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A review by misterjay
Stories of the Raksura, Volume Two: The Dead City & The Dark Earth Below by Martha Wells
4.0
The Dead City (4/5)
A story about Moon, just after he's confronted the Fell and is wandering, lost and alone. He comes across a small fishing village and gets drawn into a local drama in spite of himself. The story adds another half dozen races to the already stuffed roster of the Raksura stories, but Wells' fantastic world building and story telling mean that they never feel shoehorned into the narrative. Good stuff.
Mimesis (4/5)
While on a routine trading mission, one young warrior gets into some trouble. Jade has to find him and bring him home. This is a short story but it has a lot of good action and some nice insights into Jade’s character.
Trading Lesson (4/5)
When a trading group comes calling, Moon has occasion to reflect on the different values of different cultures. And to teach Rill about the delicate art of negotiating. Light on plot, heavy on insights into Moon and his ongoing troubles fully assimilating into Raksuran life.
The Almost Last Voyage of the Wind-Ship Escarpment (3/5)
A small band of traders agrees to carry a ransom to a group of pirates. Adventures ensue. This is a new story set in the Three Worlds but with all new characters. It’s a good story and I hope these characters return in a new series of some sort.
The Dark Earth Below (5/5)
The Raksura’s forrest floor dwelling neighbors, the Kek, send a request for help. Moon, Stone, Pearl, and others do their best to find out what happened to their friends, all while Jade prepares to have her first clutch. Not only is this a good story on its own, it further builds out the world around the Raksuras’ tree and lets us check in with Moon and Jade as their family grows. Just about perfect.
A story about Moon, just after he's confronted the Fell and is wandering, lost and alone. He comes across a small fishing village and gets drawn into a local drama in spite of himself. The story adds another half dozen races to the already stuffed roster of the Raksura stories, but Wells' fantastic world building and story telling mean that they never feel shoehorned into the narrative. Good stuff.
Mimesis (4/5)
While on a routine trading mission, one young warrior gets into some trouble. Jade has to find him and bring him home. This is a short story but it has a lot of good action and some nice insights into Jade’s character.
Trading Lesson (4/5)
When a trading group comes calling, Moon has occasion to reflect on the different values of different cultures. And to teach Rill about the delicate art of negotiating. Light on plot, heavy on insights into Moon and his ongoing troubles fully assimilating into Raksuran life.
The Almost Last Voyage of the Wind-Ship Escarpment (3/5)
A small band of traders agrees to carry a ransom to a group of pirates. Adventures ensue. This is a new story set in the Three Worlds but with all new characters. It’s a good story and I hope these characters return in a new series of some sort.
The Dark Earth Below (5/5)
The Raksura’s forrest floor dwelling neighbors, the Kek, send a request for help. Moon, Stone, Pearl, and others do their best to find out what happened to their friends, all while Jade prepares to have her first clutch. Not only is this a good story on its own, it further builds out the world around the Raksuras’ tree and lets us check in with Moon and Jade as their family grows. Just about perfect.