Shadow of the Valley: 02/22/09
Here it is the last few hours of February and I am only just now starting the February issue of Fantasy & Science Fiction. Unfortunately for me it starts with another of the shadow stories by Fred Chappell. His shadow world, shadow steeling stories just don't do it for me so I went into reading "Shadow of the Valley" feeling unenthusiastic by the prospect.
Previous stories in the same world I've read are "Dance of the Shadows" and "The Diamond Shadow". The first one had works of art made from shadows or shadows as works of art. The second had a diamond with a magically dark shadow. This time, it's lettuce. That's right, lettuce. Magical and valuable lettuce but it grows in a land plagued by shadow stealing things. Oh no! Call Rapunzel and Jack. They'll get it sorted out lickedy split. Oh wait, that's a different and much better story.
There's really not much more to say except about a quest to pick lettuce in the dark to avoid the shadow stealers.
Stuff happens and it's just not my kind of fantasy.
Read more enthusiastic reviews at The Fix, The Barking Dog, and Suite 101.
fantasy science fiction magazine | fiction | short story | Fred Chappell | 2009
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