lizabethstucker's review
4.0
There are eleven short stories and novellas in this latest issue. A good collection with some quality work, even one Christmas themed story. Overall rating is 4.1 out of 5.
"The Cat Bell" by Esther M. Friesner
Cook hated the cats that her employer insisted onadopting and feeding every day. She wanted nothing to do with them. So when a stray appears, she literally throws him out. While away on an enforced vacation, others who feed the cats fall into good fortune. A great twist on Puss in Boots, although Cook got off too lightly, if you ask me. 4 out of 5.
"The Farmboy" by Albert E. Cowdrey
When gold is discovered on what the expedition engineer likes to call Earth II, the medical officer has an idea to smuggle some back home. The idea grows into a complicated plan as she gathers greedy accomplices who can make it happen. But there will be a high price to pay. Double-cross becomes triple-cross as the people involved let their greed destroy what little honor they might have had. An engrossing tale of human frailties. 4.5 out of 5.
"Between Going and Staying" by Lilliam Rivera
Dolores is a doliente, hired to attend funerals and memorials in costumes that either represent or honor the deceased. She is called home by her mother after an ex-lover is kidnapped, becoming one of the Disappeared. The stories that can be the hardest to read are those based on truth. Dolores knows you cannot turn back time, no matter how hard you might try. 4.5 out of 5.
"The Vindicator" by Matthew Hughes
Someone is out to kill Raffalon the Thief, for what he doesn't know. With the help of Cascor the Discriminator, Raffalon learns much more than he possibly wants to know. This, the last of the Raffalon stories, is the first that I've read. He is a most interesting character with a strong sense of self-preservation. 4 out of 5.
"The Place of Bones" by Gardner Dozois
Told by the unnamed tutor of Martin, a second son and scholar with a yearning to explore the Dragonlands. Wow! I tend to forget that Dozois is as fine a writer as he is an editor. This is so short a tale, yet so intense. From symptoms that indicate radiation sickness to the tutor's shocking, yet sensible, efforts to survive the trip back through the still glowing bones of thousands of dead dragons in a land where nothing seems to live. And yet. And yet. 5 out of 5.
"Lord Elgin at the Acropolis" by Minsoo Kang
An art museum director declares his favorite painting and others as fake. There is no proof and he is ultimately let go from his job. Police detective O, haunted by the case, asks his childhood friend and novelist An to concoct a story to explain what happened. This is the kind of creepy story that would make a good Twilight Zone episode. Although, for me, this type of story always works better in visual form. 3 out of 5.
"Special Collections" by Kurt Fawver
The first rule of the library was to never go into the Special Collections room alone. A group of employees test that rule over the years. The result is always the same, the individual urged into the room never returns. Talk about creepy! No solution given to the core mystery, just chills. 4 out of 5.
"A Fine Balance" by Charlotte Ashley
Dueling as a way to keep the peach only works if those in charge honor it. Shoanna Yildirim was a mighty duelist, her opponent equally so. But Shoanna's sponsors aren't as wealthy as Kara's, causing Kara's sponsors to break the rules in an effort to take over. The rivals band together, fighting back. Shoanna and Kara are strong women of honor, even when faced with dishonor from those they fight for. 3.5 out of 5.
"Passelande" by Robert Reed
The AI backups reach out to Lucas Pepper, realizing that he understands them. One may have arranged for the murder of Lucas' friend, a concept that was too hard for humans to accept. Another is worried about her missing husband. I'm not certain what to say about this story. I liked it, yet struggled to write a synopsis. It was strange and interesting and intriguing and most extraordinary. 4.5 out of 5.
"The Rhythm Man" by James Beamon
Horace is a blues man, his trumpet playing affected by a lip that twitches uncontrollably. The blues itself has been pushed aside by audiences that want speed, fast music that they can dance to. Knowing his time is almost up, H0race goes looking for the Rhythm Man to make a special deal. Dear God, that last line destroyed me! As painful as it might be, Horace appears to believe his choice was correct. 4.5 out of 5.
"Merry Christmas from All of Us to All of You" by Sandra McDonald
All the tropes and phrases of Christmas are used in a most disturbing manner in this tale of the latest graduates from the North Pole Charter School Academy. 4.5 out of 5.
