Motivated By Memories

PICKING UP PLANS IN PALMA by Matthew W. Quinn is a science fiction short centered on a spy attempting to deliver plans in an alternative 1998 timeline. The story moves between Connor trying to escape detection and his personal flashbacks, fleshing out the current political atmosphere, which includes an insane level of apartheid.

Once the action begins, the spy's struggle to outsmart his enemies is intense, similar to a chase scene in a James Bond movie. The background connections between Connor and one of his enemies provides a very dramatic reason to keep fighting, despite being injured.

I enjoyed the premise of this story so much, I would love to read more about Connor and Katje, and their efforts to help the cause.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Poof!

LORD OF THE DOLOROUS TOWER by Matthew W. Quinn is a short story about two villagers seeking an adventure. I'm assuming the story takes place in another world, but I thought it possible Quinn created a dystopian setting thousands of years into the future.

Most of the story is told through dialogue and inner thoughts, with very little action. I did enjoy the inclusion of magic, giving a fantasy element, but the ending is abrupt. Quinn leaves readers with all kinds of questions.

I think the author should consider turning this short into a novella to add more action, as well as further character development.

As always,
AstraDaemon

The Book of Skin

The Battle of Lepanto left the Ottoman Empire's navy in ruins. Although Grand Vizier Sokollu Mehmed Pasha has overseen the replacement of every lost ship, he fears economic trends are against the Empire.

Seeking an advantage over his Latin foes, the pasha seeks knowledge man was not meant to have, a quest that brings him face to face with the Great Old Ones...

THE BEAST OF BOSPORUS by Matthew W. Quinn is a Lovecraft-styled story, set in the Ottoman Empire. The alternative history is thrilling and horrific, and I wish this had been a novella instead. The flashback within the story is fantastic foreshadowing of the otherworld nightmare Pasha plans to unleash.

Life is what happens when you make plans, but death is what follows when your plans come undone. If you enjoy the Cthulhu mythos, I highly recommend this short!

As always,
AstraDaemon

Ready For Abduction

ILLEGAL ALIEN by Matthew W. Quinn begins with a battle between two alien species, bringing the fight to Earth. Immigrants from Mexico are abandoned by their guide, only to find themselves facing a bigger threat than the desert heat or border patrols.

Quinn takes two popular topics, completely unrelated, and uses science fiction to mix them together, resulting in an intense struggle for survival. I'm hoping readers can leave politics behind and appreciate the story as simply a great piece of sci-fi.

As always,
AstraDaemon

To The Rescue

Scholarly John Fiore has long sought to preserve the literary heritage of the fallen Empire in a library, a library funded by the proceeds of his life as a mercenary, assassin, and adventurer. His most recent assignment is to rescue Adriana Cimino, daughter of a lord of the Narrow Sea, from the lecherous Talassos, prince of the serpentine Naga.

LORD GIOVANNI'S DAUGHTER by Matthew W. Quinn would make a good video game, complete with half-serpent guards and rescuing the damsel in distress. Unfortunately, this tale doesn't work well as a short story. Plenty of action, but barely any dialogue, and no character depth, making it difficult to feel anything for Fiore or Adriana.

I don't know if it's the genre or the plot, but this is nothing like what I've come to expect from Quinn. The author's horror stories are much better than this fantasy piece.

As always,
AstraDaemon

You Are What You Eat

Many tales have been told about the Wendigo, the man-eating monster of Algonquin legend. But how many times has the Wendigo ever spoken for himself?

I Am The Wendigo by Matthew W. Quinn is an interesting flash fiction story told from the POV of the Wendigo. There's just enough brutality to terrorize readers without being too graphic, but I wish the fight scene had been a little longer. The transition at the very end of the story is an entertaining touch.

As always,
AstraDaemon

When A Breakup Gets Messy

Ian Barnes and his girlfriend Sarah Haley are heading back to Ohio University after a brief trip home before exams and homecoming, only to be run off the road by Sarah's vicious ex-boyfriend Daniel Smythe.

Hunted through the woods by Daniel and two of his Pi Iota Gamma brothers, Ian and Sarah find there are worse things in the Ohio woods than murderous frat boys--the pint-sized monsters known as the Melon Heads!

Melon Heads by Matthew W. Quinn is one frightening situation after another. Daniel is a violent psycho, hell bent on ruining the couple's road trip. His plans for Sarah and Ian had me sick to my stomach. I was more concerned with the psycho ex than the Melon Heads.

While this works perfectly as a stand-alone short story, the concept of the Melon Heads would make a great mini-series or even a full-length novel. This is also the kind of story which would make a great SyFy movie.

As always,
AstraDaemon

Good Boy

Sam is a loving Doberman pinscher content with romping with the Master and his two daughters in their yard or chasing tennis balls thrown into the lake. But when a Bad Thing trespasses on his territory, Sam vows to destroy this new enemy before it can threaten his pack.

If the Young Man who takes care of him when the Master is on vacation doesn't get in the way...

Sam by Matthew W. Quinn is a flash fiction piece told from the POV of a dog trying to save a little girl and kill a monster. Apparently, the Bad Thing can only be seen by little children and dogs. Although much about the creature remains a mystery, the battle between dog and monster is pretty detailed.

I think this short would've been better if the story included the Bad Thing's POV and left out Carl's POV, but the suspense is nerve-wracking, especially when Sam gets injured. I think dog lovers will want to read this one.

As always,
AstraDaemon