Review: Intriguing Concept with a Fantasy Twist
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 11 7, 2011
This is a short story that takes about 15 minutes of your time - about 30 pages on my device. 3.5 StarsVallon Drake is a misfit and a loner, enrolled into the "American Geological Survey Preparatory Academy for the Gifted" in  Seattle.  Apparently in modern day society there are gifted and non-gifted people. (The gift is not defined in the story but it would be equivalent to a mage/magician of some sort.  This Academy prepares the gifted to harness their abilities in order to not only prevent discovery but to be used for the betterment of the world as some sort of magical enforcement agency (the writer does not make the purpose of this school completely clear but you can infer from the story).  Vallon stumbles across a murdered girl and a phone booth on school grounds,  that is clearly congured by another gifted. When she does not feel that the murder is taken seriously by the headmaster, her guardian, or the police, Vallon takes it upon herself to solve the murder and reveal the devious Gifted.The story is pretty well written.  I appreciate the concept of a magical society- a change from the weres and vampires that are popular- and that it takes place in contemporary times.  The next book in the series is Vallon grown-up so this seems to be a prequel to set up the actual series (at the end of the short story is a preview of Afterburn) so that readers can endear themselves to the character and appreciate the person that Vallon will be come.  The story was clever and well delivered. I could not decide if I wanted to give it 3 or 4 stars though.  Despite the undefined introduction into the gifted and the undefined purpose of the school the story was original and entertaining- could use some polish.  The students were a bit mature for their age group, which made me wonder about the audience but now that I know that the series is not about the academy, but Vallon as an Agent for some magical enforcement agency, I am comfortable about the recommendation.  I am interested enough in reading Afterburn to see where she takes the story.