The sun never sets on the large island nation Addicted — or, it always does. Addicted, a unique, magical, wild, craggy place with enormous waterfalls and underground pools — which reminds you of other places. Often too cold, wet, and windy — yet, sometimes beneath glorious sun. The night sky blooms multicolored with stars so bright. The Earth as she is meant to be. The rocks speak. The stars know things. Get lost wandering the lava rock plains. Get lost in hot spring bliss overlooking the lava rock plains — as if this place had just been born. Return from Addicted and find every other place now disappoints nowhere so beautiful nor interesting. Yet, it is possible to survive outside of Addicted — and, not at all possible within. Visitors are not allowed. One must become a temporary resident. Fairies grant permission to any and all with a kiss of pink powder wafted from their sparkling wings. But the gnomes ask a series of invasive questions.
Why it springs to mind: You'll never look at an ice cube the same way again. Where read: In the 2014 Hugo award-winning Lightspeed Magazine , August. Length: 5,194 words Summary: A woman has an ice cube for a soul. Memorable: How the story invites us to think about the shape of our soul, how it (or our perception of it) influences us and how it changes. What ordinary every day object would your soul be? A silver spoon, a beech stick? A great party conversation starter, this. Quote: “All life is an experiment." Notable: The protagonist Rina is an avid reader (always a good choice). Pairs well with: T.S. Elliot, Edna St. Vincent Millay Origin: The story was written in 24 hours based on a writing prompt. (See Author Spotlight: Ken Liu ) About the author: Ken Liu’s debut novel, The Grace of Kings , the first in a fantasy series The Dandelion Dynasty, is due out from Saga Press ( a new Simon & Schuster imprint ) in 2015.
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