Podcast Review #133: Tainted Roses
originally published May 28, 2012
Title: Tainted Roses
Author: Mark Kilfoil
Genre: Steam science punk fiction (well you listen and come up with a better genre)
Released: 3 May 2012 – 26 May 2012
Located: iTunes, Every Photo Tells
Formats Available: podcast
Rating: PG-13/R – for violence
I’ve been a fan of the Every Photo Tells Podcast since it’s inception. I’ve even written for it on a number of times. In fact, I’m a pseudo-member of the staff as the first line editor. However, since this story fell outside of the normal guidelines, I never read it (or heard it) until it was released. The final episode was released earlier today.
So, on to the review.
Synopsis: Pricilla and her mother are saboteurs and assassins. They’ve just completed a job and have stolen a ship to aid in their escape. Unbeknownst to them, the ship carries a stowaway. A young lady named Elizabeth who happens to have a unique set of talents herself. A young lady, that just happens to be the daughter of their last target. Have Pricilla and her mother gained an ally or inherited a whole new set of problems as they continue to their next job? (This synopsis was created by me. I apologize now and implore all authors to make sure your have a good synopsis for your story.)
Production: The production of Tainted Roses is good. Very good. Most of the episodes of Every Photo Tells are stand alone and contain a minimum of effects and production elements. Because Tainted Roses is a novella, the producers of Every Photo Tells (namely Mick Bordet and Katharina Maimer) are given a bit more of a story to play around and have fun on. Though not overpowering, there are a number of special effects and a new theme song that I truly hope Every Photo Tells will consider continuing with.
Grade: A
Cast: The cast for every episode of Every Photo Tells is the same and consists of the aforementioned Katharina Maimer and Mick Bordet. In Tainted Roses these two find a groove and ride it to the end. Mick, in particular, seems to have a lot of fun with the variety and number of characters he is prevailed upon to voice and both do a fine job and provide their audience with a podcast that is a pleasure to listen to.
Grade: A
Story: Mr. Kilfoil made Tainted Roses very authentic, at least in my opinion. His characters were written with an element of fun and the awkwardness of one male character reminded me greatly of .. um.. a friend I had in high school… yeah.. I’ll stick with that story.
Grade: A-/B+
Verdict: I greatly enjoyed Tainted Roses. I am not overly familiar with Mr. Kilfoil’s writing, but I can honestly say that after having heard Tainted Roses, I am definitely looking forward to hearing/reading more from him. This story greatly combined standard science fiction with steampunk and other popular genres. I enjoyed this blending and I believe many of you will too.
Disclosure: I’m very familiar with all the parties involved with putting this story together. Ms. Maimer and Mr. Bordet are both good friends and supporters of this blog. Ms. Maimer can be found on twitter at @kmlaw, Mr. Bordet can be found @mickbordet. I met and followed Mr. Kilfoil because of Ms. Maimer and have found him to be funny and opinionated. You can follow him @encaf1. Regardless of my relationships with these people, if this story would have sucked, you would have heard it here first.
View from Valhalla 