"Hope, Shattered" by Brian R. McDowell appeared in Daily Science Fiction on February 28, 2013. "An android goes through the birthing process as a surrogate mother for a human."There is a certain amount of suspension of disbelief that must occur in order to enjoy fiction, particularly science fiction. While the concept of using an android as a surrogate mother is acceptable, having that android actually deliver the baby in a human manner--complete with IV lines, "contractions," pushing, and severe pain, not to mention needlessly endangering the baby--is beyond belief. This glaring flaw forced me to give this otherwise well-written, at times poignant, and even thought-provoking tale 3 out of 7 rocket-dragons.
"well-written, at times poignant, and even thought-provoking" ... I'll take it!
ReplyDelete