Today I read a really fun novelette by Jeremy Minton. "The Darkness Between" uses a classic science fiction scenario. Two technologically advanced civilizations wipe themselves out with battle lust, and the story takes place ages into the aftermath, focusing on a primitive society coming of age. I like the fact that the coming of age of the primitive society is paired with the coming of age of the young protagonist.
But we've all seen this scenario many times before. Why read "The Darkness Between?" For all that fun stuff I was talking about: an untrustworthy magician; impossible battles with knuckledusters in close, dark tunnels, lit only by the glow of the monsters' bodies; mining for spiritual drugs; rockfruit; a geography that includes locations like the Drop and the Lightless Lake. In short, the world building here is fantastic.
You can find "The Darkness Between" in the January 2007 issue of F&SF .
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