Short Stories I Read in September

 

It’s the 29th of October, so it’s time to talk about the short stories, miscellaneous posts, and podcast episodes I read or listened to in September.

Metal Like Blood In the Dark by T. Kingfisher (Uncanny Magazine; Issue Thirty-Six, September/October)

The only short story I read last month was Metal Like Blood In The Dark. This was a lovely and engrossing story about a man who built enormous machines, who he named Brother and Sister and programmed to be intelligent. From the very first line of this story, I was intrigued and invested in the characters. I have to commend the author there, because the machines were such vivid characters, full of personality and a bit of naivety. One thing that stood out about them was their needs—for metal as nourishment, for company, and their care for the person who created them—and that aspect of the story was developed quite well. At times a harrowing journey across the vast reaches of space and part coming-of-age tale as told by sentient machines, Metal Like Blood In The Dark was a fantastic story.

From Around The Web…

• Print Run Podcast episode # 135
• Our Opinions Are Correct episode # 65
• Sleeps With Monsters: Into the Wood With Emily Tesh and Carrie Vaughn (Liz Bourke; Tor.com, August 25, 2020)
• Print Run Podcast episode # 136

Review: The Case Study of Vanitas volume 5 by Jun Mochizuki

 Title: The Case Study of Vanitas

Series: The Case Study of Vanitas #5

Author: Jun Mochizuki
Source/Format: Gift; Paperback
More Details: Altenative History; Fantasy; Manga
Publisher/Publication Date: Yen Press; January 22, 2019

Goodreads     Amazon     Barnes & Noble     

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Long ago, France was terrorized by The Beast of Gévaudan, who indiscriminately murdered hundreds. Before the creature could be stopped, the Beast vanished into thin air. Now, on the streets of nineteenth century Paris, news breaks of the Beast's gruesome return. As Noé and Vanitas rush to learn more about the Beast and its connection to vampirekind, none other than the Holy Knight, Astolfo, and Jeanne, the Hellfire Witch, stand in their way...

I’m steadily working my way through the current volumes of The Case Study of Vanitas. I’m on to number five, and it is a bit of a departure from the calmer chapters at the end of the previous volume. I guess you could say that it was the calm before the storm. The story takes on a darker tone, as the plot takes the main characters out of Paris. A lot of backstory is revealed for characters like Noe. There was even a little more about Jeanne (the Hellfire Witch), as some of her backstory is revealed through the exploration of her connection to the beast stalking Gévaudan.

The events of volume five once again demonstrated the murky morality in play with the characters of the series. Most of them are secretive and morally ambiguous, and so the lines between right and wrong are often blurred. It’s one of the strong suits of The Case Study of Vanitas. They’re characters you can care about and get invested in, who sometimes mean well, who think they’re doing right—and sometimes have the justification for it—but their secrets, motivations, and methods by which they get to that conclusion makes for situations that rarely have simple explanations or solutions.

There was plenty of action and mystery in this volume, which I greatly enjoyed. I also liked how Mochizuki incorporated real-world influences here. Such as how the Beast of Gévaudan was incorporated into the story so that it fit with the overall lore established in previous volumes—and as I was reading I thought the name sounded somewhat familiar, so I did google it.

Overall, this was another great volume, and I’m looking forward to the next one.

Music Monday (136): The Neighbourhood, Kerli, Epica, John Coltrane, The Gap Band

 

   Rules:

• Music Monday is a weekly meme hosted by Lauren Stoolfire at Always Me that asks you to share one or two songs that you've recently enjoyed. For the rules, visit the page HERE 

Breana: I'm currently enjoying music by The Neighbourhood. I haven't listened to them as much in the past year or so, but over the weekend I got into their music again. One of my favorite songs is Lost in Translation.

Adri:  I'm mainly sticking to my same playlist, which is nothing new. Recently, I have rediscovered some songs I haven't listened to for a bit. My picks for today are Walking on Air by Kerli and Quietus by Epica.  

Andrea: Hi all, this week I'm listening to Party Train by The Gap Band and A Love Supreme by John Coltrane. There are three parts to Coltrane's song, but I have only posted part one. Have an amazing week!

   

What are you listening to this week?

Pencil {October 2020} #3

  

Comments: Adri and I recently watched Over The Garden Wall. I’ve been hearing about it for a while, and I wanted to watch it this year. So I picked up the DVD while it was on sale at Barnes & Noble. I really loved the series, and it’s one of my favorite shows from Cartoon Network to date. My artwork for today is partly inspired by the spooky and whimsical feel of Over the Garden Wall, but it’s not influenced by any scenes from the show—so you don’t need to worry about spoilers if you haven’t watched it.

The Friday 56 (188) & Book Beginnings: The Winter of the Witch by Katherine Arden

The Friday 56 is a weekly meme hosted by Freda's Voice where every Friday you pick a book and turn to page 56 or 56%, and select a sentence or a few, as long as it's not a spoiler. For the full rules, visit the the page HERE

Book Beginnings is a weekly meme hosted by Rose City Reader that asks you to share the first sentence (or so) of the book you're reading.

Synopsis from Goodreads...

Now Moscow has been struck by disaster. Its people are searching for answers—and for someone to blame. Vasya finds herself alone, beset on all sides. The Grand Prince is in a rage, choosing allies that will lead him on a path to war and ruin. A wicked demon returns, stronger than ever and determined to spread chaos. Caught at the center of the conflict is Vasya, who finds the fate of two worlds resting on her shoulders. Her destiny uncertain, Vasya will uncover surprising truths about herself and her history as she desperately tries to save Russia, Morozko, and the magical world she treasures. But she may not be able to save them all.

Beginning: "Dusk at the end of winter, and two men crossed the dooryard of a palace scarred by fire."

56: "Olga gathered her daughter into her arms."

Comments: I recently reread one of my all-time favorite reads: The Winter of the Witch. What are you reading this week?