Megan Derr - Two novellas

For sometime, I have had these two novellas by Megan Derr to read. In fact, they are slightly shorter than novellas, it's really more short stories.

I've decided to group them together, after all, they were really quick to read, the editions I got didn't go past 30 pages each. I liked them both for what they are but it's true that they didn't properly done, so few pages they had... I think both were balanced in terms of execution but yes, both also would have gained if the lots had been developed more.

Ink and Paper, published in 2010, is the story of Enitan, a clerk at a stationary shop, mistreated by his stepfather after the death of his mother, who is usually at the back of the shop doing anything but attend customers. One day, however, someone comes in looking for special ink and Enitan is the one nearby, and he is happy to help and to chat with the costumer, who also seems interested. When his stepfather comes in, he goes back to the back but days later the same costumer returns and demands that Enitan is the one to help him again...

Clearly a cute twist on Cinderella, with a future ball included, where true care and love matter more than where they come from. It was really sweet and heartwarming but, like I said, it would have gained if it had had more development or if the characters had interacted more. 

Grade: 6/10

Runescribe, published in 2018, is the story of Tyri, a runescribe who can't seem to dind work so he can support his young sister properly, after they left their clan to live in the city. Then, to make things worse, as he runs to attend a job interview, someone crashes into him and his glasses are broken in the process. Practically blind, he has no way to orient himself but the stranger who caused the accident helps him and takes him to his house, where he gives him tea and orders new glasses, as a payment for the harm caused. As they talk, they realize they are quite suited for one another in several aspects...

I liked this story, it does seem to be more complete somehow, or at least I've gotten that impression from how the plot develops and what we learn of the characters. It's still not as deeply developed as it could, though, but I have enjoyed how the author presented things and how the protagonists found one another.

Grade: 6/10