cover image Warrior Wisewoman 3

Warrior Wisewoman 3

Edited by Roby James, Norilana (www.norilana.com), $12.95 paper (306p) ISBN 978-1-60762-061-7

This annual female-centric science fiction anthology series seems to have hit its stride and found both figurative and literal balance: nine of the 19 stories were written by men, an unintentional result of James's blinded selection process. That same process has garnered a few standouts, no obvious clunkers, and enough variety to balance the recurring theme of motherhood (by turns realized, defied, defined, and denied). Joel Richard's "Heart of Stone" is a clever update on a well-known Greek myth. Aimee C. Amodio's "Tourist Trap" is gently romantic yet heart-wrenching. William Highsmith's "Mater Luna" bounces between the near and far futures to reveal humanity's tragic last moments. Swapna Kishore's introspective "What Lies Dormant" looks at an India of the future, while Susanne Martin's "Katyusha's First Time Out" is set in a Russia ruined by global climate changes. The overall vibe is thought-provoking without being preachy, and easily accessible for even casual, apolitical readers. (Aug.)