(High Fantasy Horror) The empire’s immortal nobles are hopelessly jaded, and Dejanira’s parties bring them excitement through the threat of death. (7,123 words; Time: 23m)
Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average
"Woe and Other Remedies," by Michael Anthony Ashley [bio] (edited by Scott H. Andrews), appeared in Beneath Ceaseless Skies issue 239, published on November 16, 2017.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: Gama III realizes that leaving the court and leading a life of uncertainty is the only way to escape the ennui that haunts all the nobles. He sets out alone.
Con: It’s hard to believe that Dejanira was the only one who could create risky games for the nobles. Sword fights would seem to accomplish the same thing.
The names are long and silly (probably on purpose) but the joke gets old after a while.
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Michael Anthony Ashley Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
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Con: It’s hard to believe that Dejanira was the only one who could create risky games for the nobles. Sword fights would seem to accomplish the same thing.
The names are long and silly (probably on purpose) but the joke gets old after a while.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 239)
Michael Anthony Ashley Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
The exaggeration of the nobles' jaded decadence went too far for me.
ReplyDeleteYeah. Is "cardboard decadence" a thing?
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