“The Artist and His Mother” by Steve Rasnic Tem
“Beautiful Calamity” by Maura McHugh
“The Place That Makes You Happiest” by T. L. Morganfield
“Like a Stone Wall” by Danny Adams
“Salt Feels No Pain” by Marie Brennan
“Last Voyage” by Natasha Simonova
“For Want of Sympathy” by Ernesto Brosa

The coolest thing about alternate history stories is you get to view worlds that Might Have Been, and in doing so acquiring a more in-depth perspective to how important history is to the World That Is. Of all the forms of speculative fiction, this sub-genre bears a unique importance of its own. So, it’s unfortunate that Paradox #13 will be the final issue of a great magazine that has been so important to the speculative fiction genre and its community of writers and readers.

“The Artist and His Mother” by Steve Rasnic Tem takes place in the ancient Far East. Pak is a reluctant painter living with his mother. While seeking both inspiration and a little independence, he encounters a beautiful woman who is a bit more than she seems. The brief relationship leads to both a revelation and a self-discovery that, at best, is bittersweet.

Tem delves deep into characterization, and the story is fully character-driven even though the plot is pretty straightforward. While the identity of the woman Pak meets and marries (a fox spirit) is made obvious from the start, other later revelations will be surprising to one degree or another. Dialogue is handled quite well and is Tem’s greatest strength in this tale. Overall, it is a pleasant read, and I look forward to one day reading more of Tem’s work.

“Beautiful Calamity” by Maura McHugh was, alas, predictable. Once it’s revealed that “Mel” is Melpominee, that famous fickle muse, it then becomes a little obvious who “Tia” is. But despite that, and the story’s obvious potential-artist-in-need-of-inspiration-and-encouragement plot formula, the depth of characterization—especially in the main character, James, in whose viewpoint the story is told—allows the tale to hold its own. Overall, it’s a well-written and touching story. Just don’t expect any major surprises.

“The Place That Makes You Happiest” by T. L. Morganfield shows what the modern-day world would have been like if Hernán Cortés had lost the battle with Emperor Cuitlahuac’s warriors. Written from the view of Malila, a non-native female astronaut in service to the empire’s space program, it is a deeply moving character-driven story that delivers a bittersweet ending, especially in how Malila handles the fate of her love, Noc, who is likely to die from cancer before she returns from her trip. Morganfield delivers a powerful tale bound to make you ponder and think long after you’ve read it.

“Like a Stone Wall” by Danny Adams warms my Rebel-spirited heart. Not only is the great General “Stonewall” Jackson in this tale, but Adams avoids the usual southern stereotype of “dumb racist warmongers” that often plague the watered-down history books written within the narrow guidelines provided by the Department of Education to make our tyrannical Federal Government look more benign than it had actually ever been (and is even less benign today).

Okay, rant over.

Adams provides a look at how things might have been had the South won the war instead of the North. The year is 1872. The outgoing U.S. President, George McClellan, sends special agent, Jacob Chapman, to stop an assassination attempt against Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson who is campaigning to be the next President of the Confederate States, whose anti-slavery view threatens the rich plantation owners and slave traders—the “special interests” of that time period. Will Chapman succeed in his duty? Read and find out.

Adams brings historical figures to life and weaves a tale of alternate history that is both fascinating and believable in their three-dimensional, nuanced, personalities. This is, in my opinion, the best story in this issue. But then again, it’s about Stonewall, so I’m probably a bit biased.

And oh yeah—Long Live the Free and Sovereign States of America!

“Salt Feels No Pain” by Marie Brennan is a flash fiction tale based on the Biblical account of Lot’s wife getting turned into a pillar of salt, but seen through the perspective of the wife. It’s short and very poignant, and as far from sweet as you can get. Overall, a wonderful tale.

“Last Voyage” by Natasha Simonova provides an interesting twist to Greek myth. Alexias, a carpenter, volunteers to go on the last voyage of his former King, once known only as the Captain. Simonova uses the “Hero’s Journey” plot trope and weaves a powerful yet tragic tale of heroism, self-discovery, and acceptance of one’s own mortality. A fine tale well worth reading.

“For Want of Sympathy” by Ernesto Brosa delves into madness and weaves a character-driven tale that leaves you scratching your head, wondering what it was all really about. If that was Brosa’s goal, he succeeded admirably, but if not….

On the bright side, Hawthorne appears for a couple brief scenes, and the dialogue is engaging, so the story won’t leave you too disappointed. And who knows? You might be able to do what I couldn’t—figure out what the whole thing’s about.

Overall, Paradox #13 goes out with a bang. Even if one or two stories weren’t the best around, “The Place That Makes You Happiest,” “Like a Stone Wall,” and “Last Voyage” more than make up for that. It was an honor to review the final issue, and it’s with great sadness that we must bid it adieu.