Aether Beyond the Binary Reviewed by Logan Lynch

Aether Beyond the Binary (Duck Prints Press) champions gender diversity in a series of otherworldly stories imagining a world infused with aether, a transformative substance that can make life more magical or destroy it completely. While a number of the included works didn’t quite hit the mark for me, this anthology contains two standouts: Bettina Juszak’s “Finding Resonance” and Mikki Madison’s “Mixed Dough.”

Bettina Juszak’s “Finding Resonance” follows musician Ros in a slice-of-life story as they receive an aether-filled snow globe from one of their roommates. As Ros explores the aether globe’s response to sounds, they become consumed by their goal of producing an aether-infused opera. The characters and their relationships are deeply authentic; Juszak’s characterizations of Ros and their wonderfully chaotic apartment with four college roommates are beautifully developed. 

In “Mixed Dough” by Mikki Madison, Jules witnesses a small plane crash and rescues the inexperienced pilot, letting them recover in Jules' bed-and-breakfast. As Jules gets to know the pilot, he also helps them unlearn the heteronormative lifestyle they were previously forced into. The prose is flawless, with unique characters and exquisitely developed relationships. Madison graces readers with a cute but complex story of trauma, self-discovery, and acceptance.

I didn’t connect with every story in Aether Beyond the Binary, but the authenticity of gender expression contained within is undeniable.

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Logan Lynch is studying English Language and Literature at Stevenson University and a Baffling Magazine Associate Editor for Neon Hemlock. They are also the Editor in Chief at The Greenspring Review, Stevenson’s literary and media magazine, where you can find some of their writing. They live in Maryland.