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If readers thought the last issue's stories were unusual then they will really enjoy this most recent series of gems from such interesting writers as Richard Matheson, Ken Liu, James L. Cambias, and Fred Chappell.

"The Window of Time," by Richard Matheson is, for one old man, an ending of his life. He leaves another's home and ceases to be a burden any longer, going on to what he sees as a retirement home for the elderly. But what he doesn't expect is that the door to the home he knocks on next becomes a door into the past and the possibility that he might be able to change what he did back then for the better.

"The Literomancer," by Ken Liu will take readers back to fifty years. Its setting is China and the story is one that has a harsh message, and might not be viewed by children of a nervous disposition due to its strong material. Strong material aside, it is a cleverly constructed piece well worth being included in this issue. It starts with Lilly, a young girl who doesn't fit into life at school, she battles the taunts she gets there daily by her other classmates, but that is where the normalcy ends. When she meets someone close to home he shows her what she can do if she wants to keep them at bay, but once he tells her that he is a Literomancer, Lilly discovers what kind of person she can become. Ken Liu's use of Chinese history and pieces of calligraphy makes for an in depth story that is in part fact, and in other ways fiction.

"How Seosiris Lost the Favor of the King," by James L. Cambias continues the theme of historical fantasy, this time the setting is in Ancient Egypt where Senehem, a cup bearer to the pharaoh, hears of the coming of a magician to their land, and of a change coming also in his fate. Senehem watches how his uncle, a favourite of the pharaoh rose to a high position, and then lost it thanks to a certain person. Cambias's story reads like a historical thriller and there is much more to it than the reader will notice until they get into it. It has enough drama and story to be fully appreciated.

For humor there are the usual articles; David Gerrold's "F & SF Mailbag" where there are an assortment of comical letters, Charles de Lint's Books to Look For deals with a lot of titles that act as stand-alones rather than series, which makes it rather difficult for Charles to review as he is used to the other kind. The books reviewed are a good selection of fantasy and horror and historical fantasy -- Stephen King readers keep your eyes peeled. Kathi Maio's films section celebrates the history of the mermaid in culture, myth and featured movies. The Sept/Oct issue of Fantasy & Science Fiction magazine has all that the reader needs for a break from reality. And with novellas, short stories and other valuable information, it proves to be another gem of an issue.

Sandra Scholes likes nothing more than dreaming of warmer climes this time of year, and when she isn't doing that she likes to read copious amounts of novels and review for Quail Bell Magazine, and Active Anime.