DreamForge Anvil Issue #4, August/September 2021
“The Giant and the Thaumaturge” by Floris Kleijne
“Flashes of You” by J. M. Rhineheart
“Huddle” by Monica Joyce Evans
“On the Electrodynamics of Skating Bodies” by David Boffa
“Eat and be Eaten” by J. L. Akagi
Reviewed by Kevin P Hallett
The fourth issue of DreamForge Anvil has five first publication stories, including one flash fiction. This relatively new magazine is quickly establishing itself with quality stories.
“The Giant and the Thaumaturge” by Floris Kleijne
The thaumaturge, Mustanen, grieves the loss of his beautiful daughter in this short fantasy. And he seeks endless revenge against the giant who caused her death, even if that giant is but a child herself.
Mustanen weaves a spell freezing the giant in place and giving it empathy, so she knows what harm she has done. He doesn’t care if it is an accident caused by the giant’s innocence of youth. He needs revenge for his daughter and the other loved ones lost when the giant crashed into the bridge. But how long can you hold the grief and demand revenge?
The author found a way to show a more balanced perspective on revenge, a lesson for everyone to learn.
“Flashes of You” by J. M. Rhineheart
This short fantasy tells the story of Bridget, who first mourns the loss of her grandpa and then her father. Grandpa had told her once to look for flashes that would lead her to something that she misses.
Shortly after a traffic accident kills her father, Bridget begins to see the flashes coupled with an image of her father. However, these flashes appear in places that are dangerous or fatal to reach. Yet Bridget keeps trying, much to the distress of her mother and sister.
The prose enticed the reader into the story, pondering if the protagonist would succeed.
“Huddle” by Monica Joyce Evans
In this flash SF story, she forgets that today is one of her molting days, and now the bus is delayed for decontamination. The long wait inconveniences three young female humans, and she feels guilty enough to apologize. The women’s reactions take her by surprise.
This story was well suited to the flash structure and made for a fascinating read.
“On the Electrodynamics of Skating Bodies” by David Boffa
At thirteen, he is in love with Kelly in this short SF story. Kelly had just transferred to his school, and she is fascinated with the night sky as she collects constellations.
He may have had no idea what she means, but he finds himself caught up in her visions, just so long as he can be near her. Then at the school dance, she said she has to leave for London with her parents. And when she decides that faster-than-light travel would pass the separation quickly, he is all-in.
Though the speculative elements were very light, this tale had an interesting coming-of-age feel to it.
“Eat and be Eaten” by J. L. Akagi
He decides to become a peach tree in this short fantasy. Inspired by his lover’s choice to become a plant, he undergoes the procedure and is taken to a spot to be planted. He finds the transition isn’t painful, and he will grow near the hyacinth that his boyfriend became.
Spring, summer, and autumn come, but no fruit. The gardner warns him that it can take a peach tree years to bear fruit. Meanwhile, he assimilates into the land and joins the trees and plants around him that were once people. Still, bearing fruit was essential to him in ways he could no longer articulate.
The story was well paced, and somehow the author created a sympathetic character out of a tree.
You can follow Kevin P Hallett’s writing on www.kevinphallett.com