Critical Thinking--More Reviews

Please forgive a second week of reviews. I had a lot of time to read.

Asimov’s, Feb. 2010

Christianity and sci-fi don't—

Just kidding.

“Stone Wall Truth,” by Caroline M. Yoachim…there’s something deliciously other about fantasy or sci fi stories that originate out of a paradigm other than our small, Ameri/Euro culture. This one is out of Africa, which I think deepens the mystery and fantasy of it. And yet, yeah, it has a very Christian message about it. Very cool story. Uh…not for the terribly squeamish.

Then the poem “Reincarnation” about what would happen to the suicide rate if the titular concept were true.

“Dead Air” is one of those stories wherein the protagonist isn’t sympathetic. Maybe I’m just being a girl, but I don’t prefer those kinds of stories. Anyway, this one reminded me of that Doctor Who episode where the Doctor and Rose went to see QEII’s coronation and wound up saving people from being sucked into TVs—"The Idiot's Lantern." It also beautifully illustrates the maxim, “Just because everyone’s paranoid, doesn’t mean they’re not in danger.”

“The Woman Who Waited Forever” was simple, but nice. I think I got the hidden message, but I’m not sure.

“The Bold Explorer in the Place Beyond.” Oh, my. Imagine, if you will, vidad is an alcoholic Civil War veteran who lost against the war against the North’s clockwork soldiers. A boy is hiding out behind a bush, trying to sneak a peek into a burlesque when vidad, seemingly unaware of his audience, begins telling the story about a small squid who wishes to see the world. Yeah, it’s that good.

“The Wind-Blown Man” is another fantasy/sci fi story with foreign roots—this time Chinese. It combines the idea of reaching Buddhist enlightenment with singularity. But where the first story in the magazine was about redemption, this one is about…Can’t tell ya. Gotta read it.

I’m afraid I didn’t read the final story, a novella called “The Ice Line.” Forgive me? According to the cover illustration, it has something to do with submarines and a giant, armored kraken-thing.


Diving into the Wreck

Kristine Kathryn Rusch is a Big Fat Author in several genres and this is the first time I’ve read her work. (I told you I’m a newbie at this!) Diving into the Wreck boasts one of those double-entendre titles I tend to indulge in for my books. “Boss” is a forty-something loner who leads civilians on diving expeditions to old spaceships to pay for her addiction to diving into historical spaceships she’d rather keep to herself. She discovers an ancient ship in a place where it shouldn’t be holding technology that no one thought existed anymore. As she fights with powers that would use it for ill gain, she dives into the wreck of her own life and discovers (a few) things about her past she didn’t know.

Concept: very cool. Two thumbs up. Anyone who’s dived before will dig it.

Characters: eh. Boss is pretty cold and abrasive—not terribly sympathetic, but I like how realistic her leadership style is. She’s not a super hero. She knows her limitations and works around them, even when that means relying on other people.

I had a problem with some of the characters’ motivations. (Why infiltrate this ship and not that one?) And one character, I just don’t get at all. But it’s her POV, and I think this is meant to be a series. So maybe that will come out later.

Writing: no complaints. (Yeah, I know—me!) It’s in present tense with short, choppy sentences and phrasing. Makes for a quick read, even when the action slows.

What have you been reading? What would you recommend? What magazines do you make sure to catch monthly—print or internet?

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Kersley Fitzgerald is a wanna-be author who promises no reviews next week. It’ll either be an in-depth analysis comparing the Harry Potter series to Twilight, et al, or a list of favorite writing tips links. BTW, JK kicks Stephanie’s literary tush every day of the week and twice on Sundays.