/lit/ - Literature

>>16770714
The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction Nov/Dec 2020
This Halloween edition really went in on the horror.

NOVELETS
The Bahrain Underground Bazaar - Nadia Afifi
An old woman is constantly experiencing in VR the memories of those who committed suicide in preparation from her own death from cancer. One of the dead fascinates her and she becomes obsessed. In the end she decides that, life is worth living despite suffering and she wants to live it to fullest and to the very last moment with her family.
Ok

La Regina Ratto - Nick DiChario
Three rats begin talking to the unbelieving protagonist and give him their terms of cohabitation. They become great friends. He then becomes involved with a Queen Rat and the story takes a turn for the strange to where I don't know if it was metaphorical or literal.
Meh

How to Burn Down the Hinterlands - Lyndsie Manusos
A female blacksmith is very angry and for valid reasons. I felt like I was reading fanfiction of the concept of generic fantasy.
Blah

The Glooms - Matthew Hughes
The seventh Baldemar story. He had thought his adventuring days were all behind him, but the past and wizards have a way of catching up in ways unsuspected.

A Tale of Two Witches - Albert E. Cowdrey
Well, this was dark. It would have been a lot darker if the events were described rather than having been said to have happened. This story was a content warning overload which I thought about listing but I'd rather not. Protagonist is an older woman with a sixth sense investigating a missing children case.
Ok

A Civilized and Orderly Zombie Apocalypse per School Regulations
Exactly what it sounds like for this 6th grade class. In this world zombie attacks seem to be a regular occurrence. Ending Spoiler: No one survives (probably). Much cannibalism ensued.
Ok

SHORT STORIES
The Homestake Project - Cylin Busby
Beware what lurks deep within the Earth. Parasitized by creature miles below the surface.
Blah

On Vapor, Which the Night Condenses - Gregor Hartmann
The latest in a series of interconnected stories. Once again a murder in the far future must be solved, this time involving an atmospheric fragrance artist.
Enjoyable

The Silent Partner - Theodore McCombs
An antique dealer finds more than he bargained for in an elderly woman's house.
Blah

Skipping Stones in the Dark - Amman Sabet
An AI on a generation ship decides the fate of its passengers and those who want to be individuals who aren't devoted to the collective are dealt with.
Meh