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Challenging Destiny issue 23 - November 2006
01/12/2006 . Source: Rod MacDonald 
pub: Crystalline Sphere Publishing. 199 page e-book $ 5.00. US - from fictionwise.com. Buy Challenging Destiny in the USA - or Buy Challenging Destiny in the UK  check out websites: www.Crystallinesphere.com and www.fictionwise.com
The last time I reviewed this magazine (issue 20), I made comments along the lines that I wouldn't review it again because it was so bad. Eighteen months passed, matters got worse in Iraq, Afghanistan, Palestine, Darfur and just about every where else so I wondered if there was any change to this Canadian magazine. Happily I can comment favourably: this issue seems much better than the others from the past.
'There is nothing more important than the environment', states David Switzer in his editorial. Mentioning the current state of the world, he cites, amongst others, the example of Easter Island which fell into ruination because of bad environmental management. He also practices what he preaches to some extent in that he has cancelled his television. At least now he won't be able to see the icebergs melting.
Of the fiction, I've got to mention 'Bread' by Jennifer Bosworth. First of all, it's fiction but not science as we know it. A very simple story of pioneers setting up a new life in a strange land, this could be anywhere at all and not necessarily United States or Canada. It's seen from the point of view of a young girl growing up with parents who are master bakers. We follow her progress through to adulthood.
What's exciting about this, I hear you comment? Well, it's not terribly exciting but it is compelling nonetheless. This story is incredibly well-written. Everything seems to flow as it should, descriptions are vivid and believable and you are taken through the text with effortless ease. There's nothing more I can say except that I hope it will appear somewhere else in the future for a wider audience.
JR Campbell gives us 'Her Watcher', which is a tale set in deep space where everyone without exception goes mad and tries, at some point or other, to commit suicide. Potential self-terminators are shadowed by another crew member until such time as they are safe or dead. Whatever happens, the safety of the ship is of paramount importance. There are other turns to the story which make it interesting and enjoyable.
James Schellenberg's article about James Tiptree Jr and the Tiptree Awards was interesting and informative. This concerns the biography of Alice B. Sheldon, a female Science Fiction author who wrote in the guise of a man. He also does an interview, in conjunction with the editor, with author Edward Willett, giving an insight into his recent novels.
Several more short stories made up the rest of the magazine. Some are not to my taste and I do not wish to comment about them but there was nothing deplorable or bad as with previous issues. It was more a matter of personal taste than anything else. It will be interesting to read a future edition to see what progress has been made.
Rod MacDonald
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