PM - A great title leads into a story of misdirection and annihilation. There is something in the story that I just can't put my finger on, but I really like. I'm not sure whether there is an off kilter sense of realism - I think there was just something in the way the enemy sing to taunt their foes ring true; and I loved the atomic feel to the explosion, a new type of super cannon.
AMB – This story pulled up such a wonderful little image in my head, that it is hard to discount it. I can just see the Morris Dancers dancing away, and the last line finishes the story so well. Not only is it a testament of skill for the maker, but it is an expression of love that he would make such a great gift.
Quokka – This carries a similar expression of love, but in the opposite direction, for parent rather than child. I particularly liked the mundane feel here; the scavenging of everyday items, gifts and what could be found, to make a surprise for a mother. In this instance something that would not just be a gift but something that would take some of the weight of her shoulders.
JLawrenceDavis – For me this summed up the whole ‘olde worlde’ Christmas feel, that anticipation of children, staring through a toy shop window at the wonders within. And what a toy – the description of the airship was a wonder indeed, you could almost see it and want it for yourself just because of what it was.
Phyrebrat – A rather clever alternate version of A Christmas Carol where Scooge runs wild, becoming a global power that literally stops our world from developing to his own benefit. He actually seems to be a step ahead of everyone, dead and living. You have the feeling that the old boy has everything stitched up to his own advantage quite nicely thank you.
Parson – and Scrooge is taken in the opposite direction in this equally wonderful, if darker tale. There is something quite satisfying in seeing Scrooge taken out by tiny Tim; I mean who would think of that little innocent being such a clever assassin. The use of words quite nicely catches the character of the old miser, and makes the accepting of the gift seem quite logical, driven by greed.
Aun Doorback – Oh, ho! ho! ho! I loved this tale, the whole thing seemed such a great little story to start with. The idea of steam powered toys as the starting point of a revolution was just beautiful. But the insertion of the military mind right at the end, that beautiful, savage and terrifying twist is what made the story shine.
