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Dis
Colbie Moss has bigger concerns than being one of the dísir, the undead avatars of the Norse spirits of fate known as Norns. She has lost a mythic blade entrusted to her by her uptight yuppie mentor, no less than a Norse god of old. Now the blade is in the middle of a gang war that has left a beloved friend on the brink of death. Colbie will have to decide how far she is willing to go to recover the blade, save her friend’s soul, and keep gods and Norns alike from getting wind of the collateral damage.“Dis” is an Urban Midgard short story, approximately 8,900 words (or roughly 30 pages) of urban fantasy with a noir sensibility that will appeal to fans of Jim Butcher, Seanan McGuire, and Laurell K. Hamilton.
- GenresUrban Fantasy
24 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 25, 2011
1 person want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
June 19, 2011
With mythology as popular as it is in fiction these days, there are a surprisingly few people taking advantage of the rich and scandalous mythological history of the Norse which is just one way Margo Lerwill stands out from the crowd of storytellers.
Where Lerwill braids the supernatural unknown with the scary urban landscape of gang warfare and honor delivered at gun point is where this short story really shines. You wouldn't think that these two very different sets of characters, ideals, and history could mesh so well, but "Dis" steps out as a whole new sort of myth storytelling that is gritty and wounded and believable in a way that Norns and Undead avatars and Old Gods shouldn't be and yet their inclusion in this modern world is seamless. And it is here that Colbie Moss manages to find humor in a very troubling situation where she must commune with spirits, make deals, and hunt a stolen mythological weapon in gangland.
Colbie is likeable, sympathetic, empowering, but flawed, and Zaj is infuriating, treacherous, and lost beyond the hope that Colbie so desperately wants to see in him. I love it when characters are more (and sometimes less) than what they appear on the surface, and Lerwill has given us the best and worst of both of these characters. Even those characters who never appear "on screen" feel real. As Colbie's dear friend is dying in a hospital far away from the dark streets of gang territory, we feel her loss with each passing second, though we only know her name and the weight of their friendship.
The writing itself has a unique voice and style that is dark and murderous one moment and subtle and cheeky the next. I love Lerwill's play on language and the sweeping descriptions that take us right to the heart of this one dark night in the worst part of town without ever feeling like the language is bogging down the quick pace of the narrative. Some of the Asian names might be a little tough for some readers to try and pronounce, but they add to the overall fabric of the story and don't distract like many hard-to-pronounce names can.
My only gripe is that it is too short and there is too little to read. It feels like a perfect piece of a story plucked from a greater narrative and I really want to get my hands on the whole thing. I want to spend more time in Colbie's world. I want to know what else these Gods and their mythological objects have done to twist our world. I want to see how Colbie fixes her mistakes and what happens to her when she gets caught up in the schemes of Gods and Fates. I hope Lerwill considers the success of "Dis" to be a jumping off point to give us more of her dark and magical urban fantasy world.
Where Lerwill braids the supernatural unknown with the scary urban landscape of gang warfare and honor delivered at gun point is where this short story really shines. You wouldn't think that these two very different sets of characters, ideals, and history could mesh so well, but "Dis" steps out as a whole new sort of myth storytelling that is gritty and wounded and believable in a way that Norns and Undead avatars and Old Gods shouldn't be and yet their inclusion in this modern world is seamless. And it is here that Colbie Moss manages to find humor in a very troubling situation where she must commune with spirits, make deals, and hunt a stolen mythological weapon in gangland.
Colbie is likeable, sympathetic, empowering, but flawed, and Zaj is infuriating, treacherous, and lost beyond the hope that Colbie so desperately wants to see in him. I love it when characters are more (and sometimes less) than what they appear on the surface, and Lerwill has given us the best and worst of both of these characters. Even those characters who never appear "on screen" feel real. As Colbie's dear friend is dying in a hospital far away from the dark streets of gang territory, we feel her loss with each passing second, though we only know her name and the weight of their friendship.
The writing itself has a unique voice and style that is dark and murderous one moment and subtle and cheeky the next. I love Lerwill's play on language and the sweeping descriptions that take us right to the heart of this one dark night in the worst part of town without ever feeling like the language is bogging down the quick pace of the narrative. Some of the Asian names might be a little tough for some readers to try and pronounce, but they add to the overall fabric of the story and don't distract like many hard-to-pronounce names can.
My only gripe is that it is too short and there is too little to read. It feels like a perfect piece of a story plucked from a greater narrative and I really want to get my hands on the whole thing. I want to spend more time in Colbie's world. I want to know what else these Gods and their mythological objects have done to twist our world. I want to see how Colbie fixes her mistakes and what happens to her when she gets caught up in the schemes of Gods and Fates. I hope Lerwill considers the success of "Dis" to be a jumping off point to give us more of her dark and magical urban fantasy world.
