Wednesday, January 20, 2016

The Charge and the Storm, by An Owomoyela

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(SF) In a colony on an almost uninhabitable planet, the technologically-superior Su share power with the humans, but some humans want independence. (16,433 words; Time: 54m)

Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average
Recommended By: GDozois:4 RHorton:4 NClarke JStrahan

"The Charge and the Storm," by (edited by Sheila Williams), appeared in issue 02|16, published on by .

Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)

Pro: The story arc starts with a confrontation between Perta and Amad, formerly close friends but now adversaries. Petra is a "Maker" but she hasn't made children and she hasn't made peace with the separatist humans. Or even remade her relationship with her ex-wife.

It concludes with her clearly ready to reconcile with Illen, but, more important, she calls Amad ready to discuss how to make peace, which brings it full circle to a natural conclusion.

Con: Not a lot actually happens except inside Petra's mind, and even that doesn't leave us with a strong emotional feeling.

Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 02|16)
An Owomoyela Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline

3 comments (may contain spoilers):

  1. I'm in two minds about this one. The premise and setting were really interesting and I wanted to hear more, but as you say the plot doesn't go far enough in any strand - lots get set up, but really it's just the character's internal journey and it stops before that is properly resolved IMO.
    I also got the distinct impression that reconciliation was basically there for the asking, she just had to get herself to that point.

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  2. I've seen several stories like that lately, where it seemed as though the author had a big idea and a complex, well-thought-out world, but simply didn't have enough of a story to do it justice.

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  3. I agree with RSR's ★★★ rating. The heavy relationship-driven plot was a bit confusing and boring and got in the way of my enjoyment of the setting, or what little we learn about the colony and the alien Su.

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