For some reason I absolutely loved this cover created by ?????
Shatterboy originally appeared in Circada in November 2005. It is a short and wonderful science fiction story about loss and letting go. Mr. Carter manages to pack quite a punch into his 8 pages. Such a fragile tale. This is a must-read.
Tony Bertauski writes a poignant tale of loss and love with his novella Drayton. Drayton is The Taker of the last breath/spirit/soul that leaves a person when they die. Of some people that is. He has to get to them first.
Drayton is lost. He is older than he remembers and has no idea of what he is. All alone he wanders upon the Earth trying to mingle with people so he can feed. Bertauski writes Drayton’s loneliness so well. The long life he has lived has brought him around from a monster without control to someone who helps out when he can. I got a sense of quietness even in the scenes that were violent.
I loved the contrast between Young and Hal at the end of the novella. How perfectly it illustrates the complexity of Drayton’s character.
I am finding myself having quite a bit of fun with Lorraine Anderson’s short stories. Aboard the Quaker City is another addition to my enjoyment.
Aboard the Quaker City is basically about a guy who meets an ex while stuck on a cruise in space. It is completely absurd yet sweet. Anderson manages to compress imperialism and prejudice into 22 pages of unbelievability. Yet this is all stuff that I observe in pople almost every day. Granted, we do not have gills nor do we go on cruises around the galaxy (unless you count the Earth as a space ship), but we really are silly.
Enjoy.
Cover designed by Greg Jensen (with images from Jabney Hastings and Albion Europe ApS)
Annie Bellet describes Winter’s Bite:
Many years ago, Ysabon made her living by the sword as a skilled mercenary. Now she lives in Westedge with her brother’s children, tending to the animals and afraid of dying old and useless. Then a horrible winter storm drives monsters down from the mountains and Ysabon can save her family and her village only if she finds the strength to take up the sword for a final battle.
Winter’s Bite is a lovely story 25 pages long. I am often amazed at how much an author manages to pack into a short story. Annie Bellet is no exception. I love Ysabon. She is the kind of fierce that I would like to be. Female warriors have always been a favorite of mine especially when they have the courage and love that Ysabon shows.
Here is another delightful short-story by Lorraine J. Anderson.
This time two small-time crooks “borrow” a “Red Truck” – a 4×4 – that is much more than it appears at the outset. Red Truck is an entertaining story that brings a modern dimension to Santa’s story. I hope you like it as much as I did.
The Curious Case of A. Fly, Esquire is a delightful short-story by Lorraine J. Anderson. A. Fly is taken to court as one of the accused in the case of the accidental death of a witch. Its defense is well worth the read.
A. Fly’s observations are funny and believable in a strangely bizarre manner. I love it. Keep up the good work.
I see The Getaway is listed as a paranormal romance story, but I feel that is kind of misleading. It seemed more like a thrillerish kind of story (kind of a thriller, but not quite).
Gavyn Donatti and his wife, Jazz, are going away for the week-end. On the way to their remote cabin, they end up getting lost and crash their car.
Jazz wakes up in a strange place where a guy called Seth tries to take care of her. Something seems really off about the whole situation, and something is.
The Getaway is a fun short-story about encountering craziness in unexpected places and how to deal with the nuts.
Dawning is my introduction to the Nini Decker universe. My appetite was whet and the novel presented quite a dilemma for the main character Dashrael.
In a blatant show of racism, the chancellor tells Dashrael to kill the spouse of the overseer’s daughter along with their half-breed child.
That is pretty much what this story is about. Dashrael coming face to face with his target and the choices he makes and sadly the consequences his choice has for him personally.
Granted, this is human/elven racism. But, you know, this is reality for quite a few people on this planet. If you dare fall for someone of another color/ethnicity/religion than yourself, lives are at risk. I have to say that it is one of the more confusing aspects of humanity.
A thought-provoking story – and well-written. As my first Vivi Anna experience, I was well-pleased.
The goose that lays the golden egg. What is her story? Goose is Anderson’s attempt to answer just that. How did the goose happen to begin laying gold eggs? You have to admit it is kind of unusual. What was her road to Jack? And what happened after Jack brought her home with him?
I like Lorraine’s take on this classic folk tale. It is light and humorous and short. 258 words short. I found it well-worth the read.
humanitysdarkerside 