Strange Horizons, February 1 & 8, 2016
Strange Horizons, February 1, 2016
Reviewed by Jody Dorsett
In this tale of a conjure man for hire, we see a clever ruse to fool a demon. That part is well done. The author does a good job of describing the setting, you really get the sense of being in a park in Portland. Unfortunately, the very first thing a creepy walk through a park in Portland brought to mind was the TV show Grimm. I also wish that the author had spent less time revealing the main character, his powers and job, and a more time developing the character. The author uses a crossroads metaphor several times but doesn’t follow through. I understand this author has a novel featuring this character, but a short story set in the same universe still needs to stand alone. What is the actual crossroads Heath has to choose?
Strange Horizons, February 8, 2016
“The Opening of the Bayou Saint John” by Shawn Scarber
Reviewed by Jody Dorsett
Many authors nail one of three things: setting, characterization or plot. Let’s begin by saying this author nails all three. The story is about a woman who makes a decision with her stillborn child and the choices that her guide gives her. You feel the Crescent City, you feel the characters, and the plot is done quite well. The best part are the choices the river guide gives to her passenger.
When you can understand the attractions of both sides of the choice equation the author has done a good job.
Jody Dorsett has one story in his real name in the first Ring of Fire anthology. The rest of his time he works for hire or advising authors the best way to make things go BOOM.