Advertisement

The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction gets straight to it with a tasty novelette, "Under Glass" by Tim Sullivan; who sees everything with a writer's vision of the future we have never known yet or at least until it is too late.

This issue concentrates on Carolyn Ives Gilman's novella "The Ice Owl," with the front cover (by Kent Bash) depicting the arid, saffron landscape perfectly. Isles of the Forsaken was her first novel, and a sequel; Ison of the Isles is to be published this year. The story is set in the same universe of Arkfall, yet this is an unconnected story, a stand-alone that deserves attention. The story itself concerns young girl Thorn, who is devastated that the school where she goes has been burned down by a faction called The Incorruptibles who are the focus of the storyline. It shows how they cope with the planet they are on and the restrictions placed on them by the powers that be.

Other worthy mentions are; "Object Three," by James L. Cambias, "How Peter Met Pan," by Albert E. Cowdrey, and "They That Have Wings," by Evangeline Walton.

There is plenty of non-fiction in this magazine too, with "Books to look For," by Charles de Lint where he reviews the latest books, and they can be of any fantasy or horror genre, a mixture if you like. He enthuses about many of the recent titles around, but his favourite seems to be George R.R. Martin's Doorways as the writer throws a character into the story, one who is an enigma, yet one whom readers will itch to find more about. "Books," by James Sallis concentrates on the latest fantasy offerings, tackling them with his usual bravado, and, to the delight of the reader using his quoted text from each novel as he goes into the details of his reviews. "Films," by Lucius Sheppard mentions the film makers desire to create movies based on a certain nostalgic era most might have forgot. We learn more of what movie-goers might not have even known about. "Curiosities," contributed by Paul Dellinger expands on Peter and Prue, by Marly Dickerson Donahey where her two characters are children who meet a home fairy and what happens after they make one of the biggest decisions in their lives. Paul Dellinger encourages the reader to investigate, and possibly take the time out to read the novel, even though it dates from the mid-1920s.

Apart from the usual articles and stories one would expect from this, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction also sets out to entertain its readership with the F & SF Competition, "Lie to Me," where first, second and honourable mentions are printed for all to see. The object of the comp is for entrants to write a Facebook meme on how their characters have met -- the only stipulation being that entrants lie about it, and they must be based on fantasy and science fiction books. It goes to prove that although this magazine is a serious fiction publication, it does have room for some good humour.

Sandra Scholes has seven years experience as a reviewer and author in fantasy, horror and science fiction has been in such publications as; The Chronicles, Love Romance Passion, Love Vampires and Fantasy Book Review.