Diabolical Plots #90, August 2022

“Dear Joriah Kingsbane, It’s Me, Eviscerix the Sword of Destiny” by Alexei Collier

“Take Me To the Water” by Sarah Macklin

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

The two fantasy stories in this issue feature narrators who could not be more different.

As its lengthy title implies, “Dear Joriah Kingsbane, It’s Me, Eviscerix the Sword of Destiny” by Alexei Collier takes the form of a letter from a magic weapon to the one who wielded it. In the style of someone breaking up with a lover, the sword explains why it now serves another. Although not blatantly comic, this brief tale is definitely tongue-in-cheek, and provides modest amusement.

The narrator of “Take Me To the Water” by Sarah Macklin is born with her lungs full of water. As she grows up, her mother keeps her away from the creek where baptisms are performed. The narrator sees aquatic beings in the water that others cannot perceive. When she chooses to be baptized, against her mother’s wishes, she learns the truth about herself.

This story is most notable for its style. The author perfectly captures the voice of someone living in the rural American South, without exaggeration or condescension. The characters are richly developed, avoiding stereotypes while acknowledging the culture of the region. Although the plot is straightforward, without surprises, it is fully satisfying.

Victoria Silverwolf lives in the rural American South.