Book Review: The Game of Rat and Dragon by Cordwainer Smith

Title: The Game of Rat and Dragon
Author: Cordwainer Smith
Published: Galaxy Science Fiction, 1955
Rating: 2 of 5
Page Count: 15
Total Page Count: 189,720
Text Number: 557
Read Because: interested in companion animal trope, ebook from Project Gutenberg
Review: In the future, humans cannot undergo the dangerous hyperspace journeys alone. The short story is more concept than narrative or character piece. The speculative elements and style are dated, and what functions as plot is, at best, bizarre. But the core concept is creative, oddball, and an unusual prototype of the companion/magical bond animal trope, as early examples go. This is impossible to take seriously, but it's a harmless way to spend a few minutes.

Book Review: Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo

Title: Ruin and Rising (The Grisha Book #3)
Author: Leigh Bardugo
Rating: 3 of 5
Page Count: 425
Total Page Count: 189,410
Text Number: 560
Read Because: continuing the series, ebook borrowed from the Multnomah County Library
Review: While recovering from their last confrontation, Alina risks another encounter with the Darkling to quest after the final amplifier. This is the only book of the series that I became invested in. There's backstory provided in the first half that has interesting consequences for the magic system, and a later twist that I genuinely didn't see coming. Alina and Mal's relationship is, at least, less awful than previous books, less focused on jealousy and miscommunication, and so the characters are more engaging; it's also nice to see background characters developed, despite the clunky dialog and horrific view of "bad" trauma survivors. But the ending doesn't work for me. I'm never a fan of characters ( spoiler )

, and the resolution is too safe, too happy. This lacks the courage of conviction—I'd rather dig into the flexible magic system or see cast and country cope with political repercussions than have the catharsis of a neat, bland ending. It's an above average offering from a middle of the road series, and I don't particularly recommend either.