Mysterion, March 2021

“Milestone and the Fifth World” by Marissa James

Reviewed by Kevin P Hallett

There is one first-publication short story in the March issue of Mysterion.

“Milestone and the Fifth World” by Marissa James

When the earth began crumbling away, the hamlet of Milestone was left behind with a handful of people in this short fantasy. Some of the residents always lived there. Some, like Whit, found their way up the muddy cliffs. But if you look back during the climb, the regrets will wither your body away.

No one had much hope of anything or any idea of what had happened. One day, a new soul arrives, an Indian boy that Whit helps reach the flat nob of land above the mist. A subtle change takes hold of the residents as all their hopes come to a rapid conclusion.

This was a strange and original plot that never made the mistake of explaining the mysteries. It was an engaging read.