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A review by ronsos
The Way of the Wizard by John Joseph Adams
I read 5 stories from this book. I like to read short stories one or two at a time, as pallette cleansers between novels. I've found that reading a bunch in a row doesn't really work for me. Anyway, a few quick thoughts on the stories I read:
In The Lost Lands George R R Martin
Good story, a riff on shapechanging and the cost of magic. This involves a classic bargain with a wizard when you agree to pay the price with knowing the cost until later. I have liked GRRM in shorter format more in some ways that his longer writing.
4 of 5 on the short story scale
John Uskglass and the Cumbrian Charcoal Burner Susanna Clarke
This really resonated with me. The king inadventently crosses a commoner. Commoner doesn't know its the king but is bent on revenge. King has no idea who is messing with him and why. A bit of a moral lesson and the story is light.
5 of 5 on the short story scale
The Ereshkigal Working Jonathan L Howard
Quirkly zombie apocalypse story with a snarky protagonist. I expected to enjoy it more but it was unremarkable.
3 of 5 on the short story scale
The Word of Unbinding Ursula Le Guin
Didn't connect with this.
1 of 5 on the short story scale
Counting the Shapes Yoon Ha Lee
I liked the idea of mathematical magic and would have liked to hear more about it. The story mostly focused on familial relationships and betryals in an ongoing war of dark vs light. It was ok
2 of 5 on the short story scale
In The Lost Lands George R R Martin
Good story, a riff on shapechanging and the cost of magic. This involves a classic bargain with a wizard when you agree to pay the price with knowing the cost until later. I have liked GRRM in shorter format more in some ways that his longer writing.
4 of 5 on the short story scale
John Uskglass and the Cumbrian Charcoal Burner Susanna Clarke
This really resonated with me. The king inadventently crosses a commoner. Commoner doesn't know its the king but is bent on revenge. King has no idea who is messing with him and why. A bit of a moral lesson and the story is light.
5 of 5 on the short story scale
The Ereshkigal Working Jonathan L Howard
Quirkly zombie apocalypse story with a snarky protagonist. I expected to enjoy it more but it was unremarkable.
3 of 5 on the short story scale
The Word of Unbinding Ursula Le Guin
Didn't connect with this.
1 of 5 on the short story scale
Counting the Shapes Yoon Ha Lee
I liked the idea of mathematical magic and would have liked to hear more about it. The story mostly focused on familial relationships and betryals in an ongoing war of dark vs light. It was ok
2 of 5 on the short story scale