Check further down the post for a brilliant 25% off code for 9 issues of this magazine!
You can also check out the other stops on the blog tour here:
Issue #1 at Fantasy Book Nerd,
Issue #2 at Fantasy Hive
Issue #4 at Happy Goat Horror
Issue #5 at The Shaggy Shepherd
Issue #6 at KB Book Reviews
Issue #9 at Runalong the shelves
I recently had the opportunity to dive into my first issue of Parsec Magazine, being invited to join the blog tour for this magazine’s existing issues. My issue to review, issue 3, contained 8 short stories as well as a number of other features and it was an enjoyable overall experience.
One of the magazine’s strengths lies in its ability to cater to a variety of tastes, acknowledging the subjective nature of stories. No two stories felt alike. Although the majority of these were still probably not themes or settings I’d usually choose, I found plenty to enjoy. Among the eight tales, two stood out to me in a particularly positive way:
Bai Roses by Victoria Navarra
This was my favourite story of the collection and featured a poet looking to write her work in the perfect place – art in this world can physically have an impact on the place it’s written, words are magic. The magic though comes from the blood of fearsome beasts called Tinctas. When Bai actually finds one, cruelly bound and de-clawed and fanged, it makes her question the morality of the situation. This is an imaginative story with an East Asian feel and is really thought provoking. It’s one I’ve thought about a few times since reading it and appreciated it all the more on reflection.
You Can Call Me Al – Gary Gibson
A short, short story. Again this is very thought provoking and I found it quite humorous too. It feels very topical and concerns an AI who basically catfishes two people. What is scary is that the story isn’t as unbelievable as it would have been a few years ago. Well worth your time.
Both these stories captured my engagement and importantly, made me think whilst being entertaining – as most good SFF does.
However, it’s worth noting that not every story resonated. Admittedly, most of the stories will appeal to different people depending on their personal tastes. Stories one reader may feel indifferent to could have the potential to be a 5 star for someone else.
Two of these eight though I can say with confidence really fell short in terms of quality and appeal. That is putting it as nicely as possible. There is a clear distinction between having knowledge about things and using that knowledge to write enjoyable fiction and neither of the authors I’m referring to have mastered that distinction, at least with these stories.
I don’t believe this should overshadow the overall quality of the magazine though; Parsec Magazine compensates for any shortcomings with its other offerings, ensuring a well-rounded reading experience.
I really enjoyed the blog-like “In the Weeds” feature which looked at the use of kickstarter by Brandon Sanderson and how this could impact the publishing industry. It proved to be a captivating read, offering insights I enjoyed reading. Additionally, the magazine’s book reviews provide a valuable resource for readers, and I found books to add to my TBR covering a wide range of subgenres.
I particularly enjoyed Life in the Fast Lane from John Jarrold in which he talks about his distinguished career as a literary agent. This gave me insights into the industry I hadn’t been privy to before and it was a satisfying read getting a glimpse into his really interesting career.
The magazine concludes with an interview which I thought was well put together.
In summary, while Parsec Magazine Issue 3 may not be flawless, its strengths far outweigh any weaknesses. With a diverse selection of short stories, intriguing non-fiction features, and comprehensive book reviews, it’s a publication that deserves to be on every SFF reader’s radar.
You can check out the next spot on the tour with Kayleigh at Happy Goat Horror right here!
Want to dive in and buy a copy of PARSEC magazine at 25% off!? The discount code is:
25PARSEC
Just copy and paste the discount code at the checkout and download any of issues 1-9 for £4.49 each.
Spells and Spaceships 