A diverse collection of science fiction and fantasy stories explores themes of love, loss, environmental exploitation, political control, and the boundaries of human connection, ranging from a physicist’s mysterious disappearance linked to dark matter portals to a mother’s poignant struggle with her son’s illness and a research team’s moral dilemmas atop a giant alien turtle. The issue also features cosmic horror, speculative technology, and reflections on ambiguity and free thought, complemented by non-fiction articles on climate change and interviews with genre authors.

Reader Review Summary

Clarkesworld Magazine, Issue 223, April 2025, is a science fiction and fantasy magazine featuring a mix of short stories, non-fiction articles, interviews, and cover art. The issue includes seven original fiction pieces: 'Through These Moments, Darkly' by Samantha Murray, 'The Seed' by Sheryl Singerling, 'Aegiopolis Testudo' by Gordon Li, 'Still Water' by Zhang Ran, 'Symbiotic' by Carolyn Zhao, 'There Is No King in My Country' by Thomas Ha, and 'An Even Greater Cold to Come' by Rich Larson. Non-fiction content includes an article on climate change and disease, two author interviews, and an editorial. The stories explore a range of speculative concepts, such as quantum portals, environmental exploitation, symbiotic relationships, and dystopian societies, with settings that range from cooling worlds to kaiju-sized turtles and technologically mediated futures. The issue also features cover art titled 'Naï Naï's Arrival & Rituals' by Thomas Brissot.

Readers responded positively to the emotional depth and world-building in several stories. 'Still Water' by Zhang Ran was frequently highlighted for its touching portrayal of a mother and son, with some reviewers noting its use of alternating perspectives and its emotional impact. 'Aegiopolis Testudo' by Gordon Li was praised for its imaginative setting and exploration of moral and sustainability questions, with its depiction of humans living on a giant turtle drawing comparisons to kaiju fiction. 'Through These Moments, Darkly' by Samantha Murray received commendations for its poetic prose, allegorical elements, and integration of scientific concepts like dark matter and mirror life. Other stories, such as 'There Is No King in My Country' and 'An Even Greater Cold to Come,' were noted for their subtlety, intellectual engagement, and effective use of horror elements.

Some readers expressed dissatisfaction with aspects of the issue, particularly regarding narrative clarity and thematic execution. 'Symbiotic' by Carolyn Zhao was described as confusing by multiple reviewers, with its exploration of neural links and relationships seen as difficult to follow. 'Aegiopolis Testudo,' while praised for its world-building, was critiqued for not fully exploring its themes of guilt and environmental exploitation, and for including narrative elements that some felt distracted from the core story. 'The Seed' was seen by some as heavy-handed or overly wordy, and 'There Is No King in My Country' was considered by a few to be too direct in its political allegory, lacking the ambiguity present in the stories it referenced. A few stories, such as 'An Even Greater Cold to Come,' were described as only moderately engaging or 'meh' by some readers.

The issue received an average reader rating of 3.88 out of 5, based on 16 ratings and 7 full reviews. The magazine continues its tradition of blending science fiction and fantasy with literary and philosophical themes, and includes both original English-language stories and translated works. The non-fiction content covers topics such as climate change and author interviews, providing additional context and discussion for readers. The cover art and editorial round out the issue, contributing to the magazine's overall presentation and thematic cohesion.