★★★☆☆ Average
(Alternate-History Fantasy) When the local thugs come after her, Gherek knows she needs to flee, but she doesn’t count on taking a small child with her. (4,050 words; Time: 13m)
"Where The Rain Mothers Are," by Rafeeat Aliyu [bio] (edited by Vanessa Rose Phin), appeared in Strange Horizons issue 04/29/19, published on April 29, 2019.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Review: 2019.290 (A Word for Authors)
Pro: The setting is a sort of African steampunk, a world where the empires of western Africa survived in one form or another and developed advanced technologies like firearms.
Gherek’s immortality is something of a burden to her, and she needs to keep it a secret, although the local people certainly know that immortals exist. Despite an absence of centuries, she really wants to go home, and to a great degree this story is about her reaching a decision to do just that.
The name “Gherek” can mean “submerged,” which is quite apropos, even if it wasn’t intentional.
Con: The story itself is quite thin compared to the setting. I wonder if this is meant to introduce a novel or something.
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Rafeeat Aliyu Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
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Pro: The setting is a sort of African steampunk, a world where the empires of western Africa survived in one form or another and developed advanced technologies like firearms.
Gherek’s immortality is something of a burden to her, and she needs to keep it a secret, although the local people certainly know that immortals exist. Despite an absence of centuries, she really wants to go home, and to a great degree this story is about her reaching a decision to do just that.
The name “Gherek” can mean “submerged,” which is quite apropos, even if it wasn’t intentional.
Con: The story itself is quite thin compared to the setting. I wonder if this is meant to introduce a novel or something.
Other Reviews: Search Web
Rafeeat Aliyu Info: Interviews, Websites, ISFDB, FreeSFOnline
Follow RSR on Twitter, Facebook, RSS, or E-mail.
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