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Some magazines lack a vital quality of having the articles well arranged, but Interzone has it where it counts. They have short stories, illustrations, and the usual interviews, news and reviews. Ben Baldwin's illustration of a futuristic android prepares readers for what is inside, as there are stories of rebels in the heart of revolutionary France, the poverty of an otherworldly Middle-Eastern country, the secret of dreams, home life with a twist, and what others think of humans. Each story is interesting, and is either fantasy or science fiction, but written in such a way that blurs what is seen in a way that is normal and this gives them their originality.

The news and reviews section has "Book Zone" where Nancy Kress has her book After the Fall examined by Maureen Kincaid Speller. Speller also conducts a short interview with the author on her novel lengths, form of writing and creating aliens being a problem for SF writers in general. Other reviews for "Book Zone" are from Jim Steel, Paul F. Cockburn, John Howard, Elaine Gallagher and Ian Hunter, and every book reviewed is brand new and available now.

Nick Lowe's "Mutant Popcorn" looks at the latest movies around; The Avengers, the most awaited movie of this year from Joss Whedon. Characters like Iron Man and The Hulk have their own humorous dialogue, while bad guy Loki throws his spanner in the works -- other reviews are for The Cabin in the Woods, The Hunger Games, Wrath of the Titans, Mirror, Mirror, John Carter, Battleship and Lockout. Nick Lowe's reviews are tongue-in-cheek, if fair, and delve into the finer points of such genres as horror, science fiction, and fantasy.

One of the most interesting features of this magazine is David Langford's "Ansible Link" where readers can take in bite size snippets of information about famous authors, readers' polls, obituaries, and the ever funny Thog's Masterclass. Incidentally, there is a nice two page spread of TTA Press's own Readers' Poll where the valued readers of the magazine have spoken of their favourite fiction and art of 2011.

Overall, Interzone is feature packed issue with enough of the real science fiction and fantasy for a fan to whet their appetite.

Sandra Scholes enjoys reading stacks of books, sometimes all at the same time, but recently loved this issue of Interzone – check out some unusual and otherworldly reviews at The British Fantasy Society website, Love Romance Passion and Active Anime.