A review by vmarksthespot
After Sundown by Linda Jones, Linda Howard
2.0
While the romance was minimal and rather bland, I appreciated that this story explored the consequences of a natural disaster that is not totally out of the realm of possibility. By one account, there's a 12% chance that a solar star could happen to us in the next few years. It was interesting to contemplate and follow what systems the fictional community put in place to deal with the solar superstorm.
However, my interest almost immediately died when Ben tells Sela he's got nine condoms and after that she's got to choose. The story frames it as a choice but it's really an ultimatum: What I heard in my mind was Ben asking Sela if she's willing to risk unprotected sex -- and thus pregnancy -- with him. When they eventually do run out of condoms, Sela consents without pause because yes, she does want a baby with Ben.
Both of those reactions struck me as patently unrealistic. They're both willing to risk Sela and the baby to childbirth without the aid of modern medicine? The story has already established there are no medical facilities or doctors in Wears Valley. The best they have is a medic and a veterinarian and some herbalists. Even if there was a hospital, there'd be no electricity to run the equipment.
I'm not saying the couple shouldn't not decide to have a baby. It just felt like it warranted, at the very least, a conversation. Sela worries about everything else already; wouldn't this rank as well? Yes, by the epilogue, we learn that the electricity is due to be restored in time for resulting baby's birth, but if that was always the expectation, the authors should have at least mentioned that possibility earlier rather than being so blithe about the baby's conception.
Both of those reactions struck me as patently unrealistic. They're both willing to risk Sela and the baby to childbirth without the aid of modern medicine? The story has already established there are no medical facilities or doctors in Wears Valley. The best they have is a medic and a veterinarian and some herbalists. Even if there was a hospital, there'd be no electricity to run the equipment.
I'm not saying the couple shouldn't not decide to have a baby. It just felt like it warranted, at the very least, a conversation. Sela worries about everything else already; wouldn't this rank as well? Yes, by the epilogue, we learn that the electricity is due to be restored in time for resulting baby's birth, but if that was always the expectation, the authors should have at least mentioned that possibility earlier rather than being so blithe about the baby's conception.