★★★☆☆ Average
(Alternate-History Fantasy; The Mongolian Wizard) Part six of the Mongolian Wizard, in which Ritter goes to Krakow in disguise to find evidence of atrocities so grave that London cannot believe them. (4,932 words; Time: 16m)
"The Pyramid of Krakow," by Michael Swanwick [bio] (edited by Patrick Nielsen Hayden), published on September 30, 2015 by Tor.com.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Review: 2015.567 (A Word for Authors)
Pro: The story flows smoothly from start to finish, with good narration, natural dialogue, and plenty of tension and suspense. Despite being part of a serial, it's well-contained.
Con: Given the size of the empire, it's not clear why it needs to import chemicals from anyone else. The witch hunter seems to appear from nowhere--with no forshadowing. And the gargoyles seem to be a little TOO dangerous for people to tolerate them just for rat control.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 09/30/15)
Michael Swanwick Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
Pro: The story flows smoothly from start to finish, with good narration, natural dialogue, and plenty of tension and suspense. Despite being part of a serial, it's well-contained.
Con: Given the size of the empire, it's not clear why it needs to import chemicals from anyone else. The witch hunter seems to appear from nowhere--with no forshadowing. And the gargoyles seem to be a little TOO dangerous for people to tolerate them just for rat control.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 09/30/15)
Michael Swanwick Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
Do you think this can be read on its own? Or will I be lost?
ReplyDeleteI've been impressed at how well the various Mongolian Wizard stories stand by themselves. I try not to give a story more than two stars if it cannot stand alone.
ReplyDelete