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The December 2009 issue of Apex starts off with “59 Beads” by Rochita Loenen-Ruiz. This tale of technology enhancing artistic ability and definition reminds me very much of Paolo Bacigalupi’s “The Fluted Girl”. Exploitation, perversity and passion fuse together in this tale of a girl willing to give everything she is up for the health of her sister.
James L. Sutter’s “Overclocking” focuses on a series of slices from the life of a drug dealer in a future where drugs are codes that can be jacked into a human brain and bad code means more than just a bug in Vista. A fast, and in ways, cold read, this is a good choice for readers who want a short, hard taste of Apex before deciding to commit.
Also short and hard, “Exit” by Jeff Carlson is a virus tale with little meat to spare. Tight and to the point it nevertheless hits hard, and will appeal to the zombie apocalypse fans out there.
The December’s issue also includes and editorial from Apex Editor-in-Chief Jason Sizemore as well as interview with Nicholas Buckman and B.J. Burrow.
You’re the second reviewer to state that 59 Beads reminded them of The Fluted Girl.
I’ll have to go read Paolo’s story now!
Paolo’s Pump Six collection is a lot like Pelland’s Unwelcome Bodies. I think you’d really like it.