His Footsteps, Through Darkness and Light

Story did not intrigue me.

I'm usually not that fond of a circus setting but I fell in love with this traveling circus in India and the trapeze artist Binu. While we also get a bit of background about the devadasi customs and the main conflict in the story is kind of a damsel in distress subplot, the important theme here is that of freedom, friendship and love and I thought it was beautifully written.

I enjoyed this short story - available free on Tor.Com HERE

There are a number of reviewers who didn't enjoy it - and complained about lack of resolution and the abrupt ending, and referencing the fact this could have been a first chapter rather than a standalone story. These are all valid, but such is the way with short stories.

I won't outline the plot - too much of the joy of a short story is seeing where it goes in such a short time, and if you want a plot outline there are plenty in other reviews. Suffice it to say - circus, lamp, jinni (djinn, jinn, genie as you like), pretty girl, vengeful goddess.

Enjoyable for me was the descriptive narrative, the mystical aspects, the Indian setting and the quick pace.

3.5 stars, rounded up.