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andypeloquinauthor's review
4.0
I can't fault this story for the writing. Grammar, punctuation, writing style--it was all fine. Certainly nothing next-level to make me sit up and take notice, but no visible mistakes or amateur writing. Kudos to the author for that!
However, I didn't get the point of the story. In my opinion, this could have been shortened to a single novel chapter and used as the intro to a longer story. Had there been more story about what happens after he meets the alien, it would have been a great LONGER book. As it was, it was too short and felt incomplete.
Also, I felt the flashback in the middle didn't really add to the story. It touched on the element of racism in Vale, but perhaps only Vale residents would feel the "sting" of that criticism. The relationship between the Chief and Detective Carter could have been summed it more succinctly, and it might have helped the story flow a bit better.
That being said, I am kind of curious to know what comes next. There was a good hook to make me want to read the next part, though hopefully I get more "story" than I got from this one.
However, I didn't get the point of the story. In my opinion, this could have been shortened to a single novel chapter and used as the intro to a longer story. Had there been more story about what happens after he meets the alien, it would have been a great LONGER book. As it was, it was too short and felt incomplete.
Also, I felt the flashback in the middle didn't really add to the story. It touched on the element of racism in Vale, but perhaps only Vale residents would feel the "sting" of that criticism. The relationship between the Chief and Detective Carter could have been summed it more succinctly, and it might have helped the story flow a bit better.
That being said, I am kind of curious to know what comes next. There was a good hook to make me want to read the next part, though hopefully I get more "story" than I got from this one.
kmherkes's review
4.0
Good stuff!
Pithy, classically-styled SF short story designed as a series introduction but equally enjoyable on its own merits. I got a great sense of the main character and others despite the short length of the tale, and I found it a thoroughly fun read from start to finish.
Pithy, classically-styled SF short story designed as a series introduction but equally enjoyable on its own merits. I got a great sense of the main character and others despite the short length of the tale, and I found it a thoroughly fun read from start to finish.
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