Difficult Navigation | Short Story Review | AstraDaemon

THE LONELINESS OF THE LONG-DISTANCE REPORTER by Daniela Tomova begins as an unusual acceptance of a world filled with revenants, making use of them for entertainment, and ends as a wicked mind trip.

I'll admit the unfolding of events at the end of the race went right over my head. I didn't understand any of it. So, even though the story held my interest from beginning to end, I wasn't able to fully enjoy it...I'm not a fan of stories which make me feel stupid.

Good luck to anyone else who attempts to navigate the ending.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Judge Dee Relocates | Short Story Review | AstraDaemon

SEVEN VAMPIRES: A JUDGE DEE MYSTERY by Lavie Tidhar begins with the Dee and Jonathan fleeing a fire in Paris, while churchmen hunt down vampires. The Judge has an escape plan in place, but his human companion is not crazy about traveling to England with a group of vampires.

Before they even begin their journey to a waiting ship, one of the vampires is already dead. More die along the way. The Judge is not working in his official capacity, but is determined to discover the motive.

Not nearly as dark as the first two, but more serious than the third, this short serves more as a transition story, providing a new setting for the next installment. While offering a few more details about the vampire world, I'm hoping for more backstory about Dee.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Sloppy Prequel | Short Story Review

A VISIT TO THE HOUSE ON TERMINAL HILL by Elizabeth Knox is a prequel to the novel MORTAL FIRE, a detail I somehow missed when I read the description for this story. In any case, the writing of this short is sloppy. I did enjoy the suspense, but the ending discussion between Cyrus and Ghislain ruined the rest for me.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Discovering the Self | Short Story Review

HOMECOMING by Susan Palwick is a captivating story about a girl who refuses to conform to social norms of the time. She disguises herself as a young man and joins a ship crew with her friend, discovering her disguise is merely her true self being allowed out. She's not the only one who lives unconventionally on the ship.

While there is a lot of emphasis on secrets and revelations about the crew, the bit of folklore hits just right, with the supernatural element complimenting the personal drama.

I don't know anything about the author...I don't know if she any agenda, other than entertaining readers with a sea adventure...but I feel this tale was ahead of its time, written in 2013. I highly recommend this one!

As always,

AstraDaemon

Secret Space Adventure | Science Fiction Review

ROCKET SHIP TO HELL by Jeffrey Ford is a story within a story, and a fantastic mix of science fiction and horror. I would love to see this made into a film. I've read a couple of other stories by this author, but this short is my favorite Ford creation.

I highly recommend this one to all readers, even if this isn't your usual genre preference.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Twisted and Constricted | Horror Review

FABULOUS BEASTS by Priya Sharma switches back and forth in time, between a woman living the good life with her significant other and past memories of her highly dysfunctional family. What begins as a strange arrangement, turns extremely sinister after her uncle is released from prison. Although there are no graphic details, the story contains incest and rape.

The darkest family secret caught me off guard...I had to reread one scene to make sure I didn't misunderstand. This is far better than the common werewolf theme. I think this story would make a great horror film.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Bad Service | Short Story Review

SELFIES by Lavie Tidhar is very disappointing after reading the Judge Dee series. Trying to navigate the storyline felt like sorting through puzzle pieces. I didn't feel anything while reading this...no suspense, no terror. The concept is already a bit overdone in the sub-genre.

I recommend Tidhar's DRAGONKIN instead.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Familiar Fable | Short Story Review

THE MAIDEN THIEF by Melissa Marr gave me déjà vu. I felt as if I had read this story before, but I knew I hadn't. I didn't realize this was a re-telling of the French folk story Bluebeard, until I read some of the other reviews.

While the original tale is quite gruesome, this version is more psychological. Verena also makes for a better protagonist. Even though I recognized elements of Perrault's creation in Marr's work, I think the author did a good job reconstructing this legend into a short centered on female empowerment.

I enjoyed this much more than OF ROSES AND KINGS. I wish the author would return to this writing style.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Conformity Bites | Short Story Review

Vlad has grown distant from his wife. His son has trouble at school. And he has to keep his sharp teeth hidden.

A KISS WITH TEETH by Max Gladstone is a pretty realistic take on how a vampire is likely to be living in this time period...no glamour, no glitter and no gore.

I love how he met his wife, and I adore how he parents his son. The ending is absolutely perfect.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Down to the Bone | Horror Review

THESE DEATHLESS BONES by Cassandra Khaw is a dark blend of horror and suspense. I had no idea what to expect from this story, and I'm happy to say I've never read anything like it. Both characters evoked strong emotions...I wanted to drop kick the Prince across the room and cheer for the stepmother.

I'd love another story from the narrator. Highly recommend!

As always,

AstraDaemon

Mr. Underhill | Dark Fantasy Review

FINNEGAN'S FIELD by Angela Slatter is a mix of horror and dark fantasy centered on the return of a young girl who had been missing for three years. Her mother is convinced the child is not hers. A couple months later, Anne discovers what her not-daughter has been doing during the girl's sleep-walking episodes, and decides to investigate further.

At first, I thought this would be a changeling story, but there is so much more to this. I absolutely love the way the story is presented, with all the suspects lined up, and the strange behavior of Mrs. Flynn. The connection between the old generations in Ireland and the new generations in Australia is heart-breaking, as folklore tends to be.

