(High Fantasy) Since the Grey Men took his mother and the rest of the villagers away, Folu has hidden in the ruins of the cathedral. But winter is coming, and he doesn’t know how he’ll feed himself. (2,806 words; Time: 09m)
Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average
"Think Of Winter," by Eleanna Castroianni [bio] (edited by Scott H. Andrews), appeared in Beneath Ceaseless Skies issue 216, published on December 29, 2016.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: Folu gets what he wants—to live by himself—and he’s better off for what he learned from Eric and from his gift of the knife.
We know nothing of Eric but the facts that he helps Folu when he doesn't have to, he admits to being a traitor, and he sacrifices himself to save the boy. We connect with him enough to feel sorry when he's gone.
Con: It’s hard to see what Eric saw in Folu. Why didn’t he run and leave the uncooperative boy behind? It’s a little surprising that Folu didn’t warm to Eric over time. We end up feeling sorry that Eric wasted his life to save him.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 216)
Eleanna Castroianni Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB
We know nothing of Eric but the facts that he helps Folu when he doesn't have to, he admits to being a traitor, and he sacrifices himself to save the boy. We connect with him enough to feel sorry when he's gone.
Con: It’s hard to see what Eric saw in Folu. Why didn’t he run and leave the uncooperative boy behind? It’s a little surprising that Folu didn’t warm to Eric over time. We end up feeling sorry that Eric wasted his life to save him.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 216)
Eleanna Castroianni Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB
The child's point of view here was just too limited to give me any feeling for either character. And I didn't see any speculative element.
ReplyDeleteThe cards really do tell the future.
DeleteFair enough. To me the card reading had enough vagueness and coincidence that it didn't seem particularly magical.
Delete