Fantasy Magazine, July 2008

Fantasy Magazine kicked off July with “Practicing Perfection,” an intriguing and original tale by Cathy Freeze. Amber allowed herself to be made into a giant long ago to be closer to the angels. She rescues them when they fall, wounded, from battles above. They never speak and don’t wish to eat. That is, until an unusual angel crosses her path, one who calls into question all she has lived for and believed most of her life.

“Practicing Perfection” offers a fresh and interesting treatment of fantasy subject matter as well as thematic depth. It explores faith, doubt, and sacrifice, but provides no pat answers or platitudes, only thought-provoking, earnest questions.

A young woman seeks the help of her indifferent father to reverse her own murder in “Watermark” by Michael Greenhut. This epistolary tale is compellingly told through the strong voice of Etinaye, who manages not only to give her father clear, concise directions on the necessary spells and charms to employ, but to get in a few digs about his favoritism toward her sister and its greater than anticipated costs. This is a haunting story that leaves the reader pondering the fate of both Etinaye and any she may meet.

In “Sweetwater” by Lilah Wild, Shawna, grieving the recent loss of her mother, is drawn into the enchanting world of a mermaid visiting the salt swamp near her home. For showing mercy to a saltwater creature, the mermaid will allow Shawna to experience the swamp as a warm and inviting place as long as she doesn’t speak to another human. Shawna knows that she can’t keep silent forever, but the moment of decision comes sooner than she had hoped.

As much as I wanted to enjoy this tale of supernatural assistance with all-too-natural pain, I was unable to feel Shawna’s grief enough to empathize with the character. The flashbacks of happy times with her mother seemed forced, and the story’s conclusion became apparent far too soon.

“Masks of War” by J. Kathleen Cheney takes place in Great Britain during World War I, the War to End All Wars. Lieutenant Grey is no longer able to serve in his fighting unit due to having his leg amputated. Now with a wooden leg, his task is to escort disfigured soldiers back to their families. Mrs. Winters is a painter of tin masks that help these disfigured soldiers retain some of their dignity. In fact, they look so lifelike, few can tell the difference. But when Grey escorts Sergeant Davies back to his parents, the mask changes, and that’s where the fantastical element comes into play. This is a fine story that uses the masks and the faceless—though not nameless—men beneath them to evoke much pathos in the reader. I’m sure Cheney did her research, as I truly felt I was cast back into a horrible moment in history. Well-written and memorable.

[Reviewed by Kimberly Lundstrom except for “Masks of War” by J. Kathleen Cheney which was reviewed by Marshall Payne.]