I highly recommend this one to all readers, even if you are not usually a fan of this sub-genre.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Spiteful Ex | Short Story Review

Dino is a documentary filmmaker, haunted by the ghost of his ex-girlfriend who was killed in a car crash while with another man. As Dino shoots his latest documentary on the vandalism occurring in the woods of his hometown, he tries to move on from her unexpected death. But when his life starts to look up, the ghost encroaches on his property. The focus of the film begins to blur as the lens of the camera shifts onto Dino, the director succumbing to his ghostly obsession.

REVERSE DOCUMENTARY by Marisela Navarro is one of the most vexing stories I've ever read. I think I've been on Reddit too much because I wanted Dino to confront the ghost about the guy in the car. I don't think I've ever disliked a ghost so much before now. The ending is like salt in the wound.

In other words, I love the writing. Anytime I get this worked up about characters, it's a sure sign the story-telling is awesome. This is one of the reasons I love reading: to feel all kinds of emotions.

As always,

AstraDaemon

If Disney Remade Phantasm | Suspense Review

BABY TEETH by Daniel Polansky is kind of like Phantasm, if Disney made their own version. A boy helps a stranger hunt down a vampire killing his peers. You never see the monster, never see what it does to the victims. Hercules remains a mystery, and Graham returns to his unremarkable life. Not really horror, not even a coming-of-age story.

However, the story is well-written, and held my interest from beginning to end, so I'm recommending this to readers who enjoy suspense without gore and violence.

As always,

AstraDaemon 

Digging Up The Truth | Short Story Review | AstraDaemon

THE CAIRN IN SLATER WOODS by Gina Rosati has a lot going on for a short story format. All of the characters are well- defined, and I'd love to read a longer version with more info about Vanessa and Aunt Z. Perhaps a flashback with the two of them interacting.

I also enjoyed the preview provided afterwards...Rosati has a captivating writing style, and I'm definitely looking forward to reading more of her work.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Sang Noir | Short Story Review | AstraDaemon

JUDGE DEE AND THE POISONER OF MONTMARTRE by Lavie Tidhar is a bit different from the previous Judge Dee stories. The other two are more sinister and intense, while this one features the lighter side of vampires, with more human moments among the undead, including flashes of dark humor.

I feel sorry for Jonathan though. The poor guy is usually the one providing the POV, but he seems so hopelessly detached from every aspect of life at this point. In the previous stories, he at least seemed to have moments happiness when eating. I don't know if the Judge is apathetic or clueless...in any case, he needs to pay more attention to the mental health of his traveling companion.

If you enjoy mystery and suspense in a supernatural setting, I recommend you read this mini-series of vampiric investigations.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Dark Folklore | Flash Fiction Review | AstraDaemon

In a fairy tale equal parts gorgeous and gruesome, village couples seek approval for marriage from a stag with golden rings adorning its horns. That is until one suitor, determined to convince a woman to fall in love with him, makes a rash decision.

THE WONDERFUL STAG, OR THE COURTSHIP OF RED ELSIE by Kathleen Jennings has all the elements of classic storytelling (which made a reader of me in the first place) with wisps of horror woven into this tapestry of folklore.

While being somewhat predictable in nature -- bad man runs afoul of a fantastical creature -- the reaction of the other villagers is chilling, yet satisfying.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Morbid Retelling | Short Story Review | AstraDaemon

A provocative retelling of the Greek myth, in which Orpheus, the musician son of Apollo and Calliope, successfully rescues his wife Eurydice--dead of a snake bite-- from Hades.

L'ESPIRIT DE L'ESCALIER by Catherynne M. Valente is a modernized version of the ancient myth, but with a morbid twist. Very graphic way of saying, careful what you wish for.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Tried Something Different | Short Story Review | AstraDaemon

The language of the originators defines reality, every word warping the world to fit its meaning. Its study transforms the mind and body, and is closely guarded by stodgy, paranoid academics. These hidebound men don't trust many students with their secrets, especially not women, and more especially not "madwomen." Polymede and her lover Erishti believe they've made a discovery that could blow open the field's unexamined assumptions, and they're ready to face expulsion to make their mark. Of course, if they're wrong, the language will make its mark on them instead.

THE WORD OF FLESH AND SOUL by Ruthanna Emrys is well-written, and I love the concept of words transforming flesh, but I'm left with more questions than answers.The setting may be fantasy, but the center of the story is the relationship between the two women. I love how Rish describes herself...so much more creative than calling herself autistic.

This is so very different from the stories I usually read...I'd recommend this to linguistic lovers.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Cast Off | Flash Fiction Review | AstraDaemon

BLOOD IN THE THREAD by Cheri Kamei is the author's version of the Japanese tale, The Crane Wife, with the original fable woven among pieces of love and abuse, shared through the eyes of the secret itself. The ending is both tragic and powerful.

Nothing like the genres I usually read, but well-written and moving.

As always,

AstraDaemon

Out and About | Short Story Review | AstraDaemon

COLD WIND by Nicola Griffith is a strange blend of folklore and suspense, set in a city tavern on the eve of a holiday. I strongly suggest paying attention to the details because the story has a subtle style to the writing.

I appreciate the setting and characters representing a group often overlooked or exploited in mainstream fiction.

The ending is superb.

As always,

AstraDaemon