Michael Barnes
This novella show impressive crafting creating a fully realised, rich historic fantasy world/setting with backstory and depth in a limited set of words. Sentences allow readers to imagine the settings and events that lead to the current situations and laws/rules.
The characters are also well developed and not the stereotypes one would expect in such a short fantasy. Our protagonist is Fellian, a low-level fire mage, whose powers are developed by the state only to the point so she can act as a lamplighter the ability to create and sustain light through the demonic presence bound to one’s bones. Basically someone whose job it is to weave globes of light whilst also fulfilling the roles of a drudge. In our earliest encounter we see despite her position we see her trying to teach reading and writing to anyone who asks. A further crime in the eyes of the newly established Liberationist Government.
However, when an opportunity arises for her freedom by assisting the monarchists trying to save a newborn dragon queen. I initially bristled at this not being a fan of any who claim that one's birth makes someone more special than another, but I should have more faith in Kate Elliot who through Fellian we also discover the failings inherent in such classist views aying strong attention to the class system, blatantly displaying its dependencies on educational means (both practical and magical) to everyday necessities like bathing and eating.
Fellian's decision reflect a rubric I have found in judging political groups - who is the most in favour of providing access to learning and resources to learn, in this fantasy society reading and writing, they will have my support.
This novella show impressive crafting creating a fully realised, rich historic fantasy world/setting with backstory and depth in a limited set of words. Sentences allow readers to imagine the settings and events that lead to the current situations and laws/rules.
The characters are also well developed and not the stereotypes one would expect in such a short fantasy. Our protagonist is Fellian, a low-level fire mage, whose powers are developed by the state only to the point so she can act as a lamplighter the ability to create and sustain light through the demonic presence bound to one’s bones. Basically someone whose job it is to weave globes of light whilst also fulfilling the roles of a drudge. In our earliest encounter we see despite her position we see her trying to teach reading and writing to anyone who asks. A further crime in the eyes of the newly established Liberationist Government.
However, when an opportunity arises for her freedom by assisting the monarchists trying to save a newborn dragon queen. I initially bristled at this not being a fan of any who claim that one's birth makes someone more special than another, but I should have more faith in Kate Elliot who through Fellian we also discover the failings inherent in such classist views aying strong attention to the class system, blatantly displaying its dependencies on educational means (both practical and magical) to everyday necessities like bathing and eating.
Fellian's decision reflect a rubric I have found in judging political groups - who is the most in favour of providing access to learning and resources to learn, in this fantasy society reading and writing, they will have my support.