Broadswords and Blasters Issue 5: Pulp Magazine with Modern Sensibilities Paperback – Import, 2 April 2018

Like the previous volumes, this one was also a mixed bag with some good and some 'meh' stories.1. Alison McBain's 'After War': A bright, harsh, linear story. Ended a bit too swiftly to develop greater emotional depth.2. Aaron Emmel's 'Irini': Read like a supercharged foreword to a fully-fledged fantasy— that we are probably NEVER going to get! Now, how frustrating is that?3. J. Rohr's 'Let It All Bleed It': The best piece of this book— with dark humour and surprising pools of darkness within.4. David F. Shultz's 'Jerold's Stand': Good, clean fantasy that made me ask for more. Alas, that was not to be found here!5. Dianne M. Williams' 'Giving up the Ghost': A bit excessively surreal for new pulp.6. Tom Howard's 'Last Train to Oblivion': Awesome! The final twist completely stunned me.7. L. Chan's 'Petals, Falling Like Memories': Meh!I would try to find out more works written by some of these authors. That would be my takeaway here.Your call.

As usual, there's a great variety of pulpy goodness in this issue. Some classic fantasy, Asian fantasy, sci-fi, and a disturbing little horror story with an ambiguous, supernatural twist. B&B delivers again.