Luiglin -- What strikes me most about this ballad of the fantastic is the way in which its structure reflects its theme. At first, the reader is drawn in by its rollicking rhythm and whimsical humor. (The talking gnu is a particularly fetching detail.) Slowly, however, the tone changes in a subtle way, and I find myself surrounded by the author's web of words, not unlike the narrator's situation.
telford -- Reading this story I felt like a student at the feet of a wise teacher, who is attempting to convey a profound philosophical point in a colorful and entertaining way. This situation is similar to that found in the story itself, and one can only hope that the lesson is understood by the audience in a better way than it was by the characters.
Ashleyne. B. Watts -- What is remarkable about this story is the way in which simple language is used to tell a complex tale, full of mysterious and surreal concepts. Just as the narrator grows from naive childhood to adulthood, then to yet another level of sophistication, I felt my comprehension of strange events increasing as I read.
TitaniumTi -- The outstanding aspect of this story is the way in which it concentrates on the personal aspects of a vast catastrophe, instead of offering a wide view. I was drawn into the emotions of a small number of characters, while the great events raging around them were depicted in soft focus with a few delicate brushstrokes.
Cat's Cradle -- Here the author captures the voice of the narrator perfectly, delineating a character through carefully chosen words meticulously arranged. I could see this person clearly, hear erudite language enunciated in a casually condescending tone, feel the sun's heat, smell the savory cheese, and taste the crisp apple. The balance of characterization and sensory appeal creates the illusion of reality.
Juliana -- Refusing to fit within the limiting boundaries of any familiar category of fiction, this imaginative tale of miracles and machines is refreshingly original. Like the protagonist, I found myself taken away on a journey into unknown places.
Rafellin -- Here we find a story with something unexpected hidden in its heart, which is also its theme. I was taken in by the vivid and compelling description of the work of art depicted here, so that the final revelation of its true nature was made more powerful.
HazelRah -- At a dizzying pace, this story drew me into a world where everything was new, where the tragic mingled with the comic in a completely original way. The author's vision is a unique and convincing one, sure evidence of a rich imagination.
alchemist -- This masterful poem brought back memories of listening to delightfully frightening stories, of that special thrill that comes from being scared while secure in a safe environment. I noted in particular a subtle indication at the end, leaving the reader with a hint that this was something more than just a bedtime story.
Ihe -- By melding the artificial and the organic, the author creates a genuinely unsettling sensation in the reader. As I experienced more and more of this strange world, I was able to share the anxiety felt by the characters, bringing their crisis to life.
Cascade -- By an interesting coincidence, this story also creates an amalgam of the living and the nonliving, and yet the two tales could not be more different. Here the combination is taken for granted, so that when something goes wrong it creates a sense of distress. I also note a touch of dark humor to spice up the mix.
holland -- This intricate and carefully crafted poem captures the narrator's sense of being caught within the tangles of a labyrinth. I found the structure of this work to be an important indication of its theme.
willwallace -- This story draws the reader into the hallucinatory world of its narrator, creating a disquieting sense that reality may not be what it seems, and that it may be something worse. Like the protagonist, I found myself filled with anxiety about what may lie behind the things we can see.
Mad Alice -- The jumping, staccato pace of this unnerving story is a perfect fit for the weird and terrifying tale it tells. I felt my heart racing, as if I had been running a race, as I was drawn into its compelling vision of madness.