December 21, 2018
Fantasy at a good price already has my attention. Throw in an enticing cover, and I wanted to know more. And when I heard about Dis's premise and use of Norse mythology, I was sold. Our heroine Colbie is a dis, spirits of fate servings the norns. And that's too cool not to read.
I know Lerwill's published stories before this, though not how many. I'm guessing more than a few, because Dis flows really well. Her descriptions are natural and evocative, never jarring, which helps me fall into the world of the disir. I wouldn't want to give away the plot, except to say Colbie seems part detective, part supernatural enforcer, but remains surprisingly vulnerable. Despite her supernatural nature, she still has to worry about getting shot, seen in dangerous neighborhoods, and the like. And that humanity makes her more compelling.
Now as to that world of the disir, it's very obvious that Lerwill has bigger plans for the character. There is simply so much depth and implied backstory that is never quite explained for this to be a one-shot character. In fact, a new short story is coming soon, so I'm psyched for it. Characters in short stories are rarely deep because there's not much space to develop them. Colbie's got a lot going on, so it makes her more interesting, but also leaves me a lot of questions about her and how she arrived in her particular condition.
I know Lerwill's published stories before this, though not how many. I'm guessing more than a few, because Dis flows really well. Her descriptions are natural and evocative, never jarring, which helps me fall into the world of the disir. I wouldn't want to give away the plot, except to say Colbie seems part detective, part supernatural enforcer, but remains surprisingly vulnerable. Despite her supernatural nature, she still has to worry about getting shot, seen in dangerous neighborhoods, and the like. And that humanity makes her more compelling.
Now as to that world of the disir, it's very obvious that Lerwill has bigger plans for the character. There is simply so much depth and implied backstory that is never quite explained for this to be a one-shot character. In fact, a new short story is coming soon, so I'm psyched for it. Characters in short stories are rarely deep because there's not much space to develop them. Colbie's got a lot going on, so it makes her more interesting, but also leaves me a lot of questions about her and how she arrived in her particular condition.
June 8, 2011
"Dis" is an enjoyable short story that introduces the reader to a promising world. Definitely recommended to urban fantasy fans. A few details are confusing if you aren't familiar with Norse mythology, but I'm sure they'll be clarified as Margo writes more in that world.
Colbie didn't seem to like Zaj much, which made me wonder how he got access to enter her apartment. Also, I felt the… avatar-ish thing… needed another line of introduction; it completely lost me about what was going on there until I'd finished the story and pondered a certain character action.
Those 2 things kept me from enjoying the story as much as I could've, but it was still enjoyable. I'll definitely watch for Margo's further releases!
Colbie didn't seem to like Zaj much, which made me wonder how he got access to enter her apartment. Also, I felt the… avatar-ish thing… needed another line of introduction; it completely lost me about what was going on there until I'd finished the story and pondered a certain character action.
Those 2 things kept me from enjoying the story as much as I could've, but it was still enjoyable. I'll definitely watch for Margo's further releases!
April 27, 2012
Loved it. The world building is great, storyline exciting and I loved Colbie and the other characters. Ms. Lerwill did her job, she entertained me and kept me reading. Then why only 3 stars? Dis and it's follow up, City of Dis, felt more like excerpts of a much larger work. Don't get me wrong, I'll probably be hitting that buy button when she releases the next installments. I just wish she'd release them all as one book.
July 24, 2011
Dis is a fabulous introduction to an Urban Fantasy world inhabited by spirits, ancient gods, and other mysterious forces. Colbie is an interesting character already, and I hope there is more in store from her. Norse mythology is a favorite of mine and it fits wonderfully into the overall mash-up of myths that make up this world.
This short story leaves the reader in the perfect place, with a resolution and more questions to drive the need to read more. I'll be waiting in line to pick up the next one from this author!
This short story leaves the reader in the perfect place, with a resolution and more questions to drive the need to read more. I'll be waiting in line to pick up the next one from this author!
August 7, 2011
An interesting short story that reads like the beginning of something much larger. New twist on Nordic mythology, and my first glimpse of Hmong spirituality/mythology in Urban Fantasy.
Well-written, a short twisted mystery with an ending that surprised me. I'd love to see more of heroine Colbie Moss and her world.
Well-written, a short twisted mystery with an ending that surprised me. I'd love to see more of heroine Colbie Moss and her world.
October 19, 2011
When I started this story I wasn't really sure what to expect. I had never read anything by Margo before and I am not super familiar with the mythology. I absolutely loved it. It was original and entertaining. Dark without being depressing. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
June 5, 2011
An excellent short urban fantasy based on Norse myth. Brutal gangs, mythic blades, and fateful choices.
September 27, 2011
"The premise behind Dis is certainly fascinating- a story I haven't heard anything very similar to..."
For the rest of this review go to http://www.siftreviews.com/2011/09/di...
For the rest of this review go to http://www.siftreviews.com/2011/09/di...
February 5, 2013
Tight and concise, nice worldbuilding. Looking forward to others.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews