The Female Factory

The 11th volume of the Twelve Planets series contains four loosely linked dystopian tales of versions of Australia where women are systematically devalued and used. Hannett and Slatter (Midnight and Moonshine) waste no time getting to the main points of each plot, lingering only in the title story, which is set in a Victorian Australian women's prison. A doctor, a matron, and desperate orphans all share an obsession with death, leading to a new take on a classic horror monster. The opener, "Vox," is perhaps the most chilling, set in a near future where women are pressured to abort fetuses so that corporations can use the unborn souls for electronic apps. The middle stories are well-written and feature interesting premises%E2%80%94rare women can carry multiple babies and are pimped out to rich clients, a mysterious pool can change a person's gender%E2%80%94but neither pushes into unexpected territory. The lack of lingering social commentary mutes the dystopian feel, but short-fiction fans will still enjoy this well-written mini-collection. (Dec.)