#combustion hour

[torpublishinggroup]

Read "Combustion Hour" a story by Yoon Ha Lee about the eschatology of shadow puppets.

[c-foley]

One Short Month: Combustion Hour by Yoon Ha Lee

Today’s short story is Combustion Hour, a tale about shadow puppets. 

I have my heart set on writing a short story set in 2nd person POV, so it was great to read one and see what did and did not work.

*spoilers below*

I really enjoyed this story - the descriptions of the world of the shadow puppets were vivid and really brought their world to life - I especially adored the way that the colours are described - “ Your uniform is the same color as the queen’s gloves; it is defined that way. “ I think that’s a really gorgeous idea.

I also quite liked the hint that the puppets could move outside of their world into the 3D world (or maybe I was misinterpreting it), in order to keep their lanterns lit.

I thought the interactions between the queen and the knight were interesting, although I really wanted to know about their backstory and shared past by the end of the story - why did the knight hate her so much? Why was everyone afraid of the knight but also hated them? The queen’s nonchalance about using the prisoners as fuel for the lamp was suitably unsettling, and it justified the knight’s actions afterwards.

I will say though that some of the conversations were very vague and mysterious, but to the point where I wasn’t sure exactly what they were talking about. Using the life cycle of stars as a way to represent the lanterns was a cool idea, but I’m not sure how much it was needed - I don’t think it would have affected the overall story if it wasn’t there, although it would have deprived it of some beautiful descriptions and imagery.

Rating: 4/5

[alwaysbeyondhope]

Combustion Hour by Yoon Ha Lee

#OneShortMonth, Day 7 (And it is DY 7, even though yesterday's post said Day 5, not Day 6.) Rating: 3 out of 5 This was an interesting story. There were times when I was confused as to the setting, but I feel like I got the overall gist of it, the idea of the piece. Another story set in 2nd person POV. But unlike Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers, I don't think the 2nd person POV helps move the story along. I think it hinders the story, more than anything. I find these types of stories a bit hard to get through - where the setting is so obscure, or so abstract, that it's hard to pin down. And there isn't enough exposition to really explain the setting so that everyone understands - it's just kind of a "sink or swim" approach. All that being said, I did like (what I perceive to be) the plot and core of the story - a planet/civilization that is on the edge of collapse, and what one ruler would do to protect the people, and at what costs. I definitely think the story could have worked better in the 1st person, or even 3rd person point of view.

[whilereadingandwalking]

July 7 – “Combustion Hour” by Yoon Ha Lee

I’m participating in #oneshortmonth, hosted by @armormadeofbooks!

Thoughts before reading: Curious.

Favorite Quote:(s)

"In the darkness your face had no boundaries. You were unable to discern the scars in your history or the contours of your future. When the lights came back on, you had to rebuild yourself from ligatures of shadow and shapes whose names you had to mine out of convolute dreams.”

Rating: 4/5

What did you like: The imagery and mechanics of a world of shadow puppets was really fascinating, from the 2D nature of their world to the ways that shadows come together to the dangers presented to the puppets.

What did you dislike: I found the 2nd person POV often distracting. It’s rare I like a 2nd person POV story, because it’s so difficult to do well, and this one didn’t quite work for me. I also found parts of the story—the Queen’s plan—actually pretty predictable. 

Would you read more by this author: I’m definitely curious about their work, but wouldn’t rush off to the bookstore to buy their books either. 

[torpublishinggroup]

Read "Combustion Hour" a story by Yoon Ha Lee about the eschatology of shadow puppets.

[torpublishinggroup]

Read "Combustion Hour" a story by Yoon Ha Lee about the eschatology of shadow puppets.

[torpublishinggroup]

Read "Combustion Hour" a story by Yoon Ha Lee about the eschatology of shadow puppets.

[torpublishinggroup]

All we dare tell you is... shadow puppets. Read new short story "Combustion Hour" by Yoon Ha Lee on Tor.com.