Apex Magazine Mini Issue, June 2025

“The Swap” by Lavie Tidhar

“The Hat Rack by Katherine Heath Shaeffer

Reviewed by Chuck Rothman

Apex Magazine had some trouble reaching its kickstarter goal, but as a thanks to those who have supported it in the past, produced a special bonus issue for June with two first-class stories.

Lavie Tidhar contributes “The Swap,” where Orpington Katz lives a boring and practical life on Mars. Tired of watching soap operas with his mother, he comes upon a series of classified ads where you can swap your body with another person. Katz is intrigued and makes contact with a Martian Re-Born, a human who has transformed himself into a Martian out of Edgar Rice Burroughs, and wonders what it would be like. Great concept, though I think the story ends too soon; I’d love to see him dealing with the ramifications of his decision. Still, that’s a minor flaw.

“The Hat Rack” by Katherine Heath Shaeffer features Angela, a woman who lives alone who is visited by Colin, an old friend, who is looking for Angela’s husband. But Angela never was married—or was she. We slowly learn that Angela has a terrible power and doesn’t realize it. A creepy tale overall and I liked the slow unveiling of the situation.

Chuck Rothman’s historical fantasy novel The Cadaver Princess was just published by Amazing Selects, the book imprint of Amazing Stories.