Beneath Ceaseless Skies #246 #247, March 1 & 15, 2018
BCS #246, March 1, 2018BCS #247, March 15, 2018
“The War of Light and Shadow, In Five Dishes” by Siobhan Carroll
Reviewed by Stephanie Wexler
BCS #246 is a Special March 1st Double-Issue for BCS Science-Fantasy Month 4, featuring a bonus story.
Guerre in “Do As I Do, Sing As I Sing” by Sarah Pinsker, has been chosen to be next Cropsinger, replacing her cousin Aro who died during training. Their current Cropsinger, already past her prime, must wait seven years for Guerre to be properly trained. Not all are happy that Guerre is leaving. Seven years pass and Guerre has successfully completed her lessons. When she arrives home there are obvious changes. Acco, her brother, has left for the city. However, he soon returns with a possible solution that will end the need for Cropsingers. Understandingly, one person doesn’t wish to embrace this new science. Pinkser offers up an interesting conundrum of the old ways versus new highlighting the sociological impacts on individuals within specialized societies.
In “The Emotionless, In Love” by Jason Sanford, Colton is an anchor damaged by his mother who now works for a caravan. Considered a psychopath by the caravan, his employment and duties are always suspected. Yet, even in his emotionless state, Colton strives for connections in a world made up of anchors (humans with grains) and day-fellows (people destroying anything with grains) constantly at war with each other. Only when they get drawn into a caravan being attacked by anchors does his world get complicated. They rescue Ae whose purpose is shrouded in mystery. Soon the truth of what Ae must accomplish reveals a world completely out of control. If a bit long, Stanford’s ecological world gone mad is both fascinating and horrific.
In “Gennesaret” by Phoenix Alexander, Alissha fights for her way of life and that of her child. Sick of trying to fit in Alissha has brought her son to the beach. She is followed by her husband who warns her to stop acting foolish. Seeing he is still wearing the outlandish clothes she is rejecting, she sets off across the ocean, her hungry and scared child held close. However, when they reach the distant shore where she is sure they will be embraced, she is met with people only after to make a symbol of her and her efforts. Alexander shows how one race chooses to use another race as a figurehead for their propaganda machine leaving Alissha’s last hope betrayed with tragic consequences.
BCS #247, March 15, 2018Reviewed by Stephanie Wexler
Leu trained in the kitchens of the Singing Court and plucked from the refugee camp by Lord Fio is now forced to cook for Command Eres after Lord Fio’s defeat in “The War of Light and Shadow, In Five Dishes” by Sibhan Carroll. Narrated by a great fan of the cook we are given a picture of Leu’s last days proclaiming him not only a great cook, but having changed the world for his efforts. Leu is quite the humble man looking to create the best meals using what ingredients he can find. It can only be imagined that he would have been successful in any situation due to his flexibility and imagination. Carroll does a beautiful job balancing war and one man’s culinary agility.
In “Braving the Morrow Candle’s Wane” by J. W. Alden, Cyra is a refugee from Versa, who is taken in by Adia, a retired soldier. Then a soldier from a local temple visits and Cyra’s future lies with Adia’s storytelling appeal. Even though the soldier is quite aware the child is in the dwelling, Adia’s story captivates him, leading him to make a surprising decision. Alden’s simple story of love and faith leads to the changing of three lives in the most heartwarming way possible.