First off, I read Gunpowder by Joe Hill. A dark sci-fi novella in which Hill introduces us to a group of children genetically engineered to terraform a planet with their special skills. The characterisation is outstanding (who couldn't love Charley, and Jake, and Niles etc). The plot builds steadily, growing darker with each breath. The conclusion is satisfying and lingers with you for days. For a more indepth, infinitely better review head over to The Fix. Oh, and it's selling out fast. The signed copies (drat, I was too slow) sold out before publication and I doubt the trade edition will be in stock much longer as it is limited to 500 copies.
Next up was issue 1 of Murky Depths. They are currently up to issue 7 (my copy arrived today, but as I''m yet to read number 6 it will have to wait awhile), and I received a copy of issue 1 free when I signed up for a subscription. It's a beautifully produced magazine with a mixture of comic strips and short stories, and there's not a dud in the whole magazine. My favourite stories were Looking In, Looking Out by Gareth D Jones - I defy anyone not to feel at least a twinge of sadness at the end - and CyberRevenge Inc. by Eugie Foster (which left me with the sweats as I'm convinced the story I currently have subbed with Murky Depths, 'PlasticineCoffins.com', is too similar, although it has nothing to do with revenge and Foster's story had no plasticine people in it - sigh).
Finally, I read Tainted, an anthology edited by Aaron Polson. It's always a little harder plugging a book/story/magazine by someone you know. It feels tainted (no pun intended), but I couldn't let this little gem gather dust on my shelf without mentioning it at least once. My favourite story was Fish Balls and Mushrooms by Natalie L Sin - and again, as I know and admire Natalie it feels a bit like - well of course she would say that, but bare in mind I also have a blog acquaintance with several others on the TOC and although I enjoyed their stories they didn't make number one - sticks tongue out and runs away. The stories in Tainted where inspired by stories from Poe, Blackwood, Bierce, Wells and Benson. Of the old masters, my favourite story was E.F. Benson's The Caterpillars.
