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speculativebecky's review against another edition
4.0
This short story, a prequel in a way to Ninefox Gambit, felt lackluster in comparison to the novel. I am assuming a large portion of my lower level of satisfaction with this story is due to my struggles with the shorter story medium. I felt that the setting was explained more plainly, and woven less intricately into the flow of the story. I'm not sure if that had a lot to do with the fact that I'd already read the novel, which so totally blew me away. Lee's writing is still very enjoyable, but overall this story was just less than I'd expected.
marziesreads's review against another edition
4.0
In this story we get some insight into General Shuos Jedao, back in the days of the Heptarchate in a new battle in the Yellow Passage near the sight of a historic battle near Candle Arc. The story, written all the way back in 2012, makes me question what I really know about what happened in Hellspin Fortress, and it should make you question it, too.
lordofthemoon's review against another edition
4.0
This is a short story in Lee's 'Machineries of Empire' series, set several hundred years before the events of [b: Ninefox Gambit|26118426|Ninefox Gambit (The Machineries of Empire #1)|Yoon Ha Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1446557461s/26118426.jpg|46065520], when General Shuos Jedao was still alive and commanding armies. This story showcases the more tricksy (Shuos) side of the general, as he manoeuvres his weakened army into a position that he'll be able to take on a much greater force.
We see more into Jedao's head again here and I felt the tone here was more in keeping with Ninefox than the previous short story, [b: Extracurricular Activities|33985428|Extracurricular Activities (The Machineries of Empire)|Yoon Ha Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485364320s/33985428.jpg|54978656]. These little glimpses into the universe help expand it (although I still feel strongly that the calendar-based exotic technologies are much more in keeping with fantasy than SF) and a nice little appetiser for the next novel in the sequence.
We see more into Jedao's head again here and I felt the tone here was more in keeping with Ninefox than the previous short story, [b: Extracurricular Activities|33985428|Extracurricular Activities (The Machineries of Empire)|Yoon Ha Lee|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1485364320s/33985428.jpg|54978656]. These little glimpses into the universe help expand it (although I still feel strongly that the calendar-based exotic technologies are much more in keeping with fantasy than SF) and a nice little appetiser for the next novel in the sequence.
acqua's review against another edition
5.0
"But the protocol, sir. The Rahal aren't part of your force," Menowen said, "they don't fight—"
That got his attention. "Fledge," Jedao said sharply, which brought her up short, "what the hell do you mean they're not fighting? Just because they're not sitting on a mass of things that go boom? They're fighting what's in the enemy's head."
This was everything I wanted.
I can't wait to read more from this author.
That got his attention. "Fledge," Jedao said sharply, which brought her up short, "what the hell do you mean they're not fighting? Just because they're not sitting on a mass of things that go boom? They're fighting what's in the enemy's head."
This was everything I wanted.
I can't wait to read more from this author.
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