her replacement, Fayette. This eventually began her predicament, as she spent over two centuries guarding the changeling while she slept in the tower behind a wall of thorns. But one day a curious and unusual knight appears to learn the truth of the magic in the tower and from here her new story begins.

The main character is so different from humans, yet she is utterly humane. She tries to find joy in being loved, being part of something, acknowledges that she is ugly but decides to find the truth of beauty in her monstrous companions. Even when she is tasked with protecting others from the harms that the change might cause, she tries to appease everyone somehow. She also thinks about mourning for everyone lost or dead. 

Yet she has a purer way of seeing the world, trying to find goodness and understanding in all the corners, trying to inflict no harm to anyone she encounters, and simply trying to hide behind her power of being able to transform into a toad. She slowly through beautifully poetic prose by Kingfisher experiences the world around her using her unique way of seeing things, and learns to love herself with the help of others.

Halim, while having that core goodness, is a quite a different character from her. He is a Muslim knight who might just be too curious for his own good. He is very optimistic in his every undertaking, tries to solve all problems by himself and trusts Toadling despite everything. I really enjoyed Kingfisher adding his perspective about his mother; as being a Muslim, I really felt it a nice addition that she acknowledged how much sons respect and adore their mothers and are influenced in every decision-making by their guidance in our culture.

The setting of Thornhedge is very similar to our world in some aspects while vastly different in others, especially dealing with the Faerieland and its inhabitants. But I loved the use of medieval tropes like knights, religions, and crusades to make the setting more adherent to our own convoluted histories. It would have been nicer if the setting were explored a bit more but this is Toadlings story, not the lands, so I guess it's fair.

This was surely a deserved Hugo Winner and it would be so much fun if the author decides to write more about this cast. But it was a lot of fun while it lasted.

4.5 out of 5 stars from me.

Weekend Shorts - The Not-Dog-Thing by Corey Farrenkopf

Name - The Not-Dog-Thing 

Written by - Corey Farrenkopf

Published on - Bourbon Penn August 2026 (issue 39)

That was a weird one. This short story was predictable where it was going almost from the start. Yet, Corey Farrenkopf somehow managed to create a unique tale that kept me interested all throughout with engaging prose and making me care for his characters. 

The story was a weird piece. Told through the form of an edited interview for an online forum in which a man talks about his missing father, mostly through the depiction of the TikTok videos he used to make to pass time after his wife died. There is a creepy not-dog creature that his father found in the woods which transforms into something sinister yet oddly familiar.

There is a keen sense of family dynamic dispersed between the weird tale, how they miss their dead loved one. How they fail to communicate their grief in a meaningful way, to get the closure they crave. I really liked these lines, "I don’t tell my father that every once in a while, I can almost picture Mom’s eyes in the face of a nuthatch, or a bluejay, or a wren. He wasn’t the only one allowed to see Mom in the wild."

Then comes the predictable yet finely executed ending leaving the narrator wondering if things could have turned differently if they just talked about how they felt. 

"There are too many questions. Not enough answers.

I wish my father had been better at talking to me.

Some things need to be discussed at length.

Not everything can be settled in silence."

That ending left me wondering if all that creepy creature stuff was just a metaphor that the author created to describe the darkness that grief, loneliness, and distance can bring in us.

I will give this one 4 out of 5 stars. Corey Farrenkopf has certainly become a writer to check out in the future for me.