Sun, Moon, Dust

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"Sun, Moon, Dust" is a 2017 fantasy short story by Ursula Vernon. It was first published in Uncanny Magazine .

Contents

Synopsis

Allpa's grandmother bequeaths him a magical sword which, when drawn, invokes three warrior spirits — Sun, Moon, and Dust — who are sworn to aid him in combat. However, Allpa is a potato farmer, and has no need of warriors.

Reception

"Sun, Moon, Dust" was a finalist for the 2018 Hugo Award for Best Short Story. [1]

Apex Magazine called it "sweet [and] quiet", noting that it is "about growth of all kinds". [2] Tangent Online considered it to be a "delight", lauding Vernon's "seamless" exposition, but questioned whether the story's resolution was compatible with the nature of the sword's enchantment. [3] Amal el-Mohtar, who subsequently read the story for Uncanny's podcast, stated that it was "kind (and) charming ", and about "the right to not be a warrior". [4]

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References

  1. 2018 Hugo Awards, at TheHugoAwards.org; retrieved June 2, 2018
  2. Words for Thought — June 2017, by A. C. Wise, in Apex Magazine ; published June 30, 2017; retrieved June 2, 2018
  3. Uncanny #16, May/June 2017 , reviewed by Natalie J. Havlina, in Tangent Online ; published June 8, 2017; retrieved June 2, 2018
  4. Lightspeed Reprint + Uncanny Podcast Reading, by Amal el-Mohtar, published May 3, 2017; retrieved June 2, 2018