★★☆☆☆ Not Recommended
(Post-Apocalypse) Dahlia, the last human child, is only ten years old, but she flees the wrath of the Spliced after killing their elder council. (7,643 words; Time: 25m)
"The Last Human Child," by Milo James Fowler [bio] (edited by Scott H. Andrews), appeared in Beneath Ceaseless Skies issue 245, published on February 8, 2018.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: The basic plot is fine: Dahlia flees both Spliced and humans with the help of Brawnstone, who’s determined to protect her. She finds a village of humans who’re still fertile, and settles with them.
Con: Too many things break suspension of disbelief. First, Dahlia behaves like a 20-something woman, not a 10-year-old child. Second, Brawnstone’s behavior is hard to believe on just about any level. Third, the cardboard villains are seriously annoying.
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Con: Too many things break suspension of disbelief. First, Dahlia behaves like a 20-something woman, not a 10-year-old child. Second, Brawnstone’s behavior is hard to believe on just about any level. Third, the cardboard villains are seriously annoying.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 245)
Milo James Fowler Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
Story was all right, but the characterization was pretty thin. Looks like the author has published other stories in this setting:
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