Labyrinths, a dragon, and rescues

September 19, 2024 9:47 AM

A few short, brisk fantasy stories, published this year, involving peril and rescue. "The Dragon Shepherd" by George S. Walker, in Electric Spec: a young girl challenges complacent dragonslayers. "The Doomsday Book of Labyrinths" by LM Zaerr, in Uncharted Magazine: a tax assessor (who doesn't care to look too closely at his own emotions) needs to figure out why a scared kid is running a shop. "Labyrinths for Wayward Teens", also by Zaerr (and, like "Doomsday Book", ending abruptly), in Electric Spec: an exploited hero-for-hire, paid to rescue thrillseeking customers from magical escape rooms, faces (mostly gratuitous) danger when his own daughter gets trapped.
posted by brainwane (8 comments total)

As always, thank you posting these.
posted by idb at 12:55 PM on September 19 [2 favorites]

Yes, I really needed this today. Thanks so.much!
posted by Literaryhero at 2:37 PM on September 19 [1 favorite]

Yeah, I want more ending to Doomsday Book there. Happy ending, though.
posted by jenfullmoon at 2:53 PM on September 19 [3 favorites]

I kind of hope the Labyrinth stories are so abrupt because they are intended to be part of something larger….
posted by GenjiandProust at 3:29 PM on September 19 [1 favorite]

The dragon story has a bit of the feel of a cynical late 60s/early 70s short story, which is nice, if intended.
posted by GenjiandProust at 3:30 PM on September 19 [1 favorite]

> As always, thank you posting these.


Seriously! A day with a few stories posted by brainwane is always a better day.
posted by ASF Tod und Schwerkraft at 5:00 PM on September 19 [3 favorites]

The shepherd story, wham! I caught the hint and was still surprised. Love it!
posted by Wretch729 at 6:34 PM on September 19 [1 favorite]

The dragon story is the gem here, but the labyrinth stories are not bad, the first more compelling than the second, perhaps.
posted by maxwelton at 9:49 PM on September 19 [1 favorite]