(Mutants) A government agent secretly watches Ryx (age 10) and Hector (age 19) because they both have dangerous “variant” abilities. (5,889 words; Time: 19m)
Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average
"The Ways Out," by Sam J. Miller [bio] (edited by Neil Clarke), appeared in Clarkesworld issue 129, published on June 1, 2017.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: Hector’s an awfully nice guy. We see that from the moment he comes to Ryx’s defense, but also in little things, like the game he makes of collecting the aluminum cans so they can have enough to eat.
The story does a nice job of gradually revealing who and what the agent really is. The shock that he’s actually Timothy is delicious.
Con: There’s not much of a plot to the story. Timothy is just making reports. Ryx is just getting by. Hector wants liberation, but we aren’t privy to what he’s doing to accomplish it.
It’s a little weird that all of the boys (even the straight ones?) are in love with Hector—unless that’s supposed to be one of his aptitudes.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 129)
Sam J. Miller Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
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The story does a nice job of gradually revealing who and what the agent really is. The shock that he’s actually Timothy is delicious.
Con: There’s not much of a plot to the story. Timothy is just making reports. Ryx is just getting by. Hector wants liberation, but we aren’t privy to what he’s doing to accomplish it.
It’s a little weird that all of the boys (even the straight ones?) are in love with Hector—unless that’s supposed to be one of his aptitudes.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 129)
Sam J. Miller Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
Enjoyed the format with the strike outs and the characterization.
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