Christmas holidays and the new-year slump are my excuse for not getting around to this review until now, but I’m glad I renewed my subscription to Parsec as there are always stories I would not want to have missed.
We begin with the second part of Neil Williamson’s simulated reality story, ‘The Packet’. This instalment is called ‘Consensuum,’ and leads us further into Charlie’s supposedly real life, outside of the one we were shown in the previous instalment as an ex-con in the 1920s on his way to a new life aboard ship. It all begins to kick off as Charlie is snapped away from an ocean storm into his alternate existence in a futuristic dystopian Scotland, which at first he fully believes in – but then the supposed-simulation begins to fight back. Which is real? Tune in next time! It’s great to have a serial story and something to look forward to in the next issue, and Williamson is well up to the task.
Number two is ‘The Dollhouse Gallery’ by Joanna Corrance. A neatly constructed, almost filmic piece about a dollhouse maker who gets more than she bargained for when taking on a complex submission from a mysterious client. A tale of obsession and confused perceptions which provides the issue with a quick, punchy thriller after the more complex Williamson opener.
Third in line is Daffyd McKimm’s ‘The Bathing Giant’, an account of a geographical legend which comes to life in the modern day – on a dark and stormy night. It’s a formulaic tale, but well written with brooding, heavy prose that draws you in.
Continuing this eclectic issue is A.P Howell’s ‘Adamere in Swan’, which seems to be another in a line of stories I have read lately about strangers encountering each other on alien planets. This one, thankfully, is very good – a portrait of bounty hunter Xan and smuggler Baschimeh as they struggle with uncertain motivations and divided loyalties. Their relationship has a lot of credence and following their development was most enjoyable, especially as Howell’s narrative style flows so well.
With ‘Boys’ by Derek Austin Johnson, we enter a creepy and bloody world which definitely has potential to leave the reader disturbed. There’s no happy ending here in a generational saga of monsters hiding inside the members of a cursed family, and the ever-present ‘boys’ who help carry out the dirty (and gory) work. Horror fans will love this one.
Martin Owton & Gaie Sebold’s ‘Dogged’ is the first time I have ever read a story with a shamanic detective. Tom Richards is called into police headquarters to investigate a possible presence amongst the high officials of the station; but the only reason he has been recommended is due to his academic work on Shamanism. Cue the drum, the trance, and some dangerous walking between worlds as he attempts to solve the case. A unique crime drama.
‘The God-King of Raggath-ko’ by Peter Daley is a brief fable based on a fantastical legend, the age-old rivalry between a slumbering god and his nemesis, the Lord of Beasts, as they grapple with each other in a city of helpless citizens, who just want a quiet life without the fear of attack or theft of their food. A pleasant read.
The penultimate tale, ‘Point of Contact’ by Vincent O’Neil is an odd one. The main character’s brain is invaded by an insect-like ‘passenger,’ which then proceeds to give him some unique and disturbing experiences that threaten his life, job, and everyday existence. It’s a suspenseful and curious story that will leave you wondering.
Finally in this issue, ‘For this Rich Earth’ by B. Morris Allen. A topical story of an attempt to find another habitable planet for the people of an overpopulated Earth. The crew of the Calypso have discovered a potential new home for humanity, but need to make some important moral decisions about who they tell, who they help, and the consequences of their choices. Needless to say, not everyone agrees, but they are forced to work together for the future of the species. I really enjoyed Allen’s descriptions of the alien planet and the creatures the crew encounter. The added ethical questions made for a strong and entertaining closer.
Another fine high quality issue of Parsec, and I look forward to subscribing for the next year when that becomes available from PS Publishing. And so should you!
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