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Reviews
Beneath Ceaseless Skies Issue #231 by Jeremy A. TeGrotenhuis, Stephen Case, Scott H. Andrews
richardleis's review
5.0
Both stories in this issue of BCS are fantastic!
The darkly-told tale "Deathspeaker" by Stephen Case starts right in the middle of the action and doesn't let up. It introduces a compelling magical power and follows through with implications, consequences, and complications that escalate the story and take it into dark new territories leading up to an incredible ending and, to me at least, an unexpected final moment. A scary, lovely, emotional, inventive favorite!
"The Broken Karwaneer" by Jeremy A. TeGrotenhuis is likewise inventive and compelling. The protagonist is sharply drawn and the story is carefully crafted to showcase her character arc. I frequently praise the stories in BCS for how they drop readers into strange new worlds that build themselves vividly in the imagination; these two stories are no exceptions.
The darkly-told tale "Deathspeaker" by Stephen Case starts right in the middle of the action and doesn't let up. It introduces a compelling magical power and follows through with implications, consequences, and complications that escalate the story and take it into dark new territories leading up to an incredible ending and, to me at least, an unexpected final moment. A scary, lovely, emotional, inventive favorite!
"The Broken Karwaneer" by Jeremy A. TeGrotenhuis is likewise inventive and compelling. The protagonist is sharply drawn and the story is carefully crafted to showcase her character arc. I frequently praise the stories in BCS for how they drop readers into strange new worlds that build themselves vividly in the imagination; these two stories are no exceptions.
mikewhiteman's review
5.0
Deathspeaker - Stephen Case *****
Gorgeously rendered fantasy from the point of view of a Keeper, a scribe who sets free the titular character, a woman who can kill by speaking a person's true name. He then records the names of all the people in her kingdom, helping maintain her power. Deftly deals with the issues of how she becomes and stays Empress, the Keeper's relationship with her and the rise of an opposing power. Deep and well-considered, with strong central characters and an intriguing world ripe for exploration.
The Broken Karwaneer - Jeremy A TeGrotenhuis ****
Post-apocalyptic revenge story exploring how far both people and worlds can be pushed before they break, and what happens to them when they do. Orha's journey as a fighter who tries to channel her violence for good and to protect others follows familiar ground on the merits of vengeance and punishment, before she is taken beyond her breaking point and then must accept what she is capable of. Enjoyed where this one ended up and would read more in this world.
Gorgeously rendered fantasy from the point of view of a Keeper, a scribe who sets free the titular character, a woman who can kill by speaking a person's true name. He then records the names of all the people in her kingdom, helping maintain her power. Deftly deals with the issues of how she becomes and stays Empress, the Keeper's relationship with her and the rise of an opposing power. Deep and well-considered, with strong central characters and an intriguing world ripe for exploration.
The Broken Karwaneer - Jeremy A TeGrotenhuis ****
Post-apocalyptic revenge story exploring how far both people and worlds can be pushed before they break, and what happens to them when they do. Orha's journey as a fighter who tries to channel her violence for good and to protect others follows familiar ground on the merits of vengeance and punishment, before she is taken beyond her breaking point and then must accept what she is capable of. Enjoyed where this one ended up and would read more in this world.
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