Review of Challenging Destiny
Number 4, October 1998

This review is from Matt Hayes' review column The Atomic Iguana, from Spicy Green Iguana (February 1999). It appears here with the permission of the author.

Challenging Destiny
Number 4, October 1998
Dave Switzer and Robert Switzer, Editors
Cover art by Cliff VanMeter
Crystalline Sphere Publishing
R.R. #6
St. Marys, Ontario
N4X 1C8

Any magazine nowadays has a challenging destiny. It’s a chore just to stay in business, let alone meet or exceed its expectations. However, from the outside it looks as though the semi-pro quarterly magazine, Challenging Destiny, is doing just fine. I mean, heck, this Canadian magazine is sharp. Perfect-bound, thick, full color glossy cover, awesome cover art, these are the first things many people look at when they judge a magazine’s quality at a glance. When they take a peek inside they won’t be disappointed either. The fiction and artwork are superb as well.

Robert P. Switzer warms readers up by offering a different perspective on the issue of history and time-manipulation in his editorial. Go to the past in search of something. How do you know what you are looking for is even there? Let Mr. Switzer, who has a degree in Mathematics and Philosophy, explain.

Hard Efortt by Timothy Carter is a brief science fiction story about a conflict between a father and son. In the future, people who don’t work in the US are deported. The father, an employment enforcer, hates his son with a deadly passion for not being able to hold a steady job. In the end the hate gets the best of both family members. A good, shocking tale.

Turnabout by Nicholas Pollotta and Phil Foglio is about two professors who are stopped by a sphinx. If the sphinx can’t answer any question they choose to ask they can go, otherwise if it answers correctly they are dead men. So, brilliant scientists that they are, they ask a brilliant question—and it leads to quite a turnabout. A good read, though it is basically a vignette. It’s a shame it wasn’t expanded just a bit more.

Queen of Silver Clouds by Bonnie Mercure is a tale of the fantastic. Nebulence is a long-time friend of the Queen of the Unborn.  The Queen aids souls into the world of the mortals and now she must let Nebulence go as well. Nebulence has to leave her for the mortals because that’s the way things are. It is a tale about the balance of the universe that rules even the most powerful beings. A good read.

Supplementing the short stories is an interview with Tanya Huff by James Schellenberg and David Switzer. In this interview, Tanya discusses her newest book and how she comes up with her story ideas. Very entertaining.

When the Fog Came by Carl Mills is the story of Jonathan who wakes up surrounded by a fog and the sound of a mysterious voice. The voice guides him on a mission of courage and self-assessment that leads him into the small community where he lives. Along the way he discovers some horrible truths about the fog and himself. Which path will he choose? A mysterious and tense read. It has a pinch of the horrific sprinkled about.

The Way of the World (Part II of II) by Erik Allen Elness comprises half of the 118 page magazine. It is a fantasy tale about Preston, nephew of Chancellor Randall. But now Preston must assume the role after his uncle is placed into a magical coma. Preston must learn to deal with the dragons and the Ajaius, the human magic-users. He must find new and creative ways to find out about things he isn’t supposed to know—such as who placed his uncle in a coma. It is well written but I had difficulty picking up where this left off since I didn’t read the first installment. Since I am a science fiction fan I don’t read fantasy very much. I felt a little awkward reading this. Fantasy fans, give it a shot. You won’t be let down.

Finally, James Schellenberg reviews everything Dune. The novels, the movie, the game. Find out what he has to say about the Dune universe and his explanations to his reviews. His reviews are in-depth and will leave you satisfied.

Overall, Challenging Destiny has everything going for it. Great reading, entertaining illustrations and quality interviews. Order a copy from Dave Switzer right now.

Last modified: April 12, 1999

Copyright © 1999 by Matt Hayes