Bad Hand

Aces High, Jokers Wild #3.5

by O.E. Tearmann

The Day of the Dead has come, and the Wildcards are celebrating.
Tweak gets a nickname. Naomi gets to lend a hand. The Wildcards get a little more than they signed up for.

Maybe they'll think before they pull pranks next time.

...or maybe not.

28 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 1, 2020

About the author

Bringing their own experiences as a marginalized author to the page with flawed but genuine characters, O.E. Tearmann’s work has been described as “Firefly for the dystopian genre.”
Tearmann is a member of the Science Fiction Writers of America, the Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, a finalist for the Cygnus award and the winner of the 2022 Feathered Quill award. They live in Colorado with two cats, their partner, and the belief that individuals can make humanity better through small actions. In their spare time, they teach workshops on writing GLTBQ characters, plant gardens that showcase sustainable agricultural practices, and play too many video games.

Reviews

[E.M. Hamill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! Not sure why I didn't rate this fun little short before.

[Lori Alden Holuta · Rating 5 out of 5]

When fans of the “Aces High, Jokers Wild” series reach into O.E. Tearmann’s basket of treats this year, they’ll be dealt a “Bad Hand“ and they’ll be delighted with it.

This queer cyberpunk short for Halloween is a thank you from the author to readers who’ve bonded with the distinctive, relatable personalities who together are known as the Wildcards. Tweak gets to lead the shenanigans this time, (with a helping hand from Naomi) but it’s not all fun and games. Reluctant at first to participate in Day of the Dead remembrances and celebrations, Tweak eventually takes a brave step forward.

Make a mug of your favorite warming beverage, get cozy, and settle in for about a half hour of bonding time with the Wildcards. You’ll come away the better for it, and *that* is no joke.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have come to especially enjoy parts of this series that are written from the POV of the character Tweak. Imagine my pleasure, to discover this is a story mostly about her! In classic O. E. Tearmann style, we get to see something familiar-but-re-envisioned (in this case Día de los Muertos) in the dystopia where the Wildcards survive, persist, and battle on. There are laugh-out-loud moments and touching, tender ones, as well. I really loved this story. I bet you will, too!

[Stephanie Gillis · Rating 4 out of 5]

fun and games and EMOTIONAL DAMAGE

A few interlude after book three which already destroyed me emotionally. I loved that this was Tweak’s POV and we saw some fun shenanigans mixed in with emotional strife and remembrance. Tearmann knows how to pull at your heartstrings.