Dying Young: A Tale about a Gunslinging Dragon and Psychic in an Unlikely Scifi Fantasy World.
Dying Young by Peter M Ball
So after nearly two years of intermitted reading, I am nearly done with the 29th Edition of The Years Best Scifi. And I’m just about three stories from the end. The story this time is Dying Young by Peter M. Ball and here is my review.
So what is it about? It’s a story with a strange western scifi/fantasy setting. It follows a boy named Paul in this dying little western like town. He is an apprentice of a doctor who came to town who has the knowledge to save people with cybertech and mechanical limbs. He stepped in and began to make the town servable when it wasn’t years before. Paul works for him because he feels he doesn’t have a choice and uses his second sight to aid him. But one day a dragon gunslinger comes to the town bar and Doc becomes scared and asks Paul to tail the beast and learn about him. Paul sees an ambiguous uncertain future and visits the dragon. The dragon is an honest old sou,l who after a conversation, makes Paul question everything. He wonders about Doc. What's his purpose? He questions his view of the Sherriff. And if he should ever avenge his father’s death. And as he wonders about this issues, he must stop the massacre that is about to take place. He may not know how it ends, but he knows people will die.
The good? This story is zany, but it’s delightful in its weirdness. This story about a dragon gun slinger walking into western town with cyborgs is delightful. Paul’s personal story is good. And the action is fantastic.
The bad? I cannot find anything bad to say. This such a unique nice little tale. If it had any faults I didn’t see any.
Overall, this is a goofy scifi tale with some surprising heart to its story telling. I recommend this to everyone. It’s enjoyable and worth seeking out.
4 smoothies out of Four.
Overall Rating: A Tale about a Gunslinging Dragon and Psychic in an Unlikely Scifi Fantasy World.
