Other Reviews by W.E. Linde 18

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  An exceptional work of imagination and story telling
  A review of Dr. Tower's Babel
  by W.E. Linde on 02/09/2011
  I have to admit, I’ve just felt the first pangs of professional envy. Dr. Towers’ Babel is a wondrously told tale that blends science fiction, mystery, and religion in a way that is not only entertaining, it’s mesmerizing. The story is original, and the structure is well done in that the reader is drawn into a convincing and utterly believable world where science is pushed... I have to admit, I’ve just felt the first pangs of professional envy. Dr. Towers’ Babel is a wondrously told tale that blends science fiction, mystery, and religion in a way that is not only entertaining, it’s mesmerizing. The story is original, and the structure is well done in that the reader is drawn into a convincing and utterly believable world where science is pushed into fiction without so much as a “oh come on” moment from the reader. While reading your other work I was sure that you had some military experience. In reading this, I’m sure that you’re a scientist.
  
  But that’s not what’s stoking my envy. It’s the use of words. At the risk of sounding melodramatic, I found this almost hypnotic. Even before we reach the dream-like climatic sequences, the story is buoyed by borderline poetry that just seems to work. I’ve read novice writers who almost certainly pulled a brain muscle in an attempt to create stunning prose. In the hands of such a novice, this usually comes across as forced and insincere. But in this case I found myself swept along by the language.
  
  The strengths of this story are many, and the areas for improvement are few. If I might offer any advice at all, I’d suggest that our main character’s religious beliefs be explored a little more early on. I’m not suggesting that the character change at all. But as I read this I found it surprising that someone with such a thirst for knowledge didn’t seem to have more compelling justification for his beliefs (or lack thereof) in God. This is of course subjective, but I base this on my personal experiences in college, where there were many cut from a similar cloth as our main character here who seemed to relish telling believers why there is no such thing as a God.
  
  I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed this story. My only real question is “how come I haven’t read this in print somewhere?” Great job. I’m really looking forward to your other writings. read
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  Strong story, intriguing plot
  A review of THE RAMBLINGS OF AN ODD MAN
  by W.E. Linde on 02/08/2011
  I didn’t know what to expect with this story. In all honesty, after the introduction of a hard nosed detective at the outset, I was concerned that I was in for 15 pages of clichés. That concern evaporated quickly once “Quincy” was introduced. There were two really notable strengths to your story that stood out to me. First was the way the story effortlessly evolved from... I didn’t know what to expect with this story. In all honesty, after the introduction of a hard nosed detective at the outset, I was concerned that I was in for 15 pages of clichés. That concern evaporated quickly once “Quincy” was introduced.
  
  There were two really notable strengths to your story that stood out to me. First was the way the story effortlessly evolved from what appeared to a detective story into a very interesting human drama. But the really exceptional thing was how Quincy’s ability didn’t take over the story. It fueled the tale, but it never got in the way. Very nicely done.
  
  The only real area for improvement that I might suggest is technical. There are a number of instances where the use of periods and commas is somewhat unnatural. For example, on page 1 it states “If you make the wrong choice. I'll be there to ram it down your throat until you cough out a confession. “ On page 2 “But, he had a good hold of her.” The author may have been going for a certain voice, but it comes across choppy and somewhat distracting.
  
  This story was very engaging, and I enjoyed this story quite a bit. Great job. read
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  Good, solid science fiction
  A review of The Sown (rev)
  by W.E. Linde on 02/07/2011
  For science fiction to work, an author has to create a world that the reader is willing to accept. It doesn’t have to be plausible or even remotely “realistic”, but it has to feel legitimate within the context of the story. It really is the first test of a good science fiction story, and you’ve done this very well. The description of the stasis chamber, the reanimation, and... For science fiction to work, an author has to create a world that the reader is willing to accept. It doesn’t have to be plausible or even remotely “realistic”, but it has to feel legitimate within the context of the story. It really is the first test of a good science fiction story, and you’ve done this very well. The description of the stasis chamber, the reanimation, and the detailed description of the ship gave the story the perfect setting to launch the reader into this science fiction nightmare.
  
  A major strength of The Sown was the sense of isolation and accompanying dread that would come from the realization that there may also be danger. You created tension right out the gate with Gentry’s violent dream, and then proceed to guide the reader through the ship and into an increasing tension. The gradual revelations that lead us to the macabre ending are well timed, and done with originality. COP’s statement of “No, sir, you are not alone” was chilling. So well done on both the sci-fi and horror fronts.
  
  And by the way, I really liked the expression on page 4 “submerged inside his own manufactured death.” Very deep and sci-fi.
  
  There are a few minor areas that I think the story can be improved upon. There are a couple of instances where references were perhaps a little too abstract. On page 3, for instance, the sentence reads “Soon, at least physically, he had returned to life like an automaton gaining animation.” I’m not sure that this has a clear meaning. Also there are a number of sentences that read a little choppy (e.g. pg 14 “He groaned. Had to find out.”). This is may have been intentional, to demonstrate a mind not thinking as coherently as it should, but it seemed to stand out to me.
  
  The last thought is on a specific line. On pg 17 the statement is made: “Gentry’s mind was beginning to lose its judgment.” I think considering the tension you’ve been building throughout the story, this would be better left unsaid. You’re demonstrating it quite effectively without the narration telling us, and I think it served to water down that tension a bit.
  
  As this is the first sci-fi story I’ve read in a long time, I really appreciate being reintroduced with as an enjoyable story as this. Nice work. read