This story follows the usual tendency of science fiction short stories, in that it takes an interesting idea -- typically some implication of speculative advancement in science and technology -- to an uncomfortable conclusion. Such stories can be depressing, perhaps somewhat shocking, and occasionally enlightening. In that respect, the author did a good job, falling only slightly short of "enlightening".

It could have benefited from some tightening-up of the copy editing. The characters did not elicit much sympathy, except perhaps for one who then turned out to be kind of a throw-away "badguy" character, but that's not usually a hindrance to something under thirty pages in length. The end dissolved into some rather stilted, jarringly choppy shift in the narrative style, in its disjointedness somewhat akin to reading a first-person Gothic romance that suddenly turns into a modern political thriller told through the artifice of fictional newspaper article clippings at the end.

That having been said, the story becomes better after thinking about it for a day or so after finishing it than it seems immedately after reading the last line. The aspects of it I liked make me want to read more from this author, and it's (mostly) a very easy, short read, so it's worth picking up. At "free" from Kobo (for DRM-free EPUB) and Amazon (for whatever passes for a Kindle format these days), it's definitely worth the price. ( )

Craig Lea Gordon’s novelette Hypercage begins in a whirl of gripping sci-fi action as the reader is transported with no preamble into a frenetic and breathless space battle. This impressive opener soon makes way for a change in gear as the narrative breaks off and scampers away down another path. It’s difficult to say much more without giving too much away, and I’m not sure how much the author would want revealed. What I can say is that there is a very enjoyable level of playfulness in this story.

We meet the main character at a time in his life where things could be better. He spends most of his time in his own head and the addictive qualities of a method of keeping him there start to become problematic, especially in relation to his wife and child. As he faces his conflicted feelings to the situation he finds himself unable to fully process what is happening to him. Outside influences that may have agendas at odds with his own begin to converge unnoticed. By the end, which is written with great enthusiasm and skilful suspense, we are left agog.

The sci-fi world of Hypercage is one of a near future, technologically a step up but recognisable in its rituals and practical concerns. There are some cool details and small descriptions that add to the sense that the backdrop is a living one.

Entertaining sci-fi that is engaging from the off, and delivers on action, chills and tension. ( )