I recently posted a few reviews of stories from the Asimov’s Readers’ Award finalists for 2024 (that’s for the awards given in 2025), but I must be an eccentric reader, because my favorites usually diverge quite noticeably from the finalists.

So without further ado, here are some other 2024 stories from Asimov’s Science Fiction Magazine that I liked.

“Death Benefits,” by Kristine Kathryn Rusch

From Asimov’s SF, November/December 2024

My choice in the novella category was a new tale by Kristine Kathryn Rusch. Most of the story is told from the viewpoint of a “people verifier,” a sort of private investigator who is hired by the loved ones of presumably deceased or displaced individuals against the backdrop of an interplanetary war.

Several narratives of those affected by the war are episodically told in the story, but the case that forms the backbone of the story is that of a woman who has received the death benefits due to her after the reported death of her partner. But there’s a problem: she is convinced that he’s still alive, and that she has actually spotted him more than once.

This is my favourite Rusch story of the last few years. The narrative is full of moving, beautifully told stories of loss, longing, and mystery.

Kris Rusch has been a regular in Asimov’s for many years, and as a reader, this one makes me wish for more tales unconnected to her Diving series.

I rated it **** (Excellent).

Two novelettes about teachers ended up in my top three choices in this category. Do I miss my student days? Whatever the reason, I rated both of the stories below **** (Excellent).

“This Good Lesson Keep,” by James Van Pelt

From Asimov’s SF, July/August 2024

This a touching story about a teacher, Ms. Milspaugh, who is about to retire after forty-seven years. As she guides her students through Hamlet for the last time, she has to deal with the changed educational landscape — including the rights of students to keep engaging with electronic devices during classes. There’s even a student, Andrew, whose software overlays everything he sees in his surroundings with a fundamentalist religious interpretation. Ms. Milspaugh feels her mission very deeply: to remain relevant, to keep Shakespeare relevant, and to make a difference, even as she prepares to exit, stage left. A beautiful and human story about values untouched by the passage of time.

“Yarns” by Susan Palwick

From Asimov’s SF, July/August 2024

Another teacher story in the same issue. Irene has a promising little student, Derringer, in her class. Derringer’s father, Glock, is a member of the Combine — a sort of high tech future Mafia — and there is plenty of reason to be afraid of him. The Combine can track you anywhere, and violence and murder are a way of life for them. They all name themselves after weapons! But when Glock is murdered, Derringer goes on the run. Irene assists him, and becomes her target herself. But even though not all the characters survive this story, empathy and compassion somehow endure in this violence-ridden world, and turn up in unexpected places.

Two of my top three choices in the short story category were fantasies from the traditional “slightly spooky” September/October issue of Asimov’s. Both received my **** (Excellent) rating.

“Bitter Chai, Sweet Chai,” by Anita Vijayakumar

From Asimov’s SF, September/October 2024

This is a charming story of Saanvi, a young Indian woman who has emigrated to the US, but is still determined to uphold an old family tradition. Her Nani (grandmother) introduced her to a very special ginger plant growing on the banks of a Northern Indian river. The ginger from this plant, when mixed into a boyfriend’s tea, will reveal whether he will make a good husband. Nani still sends occasional supplies of the special ginger to Saanvi – but at last Saanvi must fly back to India, where Nani’s days are numbered and a monsoon is about to destroy the unique ginger plant. How will Saanvi use her last sachet of ginger?

“An Unplanned Hold,” by Zohar Jacobs

From Asimov’s SF, September/October 2024

The last tale on my list is about the ghost of an Apollo Flight Director who haunts Mission Control during America’s 2029 return to the moon. At a critical moment, he wishes he could help the current Flight Director, but of course he’s only a ghost. Perhaps if he shouts loudly enough, he can get through to her. I loved this nostalgic and emotional piece.

Others who narrowly missed a mention in this short roundup are Ray Nayler, with two strong stories, Robert Morrell, Jr., Jack Skillingstead, Molly Gloss, Ashley Garrett, and the obligatory “many others.” I wonder what my favorites for 2025 will be?

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Piet Nel’s last article for us was a look at some of the best short fiction published in The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction. He is an administrator for Best Science Fiction and Fantasy Short Fiction Group on Facebook. He lives in South Africa.