Mira Grant (Seanan McGuire)
Subterranean Press
April 30th, 2017
Esther has an assignment to write an expose on what she’s sure is another form of crank therapy bound to cause more harm than good. She’s set to actually experience this technology for herself, but it comes with an awful lot of safety waivers.
Dr. Jennifer Webb is the creator of the therapy. She knows she has a groundbreaking technology on her hands, she just needs to convince the perfect skeptic to advocate for her. It’s a gamble, but one she’s willing to take.
The technology deposits patients into a chemically enhanced virtual reality, putting them in the middle of their very own horror movie nightmare.
The novella takes virtual reality into interesting territory, blurring the lines of real and invented. Like many great pieces of classic science fiction, we’re left with the reminder that any tool or technology may be used for purposes far different than intended.
Grant/McGuire always constructs characters that are compelling and easy to care about, and this story is certainly no different. One to pick up.
JL Jamieson is a strange book nerd who writes technical documents by day, and book news, reviews, and other assorted opinions for you by night. She is working on her own fiction, and spends time making jewelry to sell at local conventions, as well as stalking the social media accounts of all your favorite writers.