(Fantasy) As a girl, Mara learned that you need to cry seven tears into the sea to summon a selkie. She’s always felt more a sea creature than a land creature anyway. (2,455 words; Time: 08m)
Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average
"Seven Salt Tears," by Kat Howard [bio] (edited by John Joseph Adams), appeared in Lightspeed Magazine issue 80, published on January 1, 2017.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: Elements of the story are interesting, such as her mom keeping the hurricane away.
Con: There’s no coherence to it. Just a bunch of disconnected scenes with no goal and no outcome. It's all set up and no delivery.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 80)
Kat Howard Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB
Con: There’s no coherence to it. Just a bunch of disconnected scenes with no goal and no outcome. It's all set up and no delivery.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 80)
Kat Howard Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB
The way I interpreted it was that her mother was a mermaid, and she was only able to remain human until her half-human daughter grew up. Very fairytale-like and poetic.
ReplyDeleteThis story features excellent writing, but little plot. I wasn't sure where it was heading, and I didn't care for most of the story, but it earns an extra star for an unexpectedly poignant ending.
ReplyDelete3/5