Reviews
“The Ashes of His Fathers”
And if all of Analog’s stories were as good as “The Ashes of His Fathers,” the magazine might sell substantially better. … This story works on many different levels, and is very well written, indeed, by Eric James Stone. It was accidentally omitted from the table of contents, and that’s a shame. Don’t miss this one, especially if you like to be reminded, occasionally, that people can work together to overcome problems.
–Gerald W. Page, The Fix [full review]
“Attitude Adjustment”
Another short problem-solving piece with a tone rather too much like a Heinlein juvenile.*
–Lois Tilton, Internet Review of Science Fiction [full review]
[*Note: I like Heinlein juvenile stories, so I take the comparison as a compliment.--EJS]
“Buy You a Mockingbird”
The protagonist’s narrative is priceless. She is full of regret, but regret you could never imagine. This short tale has an ending I just loved. A well done work of science fiction wrapped in a small package. Recommended
–Frank Dutkiewicz, Diabolical Plots [full review]
“The Final Element”
“And thusly (if I make speak in Good Doctor mode) Stone provides a story that could have been penned by Asimov.”
– Mark Watson, BestSF.net [full review]
“In Memory”
Standouts include Eric James Stone’s eerie “In Memory,” whose hero, a brilliant mad physicist, exists as a disembodied computer image…
–Publisher’s Weekly [full review]
“Resonance”
After the exposition, however, this complex and intelligent piece unfolds very smoothly. The author creates a clever plot and characters worth rooting for, all leading to an exciting climax. This story may particularly appeal to fans of hard SF, given its emphasis on physics concepts.
–Brit Marschalk, Tangent Online [full review]
“The Robot Sorcerer”
The story is personal in scale and filled with mystery, action, and even tragedy. Stone explores many themes: the nature of life, magic versus technology, magic as technology, moral dilemmas, and self-sacrifice being only a few. He does so while also creating a complex plot that doesn’t confuse the reader, establishing depth of character, and describing a rich and fascinating world while also maintaining a good pace. It is, by far, the best story in this issue.
–Scott M. Sandridge, The Fix [full review]
“Tabloid Reporter to the Stars”
This wonderfully written science fiction story deftly pulls off laugh after laugh while also illuminating critical issues surrounding science, religion, culture, and, most importantly, what exactly is that thing we call truth.
–Jason Sanford, StorySouth [full review]
“Tabloid Reporter to the Stars” is pure Robert Sheckley and a perfect example of how to pull off an absurd twist ending and make it work.
–Adam Balm, Ain’t It Cool News [full review]
“Taint of Treason”
Eric James Stone’s “Taint of Treason” is another gem, a brief but tragic story with a surprising conclusion. … “Taint of Treason” packs a hell of a punch into its tiny frame (it’s not quite two pages long). It’s tempting to interpret it as an allegory for totalitarian regimes with its upside down notions of justice and betrayal. Allegory or not, it’s a splendid tale.
–Douglas Hoffman, Tangent Online [full review]
“That Leviathan, Whom Thou Hast Made”
Stone’s story is chock full of scriptural allusions to the Hebrew Bible, the New Testament, and the Book of Mormon– some stated plainly, others less so. Most intriguing for me is the Job-like confrontation at the story’s end between the finite Malan and the all-but-infinite Leviathan. The idea that limited, contingent, mortal beings can have some influence and importance in the infinite, eternal eyes of the deity is, arguably, the core of all human religion. Stone’s story presents this concept in the context of a speculative ethical puzzle, and is quite entertaining to boot. Its Nebula nomination is well earned.
–Gabriel Mckee, SF Gospel [full review]
But matters improved quickly, as the characters proved to be reasonable and well-rounded human beings, despite their conflicting viewpoints, who even managed to work together. And the sincere faith of Harry Malan managed to make me sympathize with his religious mission, which is a very hard sale indeed.
–Lois Tilton, Locus Online [full review]
Ah, but the plot gets refreshingly intriguing when the oldest and largest alien claims to be a god, the original life form, the creator of [all?] other life forms. Then it gets refreshingly ominous when the self proclaimed god squares off with the Mormon, his alien convert, and their competing god. At the end, we get a good blending of plot, character development, and theme.
–Carl Slaughter, Tangent Online [full review]
Eric James Stone manages to combine religion and science in an entertaining, well-plotted tale that doesn’t come off as overly preachy.
–Rena Hawkins, Tangent Online [full review]
General
Of particular interest are the stories by Eric James Stone, whose contributions have helped cement his reputation as one of the most interesting new writers of the decade: examples include his fantasy of temptation “Salt of Judas” (March 2006 #2) and the ingenious melding of science and magic in “The Robot Sorcerer” (December 2008 #10).
–“Orson Scott Card’s Intergalactic Medicine Show” entry, Encyclopedia of Science Fiction [full article]
