Status Updates From The Double Star and Other O...

Had an extremely busy weekend, but I’m back to my books now!

The pain in my limbs, the pain in my belly and the pain in my heart rose to my head like a redoubtable intoxication, and gave birth in my head to thoughts of crime...

Today we'd call several of these stories science fiction.

"The Dream of Myses" is, indeed, a nightmare, albeit a poetic one. The story is of the much and rightfully-maligned "it was all a dream" type, but in an inverse fashion. I'm also not a big fan of stories set in ancient Egypt - I don't know why, I just don't like the setting. It's a good story with strengths, but it didn't astound me like some of the others in this collection. Three stars over the Nile here.

I'm not overly fond of fiction set in ancient times. Not sure why, but by and large the "Classical" ages of Egypt, Greece, and Rome mostly bore me. Still, if this story goes as horribly wrong as I expect it will, that will over-ride my feelings about setting.

Another circus story, this one entitled "Red Lust," isn't quite as effective as "Sapho," as it misses the cleverness of the former tale. La Vaudere has a fascination with black panthers and circuses, I've noticed. Still, a good story, well-told. It could have benefited with a little more background on the antagonist, Antonia. A solid four stars, though.

"Sapho" is a clever little story. Very clever. Very short. Who is the real hunter and prey in this tale? It all depends on your perspective. Five stars.

"Yvaine" is a convoluted, engrossing tale of love, betrayal, incest, murder, black magic, and spectral vengeance. The framing mechanisms' dated feel do not lessen the impact of the story. Like all great horrific tales, this one extends far beyond the pages, with an ending full of frisson. How this story was not anthologized several times over, I don't know. To me, it is a Classic. This story is worth the book's $. 5*

"Sorcerer". Huh. Didn't see that one coming. This tale has become even more intriguing.

And there's the story's pivot. And the twist . . .?