“Year of the Mountain Lion” by Maria E. Schneider – review

Maria E. Schneider, Urban Fantasy and Cozy Mystery writer has taken a trip back to her roots with the short story, “Year of the Mountain Lion.”  This story is one part of Darwin’s Evolutions, a short story magazine designed specifically for Kindle readers.

Not only are the stories well written, judging by this one, they all come with their own “cover” artwork, making them more like little Kindle books on their own.  As you can see from the “cover” for this short story, the artwork is very well done also.

“The Year of the Mountain Lion” tells the story of Jolan, outcast from her tribe due to their belief that she was the reason they were floundering and couldn’t find enough water.  After years of being alone, she finds that her old tribe is hunting her to bring her back.  Her survival in the badlands must have come at the help of the gods, they think, and therefore she needs to help them befriend the gods.  This story may be short, but it is full of the good stuff we read short stories for.  Many people go to short stories because they are short and can be fit into a busy day, which is a fine thing.  Often, even those of us who gulp down full-length tomes like a fast food meal on a regular basis, like a nice little story that can be read in one neat little chunk.

But the true enjoyment of short stories is how, when they are crafted well, they give the reader a fully realized world, well rounded characters and something of interest in the way of plot in a tiny, bite-sized morsel that gives the reader some meaty thoughts to chew on after they are done.  (Is anyone else getting hungry here?  Just me?  Okay then.)  “The Year of the Mountain Lion” is chock full of self-realization, ethical quandaries, powerful friendships, lost chances and misguided use of power.  I enjoyed this story for all that it was and all that it made me think.  Nice and chewy, but no gristle!