(High Fantasy; Tasik) The shark god rises from under Mei’s island home, leaving all the inhabitants homeless or drowned. She escapes and finds a home, but the shark god still has plans for her. (7,284 words; Time: 24m)
Rating: ★★★★☆ Charming, Moving, Satisfying
"The Shark God's Child," by Jonathan Edelstein [bio] (edited by Scott H. Andrews), appeared in Beneath Ceaseless Skies issue 222, published on March 23, 2017.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: From the start, she knew the shark god had a purpose for her since he sent a shark to carry her to safety. Later, she learned that the proper order of the universe is that benefits come from those who willingly make sacrifices, and that evil results from forcing people (or gods) to sacrifice. When the Turtle Mother tells her that she’ll be free when all are free, she knows inside that this is what she’s been called to do.
And she accomplishes her goal. The evil priests are destroyed, but the island lives on. She pays a price herself, becoming a slow-motion guardian, but she’s content.
Con: For most of the story, she’s just drifting. She doesn’t figure out her purpose until very late in the game.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 222)
Jonathan Edelstein Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
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And she accomplishes her goal. The evil priests are destroyed, but the island lives on. She pays a price herself, becoming a slow-motion guardian, but she’s content.
Con: For most of the story, she’s just drifting. She doesn’t figure out her purpose until very late in the game.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 222)
Jonathan Edelstein Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
Interesting world-building, but we get such a broad sketch of Mei's life that I never really felt for her.
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