This collection of short stories features some author
names
known to me and some previously not; a fun mix. DANGEROUS
GAMES features original speculative fiction stories, on
the
theme of games - which we all play, from sudoku to cards,
or roleplaying games. Some of these stories are not about
people we'd like. That's okay, because they get what they
deserve from losing or winning.
South Mountain, by archetypal modern Irish fantasy author
Paul Kearney, features a band of American Civil War re-
enactors; this is their game, and the battle of South
Mountain in West Virginia is the board. Black doctor Avery
is four generations removed from slavery, and curiosity
moves him to try the activity, camping out with period
gear
the night before the anniversary of the battle. Something
changes overnight, though, and the men wake to the sounds
of artillery and musketry. This is a splendid tale, rich
with setting detail and filled with ordinary men in an
extraordinary time.
The Game Changer by Libby McGuigan follows two parents
desperate to save the life of their son, even if it means
using nanotechnology to fight the spreading illness in his
body. Adam has created a jungle computer game for little
Max to play, since he can't run around; a spot of hacking
into a university medical programme should not be beyond
his skills.
Gary Northfield has contributed a wryly humorous comic
strip asking why so many people prefer violent action
wargames to other forms of entertainment.
Many of the stories are pretty dark, some outright horror,
and this will suit other people better than it suits me.
However I reckon the stories above are worth the price of
the book. DANGEROUS GAMES is for adult readers who like
to
ask what if. Jonathan Oliver has also edited horror
collections such as End Of The Line based around London's
Underground, the Metro and other below-ground locations.
Roll the Bones!
In a world ruled by chance, one rash decision could bring
down the house, one roll of the dice could bring untold
wealth, or the end of everything. The players have
gathered around the table, each to tell their story -
often dark, always compelling. Within you will find tales
of the players and the played, lives governed by games
deadly, weird, or downright bizarre.
Multi-award winning editor Jonathan Oliver (The End of the
Line, House of Fear, Magic, End of the Road) brings
together new stories featuring a diverse collection of
voices. Here you will find incredible new fiction by Chuck
Wendig, Silvia Moreno-Garcia, Lavie Tidhar, Benjanun
Sriduangkaew, Paul Kearney, Libby McGugan, Yoon Ha Lee,
Gary Northfield, Melanie Tem, Hillary Monahan, Tade
Thompson, Rebecca Levene, Ivo Stourton, Gary McMahon,
Robert Shearman, Nik Vincent, Helen Marshall, and Pat
Cadigan.
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