Science Fiction: The Short Stuff discussion

Ken Scholes is the author of our first SF short story this month, "Invisible Empire of Ascending Light." It was first published in Eclipse Two (2008). Ken Scholes is mostly an SF short story writer, but does have one series of novels to his credit, The Psalms of Isaak Series: Lamentation, Canticle, Antiphon, Requiem.

According to Publisher's Weekly, ‘Invisible Empire of Ascending Light’ concerns a violent contest to take the place of a dying god. That's about all I could find out about it. Oh, the story was also anthologized here: https://neil-clarke.com/books/galacti.... Check out the company it's in!

I obtained the story for $2.99 by purchasing the eBook Forever Magazine, Issue 16, May 2016. But feel free to get it another way if that one is not for you. Just join us please.

I just finished this and give it a solid four stars. Basically, it's an ascension story. The king is dying. Who in all the kingdom can take his place and how does he prove himself worthy. Put this in an SF setting. Add in some unexpected twists, awesome world-building, and good writing, and you have this story.

I loved it. I'm going to have to read another Scholes story sometime soon.

I went on to purchase Lamentation by Ken Scholes. I figured if he could write such a strong short story, his novel-writing ability might be worth the additional time investment. I am only on page 19, but the starting premise is wonderful.

It is a fantasy book, not SF. A loud explosion decimates a city. All that is left of it is a black cloud of smoke. We learn this from the perspective of three sets of characters who witness this event from outside the city. It's three separate stories so far from characters in different relationships to the city.

It looks like the story will be about finding out who blew up that city, how and why. And then what these three characters are going to do about it. Scholes' writing style appeals to me. It's easy enough to understand, yet sophisticated.