Number 14, June 2002

Cover illustration by Rhett Ransom Pennell

Reviews

Erol Engin, on the Tangent Online web site, says "All in all, this was an enjoyable issue, fiction-wise, suitably breezy in tone and subject for the easy-going summer months. The presentation and illustrations are superb." You can read the entire review here.

Daniel E. Blackston, on the SFReader.com web site, says "Editor David M. Switzer, along with his pocket-sized staff, have generated an admirably attractive pub with an easy-to-read format, consummate editing, and sparse, but highly creative illustrations... We recommend the pub very highly, and compliment the staff and writers for putting together a fun and ambitious magazine." You can read the entire review here.

Rich Horton reviews this issue in Locus (September 2002, Issue 500). His favourite story is "The Trial of Edgar Allan Poe" by Hugh Cook, and he says "Cook considers the propriety of judging people of the past according to contemporary standards, and finds his way to a neat conclusion that nicely emphasizes his point." You can read the entire review here.

Sarah Crabtree reviews this issue on the New Hope International Review web site. You can read the entire review here.

Roelof Goudriaan, in Albedo One (Issue 26, October 2002), says "'Bobby’s First ABC’s' is a surprising piece of absurd fiction which could have been published in any literary slipstream magazine, and which gives CD the diversity a quality fiction magazine needs." You can read the entire review here.

Jetse de Vries, in The Fix (Issue 5), says "This is a smart little magazine. Great cover with classy interior art to boost, quality paper, and crystal clear presentation. It goes down like good Italian food: stylishly served and evoking a maximum of taste with a minimum of ingredients." You can read the entire review here.

Woody O. Carsky-Wilson says "Your magazine definitely has the format, editing, attention to detail and artwork that marks it solidly professional, standing far above the semi-pro markets." You can read the entire review here.

Keith Walker, in Fanzine Fanatique (Fall 2002), says: "Beautifully produced... There's some damned fine fiction."

Spindoc, in dragon's breath (#71, Spring 2003), says: "What I like most about CD is the winning sense of humour in at least some of the genre fiction." They rate the issue 8/10 ("boss"). You can find their mini-reviews here.

Here are some sneak previews of the stories you'll find in the fourteenth issue of Challenging Destiny:

Deciphering Vermilion by Helen Rykens illustrated by Britt Martin	Leona told fortunes using Tarot cards. When she learned that an unknown alien ship was approaching, she packed up and prepared to leave -- all previous first contacts had resulted in war. When she learned that ExoBi wanted her to communicate with the aliens, she thought they were crazy...
illustration for Deciphering Vermilion by Britt Martin
Bobby's First ABC's by E. L. Chen illustrated by John Hancock	There it was on the cereal box: Free letters with proof of purchase. When the letters arrived, Bobby discovered that they had minds of their own. Bobby wanted to keep them, but the Wildlife Control office decided they were dangerous…
Perfidy by James Viscosi illustrated by Sarah Zama	The king has demanded that Miranda’s acting troope put on a play for his soldiers tomorrow. But the troope only has one play at the moment -- a satire that portrays the king in a bad light. Miranda decides she’ll have to write a more suitable play, but her lead actor has other ideas…
Not Poppy, Nor Mandragora by K. G. McAbee illustrated by Randall Ensley	After Carill lost his wife and son to a monster, the village council decided to send for a monster slayer. But they had nothing left to give as payment, so Carill offered himself as a servant. Both the monster slayer and the monster turned out to be very different than he expected…
The Trial of Edgar Allan Poe by Hugh Cook illustrated by Dave Fode	Edgar Allan Poe had been snatched from his last week of life to appear before the Court of Unitary Justice. Halsey is a reporter covering the trial. The weirdball lawyer who’s representing Poe says he’ll give him a scoop, and he also claims to be a relative of Halsey’s…
illustration for The Trial of Edgar Allan Poe by Dave Fode
plus
A Survey of SF & Fantasy Art (Part 1 of 3) compilation by David M. Switzer	Dave brings you a selection of artwork that shows the styles and subjects artists are working with today. The artists each describe their artwork in their own words. Featuring artwork from Chris Jouan, Anne Kushnick, Tobias Brenner, Randall Ensley, Britt Martin, Stephanie Law, Jeff Ward, and more.
The Origins of Canadian SF review by James Schellenberg	James reviews the very first Canadian science fiction novel, A Strange Manuscript Found in a Copper Cylinder by James de Mille -- first published in 1888. He reviews the novels Consider Her Ways by Frederick Philip Grove and Sunburst by Phyllis Gotlieb. All three of these have recently been reprinted by Bakka Books. He also reviews the anthologies Other Canadas, Canadian Science Fiction and Fantasy Literature, and Northern Dreamers.
Interview with Alison Sinclair interview by James Schellenberg & David M. Switzer	Alison Sinclair has a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and works as a medical writer in Victoria. She's published three solo novels with Millenium; recently published is Throne Price, written along with Lynda Williams, from new Canadian publisher Edge. Alison writes science fiction "to indulge a passion for knowledge of all kinds and science and medicine in particular." She likes to sing, read, swim, and build websites.
Are Men and Women Really From Different Planets? editorial by David M. Switzer	Men and women differ in how they define themselves, what they do when they're stressed out, and how they're motivated and empowered. If we are to have a successful relationship with a member of the opposite sex, we need to understand and respect these differences. Dave shares some insights from John Gray's book Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus.

Last modified: June 23, 2003

Copyright © 2002 by Crystalline Sphere Publishing