Killer Byte: A Diana Tregarde Short Story

Killer Byte: A Diana Tregarde Short Story (1994) Mercedes Lackey

A really long time ago–a lifetime ago it sometimes feels like–I read the Diana Tregarde books. And was quite disappointed when Mercedes Lackey stopped writing them. But as I didn’t have ready access to MZB’s Fantasy Magazine, I missed all the short stories. So when I ran across several for the Kindle, I decided, “why not?”

Diana’s undead boyfriend spends his nights on bulletin boards, and comes across a situation he finds disturbing. Diana and Andre decided to poke into the situation and (hopefully) save someone from harm.

First things first, this story was written in 1994. And deals with computers. So it is extremely–almost insanely–dated. Dated to the point it was distracting, to be honest.

Putting that aside, the story was OK, but a little obvious (Because it was so dated? Perhaps.) and I found the romantic elements rather cloying. OK. Extremely cloying. But the banter and romantic comparisons were also dated, so that didn’t help.

I’m actually rather glad I didn’t come across these stories previously, because I think I would then have been unlike to read the books, which I do remember enjoying. But I suppose only a reread would tell me if it was my memory or if they were as good as I remembered.
Rating: 5/10

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