"The Cat Bell" by Esther M. Friesner
Cook hated the cats that her employer insisted onadopting and feeding every day. She wanted nothing to do with them. So when a stray appears, she literally throws him out. While away on an enforced vacation, others who feed the cats fall into good fortune. A great twist on Puss in Boots, although Cook got off too lightly, if you ask me. 4 out of 5.
"The Farmboy" by Albert E. Cowdrey
When gold is discovered on what the expedition engineer likes to call Earth II, the medical officer has an idea to smuggle some back home. The idea grows into a complicated plan as she gathers greedy accomplices who can make it happen. But there will be a high price to pay. Double-cross becomes triple-cross as the people involved let their greed destroy what little honor they might have had. An engrossing tale of human frailties. 4.5 out of 5.
"Between Going and Staying" by Lilliam Rivera
Dolores is a doliente, hired to attend funerals and memorials in costumes that either represent or honor the deceased. She is called home by her mother after an ex-lover is kidnapped, becoming one of the Disappeared. The stories that can be the hardest to read are those based on truth. Dolores knows you cannot turn back time, no matter how hard you might try. 4.5 out of 5.
"The Vindicator" by Matthew Hughes
Someone is out to kill Raffalon the Thief, for what he doesn't know. With the help of Cascor the Discriminator, Raffalon learns much more than he possibly wants to know. This, the last of the Raffalon stories, is the first that I've read. He is a most interesting character with a strong sense of self-preservation. 4 out of 5.
"The Place of Bones" by Gardner Dozois
Told by the unnamed tutor of Martin, a second son and scholar with a yearning to explore the Dragonlands. Wow! I tend to forget that Dozois is as fine a writer as he is an editor. This is so short a tale, yet so intense. From symptoms that indicate radiation sickness to the tutor's shocking, yet sensible, efforts to survive the trip back through the still glowing bones of thousands of dead dragons in a land where nothing seems to live. And yet. And yet. 5 out of 5.
"Lord Elgin at the Acropolis" by Minsoo Kang
An art museum director declares his favorite painting and others as fake. There is no proof and he is ultimately let go from his job. Police detective O, haunted by the case, asks his childhood friend and novelist An to concoct a story to explain what happened. This is the kind of creepy story that would make a good Twilight Zone episode. Although, for me, this type of story always works better in visual form. 3 out of 5.
"Special Collections" by Kurt Fawver
The first rule of the library was to never go into the Special Collections room alone. A group of employees test that rule over the years. The result is always the same, the individual urged into the room never returns. Talk about creepy! No solution given to the core mystery, just chills. 4 out of 5.
"A Fine Balance" by Charlotte Ashley
Dueling as a way to keep the peach only works if those in charge honor it. Shoanna Yildirim was a mighty duelist, her opponent equally so. But Shoanna's sponsors aren't as wealthy as Kara's, causing Kara's sponsors to break the rules in an effort to take over. The rivals band together, fighting back. Shoanna and Kara are strong women of honor, even when faced with dishonor from those they fight for. 3.5 out of 5.
"Passelande" by Robert Reed
The AI backups reach out to Lucas Pepper, realizing that he understands them. One may have arranged for the murder of Lucas' friend, a concept that was too hard for humans to accept. Another is worried about her missing husband. I'm not certain what to say about this story. I liked it, yet struggled to write a synopsis. It was strange and interesting and intriguing and most extraordinary. 4.5 out of 5.
"The Rhythm Man" by James Beamon
Horace is a blues man, his trumpet playing affected by a lip that twitches uncontrollably. The blues itself has been pushed aside by audiences that want speed, fast music that they can dance to. Knowing his time is almost up, H0race goes looking for the Rhythm Man to make a special deal. Dear God, that last line destroyed me! As painful as it might be, Horace appears to believe his choice was correct. 4.5 out of 5.
"Merry Christmas from All of Us to All of You" by Sandra McDonald
All the tropes and phrases of Christmas are used in a most disturbing manner in this tale of the latest graduates from the North Pole Charter School Academy. 4.5 out of 5.
More...