★★★☆☆ Average
(Post-Apocalypse) In the ruins of Mexico, a professional killer returns the kidnapped son of a brutal dictator, with unexpected consequences. (6,923 words; Time: 23m)
"Our King and His Court," by Rich Larson [bio] (edited by Ellen Datlow), published on March 21, 2018 by Tor.com.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: El Cuervo (Spanish for “The Crow”) destroys El Tirano (“The Tyrant”) because he learned that the dictator means to use the body of his innocent little son to live on. That, and because he learns that the dictator destroyed El Cuerevo’s home town and shared the shame of his own origins with the priest.
The story does a nice job of hinting what things are coming. For example, we knew all seven of El Cuervo’s companions died rescuing Mateo, so it’s not a complete surprise to learn he killed them himself.
Con: I found it impossible to believe that El Cuervo simply did what the accountant wanted him to do without demanding explanations. I’d have expected him to force the man to tell him everything before leaving to rescue Mateo.
The way the story jumps around in time is a bit confusing, although I did figure it out.
The story mentions that Cuba was an island that disappeared when the sea rose. That would require the sea-level to rise almost two kilometers. Even a 13-meter rise would only flood about 15% of the total area of the country.
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Rich Larson Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
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The story does a nice job of hinting what things are coming. For example, we knew all seven of El Cuervo’s companions died rescuing Mateo, so it’s not a complete surprise to learn he killed them himself.
Con: I found it impossible to believe that El Cuervo simply did what the accountant wanted him to do without demanding explanations. I’d have expected him to force the man to tell him everything before leaving to rescue Mateo.
The way the story jumps around in time is a bit confusing, although I did figure it out.
The story mentions that Cuba was an island that disappeared when the sea rose. That would require the sea-level to rise almost two kilometers. Even a 13-meter rise would only flood about 15% of the total area of the country.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 03/21/18)
Rich Larson Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
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