Challenge 235

Take It From Us...

Slawomir Rapala’s “Birth of Vengeance” is not merely an action episode in a sword and sorcery epic. Is Aezubah’s psychology reflected in today’s world? In what way does N’cton play a crucial supporting role?
How does Doug Pugh create dynamic nature symbolism in “The Cricket’s Song”?
In what way might Crystalwizard’s “The Gazebo” be said to be a dramatized narrative with very little narration? Could the story be performed on stage as a one-act play?
Swapna Kishore’s “The 13th Operation” raises some questions:

What do the aliens want? Do they want to take over the earth, or destroy it? And why do they use such an indirect and bizarre means to achieve their ends? Why is the female repeatedly referred to as “shallow”? The red button is mentioned only at the end of the story; what is it supposed to do?
Vicki Wootton’s “Baby Luck” powerfully depicts a serious problem: illegal trafficking in donor organs. Are there credible reports of such incidents in Central America? Wouldn’t Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and other organizations be on top of this?
What is Dr. Kaplansky’s tragic flaw in Germán Amatto’s “Prisoner of Uroboros”?
In what ways does Carmen Ruggero illustrate her own advice in “Words Like Racing Shells”?