Reviews: Esther M. Friesner

Chicks in Chainmail anthology series:
Editor, Chicks in Chainmail (1995 anthology) [ contents ]
Editor, Did You Say Chicks?! (1998 anthology) [ contents ]
Editor, Chicks and Chained Males (anthology) [ contents ]
Editor, The Chick is in the Mail (anthology) [ contents ]
Won 1995 Nebula for Best Short Story for "Death and the Librarian"

The Psalms of Herod takes place in a grim post-holocaust patriarchal world, based on an economy of scarcity in which the Bible has been reinterpreted to allow selective infanticide (and murder of non-infants, as well). A young female protagonist becomes increasingly bitter and doubtful of her world. This novel was grim and well-written. Its strenth lies in its ability to make the horrible seem commonplace. An interesting book from an author who (as far as I know) has written primarily in the comedic area of fantasy. -- lq, 3/30/96.