The ramblings of a bibliophile.
From the outset it is obvious that this was a story about a not so healthy love. I mean, the whole I Am Heathcliff collection is kind of about unhealthy love. But this seemed a little more obviously unhealthy than some of the other tales. And a little bit more relatable to be honest, it was far more contemporary and written in a way that you can almost, almost relate to Heidi.
This was such a cute story to end this collection on. It had a little less going on, and it wasn’t as intense as some of the other tales. But it was so much fun. And it centred beautifully on just the couple. There were other characters mentioned, but they almost faded into obscurity moments after they were mentioned. Which was kind of nice. It was all about Rob and Jeanne.
I have a slight obsession with bayous and creole culture. Every time I read stories surrounded by this, I’m unable to look away. They’re beautiful and fun and there is just… something about them that makes me deliriously happy. Which is why I loved this story so much. It had the feeling of a fairy tale but was filled with a cultural backdrop that I know next to nothing about, and always want to know more of.
I’m a scientist. So I kind of loved the idea of a story in which somebody evolved into another version of themselves. Another version of a vampire.
From the name, I kind of figured that this short story would have something to do with circuses and the night. But that was really my only hint (that, and I knew it would have vampirific romance… it’s in a book of vampire romance). Yet, this still somehow surprised me. It wasn’t quite what I expected, but yet everything that I was anticipating all at the same time. Which, of course, made it thoroughly enjoyable.
I read a lot of lists online, but this is the first time that I’ve read a short story that is in list form. And it worked kind of brilliantly. I wasn’t really sure how this format would work, or if it would really be a story. But it did work, and a great story unfolded.
Read more Ten Things I Know About the Wizard by Steve Rasnic Tem
This is such a great fairy tale! It’s filled with beautiful pictures, different outlooks (like an ogre dancing) and a great couple at the very centre. The fact that this great couple happens to be a lesbian one just makes this story all the sweeter and greater. It becomes this beautiful, encompassing storyline that makes you swoon again and again and again.
Like a lot of the short stories in Black Feathers, this tale had a very surreal and uncomfortable quality. It was haunting and kind of beautiful. But there was almost a sense of floating while I was reading this (alright, I can’t think of a better way to describe the experience of reading this short story other than floating…)
So I maybe shouldn’t have read this novella right before going to bed. Alone. Normally urban fantasy tales don’t really bother me right before bed. Because, well, they’re so obviously make believe. But, this one involves a dead woman who was sexually attacked right before being killed off. That hit a little too close to home… and made it a little difficult to get to sleep (even with my giant dog sleeping across my feet).
This is my first ever dieselpunk story. And it was a really good, fun introduction to the subgenre. This was kind of funny, very fast-paced and had a slightly pragmatic love story throughout. Alright, it’s not the kind of romance that will make you clutch your chest and sigh, but it is one that makes you have a little giggle and grin at the end.
Read more Rolling Steel: A Pre-Apocalyptic Love Story by Jay Lake & Shannon Page
