Psekrit Psummer Pstory Psix -- Guessing Thread

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The request:

Vaz: I would like a spaghetti steampunk western, about a gang of vault thieves and their wolf accomplice.

The story: "The Immortals" by Phyrebrat

This entertaining tale seamlessly combines themes from Westerns, science fiction, fantasy, horror, alternate history, and even a touch of comedy. Somehow the author manages to keep all these balls in the air at the same time, never forgetting to tell a compelling story all the while. As if this were not enough of a feat, we are also treated to a variety of colorful characters. By narrating events from different points of view, the author brings these people to life, with all their virtues, flaws, and quirks. In addition to all this, the plot is full of surprises and unexpected twists to hold the reader spellbound.

 

[Phyrebrat]

Good grief, Victoria, thanks! I wish you were my agent!!

pH

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The request:

Kerrybuchanan: Steampunk, please, with a steamship and aliens. I'm easily pleased.

The story: "In the Hot Mists" by johnnyjet

In this charming tale of a time and place that never were, but should have been, the author pays tribute to many literary predecessors. From Kipling to penny dreadfuls, from pulp magazines to Dickens, from Verne to Wells, this delightful story offers the reader a tasty stew, spiced with wit and imagination. The sense of wonder which draws us to the literature of the fantastic is fully at play here. By cleverly adopting a calm and leisurely style at first, then steadily increasing the pace of action to the story's exciting climax, the author leaves the reader breathless, as if she has shared the adventures of its heroes. The final scenes of the story can only be described as cinematic in the best sense, with thrilling events on all sides.

 

[J Riff]

I knew that was Chrispy, had to be. Good dinosaur fun is hard to find these days.

 

[Phyrebrat]

It seems like the Ps's in Psekrit Psummer Pstory Psix stood for peamstunk this time round. Wait, I mean punksteam, No, wait, oh forget it

pH

 

[johnnyjet]

Thanks, Victoria, for the awesome review!

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The request:

David Doherty-Jebb: I would like a story about a retired lady monster hunter in her sixties, please.

The story: "Laura and the Manxome Foe" by Robert Mackay

What most distinguishes this story is the way in which its content and structure parallel the emotional and spiritual growth of the narrator. At first we see the world through the eyes of a child. This section is full of nostalgic appeal, when there seemed to be magic everywhere. Quickly, however, we discover that evil exists, and must be faced with courage. At first it seems as if the fantastic elements in this tale are merely those we imagine in childhood. It soon becomes clear that the author has more in mind. As the narrator grows into adulthood, the story becomes an allegory relating to the challenges we all must face. By the end, we learn that the goal of maturity is to become wise, and to pass than wisdom along to others.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

I wish I could write a story called "Laura and the Manxome Foe". That is a fabulous title.

 

[Zoe Mackay]

Thanks for the nice words, Victoria. And... uh... TDZ... *looks embarrassed* Jabberwocky is right over there, and stealing from it is like totally legal.

I confess not being very sure what to do with Laura and the Manxome Foe, because I'm rather pleased with it.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The request:

Twistedlemon: Very simple. Star wars characters/movies reinterpreted to be in typical high school.

The story: "May the Farce be With You" by David Evil Overlord

Here we have a rollicking comedy which takes a look at characters who have become modern mythological archetypes and reduces them to an all-too-human level, much as Aristophanes did with the legendary figures of his own time. Lest this seem too erudite, rest assured that this story provides as many laughs as any classic issue of Mad or a movie like Airplane!. In addition to this, the author presents adolescent plights with which we can all relate, raising as many wry smiles as giggles.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

Thanks for the nice words, Victoria. And... uh... TDZ... *looks embarrassed* Jabberwocky is right over there, and stealing from it is like totally legal.

Well, sure, the words are there -- it's knowing what to do with them that counts. Just calling it "The Manxome Foe" wouldn't have been the same.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The request:

Cascade: Could I get a story featuring food, with an Arabian Nights type flavour? the story, not the food, or maybe the food, whatever.

The story: "One Thousand and One Meals" by holland

With a light touch the author creates a science fiction comedy of manners. By using as a background a far future of vast proportions, this story contrasts the seemingly mundane concerns of its characters, demonstrating how little things can be of great importance. The classic comic figure of the clever servant who outwits the master is used here to great effect. An added treat are vivid descriptions of delectable culinary treats, sure to makes the reader's taste buds tingle.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The request:

jastius: Could i get a teeny story about fire?

