Cait’s Reviews > Fantasy: The Best of the Year, 2008 Edition > Status Update

The Cambist and Lord Iron by Daniel Abraham: Completely by accident, I ended with this thoroughly satisfying story from the middle of the book. Could have been trite, but the protagonist was utterly..."real" is the best word, I think.

Brother of the Moon by Holly Phillips: ...Huh. There was a lot going on here that I would have liked expanded, but I don't know if it would have improved this story, which was a perfectly gauged slice of the larger possibilities.

Sir Hereward and Mister Fitz Go to War Again by Garth Nix: I assume that this is part of a larger series? It definitely feels like it. I might be interested in these characters or this world in a different story, but the "extra-special oh-so-nice-guy" angle here didn't move me.

A Diorama of the Infernal Regions by Andy Duncan: Holy cow this is good.

The Master Miller's Tale by Ian R. MacLeod: Long for a short story, almost a novella, so it had time to be lovely, frustrating, boring, weird, and disappointing.

Bufo Rex by Erik Amundsen: Excellent!

Save Me Plz by David Barr Kirtley: I can't decide if this is brilliant, trite, or horrifyingly creepy. It is definitely funny, at least.

Singing of Mount Abora by Theodora Goss: Now this is fantastic! Smart *and* clever and funny to boot.

Heartstrung by Rachel Swirsky: Obvious metaphor is obvious, not to mention depressing and frustrating.