Old Moon Quarterly Issue 5

I really enjoyed reading Old Moon Quarterly 1-4, so it was only a matter of time before I got to issue 5. It’s another great mix of sword and sorcery/dark fantasy fiction & poetry. The issue begins with an interesting introduction that discusses the differences between Kull and Conan stories. 

Stories and poems:

Together Under the Wing by Jonathan Olfert (4/5)

A revenge story about a woolly mammoth warrior versus a giant. Dark and original.

Champions Against the Maggot King by K.H. Vaughn (5/5)

Elemental sorcery, landships, and a great cast of characters. Loved it.

The King’s Two Bodies by Joe Koch (4/4)

A cryptic but fascinating poem.

The Origin of Boghounds by Amelia Gordon (4/5)

Bounty hunters, swamps, and monsters. A fun read. 

Well Met at the Gates of Hell by David K. Henrickson (4/5)

After a warrior arrives in hell he must fight three figures from his past. I enjoyed how the story moved forward with each encounter and where the story led.

A Warning Agaynste Woldes by Zachary Bos (3/5)

An interesting but difficult to read poem, even more cryptic than the previous one. Both poems become more enjoyable with each re-read. 

The Skull of Ghosts by Charles Gramlich (5/5)

A warrior named Krieg enters a plague infested town and meets people from his past. I loved the prose, the characters, and the backstory that’s hinted at. This is a small detail, but I really liked how the story is broken up into parts, each with its own chapter title, something I don’t usually see in short fiction. 

The Headman’s Melancholy by Joseph Andrew Thomas (4/5)

An executioner in 14th century England begins to keep a diary after meeting a thief that he is sure he executed in the past. Dark and mysterious. 

A really solid issue. While I enjoyed some works more than others, I got something out of all of them.

Old Moon Quarterly Issues 1 - 4

I didn't read any books this month, but I did read the first four issues of Old Moon Quarterly, a magazine dedicated to dark fantasy/sword & sorcery available in print or in inexpensive ebook form. Each issue has a variety of short stories and beginning with the second issue an introduction and an interview or book review. 

I actually bought and read the first issue in 2022 and while I enjoyed it and saw good reviews for the other issues, I didn’t continue for some reason. That changed after reading the new Warhammer short stories this month and learning that one of the authors also has fiction in Old Moon Quarterly. While I enjoyed some more than others, there was quite an interesting range of stories, and I got something out of all of them. 

Old Moon Quarterly #1

A Town Called Trepidation by Paula Hammond 

A bounty hunter/sorceress chases down troublemakers in an interesting world based on ancient Egypt.

Stella Splendens by Graham Thomas Wilcox 

The ending seemed abrupt, but I enjoyed the prose and dream/nightmare-like atmosphere.

The Questing Beast by Carys Crossen 

A creatively told story of Pellinore of Camelot narrated by the Questing Beast that had me hooked from the beginning. 

Brightstar by Mob 

An atmospheric and dark Viking horror story. 

Old Moon Quarterly #2

The Last Line by Jonathan Olfert 

A dark and poetic tale of a last stand. 

The Bloody Staircase by Gabriella Officer-Narvasa 

A tale narrated by an assassin haunted by something from her past. I was hooked from the first sentence. 

The Silence of the Rogue by Jason Ray Carney 

After the Rogue is sold into slavery, his enslavers run into trouble and need his help. I liked the folk tale-like vibe. 

The Hoard by Mathew Castleman 

I really enjoyed this story about a Soloman Kane type of character hired to kill a dragon. Action, humor, an interesting protagonist, and the take on dragons was fascinating.

I also enjoyed the introduction, the interviews with author John Langan and author/publisher D. M. Ritzlin, and after reading the book review, I’ve added World Beyond Worlds by John R. Fultz to my to-be-read list.

 

Old Moon Quarterly #3

Evil Honey by James Enge 

Enge’s character Morlock Ambrosius is tasked by the god of bees with coming up with a non-lethal solution after killer bees go on a rampage. Interesting scenario and I liked the dark humor. 

  

Knife, Lace, Prayer by T.R. Siebert 

A girl seeks to kill the creator of her world as the creator begins destroying it in order to remake it. I liked the atmosphere and how everything came together in the end. Epic.

Singing the Long Retreat by R.K. Duncan 

As their lands are invaded, a cavalry group fights against overwhelming odds. Beautifully told. 

The Feast of Saint Ottmer by Graham Thomas Wilcox 

A grim and gritty novelette about oaths, honor, and family versus prowess. I loved the ornate prose and vocabulary.

Old Moon Quarterly #4

Pain Wins by Sasha Brown 

A dark tale about a dark time. Brutal. 

Scourge of Gods by e rathke 

A warrior versus a dragon. I was rooting for the dragon.

The Witches Were Mine All Along by Marion Koob 

The Tragedy of MacBeth with a twist. Well done. 

The Call of the Void by Kyle Miller 

I wasn’t sure what to make of this one, but it was a wild ride.

This is Not the Only Kingdom by Jennifer R. Donohue 

A reverse portal story. Very moving. 

Death to Your King, and All His Loyal Subjects by Nelson Stanley 

A very atmospheric dark fantasy/sword & sorcery tale. I was swept away by the story.

This issue includes a book review for Son of the Morning by Mark Adler. It sounds like an interesting mix of historical fiction and dark fantasy. I now have another book on my to-be-read list. 

In Conclusion

I read these on my Kindle, but I may switch to the print versions for the rest, one reason being the gorgeous covers. The magazine is currently up to issue #8. Looking forward to reading them.