Grimdark Magazine Issue #23

I will focus my review on the 3 short stories contained in this magazine.

The Pachinko Gambit:

I was impressed by this one. It was quirky, fresh feeling and well developed. It takes a few grimdark tropes (mercenary company, made of criminals) and an interesting setting (defense of Japan from China/Korea in a near future dystopia) but then twists expectations in the way that the story progresses. The characters felt well developed and the setting suitably gritty and the whole thing provides a witty critique of the military-industrial complex within capitalist society. Very entertaining - I will have to look out for more of Chris Edwards work

The Thrallcatcher's Apprentice:

Well written with good characterization. The newbie apprentice attempts to prove their worth against two arrogant older apprentices. As usual for grimdark, this is appropriately morally grey in its approach and none of the characters are particularly likeable, but they are all well fleshed out. The world is a bit of a mystery and not really developed which makes the motivations hard to follow, but the twists and turns in the story hold the interest well

The Road to Hella:

This short story takes the ‘story within a story' approach to telling its tale. The story here is pretty grim and dark - the main storyteller has made a pact with deity to exchange the souls of 1000 killers to return the soul of his loved one. As usual with these type of deals with the devil, the fine print is important. A well told tale, and probably stylistically the most accomplished of the three in this quarters magazine.