★★★☆☆ Mixed
(Alien SF) An alien tourist in human form thinks she’s found another tourist like herself. It’s against the rules to talk about it, lest locals find out, but she’s lonely and the temptation is strong. (5,115 words; Time: 17m)
"Tourists," by Rammel Chan [bio] (edited by Sheila Williams), appeared in Asimov's Science Fiction issue 03-04|19, published on February 15, 2019 by Penny Publications.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Review: 2019.128 (A Word for Authors)
Pro: This is really a horror story, if you think about it. We know that there’s some really good reason why tourists are told not to reveal themselves, and as we get closer and close to the end, the tension rises and rises. That part is very well done.
The story about the catastrophe on Unzogdhh-Tar is worked into the conversation very nicely, so when she realizes her “friend” actually means to kill her, we’re suitably horrified.
Con: I got really, really tired of being reminded over and over that the narrator didn’t know what language the other aliens were using. I understand that that’s key to the outcome of the story, but the constant repetition made the story unpleasant to read.
Other Reviews: Search Web
Rammel Chan Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
Pro: This is really a horror story, if you think about it. We know that there’s some really good reason why tourists are told not to reveal themselves, and as we get closer and close to the end, the tension rises and rises. That part is very well done.
The story about the catastrophe on Unzogdhh-Tar is worked into the conversation very nicely, so when she realizes her “friend” actually means to kill her, we’re suitably horrified.
Con: I got really, really tired of being reminded over and over that the narrator didn’t know what language the other aliens were using. I understand that that’s key to the outcome of the story, but the constant repetition made the story unpleasant to read.
Other Reviews: Search Web
Rammel Chan Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
No comments (may contain spoilers):
Post a Comment (comment policy)