Monday, May 14, 2012

Three Short Stories / Marilyn Peake


Reviewed by: BigAl

Genre: Short Story/Dark Fantasy/Science Fiction

Approximate word count: Each story is roughly 2,500-4,500 words.

Availability    
Coyote Crossing
Kindle  US: YES  UK: YES  Nook: NO  Smashwords: NO  Paper: NO

Cannon Fodder: Operation Horse Whisperer
Kindle  US: YES  UK: YES  Nook: NO  Smashwords: NO  Paper: NO

Bright Moon
Kindle  US: YES  UK: YES  Nook: NO  Smashwords: NO  Paper: NO
Click on a YES above to go to appropriate page in Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Smashwords store

Author:

“Marilyn Peake is the author of both adult and children’s literature. Her publications have received excellent reviews and won numerous awards. She’s been interviewed on radio shows across the United States and in Canada.”

Peake has four novels and several short stories available. For more, visit her website.

Description:

This is actually three reviews in one, with a review of three short stories available separately.

Coyote Crossing is the story of an illegal immigrant’s journey across the Rio Grande, from Mexico to the US.

Cannon Fodder: Operation Horse Whisperer is Science Fiction with psychological and historical elements.

Bright Moon is dark fantasy, with the story of a small faerie that comes to live with a poor Chinese farming family.

Appraisal:

Each of Peake’s short stories I read shared some common qualities. They are well crafted, with the obvious story being interesting enough to draw you in and wonder how it will end. Each has a twist, with something completely unexpected changing the direction of the story in the middle or an ending far from the expected. Finally, each has a deeper level, prompting questions and thoughts beyond the immediate story.

Coyote Crossing prompted questions and thoughts about US immigration policy and the lengths people will go to for a chance at a better life.

Cannon Fodder: Operation Horse Whisperer set me to thinking about the power of government and the costs of war.

Bright Moon raises issues of the role of government, the power of corporations, and what we, as citizens, should do if the line is crossed.

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: **** Four stars

1 comment:

Marilyn Peake said...

Hi, Big Al,

First, I discovered a spike in my sales on Amazon. Next, I discovered that you had reviewed three of my short stories here on your Blog and on Amazon, and that another reviewer for your site had written a great review for one of my novels. I'm sure there's a connection with the increased sales, and I'm absolutely delighted! Thank you so much for your wonderful reviews!