Regarding the Childhood of Morrigan, Who Was Chosen to Open the Way

by Benjamin Rosenbaum

A child who falls through the cracks in a world run by machines and politics, might be the savior of all humanity…

At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.

Genres: Science Fiction, Short Stories, Fantasy

48 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 19, 2025

About the author

Benjamin Rosenbaum has been nominated for the Hugo, Nebula, BSFA, Sturgeon, and World Fantasy Awards. He is the author of _The Unraveling_, a queer far-future coming-of-age novel, the short story collection _The Ant King and Other Stories_, and the Ennie-nominated Jewish historical fantasy tabletop roleplaying game _Dream Apart_. His stories have been translated into 25 languages.

He is the co-host of the podcast _Mohanraj and Rosenbaum Are Humans_.


Originally from Arlington, VA, he lives near Basel, Switzerland with his wife and children.

Author photo (c) 2017 Portrait Playtime.

Reviews

[Radwa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was taking in that worldbuilding like it's drugs and I'm an addict, I just loved everything about it, and I do hope after that ending that the author is prepping us for a full-length Morrigan novel!

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. I thought this story was cute and well written, with an irreverent style. My biggest issue is that it felt like the first chapter of a book, and it just ended without a satisfactory resolution. A shame.

[Per · Rating 2 out of 5]

https://reactormag.com/regarding-the-...

[Kairavi Pandya · Rating 3 out of 5]

This felt like a teaser for a novel. It ended right when things were at their peak. I wish it were a bit longer to give it completeness.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entirely plausible yet disturbing vision of the near future. The writing is often interrupted by the long futuristic names for all the things, but I think this actually adds to the tone. My only complaint is that it stopped too abruptly - I wanted to know what happened to everyone! Though an ending is alluded to at various points, I wished this continued as I really wanted to see Morrigan’s triumph.

[Pratyasha Sharma · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun, quirky read! Loved the worldbuilding, and I'm a sucker for sibling stories so this was right up my alley
Do I now wish for a cleaning robot who plays poker to send me to schoo-, sorry the Proactive Interpersonal Growth...
something something Oasis?
YES.

[Amada Melendez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Is there going to be more of this?

[Thia Reads A Lot · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0*

Interesting worldbuilding, especially regarding the cleaning robot and the cat
I would read more about Morrigan

- Luanda not being Swapped is a plot hole maybe?