Critiquing

I'm going to work on critiques today.

I have three manuscripts to work on. Two short stories and a novel excerpt.

One short story is about an alien interacting with human children as they adapt to it's planet. The writing style is slightly lyrical and easy to read, but the author seems to be intentionally vague on certain matters. While vague can be good, especially when you don't want to just blurt out the situation, you can overdo it at times.

The second one is about a sentient AI, and the decisions it is trying to make in regards to it's existence. Very intelligently written story. The only problem I can find with it is the heavy use of passive voice.

The third is a novel about people trying to bring a new energy source into existence, while being opposed by a powerful energy tycoon. It involves time travel and apparently world destruction. Interesting concept. Since it is a novel excerpt, I'll have to judge it by different criteria.

Ah well, down to work.