(SF) Khifi makes a good living as a pilot, but she used to be a homeless kid on the Tanduou docks. So she cares when she gets hints that something bad is happening--something involving kids, aliens, and more. (21,486 words; Time: 1h:11m)
Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average
Recommended By: SFRevu:4 GDozois:4 RHorton:5 Readers"Lazy Dog Out," by Suzanne Palmer [bio] (edited by Sheila Williams), appeared in Asimov's Science Fiction issue 04-05|16, published on March 24, 2016 by Penny Publications.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: There are multiple plot lines, but the main one is Fox's attempt to find out what's happening to hurt her kids.
The story has a good setting, lots of tension, and likable characters. Narration and dialogue are both well done, and there are no obtrusive info dumps.
Con: The ending is too pat. All of the good guys get saved, it seems. But the absolute worst moment in the story is when Quizzie shoots Balcko in cold blood--an outcome so unbelievable it almost spoiled the story completely. The whole conclusion (from when Fox flees the station) feels very rushed.
A minor detail is that there are way too many characters; it's hard to keep track of them, and most of them don't matter to the story anyway.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 04-05|16)
Suzanne Palmer Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
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The story has a good setting, lots of tension, and likable characters. Narration and dialogue are both well done, and there are no obtrusive info dumps.
Con: The ending is too pat. All of the good guys get saved, it seems. But the absolute worst moment in the story is when Quizzie shoots Balcko in cold blood--an outcome so unbelievable it almost spoiled the story completely. The whole conclusion (from when Fox flees the station) feels very rushed.
A minor detail is that there are way too many characters; it's hard to keep track of them, and most of them don't matter to the story anyway.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 04-05|16)
Suzanne Palmer Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
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