★★★★☆ Well-crafted, Moves Inexorably to Its Conclusion
(SF) Ellen seeks her father, who disappeared while studying intelligent marine mammals that resemble mermaids. (4,557 words; Time: 15m)
"Down Where Sound Comes Blunt," by G.V. Anderson [bio] (edited by C.C. Finlay), appeared in Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction issue 03-04|18, published on February 27, 2018 by Spilogale Inc.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: The story does a great job of setting up the catastrophe. We know people have disappeared in the area for years. We know her father must be dead. We know its dangerous to dive alone, but the queen will have it no other way. When we realize what’s really happened, it all clicks together at once.
Ellen is the only solid character, but we learn a lot about her. In particular, she’s still trying to prove herself to her father, and rescuing him means way too much to her. She ends up paying the ultimate price for that.
Con: Given how her father is portrayed, she seems foolish for caring what he thinks.
And, of course, any lifeform like the selkies would have been detected a long time ago.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 03-04|18)
G.V. Anderson Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
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Ellen is the only solid character, but we learn a lot about her. In particular, she’s still trying to prove herself to her father, and rescuing him means way too much to her. She ends up paying the ultimate price for that.
Con: Given how her father is portrayed, she seems foolish for caring what he thinks.
And, of course, any lifeform like the selkies would have been detected a long time ago.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 03-04|18)
G.V. Anderson Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
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