Runalong The Short Shelves - Fiyah Issue 30
Publisher - https://fiyahlitmag.com
Price - $3.99
This week I’m looking at the latest edition of Fiyah which while unthemed the editorial does say change is a common element in the array of stories.
Among the tales I enjoyed were
The Forgetting Room by Kathryn H Ross - a very good slow build SF tale exploring the idea that the aforementioned room is a device that allows people to forget bad memories. The parents of a young child who sees them having sec think this is a suitable way to avoid awkward questions. Then things escalate it’s a great tale exploring how a desire to forget horrid and awkward experiences could ultimately make lives even worse. The story has a terrifying last section too.
Not All Your Bones Are Yours by Plangdi Neple - a tragic tale of grief and some making all the bad choices in the aftermath. In second person we’re told our character has just killed a mermaid and wants their bones place into him. What I liked about this take was the exploration of the world the characters inhabit a cruel one; one where true love isn’t enough and ultimately bad choices ruin lives. How we change our views of the main character as we get to understand them really makes the story work well.
The House of Old Marian by Nkereuwem Albert - a sword and sorcery tale where we find our lead character appears to have killed her Necromancer father. I liked the way this story jumps back and forth in history it’s a hard world but we explore why and just perhaps there is a chance of a better future this time around. And nothing is quite what it appears to be at first.
Selkies Among the Pines by Sarah Chisolm- is a really good story about a defining moment in a child’s life. The death of her father and how the human and Selkie families meeting leads to a tragic decision. Fear in adults can lead to decisions that ruin lives. Powerfully sad but very well told.
No Happy Endings for Chasers by Uchechukwu Nwaka - this SF tale explores being forced to join the military. We have an Earth invaded with gross and deadly creatures. Our main character is pressured to join the Chasers a group of well paid soldiers who clear areas. This tale combines strong action with quieter moments of characters feeling trapped to only get some power and wealth by signing up to fight. The end is sadly always likely to be death. A sobering tale.
I also enjoyed the poem Vampire Myths and Facts by HB Asari which in a few verses moves from vampire lore to something personal and tragic. Finally a good interview with the cover artist Chris Kindred.
