Tor Novella Line : Update

I’m caught up, so far, on the Tor.com’s Novella Line. My thoughts on the overall quality are good! Everything, even if perhaps the writing style didn’t work for me, has potential and has left me thinking or left me feeling satisfied with it. I’m only a few novellas in but so far I’m pleased!
My thoughts individually:

The Sorcerer of the Wildeeps by Kai Ashante Wilson
AGH! I so want to love this one. I wanted to, I really did. I’m still thinking about it now. The characters were interesting, the bits of world building (that made sense) were great and promising buy it fell short somewhere for me personally. It was a bit confusing at times, the writing was jarring and would throw me out. Yet the setting and idea were great! I’m so conflicted on my thoughts. This is my trouble child of the stories so far.

Witches of Lychford by Paul Cornell
I really enjoyed this story. So much. I’m a sucker for the paranormal and urban fantasy settings and tropes and this was a treat for me. The characters were all varied and deep enough that I remember them still. Maybe I have a soft spoke for old, grouchy characters but Judith was a gem. I really recommend this one, especially I’d you like urban fantasy stories with folklore bases.

Sunset Mantle by Alter S. Reiss
I believe I read, somewhere, an interview with this author talking about how this story focuses on the ‘side quest’ of a war. I could definitely see that as the viewpoint. A single, small change or adjustment that has all these ripples. It was a good read, not my favorite but good.

Binti by Nnedi Okorafor
This I think, was my favorite of these. Binti is a science fiction story about a young woman of the Himba tribe (a real tribe) in futuristic Namibia. Not only did I adore the character and setting but I loved the culture that was so important to the Himba being utilized within the story so beautifully. I loved this one so much I will probably locate a paperback copy for my Nnedi Okorafor collection. Absolute gold, it lived up to its beautiful cover.

I’m waiting, happily for this months lineup, there look to be some more winners in that batch! January’s lineup was just announced and I’m just as stoked for those as I am for the rest! Bring on the novellas!