Reviewed by Kate

In 2352, according to "A Cold World", the sun extinguished and the people of Earth were forced to adjust to a sub-zero environment. They went to live underground and could only emerge wearing protective suits.

Because of the danger inherent in surface expeditions, rules were made to keep children from venturing out before their sixteenth birthdays, (or anniversaries, as they call them) and so the first Outside contact is a very special time for Earth adolescents.

Tania, the birthday girl in this story, sets off, after some authorial history-telling, into the unknown Outside. Her going out alone seemed a little strange, to me, there was no explanation of why she would not be accompanied by her instructor. I wasn't sure if the paragraph about the death, Outside, of the first child in generations was linked to Tania or not, and I'm still not sure after three readings.

I think that this story could use some work: a bit less telling and jumping around and a bit more attention to narrative voice and plot and/or character driven logic. A convincing and interesting world has been built for the story, and there is unrealized potential in the character of Tania. Beauty alone is not enough to make the reader feel sorry for her.

Story by © Simon Yergeau

Reviewed by © Kate

Read A Cold World

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