★★★☆☆ Mixed
(Space Opera; The Hub Gates) David and Natasha disguise themselves as aliens in order to chase a thief to a world where humans aren’t welcome, but their disguises prove to be a bit too effective. (14,225 words; Time: 47m)
Recommended By: 👍STomaino+1 (Q&A)
This story doesn’t stand alone. You’ll need to read the rest of the Hub Gates stories first.
"Hubstitute Creatures," by Christopher L. Bennett [bio] (edited by Trevor Quachri), appeared in Analog Science Fiction and Fact issue 11-12|18, published on October 18, 2018 by Penny Publications.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Review: 2018.563 (A Word for Authors)
Pro: David, Natasha, and Rynyan are always a joy to read about. Rynyan comes across much better in this story than in previous ones, and I really felt his pain at how Nashira’s behavior was dishonoring all Sosyryns.
Some of the jokes are pretty funny. Like the official looking at Rynan’s udder “with a cowed expression.”
Con: It spends way too much time trying to bring the first-time reader up to speed. Worse, it does this via lots and lots of infodumps. Some of dialogue (not most of it) hits a false note. And the thing ends on a (100% predictable) cliffhanger.
The ending (such as it is) is rather preachy, and the message “don’t be a bully” isn’t exactly controversial.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 11-12|18)
Christopher L. Bennett Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
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Pro: David, Natasha, and Rynyan are always a joy to read about. Rynyan comes across much better in this story than in previous ones, and I really felt his pain at how Nashira’s behavior was dishonoring all Sosyryns.
Some of the jokes are pretty funny. Like the official looking at Rynan’s udder “with a cowed expression.”
Con: It spends way too much time trying to bring the first-time reader up to speed. Worse, it does this via lots and lots of infodumps. Some of dialogue (not most of it) hits a false note. And the thing ends on a (100% predictable) cliffhanger.
The ending (such as it is) is rather preachy, and the message “don’t be a bully” isn’t exactly controversial.
Other Reviews: Search Web, Browse Review Sites (Issue 11-12|18)
Christopher L. Bennett Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
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