The Executioness

The Alchemist and The Executioness caught my eye as soon as it went up at Audible.com. (Both novellas are now available in print from Subterranean Press.) Paolo Bacigalupi and Tobias Buckell offering linked fantasy novellas that take place in a shared world? Bacigalupi's story read by Jonathan Davis? What could be more promising? (It turns out that had I been familiar with Katherine Kellgren, who read Buckell's story, I would have been even more excited about this one!)

In this shared world, the use of magic causes the growth of bramble, a fast-growing, pervasive, and deadly plant that has taken over cities, making them ... Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/reviews/the-alchemist-and-the-executioness/

The story follows a mother of two who was first forced by circumstance into the role of a one-time executioner, and then forced by other circumstances into a conqueror, bearing the blown-up reputation of an “executioness”. blinkblink Yes, that the transition.

I think perhaps this short story would really have been better off as a longer novel. The actual idea, and the rather strong female lead, was pretty good. Things just seemed to escalate a little too quickly and I haven't quite lost that “mom” perspective of Tana, the protagonist.

Another problem I had with the escalation into war is the actual war itself. I couldn't help but notice rather glaring conflicts - in description, logistics, and scale - resulting in a general sense of disbelief. Paika is this large and impressive city, but it's manned by very little soldiers, which doesn't really make sense. Portions of this army would travel weeks and months away to murder and kidnap. These raiders appear to be very capable, efficient, and deadly. These people actually originally conquered the city of Paika with this small army of theirs, ok, so they're very capable. Yet, upon being attacked by an army of desperate peasants with only a few months training, they basically threw open their city gates, let themselves get slaughtered, and gave the city away.

I haven't read the paired novella yet, so this was my initial exposure to this world they've built. It's an interesting dilemma, where magic use is forbidden due to the fact that it causes unchecked growth of a poisonous plant termed the “bramble” that can't be killed off, only hacked and burned to keep it at bay. But that's about the only thing that stands out about it.

It's a quick read, but don't expect it to be deep. The middle-aged (yes, the story keeps emphasising this) mom-protagonist is actually quite likeable, but more reflection and length would've probably improved the story; more opportunity to be attached to the characters. As it is, when I finished reading, I just shrugged.