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.

HEART’S DESIRE

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.

RAPPER

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.

INVISIBLE KINGDOMS

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.