Runalong the Short Shelves

Hellooo!

Lots going on this week - whisper it gently but Subjectve Chaos judges are making our minds up just like Bucks Fizz but without the mini skirt dance routine (or are we?) Next week I’m off to a con for the first time this year (and to be fair only one) The British Fantasy Society’s Fantasycon down in Heathrow. Very much looking forward to it and just possibly subjective Chaos will have something to say and lets hope no dance numbers are planned…

Now there will be BFS Awards so it should be worth a look at some of the categories they’ll be discussing

Best Novella

Best Novella - And This Is How To Stay Alive by Shingai Njeri Kagunda — Runalong The Shelves - A Subjective Chaos nominee and I have to say some awesome fantasy

A Spindle Splintered by Alix E Harrow — Runalong The Shelves - I was surprised how little this story worked for me and perhaps indicates I’m fussy about retellings having something new to say

Treacle Walker by Alan Garner — Runalong The Shelves - I admire this more than love it and think it only works if the reader is clued up on all folklore and history skilfully hidden

Matryoshka by Penny Jones — Runalong The Shelves - A rather amazing disturbing slice of horror and all based around mental illness. Haunting and stayed with me a long time

Defekt - Nino Cirpri - Sadly I tried the first in this series Finna and found it not my thing and started this one and had exactly the same issues. Not for me at all

These Lifeless Things by Premee Mohamed — Runalong The Shelves - yes my favourite read in the entire of last year. I may have a favourite I do not apologise

Best Fantasy Novel (the Robert Holdstock Award)

I love all of these and have no issues with any winning - I pity the poor judges who have to decide

The Black Coast by Mike Brooks — Runalong The Shelves - Surprising, inventive and memorable I loved this tale of people learning to co-operate in a dangerous world

The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri — Runalong The Shelves - Powerful and dramatic start to new epic fantasy series that pulls all the emotional chords

She Who Became The Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan — Runalong The Shelves - another skilful start to a fantasy series but this one uses historical China as its setting and eastern style dramas for its approach. Work wonderfully

Sistersong by Lucy Holland — Runalong The Shelves - Another historical setting but here a standalone tale using folklore in a very skilful way and has a fascinating trans character holding the tale together

This Is Our Undoing by Lorraine Wilson — Runalong The Shelves - A tale that blends ALL the genres and Wilson’s lyrical writing i think makes this one of the stand out debuts of the year.

The Unbroken by C L Clark — Runalong The Shelves - I really really like this mix of epic and military fantasy that explores colonialism from the view of those forced to fight for an empire that conquered them. One of the most interesting duos at the centre of the story too.

Now onto some short fiction! Highlights for me where

Fiyah magazine 23 - Food and Cuisine

My first taste of Fiyah was a really impressive one and appropriately this edition focuses on tales based around food

Food For The Soul by Elnora Gunter - This is more a science fiction tale where New Orleans is now run under a cruel government that very specifically outlaws and controls food ingredients. There is a tense tale of someone working to avoid capture but it also touches on elimination of other cultures for not meeting a bland European standard. There is though hope lurking nearby. Really enjoyable.

The Pastry Shop Round the Bend by Makeda K Braithwaite - this tale is a wonderful mix of light and dark as what starts as a nice tale of a village witch helping her customers becomes a duel when another witch decides to set up in competition. What could have been a cosy competition instead moves into horror and I loved the tonal changes and also the depth that you feel this story is part of a huge community and history only just hinted at. My favourite in the magazine

Just Desserts by A M Barrie - We meet Hercules Posey the Chief of the Kitchen that belongs to George Washington. But Hercules is his slave. This is a tale about how someone venerated as a hero can also be a villain at the same time. We explore Hercules life and the huge toil and constant danger being a slave produced. Barrie though adds a magical dimension and a gorgeous use of food to create atmosphere ad adds a touch of horror as Hercules realises he can kill too via the right meal. Raises suspense throughout and Hercules voice really stays with you too.

The Dark Magazine Issue 88- September

Another feast of short horror fiction awaits but these two tales really stuck out for me

Last Train to Glory by James Bennett - London in 1854 has a problem with the graves overflowing and Luella discovers one of her relatives is being moved to make way for fresh graves. But this Uncle of hers was a monster in so many ways. Bennett delivers a fine dose of gothic horror not just with the Victoriana of death colouring everything in black and you can taste the soot and soil but with an Uncle who we know if wrong but no explanations as to why he does this. We just know he was very dangerous, see what he did in all its gruesomeness and now fear he may have more to do even after death. A great use of increasing tension to make the final quiet scene very chilling

The Little God of the Staircase by Meg Elison - A therapist and their patient explore dark family secrets. But underneath that is another darker set of tales. A strange mask allows a young girl protection and may have some more uses in the future. A tale of escaping horror can be a tale of realising it on those who deserve it. Really enjoyable