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gabrielavmarques's review against another edition
3.0
Although it is a soundly written story it is ultimately not that memorable or unique.
The high point for me was the vivid and atmospheric setting. However, the dialogue is a bit rushed and the characters don't really feel real, which makes the story less engaging and developed.
The high point for me was the vivid and atmospheric setting. However, the dialogue is a bit rushed and the characters don't really feel real, which makes the story less engaging and developed.
bookaneer's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars. Nice and refreshing setting, unique relationship among some of the MCs, though the saving-the-damsel-in-distress plot kind of took me away from enjoying it fully.
Speaking about setting, I am glad I was introduced to the concept of devadasis, which practice is apparently still rampant in India. Around 450,000 women are still imprisoned in its sex slavery scheme, which was shocking.
I agree with some reviewers that this feels like a first chapter of a much longer story. I'd like to have more from this world, please.
Speaking about setting, I am glad I was introduced to the concept of devadasis, which practice is apparently still rampant in India. Around 450,000 women are still imprisoned in its sex slavery scheme, which was shocking.
I agree with some reviewers that this feels like a first chapter of a much longer story. I'd like to have more from this world, please.
nataliya_x's review against another edition
2.0
I had really big hopes for this Nebula-nominated novelette, but sadly they fizzled out.
A young circus trapeze master Binu also happens to be a master (and lover) of a jinni Shehzad, although he considers the jinni to be free. Jinni, having lived centuries beholden to those who have owned his lamp, knows that his life is a succession of kind and less kind masters. And then one day Binu is talked into helping a young devadasi girl escape her involuntary servitude to a goddess because her plight breaks his bleeding heart.
The kindness that Binu shows, however, sets unexpected events into motion. As they say, no good deed goes unpunished. There will be devastation, and sacrifice, and ultimately love.
It’s a well-written story, but it feels sadly incomplete, like an intro or a chapter from a longer work, ending up more as a sketch than a free-standing story. Some stories work as vignettes, but this one doesn’t. It is nice but ultimately forgettable. It needed more development, otherwise it’s really hard to care about barely sketched-out characters or the meaning of the sacrifices made. I love when a short story makes me want more of the world and the characters because they are well done — but not when it makes me want more just because what’s written feels incomplete.
But if the author decides to expand it into a novel or at least a novella, I’ll read it. Until then, not too impressed.
2.5 stars.
—————
Read it free here: https://www.tor.com/2019/01/23/his-footsteps-through-darkness-and-light-mimi-mondal/
——————
My Hugo and Nebula Awards Reading Project 2020: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3295830569
A young circus trapeze master Binu also happens to be a master (and lover) of a jinni Shehzad, although he considers the jinni to be free. Jinni, having lived centuries beholden to those who have owned his lamp, knows that his life is a succession of kind and less kind masters. And then one day Binu is talked into helping a young devadasi girl escape her involuntary servitude to a goddess because her plight breaks his bleeding heart.
“I am not even an illicit child, merely a blessing received by my mother in the performance of her role, more property added to the coffers of the raja who owned her. I am cleverer, more beautiful, more talented than the princess whose wedding you graced with your performance, but she is the princess, and I am property. I am less than even the common free woman in the street.”
The kindness that Binu shows, however, sets unexpected events into motion. As they say, no good deed goes unpunished. There will be devastation, and sacrifice, and ultimately love.
It’s a well-written story, but it feels sadly incomplete, like an intro or a chapter from a longer work, ending up more as a sketch than a free-standing story. Some stories work as vignettes, but this one doesn’t. It is nice but ultimately forgettable. It needed more development, otherwise it’s really hard to care about barely sketched-out characters or the meaning of the sacrifices made. I love when a short story makes me want more of the world and the characters because they are well done — but not when it makes me want more just because what’s written feels incomplete.
But if the author decides to expand it into a novel or at least a novella, I’ll read it. Until then, not too impressed.
2.5 stars.
—————
Read it free here: https://www.tor.com/2019/01/23/his-footsteps-through-darkness-and-light-mimi-mondal/
——————
My Hugo and Nebula Awards Reading Project 2020: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3295830569
s100001's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
lizabethstucker's review against another edition
2.0
Love comes in many forms, some never spoken out loud. Binu had found a home and a job with the Majestic Oriental Circus. He became a trapeze master, soon heading his own team. He also continued playing Alladin in Shehzad Marid’s illusionist act. He was happy and content. Until he helped the wrong person.
There is so much hinted at and more left unsaid. But it will always be known that Binu was a good man and a loyal friend. Bittersweet, yet in that time and place, perhaps the happiest ending(?) one could hope for. 4 out of 5.
There is so much hinted at and more left unsaid. But it will always be known that Binu was a good man and a loyal friend. Bittersweet, yet in that time and place, perhaps the happiest ending(?) one could hope for. 4 out of 5.
maria_clara's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
crunden's review against another edition
4.0
And then there was an arm around my waist, holding me upright again, there was a hand wiping dust, blood, and tears from my eyes. It was Shehzad Marid—ever loving, ever loyal, always on my side in my hour of need.
This was a really good short story about a trapeze master and his jinni.
This was a really good short story about a trapeze master and his jinni.
sch91086's review against another edition
4.0
This is weirdly the lowest rated of the Tor’s short fiction newsletter but right now it is my favorite. It’s about a traveling circus in India who puts on the show Aladdin. Their secret is that they have a real jinni in their midst.
It’s inclusive, being an own voices narrative and the MC is bisexual. It’s a love story more than anything else and I thought it was really sort of romantic, but it is also about the nature of freedom.
I thought it was really well done and I’ll be looking for more Mimi Mondal in the future.
It’s inclusive, being an own voices narrative and the MC is bisexual. It’s a love story more than anything else and I thought it was really sort of romantic, but it is also about the nature of freedom.
I thought it was really well done and I’ll be looking for more Mimi Mondal in the future.
hermitqueen's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0