IN OTHER WORDS, IF I WERE TO EDIT A “BEST” ANTHOLOGY (I CAN DREAM, CAN’T I?), IT WOULD COMPRISE OF STORIES FROM THE LIST BELOW.
2004
A little note: My request for review copies of magazines was responded only by “Fantasy & Science Fiction”, “Challenging Destiny” and “On Spec”. Therefore majority of reviews will be from the above stated magazines. Other magazines will be reviewed as and when available.
Garth Nix
Fantasy & Science Fiction, January 2004
As a rule, I am tired of Arthurian fantasies. It is a tribute to the excellence of this story that it made me forego my prejudice. This is Nimue and Merlin’s story – a story of love, sacrifices, decisions right or wrong - told in evocative prose.
Albert E. Cowdrey
Fantasy & Science Fiction, February 2004
This was an exceptionally strong issue of F&SF, and in this issue, two stories stood out above others. Rapper is one of them. 2bad is a bad guy who comes to a bad end at the hands of another bad guy, who in turn dies – and the two of them are reincarnated as … well, I won’t spoil the surprise. However, the story is not about reincarnation but uses reincarnation to speak of other things such as causes and effects, rewards and punishments. This is a story with a – dare I say the word? – moral.
Steven Utley
Fantasy & Science Fiction, February 2004
This is a story about automaton and nanotechnology and a man – Mr. Cahill. This is a story about obsession (a la Frankenstein), loneliness and many other things. In addition to all this, it is highly interesting and stylishly presented.