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A review by blue_guitar
Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions and Illusions by Neil Gaiman

dark funny mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

 I read this as part of the 2024 r/fantasy Bingo - Five Short Stories

Story Reviews:

Changes - 4 out of 5

This feels like a really accurate outline of what the future would be if the premise of the story came true. A great little piece of science fiction that shines on the concept of gender and the way society is built upon it.

The Daughter of Owls - 4 out of 5

A short but very interesting little story. Written to feel like a real account from the high middle ages.

 Shoggoth's Old Peculiar - 5 out of 5


A really charming cthulhu story. How often do you find that? Weird but also very normal. I personally traveled with a guy who was a lot like Ben Lassiter and boy could I picture him in the story. Loved the charming cultists.

Looking for the Girl - 2 out of 5
 
Didn't really care for this one. Had the element of yearning for youth and wistful longing, while at the same time feeling a bit skeevy. Something off putting about someone pining for a perpetually young woman throughout time.

Chivalry - 4 out of 5

A really charming story about the holy grail that I think my grandma would like.