Heroic Fantasy Quarterly #57, August 2023

“Duel” by R. M. Gulaya

“Dragon Tears” by Caleb Williams (serial, not reviewed)

“The Curse of Bloodbone Island” by Adrian Cole

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

The authors of the two complete stories in this issue offer a sharp contrast in the lengths of their careers.

“Duel” by R. M. Gulaya is the writer’s first publication. This relatively brief tale relates how two magic-wielding warriors meet in single combat many years after one betrayed the other.

The kind of magical battle depicted is unique and interesting. The story ends a little too quickly, and could use more development. Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of it is the fact that the two enemies both consider themselves righteous; neither is a one-dimensional villain.

“The Curse of Bloodbone Island” by Adrian Cole marks half a century of fiction from this writer’s pen. The crew of a privateering vessel sails to an island full of evil magic in order to obtain the only possible cure for the disease killing one of their shipmates.

Fifty years of experience allow the author to spin a pulp adventure yarn deftly, if not with complete originality. Readers will recognize themes from supernatural horror and Lovecraftian cosmic horror. An epilogue does little except tie this story to others in the same series.

Victoria Silverwolf is fighting an upper respiratory tract infection.