Aurealis #93, August 2016“Always” by Si Wang
Reviewed by Kevin P Hallett
The 93rd issue of Aurealis has three original short stories. I found all the stories pleasant to read.
“Always” by Si Wang
Yon Unflag is a Krull tasked to deliver a book to Dijhar Always in this short science fiction story. The Krull are illiterate giants disfigured by Magi as punishment for some petty crime in their past. Paid only on delivery, the giant is upset when Dijhar refuses to take the book. As he leaves, all the past mistreatments Yon has endured flash to the surface. Yon discovers he has suddenly become literate and realizes Dijhar must be an old Magi. He returns to Dijhar seeking revenge for his disfigurement.
As he confronts the Magi, the now intelligent Yon realizes he is acting as people expect of a Krull. Instead he chooses to let the Magi live. As he tries to leave, the town’s police confront him; again, assuming he is up to no good, they arrest him, beat him, and drag him before the Magi – who says Yon is innocent. But the police are not keen to forgo their preference to abuse the Giant and content that they will torture him anyway. In the end, the Magi executes one last magic incantation to release the Giant, at the cost of his own life.
This tale had an interesting and convoluted story plot that had potential. But the story craft was uninspiring, leaving this reader feeling that a good opportunity was lost for an engaging and noteworthy story.
“Collected Emails from Nicole Hume, Graduate Student, Location Unknown” by Meryl Stenhouse
Stenhouse gives us a short fantasy about Nicole, researching an old story about fairies on the island of Corfu. It is told in a series of emails from Nicole to her erstwhile lover Robert. The tale shows Nicole’s evolution from an enthusiastic searcher for fairies to someone with a growing appreciation of the local culture. In the end, we see Nicole grappling with her own choices in life and an acceptance that Robert will never again be hers.
The mysteries keep this story engaging and the easy writing style make for a pleasant read. This story is much more a study of two strong-willed women, and as such was interesting enough to keep this reader engaged.
“The Trees” by Michael Johnston
“The Trees” is a short horror story about a father and daughter trying to get home through the woods. Only the narrow path offers sanctuary from the trees and the wolvas lurking there. Though a fire keeps them safe at night, their firewood supply is low and they cannot replenish it from the forest that looms each side of the path.
As they near home, their exhaustion brings new mistakes. It is beginning to look like the wolvas may get their prize, even as the girl’s home village comes into sight.
The author does a good job of engaging the reader in the perils of the forest and Johnston ratchets up the action as the pair approach the sanctuary of their home. This is a nice read when sitting by a fire.