Robots vs. Fairies

Distinguished authors take sides in battles between robots and fairies by crafting serious (and seriously weird) reflections on whether magical or mechanical might would prove the stronger. In “Build Me a Wonderland,” Seanan McGuire envisions a Disney-styled playland where fae folk infiltrate and eliminate animatronic illusions to make a place where they can survive the coming climate apocalypse. Ken Liu creatively takes on big cities, rats, and unforeseen consequences in “Quality Time.” Madeline Ashby’s “Work Shadow/Shadow Work” is a poignant take on dealing with elders’ need for assistance as they become forgetful. Sarah Gailey’s “Bread and Milk and Salt” is a horrific rumination on the true natures of robots, fairies, and humans. Editors Parisien and Wolfe (The Starlit Wood) have cannily chosen a variety of stories that offer individual, distinctive insights into both living machines and magical creatures, along with glimpses of how humans might react to their face-off. (Jan.)