Amy Sisson's Eclectic Reviews on "The Demon of Russet Street": "This story, at about 5,500 words, is so incredibly rich that I'm experiencing world-building envy. ... Dare I say that I was even reminded, flavor-wise, of Ted Chiang's work? And that's not something I would say lightly. There was just a sort of fearlessness in the world-building, if that makes sense."
The Fix's Chris Butler on "Flowertongue": "The highlight of this issue is “Flowertongue” by Jessica Reisman. Told with a mix of third-person narration and letters of correspondence, it begins with the first meeting between Jonathan Ames and Giacometta Cini in the year 1858. ...This is a richly textured tale with subtly fantastical undertones and a satisfying conclusion. I was entranced throughout. Feeling completely authentic in its detail, it shows that a writer can be both disciplined and playful at the same time. For my money, it’s one that should appear on the Year’s Best lists."
From a Broadsheet review, by Bev DeWeese, of The Z Radiant: "In summary, the plot is a page turner. Biological engineering concepts and the use of drugs, such as the Z radiant, are interwoven in a suspenseful way. The characters are sympathetic and realistic...detailed world building and empathetic characterizations make this a strong novel. Recommended."
A SCIFI.UK.COM review of "The Blue Parallel" in issue 11 of Hub Magazine: "The Blue Parallel is a cleverly inventive story by Jessica Reisman that explores a world where reality is not solid and precautions are necessary against the chaotic work of ‘patterners’. It’s one of those stories that could be SF or fantasy, but it doesn’t actually matter as you are caught up in her marvellously crafted world."--Gareth D. Jones.
Excerpt from the Tangent Online review of "Boy Twelve" in Interzone #201: "...a fun adventure tale with a bit of psychodrama mixed in. It's just the kind of thing to get you through a lazy Sunday afternoon." -- Paul J. Iutzi, December 18, 2005.
An appreciation of "Threads" by Bradley Denton on The ED SF Project.
An appreciation of "The Girl Who Ate Garbage" on same.
Excerpt of reviews of The Z Radiant on Amazon.com: Reisman's style is lush and evocative, filled with vivid description and uniquely pleasing metaphors. She fills out the backgrounds of the people, customs, and cultures of Nentesh fully enough to satisfy the needs of the story, and yet leave the reader tantalized by glimpses into another world.
Library Journal
Review of The Z Radiant
excerpt: "Suspense and action combined with four strong and distinct protagonists make this debut a good choice for most sf and mature YA collections."
Romance Reviews Today Review of The Z
Radiant
excerpt: "First time author Jessica Reisman has penned a fabulously descriptive tale of mystery and intrigue in THE Z RADIANT. It is a fine addition to any
library."
Austin Chronicle Review of The Z
Radiant
excerpt: "Within the Austin science-fiction community, Reisman is known as a writer of powerful, thought-provoking stories. In The Z Radiant...the author easily justifies
her reputation with this intelligent, absorbing debut.
Tangent review of "The Girl Who Ate
Garbage"
excerpt: "What makes the story stand out is not the characters, who are fairly standard for this type of story but the style, which is really magical. Lapidarian prose,
images that whipsaw the reader between sensory beauty and seriouss quickiness, make this mad dash a pleasure to read."
From Rick Klaw's Geeks with Books, on the SF Site: "Delicate and lyrical, Jessica Reisman's words resonate with a power that is deceptively simple. Her vivid stories flow off the page and often stay with me for days, certain phrases or scenes replaying in my head. Very intelligent, Reisman's tales will always leave you thinking, and wanting more."