Review: Wonderful surprises
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 06 26, 2012
I grew up on science fiction, which means the ABC's of Asimov, Bradbury, Clarke. I'm spoiled. I LOVE short stories in this genre (okay, call it fantasy if you prefer. When I grew up they didn't differentiate between the two.) I particularly love short stories with a twist. Avram Davidson, Sheckley, Resnick, Asimov, all heroes. It's a style that's sadly out of style nowadays, when the big money is made in thousand-page multi-volume novels that sometimes make me wonder if the writers think they're getting paid by the word rather than the writing. (All due respect to George R R Martin, whose work I adore, and Turtledove, and a host of others.) Gaiman and Willis and Yolen certainly carry the torch; Tanya Huff and a few others come to mind. But though their work is heartfelt and wonderful, it's usually not presented with any surprises.All that being said, short story writing has fallen behind the growth of the medium, so it's wonderful to see someone like Iden grab the bull by the horns and run with it.My only caveat would be that this story, and the previous one I read (Sword of Kings), feel rushed. Hurried. As though the writer is really worried about keeping the size down - commendable - and perhaps writing a little too fast. God knows I'm not an editor and probably shouldn't be speaking out of turn, but that's my absolute single criticism. Otherwise, I think the stories and the mind behind them are first rate, and I can't wait until he publishes something with all the shorts in one place. I'll be glad to pay for it then!