The February 2004 issue of Asimov's Science Fiction contains a novella, 3 novelettes and 2 short stories as well as several columns/articles, 2 poems and book reviews. Definitely an above average issue from the last year of Gardner Dozois's 19 year reign as editor. Mike Resnick's "Travels With My Cats" won the Hugo for best short story.

The fiction stories, in order, are:

Travels with My Cats • shortstory by Mike Resnick
Romance for Augmented Trio • novelette by Tom Purdom
At Ten Wolf Lake • novelette by William Sanders
Language Barrier • novelette by Matthew Jarpe
Rewind • shortstory by Jack Skillingstead
Long Voyage Home • novella by R. Garcia y Robertson

In the intro to the story it is stated that Mike Resnick thinks "Travels With My Cats" is one of his three best stories. I really liked this sentimental story about a man who found a special book as a child that he re-reads much later in life and finds himself talking to the author who comes visiting with her cats one night. Sometimes a favorite story from one's youth is no longer fabulous when re-read later in life. Sometimes, like in this story, it is even more of a special treasure. I like a lot of Resnick's stories, and this one is indeed excellent. I don't think I'd put it up by the top of the heap however, esp. since I think the ending should have been sketched out a little more.

What is nice about this issue is that there were no major dud stories. The other stories in the issue were solid stories with a lot of variety, some interesting ideas and enjoyable to read. My least favorite was "Romance For Augmented Trio" which mixed an interesting premise with somewhat of a creepy juvenile fantasy.

The final story "Long Voyage Home" is a familiar theme: teen-aged girl, sole survivor must extract herself from the wreckage of a starship and find a way home across space. I thought it was very well done. 3 1/2 - 4 stars ( )