★★★★☆ Tense and Moving Story in a Fascinating Setting
(Christian Fantasy) Kicked out of an elite academy, Suzanne survives on the streets with the help of a mute boy and four reluctant angels. And despite a demon inside her that keeps threatening to break out. (5,776 words; Time: 19m)
"Suzie Q," by Jacqueline Carey [bio] (edited by Jason Sizemore), appeared in Apex Magazine issue 109, published on June 5, 2018.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: Superficially, the story is about Suzanne’s struggle to keep the demon inside her under control, and it recounts how she ultimately failed. But Suzanne’s life has been hard, and most of her hardships have not been her fault. Right or wrong, it’s hard not to cheer when the demon eats the Croppers, and it’s deliciously chilling when she tells Son that its name is Susie Q.
One of the story’s charms is the way the relationship between Suzanne and Son unfolds. He loves her unconditionally in a pure, non-sexual way, that’s clearly shown without him ever uttering a single word. He’s a shining light in a very dark place, and he puts the angels to shame.
There’s a deeper, unsettling message here as well: it seems to be saying that beyond a certain point, violence is the right response to oppression.
Con: So now what? I have no idea what Suzanne's future looks like from here.
Suzanne seems to have overreacted to her discovery that Davis used her hymenal blood to make his summoning ritual work. She leapt to the conclusion that that was the only reason he ever dated her, and she tried to strangle him for it. This makes her a bit less sympathetic.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 109)
Jacqueline Carey Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
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One of the story’s charms is the way the relationship between Suzanne and Son unfolds. He loves her unconditionally in a pure, non-sexual way, that’s clearly shown without him ever uttering a single word. He’s a shining light in a very dark place, and he puts the angels to shame.
There’s a deeper, unsettling message here as well: it seems to be saying that beyond a certain point, violence is the right response to oppression.
Con: So now what? I have no idea what Suzanne's future looks like from here.
Suzanne seems to have overreacted to her discovery that Davis used her hymenal blood to make his summoning ritual work. She leapt to the conclusion that that was the only reason he ever dated her, and she tried to strangle him for it. This makes her a bit less sympathetic.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 109)
Jacqueline Carey Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
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