Bobbie > Recent Status Updates

Thus far it’s an interesting combination of magical realism and coming of age.

There’s a good premise in here. So many good ideas, but the characters fall flat under the weight of description and curt dialogue. I don’t hate it, but I’m not loving it.

The Paperweight Watch: This was the only one I considered not finishing. It was like a grief textbook, almost pedantic, rather than a story I could connect with and empathize with the character. Almost like the author forced the character to mention the word grief multiple times to prove he was feeling it.

The quiet: I enjoyed the way the author used, subtle foreshadowing that let you know. Some thing was going to pull the pieces together, but not in a way that you were expecting the outcome. There was still that element of surprise when the story played out.

Summer Souls: This was a truly melancholy story. I enjoyed the steampunk and mystical element, but I wanted to know more about the fair man.

Reliquary of the Damned: This is the first of the stories written within the world of a full novel that stood alone as a short story. I was left wanting more , as in wanting to read the book, but not because I needed more to be satisfied.

Summer Souls: I loved how poetic this story sounded. The story was tight, fantastical, with just the right hint of science fiction.

Death in the uncanny valley: I actually really enjoyed the premise of this story. I feel like it was fresh and new with the use of VR, and how technology can help rejuvenate connections between people. So often technology is seen as a negative, and I like how the author turned it around to use it as a support for those who were grieving.

Thicker than Water: though the story began with a moment of fear and a race home, it seemed to drag, and until the actual conflict was introduced, I found myself asking for the point. The second half knit it together and felt satisfying, but I still think at least 15-20mins of the story could’ve been left out, and it would’ve been more impactful.

Thief: I actually like the twist halfway through, as realities change.

The Witch in the Woods: another 2nd person story, but no idea who was the speaker, which was less than impactful for the overall story. I actually liked the story, since I found myself wanting more, but there were too many loose ends, the least of which being the purpose of the 2nd person narrator.

Recurrence of Jasmine: I am not 100% sure even after listening to the whole story. What exactly was the connection to grief. It wasn’t clear. I was also stuck on the repetitive use of indentured servant when what was really meant and happening in the story Was perpetual slavery until about 2/3 in when she was given the promise of freedom. It also seemed very out of place when in the end, she chose not to have it.

A Matter of Trust was long and drawn out. I never felt connected to the main character, Bastian. It felt like the author was trying to put too many things together.