Redstone Science Fiction #17, October 2011

“iTime” by Ferrett Steinmetz
“How We Fall” by Andrew Knighton

Reviewed by Chuck Rothman

Ferrett Steinmetz‘s “iTime” in the October issue of Redstone Science Fiction is a new and very interesting take on time travel, one of those concepts that is so logical that you wonder why no one concentrated on it before. In it, Clare’s roommate Rochelle buys the device in the title, a handheld that lets you go back in time for four hours. It may not sound like much, but it allows Rochelle to go back and relive events, making changes to what she says until she gets it right.  Clare sees the danger in the device, even if Rochelle does not. This is an excellent story in all respects:  its development of the the device and the situation, good characterization, emotional depth, and an ending that makes you wonder.

“How We Fall” by Andrew Knighton also has an interesting concept, though not as well executed.  It involves a group of soldiers trapped in an old factory building with the only way out a trip through the sewers.  The group also includes a woman, who, through implants and hormones, appears to be an angel.  Most of the story deals with whether they can have her escape with them. I’ll admit the story, though well written, didn’t really engage me, and the ending left me cold.