★★★☆☆ Honorable Mention
(Fantasy Adventure) Viorica attempts to steal the famed Şiret Mask from Codruţ, brother of her dear friend. There are lots of complications, not least of which that Codruţ expects someone to try to take it. (5,683 words; Time: 18m)
Recommended By: 👍JMcGregor+2 (Q&A)
"The Şiret Mask," by Marie Brennan [bio] (edited by Scott H. Andrews), appeared in Beneath Ceaseless Skies issue 238, published on November 2, 2017.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Review: 2017.747 (A Word for Authors)
Pro: What’s particularly interesting is that we know from the opening that Viorica will steal the mask; all that’s missing is how and why. As the story unrolls, we’re left wondering who is real and who’s not, but by the end, it’s all clear. Once we know she and her lover have been working together, it's easier to see how all of this deception was pulled off.
Con: The whole plot seems vastly over-complicated. And we never do understand why Viorica wants this secret life.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 238)
Marie Brennan Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
Pro: What’s particularly interesting is that we know from the opening that Viorica will steal the mask; all that’s missing is how and why. As the story unrolls, we’re left wondering who is real and who’s not, but by the end, it’s all clear. Once we know she and her lover have been working together, it's easier to see how all of this deception was pulled off.
Con: The whole plot seems vastly over-complicated. And we never do understand why Viorica wants this secret life.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 238)
Marie Brennan Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
A fun heist -- I wonder if there will be more Viorica stories.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the rating, and the above comments.
ReplyDeleteGood solid story that is worth reading.
This one definitely deserved an honorable mention. I'll add that to the fix list.
Delete