Review: Great short story prelude to the wonderful The Dark Citadel....
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 01 16, 2014
The Green Woman, one of the more fascinating characters in “The Dark Citadel,” is the topic of the first story. To refresh our memory, she’s the keeper of the memories. The person who remembers what Providence was like before. The Ignorant class passes the stories in their oral history and in this story; the Green Woman is just starting to realize her skill.The fluidity with which Dougherty writes is impressive. The trio of short stories not only meld well with “The Dark Citadel” and enhance that already outstanding novel but works really well on their own. There’s a very clear continuity in her text that makes the setting and situation clear without the need of copious exposition. There is an easy transition to a world quite different from our own.The other stories involve the character of Hector and Jonah and while there’s darkness there;s also hope. This is not a world without a chance. This is not a world without love or light or promise.That is not to say that Providence isn’t brilliantly written as a supercilious society that is quite dangerous to those not born in the right area of the city. There is a pall hanging over this society that is deliciously vibrant with what can be and the revolution that is coming.I loved “The Dark Citadel” and I love “In the Beginning.” If you like fantasy and fiction that is intelligent in its commentary, pick this one up today.