(Planetary SF; Coyote) A scientific team tagging “boids” in the wilderness on Coyote copes with equipment that’s falling apart, a drunken leader, and the man-eating, flightless birds themselves. (12,458 words; Time: 41m)
Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average
Allen M. Steele has written other stories in his “Coyote” universe, but this one stands alone with no problems.
"Tagging Bruno," by Allen M. Steele [bio] (edited by Sheila Williams), appeared in Asimov's Science Fiction issue 01-02|17, published on December 15, 2016 by Penny Publications.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: This is a good, exciting story. It’s clear from the start that Blair will be a problem; the only real question is how many casualties there will be.
Con: Blair is such a cardboard villain that it detracts from the story. Sawyer comes across as rather weak when he never stands up to Blair, which is a little disappointing. The two young men aren’t fleshed out, and it’s easy to confuse them for each other.
The author has a bad habit of “showing and then telling anyway.” For example, we’ve learned that Blair wanted to spend the afternoon in a tavern, and then we’ve seen him drinking from a whisky flask, so we know the score. The author doesn’t need to devote a paragraph to explaining that he’s an alcoholic. This isn't frequent enough to ruin the story, but it's annoying.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 01-02|17)
Allen M. Steele Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB
Con: Blair is such a cardboard villain that it detracts from the story. Sawyer comes across as rather weak when he never stands up to Blair, which is a little disappointing. The two young men aren’t fleshed out, and it’s easy to confuse them for each other.
The author has a bad habit of “showing and then telling anyway.” For example, we’ve learned that Blair wanted to spend the afternoon in a tavern, and then we’ve seen him drinking from a whisky flask, so we know the score. The author doesn’t need to devote a paragraph to explaining that he’s an alcoholic. This isn't frequent enough to ruin the story, but it's annoying.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 01-02|17)
Allen M. Steele Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB
"Clever girl...."
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