The sky, filled with an ever-present monster, has long since forced the residents beneath it to huddle under their umbrellas, and society to lose its once-great faith in God and science both. But there are those who question what good their hiding really does, who begin to wonder what the demon really looks like, and what could truly banish him. An unnerving story of a dark world where confusion reigns.
Dex, a woman bound and built to serve a wizard, is on the hunt for a better master. But it's not exactly easy to find a tolerable wizard in a world of power egos - which is why she's hitting the streets. Of course, an unwashed, homeless wizard wasn't exactly what she was expecting. But then again, he wasn't exactly expecting a Bible thumper wrapped in tattoos, conjuring symbols out of thin air...
The Nekky-Bird Song by Mike Moran (fantasy)
An outside perspective is often helpful - though communication becomes a little more complex. The wren and the sparrow's observations on a nekky-bird pair, and the songs the abandoned mate sings, follow in this short and sweet piece.
How to Be a Good Citizen by Aidan Doyle (science fiction/horror)
Doris Jones knows good work: the Bible, her husband Bill, and good moral films, courtesy of her husband and Mr. Goldberg. The aliens, of course, aren't exactly being helpful, abducting folks as they do, even if they return them as top-notch cooks. Still, she manages to soldier on - at least, until her Bill goes missing.
This month we review Naomi Novik's Empire of Ivory
, the fourth in her Temeraire series, an alternate history Napoleonic-era war filled with dragons, where this time His Majesty's (Dragon) Aerial Corps is attacked by disease. For more reviews, see our previous Book Reviews section.
Author and teacher Nisi Shawl joins us for a chat about writing different ethnicities, fights with guitarists, and why writing is a power trip.
We couldn't help ourselves: we added a Don't List, listing some of the stories we've seen too often. Expect to see updates and additions in the future. Also linked from our submissions page.
And finally, RE's livejournal is here.
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