tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390876285955310032.post9012393555741568635..comments2024-03-26T14:48:15.857-07:00Comments on Rocket Stack Rank: Children of Xanadu, by Juan Paulo RafolsGreg Hullenderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16720604327299886491noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390876285955310032.post-54447070859070467002018-01-02T08:32:24.926-08:002018-01-02T08:32:24.926-08:00As others have said, it was a very impressive debu...As others have said, it was a <i>very</i> impressive debut.Greg Hullenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16720604327299886491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390876285955310032.post-64863318348689136432018-01-01T18:21:19.825-08:002018-01-01T18:21:19.825-08:00Very impressive for a first pro publication. Will...Very impressive for a first pro publication. Will be keeping an eye out for this author.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16119082365881285289noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390876285955310032.post-78851389544616891262017-11-18T12:29:55.524-08:002017-11-18T12:29:55.524-08:00Wow! Thanks for the kind words! And thanks for wri...Wow! Thanks for the kind words! And thanks for writing detailed, thoughtful comments.Greg Hullenderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16720604327299886491noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390876285955310032.post-67403123515417699122017-11-18T09:31:00.669-08:002017-11-18T09:31:00.669-08:00Another great suggestion from Rocket Stack Rank. A...Another great suggestion from Rocket Stack Rank. A joy to read. Some arguable minor flaws in the writing (explaining plans and then saying they were carried away as they were is not only boring but unrealistic). The main character, who talks in the first person, becomes a tad too sententious sometimes, although sentences are easily agreed with. The final revelation from the protagonist might feel a tad disjointed with the rest. But these are minor deffects to be outgrown with a little bit more matureness as a writer.<br /><br />The cocons in the creche and the virtual environment with the big house surrounded by nature seems drawn directly from the 80's comic Next Men, by David Byrne. The educational software might have a debt with The Diamond Age, by Neal Stephenson. Nothing to object as good artists do recycle (but it is good to say thanks as well).<br /><br />Again, a true joy to read. A real pageturner. To F&SF, keep more from Juan Paulo coming.<br /><br />To Greg and Eric, thanks for making these mini-reviews, and for Rocket Stack Rank. It really allows to change the way one reads: When there is not time enough for all the stories, the time invested becomes a bet in the dark on a handful of stories, that sometimes leave a not-so-good aftertaste, and then there is not time enough to read those that might have compensated for the weakest ones.<br /><br />So far, RSR's fives and fours have proved to assure a great, memorable read (and then, one is free to foray for additional stories as well). RSR delivers.Jomihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02489128625596226364noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1390876285955310032.post-38845001604954222212017-11-13T15:11:31.817-08:002017-11-13T15:11:31.817-08:00I'd rank this as borderline Hugo-worthy. My ma...I'd rank this as borderline Hugo-worthy. My main criticism (other than the cartoony nature of the evil Meritocracy, as you noted) is that I think it should have been <i>longer</i>: it would really have benefited from the story being fleshed-out a bit more. Very impressive debut.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com