(Historical Fantasy) The alchemist, Nadr Al-Ta’ir, has found the opposite of the Philosopher’s Stone; it seems to turn gold into lead. (7,080 words; Time: 23m)
Rating: ★★★☆☆ Average
Showing posts with label Aubry Kae Andersen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Aubry Kae Andersen. Show all posts
Monday, June 19, 2017
Saturday, October 3, 2015
No Gain, by Aubry Kae Andersen
Analog Science Fiction and Fact, May 2015; ~4,600 words
Rating: 4, Recommended
Rating: 4, Recommended
Maggie, a former champion gymnast, coaches a 16-year-old Uzbek, Sabina, who seems inhumanly focused on winning.
Mini-Review (click to view--possible spoilers)
Pro: Our knowledge of Sabina unrolls at just the right pace--as does our knowledge of the depth of Maggie's narcotic addiction. There's lots of tension and apprehension leading up to that final, disastrous performance. Reading this story is a powerful experience.
Con: We don't really build any emotional attachment to any of the characters. The threat to Maggie is hard to take seriously.
Con: We don't really build any emotional attachment to any of the characters. The threat to Maggie is hard to take seriously.
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