Diabolical Plots #96, February 2023

“The Monologue of a Moon Goddess in the Palace of Pervasive Cold” by Anja Hendrikse Liu

“Devil’s Lace” by Julie Le Blanc

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

Two stories mixing traditional fantasy themes with concepts from the modern world appear in this issue.

The narrator of “The Monologue of a Moon Goddess in the Palace of Pervasive Cold” by Anja Hendrikse Liu is a Chinese lunar deity. She laments having to disguise her real, aging appearance with cosmetics and a veil, while also worrying about the diminishing amount of food she receives as offerings from mortals during the annual moon festival. An encounter with a little girl offers her a new perspective.

The story’s theme appears to be that reality is more important than appearance. Some readers may find the presence of modern technology, such as an iPad used by the goddess’s companion, disconcerting.

“Devil’s Lace” by Julie Le Blanc is narrated by a woman who practices the art of crochet and is obsessed with making her creations perfect. As a result of an incident at a Hallowe’en party, she finds herself in a crocheting contest with a demon, the prize being her soul.

Although not overtly comic, the mention of things like a gelato stand in Hell make it hard to take this work seriously. Advice given by the narrator’s grandmother early in the story makes it obvious how the contest will be resolved.

Victoria Silverwolf had some very good vegan sushi today.