Message-ID: <52846asstr$1137363002@assm.asstr.org>
From: "Yotna El'toub" <yotna_eltoub@hotmail.com>
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Subject: {ASSM} {REVIEW} Review 003 Spacehounds of Ipecac - by Stasya T Canine 
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Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2006 17:10:02 -0500
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Spacehounds of Ipecac - by Stasya T Canine Review


Storyline

<Brief outline only>

Our hero (?) and heroine (?) have a mission of devastating importance.
Both have been affected by their very first mission (as a couple) to the
Suppositorians planet. It seems this visit went to their heads, or at least
their minds, in a big way. Now they have to revisit the planet and retrieve
a much prized cargo.

The story is flagged by the author :

This one was done with a lot of respect, even though some folks won't
appreciate the way my respect has expressed itself.

This was, of course, inspired by E.E 'Doc' Smith's 'Lensman' series and all
those other wonderful space operas that he and others wrote.  :)

I hope I've managed to generate the 'feel' of those old space operas.
Comments and suggestions on ways to recapture that memorable 'atmosphere'
will be appreciated.



Merits

<What was worthy of comment>

'Opera' may be a grandiose term, this is pure farce, but none the worse
for that. A fantastic romp through the genre, with nods in several
directions (sometimes at the same time). Genuinely funny, with the most
inspired space ship control mechanism I have come (groan) across.
An Olympian task (you will need to read it to get that).

To give you a feel here is a brief extract:

'Geeky nodded as he remembered the last delivery.  "And have lots of
vaseline handy.  They don't carry any of their own."  He sighed.
"That's the last time we'll ever send out newlyweds on a survey mission
- *if* I have anything to say about future policy."'


Demerits

<What detracted from the story>

You have to be up to reading it! What I mean is, it is directed at a niche
of readers who will get not only the funnies, but the context. In addition
STC always expects the reader to work. The action, references and ideas
flow thick and fast. It may therefore (and unfortunately) appeal to a
limited audience.


Atmosphere

<How well evolved was the environment> Marks out of  20

<13>

Some things are quite detailed, others aren't. More information on the
home world of the Suppositorians would be appreciated, but then I am
a SF geek. The general 'feel' of the aliens is quite detailed, although
not down to the individual hairs :-)

Workflow

<How well did the story progress and develop> Marks out of  20

<15>

Impressive, smooth, and while not an easy read, one that can be enjoyed
on several levels. May require re-reading (I did) to get the overall
shape of events.

Eroticism

<Just how erotic a read is this (erotic, not sexy!)> Marks out of  20

<12>

Oh boy, (thank you STC!) how do I rank this? Not noticeably sexual, but
threaded through with the need for sex and its importance to humans.
Fortunately I'm not rating it as a sex story, that helps. It is erotic
but not sensual in any conventional term.

Mechanics

<The boring bit, grammar, typo's etc.> Marks out of 20

<17>

To me as a reader this was masterly, a technically 'well' written story.

Impression

<What did I feel having read the story, did I want to read more?> Marks out 
of 20

<14>

Well I did want to read more, but possibly more in *this* story, more detail 
and a little more room to breathe would have been nice. It is very amusing,
and at the same time 'tips its hat' to SF conventions. Some of the images
(once they had crystallised) brought a very wide grin to my lips.

If this were a car it would be a BMW Mini, not luxurious, not the most 
comfortable ride, but tremendous fun!

Total score

71 Yotties out of 100.

Readability guide     00-20 must try harder.
                            20-40 needs development
                            40-60 readable
                            60-80 good read
                            80-99 should read
                           100 reserved for my stories :-)


-- 
Pursuant to the Berne Convention, this work is copyright with all rights
reserved by its author unless explicitly indicated.
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