(Colony SF; Arkwright) Sanjay's mother is exiled from the Eos colony for heresy because she claimed she saw "stars" moving in the night skies. (20,200 words; Time: 1h:07m)
Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average
Recommended By: GDozois:5"The Children of Gal," by Allen M. Steele [bio] (edited by Sheila Williams), appeared in Asimov's Science Fiction issue 04-05|15, published on February 23, 2015 by Penny Publications.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: Nice concept of humans modified for a high-gravity planet. Satisfying ending landing the shuttle next to Childstown.
Con: Sanjay is a rather passive character. He pretty much goes where he's told and accepts what he hears. The behavior of the natives--all of them--is difficult to believe, for different reasons. Even some of the dialogue towards the end seems unnatural. Minor things are also annoying. The idea that people would still have the last names of key crew members is odd because last-names tend to disappear over time. The idea that that would matter to anyone is really hard to credit.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 04-05|15)
Allen M. Steele Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
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Con: Sanjay is a rather passive character. He pretty much goes where he's told and accepts what he hears. The behavior of the natives--all of them--is difficult to believe, for different reasons. Even some of the dialogue towards the end seems unnatural. Minor things are also annoying. The idea that people would still have the last names of key crew members is odd because last-names tend to disappear over time. The idea that that would matter to anyone is really hard to credit.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 04-05|15)
Allen M. Steele Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
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