Kira Nerys > Recent Status Updates

Bird in the Hand by Anne McCaffrey - interesting premise, but I think it would have been better were it a bit longer. Or something. I always want to add commas to McCaffrey's writing.

Calling Them Home by Jody Lynn Nye - the contained space of the beacon worked well for the contained format of the short story. Really liked it.

Saskia by Charles de Lint - one of the longer and also better stories of the collection. Mysterious, magical, everyday.

Songchild by Robin Wayne Bailey - interestingly of its time. That is to say, a fantasy story of a well-meaning youth who finds something of power, aims to use it to do good, causes harm, and ultimately learns to rectify their mistake--that feels very '90s. I wasn't into it, but it was decent at being what it was.

A Song of Strange Revenge, by Josepha Sherman - hooked from the first sentence but got a little lost near the end. Interesting stylistic choices with the language. The "why I wrote it" paragraph at the end confused me more than the story did. Nice job implying breadth in a short text.

Our Father's Gold by Elisabeth Waters - I'm sorry but I thought the writing was lackluster from the get-go. There's something interesting in the premise, but I think Percy Jackson tackled a similar concept with significantly more success.

Thunderbird Road by Leslie Fish - quite liked it, 4 stars, interesting exploration of the conflict and cohesion of mystical and rational, also just a cool, kinda suspenseful, powerful story.

Scarborough Fair by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough - interesting choice to frame it in the author's first person--I'm not sure I loved it. Would have appreciated if she'd been able to print the song lyrics, to help me understand the riddle/references. (The details - I do know the song.)

Soulfedge Rock by Suzette Haden Elgin - 3 stars, interesting vignette about a family.

Ever After by Paula Lalish - odd piece of satire; I felt like I fell to hands and knees after all the times Lalish pulled the rug out from under me. Mostly a meh read. Yet another story that would have benefitted from a different title/cover/premise to the anthology.

The Impossible Place by Alan Dean Foster - liked it, but it suffers from coming on the heels of the previous story, which offers a similar mysterious take on the musical traditions of Africa, but with more depth. I had issues with Anna's characterization and found the ending predictable and a bit "blah."

A Hole in the Sky by Margaret Ball - quite liked this one, even if it is kind of pandemic-dystopian vibes. Makes me think of many other stories.

"For no human creature, by the laws that govern it, can have led a life whose intimate review is anything but pain. To be frozen in eternal reflections, reviewing all the futility and pain of life, all the pain that thoughtless or intentional acts have caused others, all the spreading consequences of every act--that, to a human being, would be the most dreadful of all torments."

Drift by Steven Brust - really enjoyed it, upwards of 4 stars. Does have that odd sensation of historical speculative fiction, where it references events in the characters' past that haven't actually happened in the past 30 years. Someone who knows more about drums could probably appreciate this story more. I'm starting to think that "Space Opera" was the wrong title for the anthology.

Swan Song by Lyn McConchie - basically knew I didn't like it from the first sentence. I felt it was poorly written.

Space Station Annie by Cynthia McQuillin - quite liked it, maybe 4 stars. This vision of bars on space stations reminds me of Star Trek, which was airing then--you know, Quark, Guinan. Very much liked the commentary on beauty and age and womanhood. Almost found the plot a little under-baked, but I'm not easily identifying how I would change it. Cool to be able to look up and listen to the songs.

Roundelay by Mary C. Pangborn - meh. Kinda liked the end.

"And something in Jirel knew warmly that the image of life as a tiny spark flickering out in limitless black was a false one--that without light there can be no darkness--that death and life are interdependent, one upon the other. And that she, armored in the warmth of her aliveness, was the black god's equal, and a worthy foe."

I get that these short stories were originally published in separate volumes of the magazine, but Moore is just repeating herself in recapping what happened. Also, yellow eyes seem...rabid.

The Last Song of Sirit Byar by Peter S. Beagle - hooked me from the 2nd sentence, great story, 5 stars. Such a strong voice for the protagonist.

To Drive the Cold Winter Away by Marion Zimmer Bradley - pretty sure she's cancelled or something and we don't like her anymore. Makes sense this is backstory for an existing character; it was a little nothing of a story. Felt like Bradley kept contradicting herself, for some reason. Felt pulled out of the high fantasy by anachronisms. Reminded me of The Harp of Imach Thyssel, which I enjoyed significantly more.

Bluesberry Jam by Gene Wolfe - not exactly sure where it's heading at the end, but Wolfe is happy to give this peek: just a day or two in one person's life. I like the pun on "jam." I've got questions about the world.

"The "consolation of religion" I cannot bear. I can bear my anguish better than their emptiness, though I am crushed breathless by my sorrow."

"She makes sure the door is locked again and briefly wishes for a padlock. She takes the bicycle off its rack and leans it in front of the door. Barriers. Alarm systems. She goes to take a shower. Takes the kitchen knife with her. Undresses in the tub."

When I flipped through, this section led me to buy it. Didn't realize how short each vignette would be.

"It is a lovely sight to see a herring net drawn in, especially by moonlight when every fish hangs like a long silver drop from the close-set meshes."

Not sure how I'm feeling yet, especially in this 1873 excerpt, which mixes a naturalist's love of the Isles with an appreciative but uncomfortable portrait of the fishing community.

"Lost Paradise" is the only story I've actively not liked so far.

Getting a strong sense of Moore's style. "Dust of Gods" is the only one that's made the Indiana Jones comparison make sense.

C.L. Moore is who Lovecraft aspires to be.

Shambleau made a huge impact when I first read it, over 5 years ago, although it was less intense on this 4th-ish read.

Very interesting to see the similarities to Black Thirst. Smith and I both went on such an emotional journey regarding Vaudir.

It does Northwest a disservice to compare him to Han Solo, but he is THE space cowboy. More like Mal from Firefly, I'd say.

"I've written stuff I'm really proud of that hardly anyone read. I've written stuff I'm proud of that no one liked. That doesn't mean it didn't deserve to be written."

"At first just light commas of sun shower, then the blue sky went away altogether and the rain became pipe cleaners thwacking against the windshield, then handfuls splatting, like someone was cracking great eggs full of water and finally, harder still—bucketfuls of water being thrown across the windshield in a horizontal motion."