An unabridged collection spotlighting the best space adventures, alternate histories, and time travel stories published in 2024 by current and emerging masters of the science fiction genre.

 

• “Down the Waterfall” by Cécile Cristofari—a physicist travels in time by destroying and regenerating the cells in her body.

• “Red Ochre, Ivory Bones” by Deborah L. Davitt—an enigmatic object, on a collision course with a space station orbiting the star Fomalhaut, is intercepted.

• “Autumn’s Red Bird” by Aliette de Bodard—a data artist shares recreations of her wartime experiences with a sentient mindship.

• “I’m Not Disappointed Just Mad AKA The Heaviest Couch in the Known Universe” by Daryl Gregory—a stoner kid and his best friend are tasked with moving a couch during an alien invasion.

• “How Sere Kept Herself Together” by Alexander Jablokov—a private eye investigates the disappearance of an alien that stalks humans.

• “After the Winter Solstice” by Sean McMullen—a team of astronomers and noblemen forego hibernation to take measurements which will accurately describe the orbit of their planet. This story is a finalist for an Asimov’s Readers’ Award for best novelette of 2024.

• “Charon’s Final Passenger” by Ray Nayler—an American agent uses alien technology to read the memories of a dead spy in an alternate World War II. This story is a finalist for an Asimov’s Readers’ Award for best novelette of 2024.

• “The Quietude” by Lavie Tidhar—an eclectic group, connected by a new form of art, become aware of a war unfolding against an alien species from the Oort Cloud.

• “The Handmaiden-Alchemist” by Marie Vibbert—a baroness’ handmaiden defends her honor from an unwanted suitor with her knowledge of natural philosophy. This story is a finalist for an Analog Analytical Laboratory Award for best short story of 2024.

• “Heartshock” by Nick Wolven—the wounded captain of a warship must decide the fate of her vanquished foe on an alien planet.

• “In Which Caruth Is Correct” by Carolyn Zhao—a woman navigates time loops with the aid of tempo-therapists.