
(Military SF Horror) Elliot's squad of convict-soldiers crash-lands in the middle of a swamp far away from help. Extracting them doesn't seem to be a priority, but something seems to be wrong with the swamp. (8,870 words; Time: 29m)
Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average
Recommended By: GDozois:4 NClarke"Extraction Request," by Rich Larson [bio] (edited by Neil Clarke), appeared in Clarkesworld issue 112, published on January 1, 2016.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: The escalation of horror is well-managed. From one, to a few, to an overwhelming number. Hope doesn't entirely fade until the very end.
The technologies all seem reasonable.
Con: It's a simple, linear story with no big "aha" moments. It's also impossible to really care about any of the characters, given their backgrounds.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 112)
Rich Larson Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
The technologies all seem reasonable.
Con: It's a simple, linear story with no big "aha" moments. It's also impossible to really care about any of the characters, given their backgrounds.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 112)
Rich Larson Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Well-written, but incredibly bleak.
ReplyDeleteNot just bleak, but it lacks the tragic quality that can make a bleak story great.
Delete