The Darker Woods
Issue #1 2.00
50 pages, saddle stapled - digest sized

This new small press annual is a collection of fantasy short stories, poetry, and art. The first thing evident is that Editor Stephanie Connolly invested time on the cover and the layout; one does not get the impression this was something cranked out on the office laser printer when the boss wasn't around.

The opening story, "The Last Lesson," by Karen Kasting, is a fantasy piece about a boy sold into apprenticeship to dark mages, only to later loathe what he becomes. As might be expected in piece of under three thousand words, much of the story is told through summation rather than dramatization, but the 'wrap-around' ending makes the story worthwile.

"Fairlyland," by Kathleen Edwards, tells the dark tale of a trip to a wedding boutique that goes dreadfully awry.

Other fantasy glimpes include an interesting and poignent time-travel tale by Eric T. Scholl, as well as poetry, and a short article about depicting equines in fantasy.

At a cover price of $2.00, this small press 'zine is reasonably priced for the size and content, particularly when other 'zines in the same size and format often carry price tags of $4.00 or more without the attention to style and detail, or consistency in the tales.

Copyright © 1996 by TML. All Rights Reserved.