KZine Issue 15: Review of May 2016 Issue

Kathleen Wolak’s short story “Lovely Girl” is the best of eight very good stories in the May 2016 (Issue 15) issue of KZine, a science-fiction, fantasy, crime and horror magazine for the Kindle. Published three times a year, it aims to provide original genre fiction for the mobile reader.

Also worth an additional mention are the “The Lost Princess”, a modern fairy tale by Lynn Rushlau, and Brian M Milton’s post apocalyptic shopping trip “More Certainty in Shopping”.

“Dead Drop” by Larisa Walk

When the spy in Moscow rubbed the solid doll, a message appeared in his mind. The agent who left that message needed extracting, but who is he working for? A clever mix of fantasy and espionage, with a dash of horror for good measure,

“Five Miles out of Port Huron” by Jon Arthur Kitson

This story starts with the announcement of the deaths of the two main characters. As to what happens next, this intriguing tale keeps the readers guessing until the end, and beyond.

“Grumbles” by Francis Bass

Claudio is moving to the asteroid belt and has to decide how much of his stuff to take with him. Grumbles, his childhood AI, offers advice. The ending could be spotted a mile away, but the journey to reach it was funny and enjoyable.

“The Lost Princess” by Lynn Rushlau

Arra is jealous of the attention her young sister is receiving from their mother. She justifies this sibling rivalry to her doll Bess by pretending she was really a princess kidnapped from the king and queen when she was younger. However, when her fantasy comes to life, all was not as rosy as she imagined. A cracking fairy story; read it to your kids.

“Lovely Girl” by Kathleen Wolak

When Maggie cooked her boyfriend’s pet bird, her parents decided drastic action was needed and so shipped her off to a mental institution in Norway. There she meets Lucy, who talks to her inside her head. This is an extremely well written story that I just couldn’t put down.

“Product” by Richard Mark Glover

When Rick takes his ten-year-old son with him on a drugs pickup, they each discover something about the other. A very short story, but full of atmosphere.

“More Certainty in Shopping” by Brian M Milton

Carol is searching for food in a post-apocalyptic world, but the cause of apocalypse also makes safe food tricky to find. This story cleverly, and with humour, unravels the clues to what happened in a series of diary entries in the time leading up to her present search.

“Wither” by Joshua D Moyes

Emma is a junkie; she turns tricks to earn money for the abusive Max. But who is the strange guy calling, asking for Angelina? This is a dark, vividly written tale with an intriguing mystery to finish this issue’s collection.

Also in Issue 15

Apart from the brief biographies of the contributors, again not much in the way of extras; they must be due for another guest editorial. The cover art was by Dave Windett and the magazine was edited by Graeme Hurry.