Wendy N. Wagner

A great issue. R.L. Meza's "The First Year" a highlight.

There’s plenty to enjoy in this classic Gothic tale, if somewhat squandered in a rush to an ending. Great themes, good writing, solid use (and twisting) of familiar tropes, but it’s one of those novellas that leaves me thinking it dreamed of being longer.

Full review

Starts off very strongly and finishes with a flourish. Kind of like a serious version of Avatar. Forest planet, sci-fi, big evil corporation. No giant blue people. A pack of haunted (?) dogs instead. My one gripe with this is some of the decision making and dialogue was a tad contrived especially at the crisis/turning points.

Disclosure: I consider Wendy a friend, or at least a very friendly acquaintance. Our narrator, June Vogel, comes from a wealthy family with aspirations (and some success) of being the upper crust. She is called home by her brother to look after her niece, Abigail, while her brother (now master of the house) goes on his honeymoon with his second wife. The house is haunted in the classical sense, and June must manage to escape it with her life.