"City of Deliverance" by Robert Barlow
"The Anointed" by Rosemary McMillen
Dragons, Knights, & Angels published two works of fantasy fiction in December, one short story and one novelette.
Robert Barlow‘s "City of Deliverance" is a tale infused with Christian message set in a biblically-inspired venue. A fallen angel, disguised in the body of the man he possesses, enters a city on a mission of destruction. While hunting his prey, he must contend with many dangers—guards, diviners, and gatherings of people offering prayer and praise. As his hold on the body and mind of his "host" begins to falter, he begins to succumb to desperation.
It is interesting to see a work of Christian fiction told from the point of view of an evil entity. Unfortunately, thematic dualism tends to produce predictable (or at least unsurprising) story lines, and this piece is no exception. Moreover, the author never explains the urgency of the fallen angel’s mission, and the possessed man’s backstory is insufficient to support the climactic twist. Stylistically, this story suffers from overwritten prose and contrived dialogue.
Dragons, Knights, & Angels makes a special commitment to publishing student fiction, and the latest entry in this category is Rosemary McMillen‘s novelette, "The Anointed." In this high fantasy piece, three close friends grapple with the future after the death of the Anointed, the leader of their besieged city. With one of the trio seemingly destined to succeed him, their profound disagreements over how to respond to the impending war threaten to rend the bonds they forged in childhood.
This story is mostly conversation—the friends argue, reminisce, and philosophize while the reader "listens in." Despite the effort spent on characterization, the overall impression is artificial, as if the characters are merely actors on a stage spouting well-rehearsed lines. The plot unfolds slowly and somewhat predictably. The city’s plight remains unresolved at the end, giving the impression that this piece is part of a larger work.