Jason Sizemore

Apex Magazine Issue 105, February 2018

Alix E. Harrow

A Witch’s Guide to Escape

Charmaine

Wow! Best short story ever. I was almost transported to this library and this witch's life. It perfectly combines the elements of Harrow's other writing: books and magic.

Sarah Escorsa

“Ghost Marriage” by P. Djèlí Clark: 4.5 stars.
  “I am Ayen of the Akok. Thrice married. Once to the living. Once to the dead. Once to a god.”
And just like that, P. Djèlí Clark does it again: a unique, magical story, a refreshingly non-Eurocentric as fish setting, amazing characters, and atmospheric as shrimp, mesmerizing writing. Need I say more? Didn't think so.

Oh, and by the way, this somewhat glorious story can be read online for free here. So get clicking and stuff.

 

P.S. Why most people choose to read only the Alix E. Harrow short in this issue is one of the greatest mysteries of the universe, if you ask me. Granted, it's slightly very good (as my review down there ↓↓ might attest to) but a P. Djèlí Clark story it is not. QED and stuff.



“A Witch’s Guide to Escape: A Practical Compendium of Portal Fantasies” by Alix E. Harrow: 4 stars.

Before reading this story, I thought not having access to a decent library was ever so slightly unacceptable. (But I guess that’s what I get for living on a god-forsaken island). 

After reading this story and realizing that a) all librarians are actually witches who give patrons the books they need most and b) books want to be read, not having access to a decent library makes me feel kinda sorta like…



Oh, and by the way, this story is Slightly Very Good (SVG™) and stuff. Which might or might not be why it won both a Nebula and Hugo Award. Maybe. Perhaps.

↪ This is short. This is FREE. This is here.

P.S. Edmond Dantès is full of shit fish, just so you know.