The story: "Resvrgam" by DG Jones

No doubt inspired, in an ironic sense, by the word "teeny," the author generously provides the reader with a full length novella. With this much room to work in, it comes as no surprise that the story provides a plethora of settings, characters, themes, and moods. At the same time, the author never loses focus, and the myriad events of the story lead inexorably to its astonishing conclusion. In addition to this, we are treated to a completely new fantasy concept. By setting the story in a modern, urban locale, the power of ancient mysteries is made as real as the things we encounter each day.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The request:

Mad Alice: I would like some kind of punkish type tale featuring at least one mention of a cat in one form or another, that enjoys cinnamon and milk in one form or another. The cat can be animatronic, robotic, demonic, vampiric, angelic, ghostly, hallucinogenic, catwoman, neko, or even just pictured in an advert at a space port in passing. (But there has to be at least one meow, real or imaginary).

The story: "Slim Pickings" by Vaz

This two-fisted, red-blooded adventure yarn features a breakneck pace and a dazzling array of strange and dangerous creatures. The hardboiled, sardonic attitude of the protagonists works well in this world of constant violence, unexpected alliances, and sudden treachery. Just as the characters are always springing surprises on each other, so does the author have unexpected events in store for the reader.

 

[Dan Jones]

The story: "Resvrgam" by DG Jones

No doubt inspired, in an ironic sense, by the word "teeny," the author generously provides the reader with a full length novella. With this much room to work in, it comes as no surprise that the story provides a plethora of settings, characters, themes, and moods. At the same time, the author never loses focus, and the myriad events of the story lead inexorably to its astonishing conclusion. In addition to this, we are treated to a completely new fantasy concept. By setting the story in a modern, urban locale, the power of ancient mysteries is made as real as the things we encounter each day.

Thank you sincerely, Victoria, for a really magical summary of my story, and for taking the time to read it in its entirety, no mean feat in itself. You do an incredible job in keeping the spirits up of - I daresay - everyone who writes on this site with your tireless efforts in reading pretty much everything that we toss up onto the site. Well done!

And wow - "a completely new fantasy concept" - what a comment. You can be my agent too!

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The request:

Kerrybuchanan: Steampunk, please, with a steamship and aliens. I'm easily pleased.

The story: "SteamSpace" by chrispenycate

With tongue firmly in cheek, the author offers the reader a vision of the past as seen through futuristic lenses. The combination of quaint technology and a far flung setting results in a delightful dislocation and sense of wonder. This sense of novelty is increased through the use of multiple points of view and narrative techniques, so we are always experiencing something new. As an added treat, the author has a surprise waiting for the reader at the end.

 

[Vaz]

The request:



The story: "Slim Pickings" by Vaz

This two-fisted, red-blooded adventure yarn features a breakneck pace and a dazzling array of strange and dangerous creatures. The hardboiled, sardonic attitude of the protagonists works well in this world of constant violence, unexpected alliances, and sudden treachery. Just as the characters are always springing surprises on each other, so does the author have unexpected events in store for the reader.

Thank you for the lovely review Victoria, and for holding the challenge it was great fun.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The request:

Germinad: I'd like a story about the Sicilian Mafia, set at least one thousand years in the future, with an anti-hero and a very likeable villain if possible.

The story: "The Sting" by Kerrybuchanan

A mixture of elements that might have been incongruent in lesser hands reads as smooth as silk, thanks to the author's skill in making the story's setting and characters real. Because the characters take their situations seriously, so does the reader, captivated by a building sense of suspense. In addition to this, the story is full of thoughtful science fiction concepts which are relevant to the plot.

 

[Kerrybuchanan]

Thank you so much, Victoria. Your reviews always give me such a lift as you make my stories sound so much better than they really are.

 

[Victoria Silverwolf]

The request:

chrispenycate: I think I'd like one on Forensic demonology.

The story: "Three Words" by ratsy

The author creates a new genre; what we might call dark fantasy procedural. Like a classic epic, the story begins in media res, with tension and excitement present from the very start. Without slowing down the action, we are gradually given enough expository information to understand that the author has come up with a complex, intricate, and consistent background. By combining the mood of crime fiction with advanced technology and fantastic concepts, the reader is always treated to something unique. Add to this an emotionally satisfying conclusion and you have a fully developed tale indeed.