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Broadswords and Blasters Issue 2: Pulp Magazine with Modern Sensibilities
Welcome to Issue 2 of Broadswords and Blasters! In this issue, you will find stories from our new favorite authors. You’ll read about a Hawaiian hero fighting off sea demons, a hard-case detective and his sassy artificial intelligence friend, a stone-builder with serious ethical conundrums, an alien farmer and his strange crop, and the conclusion to Island of Skulls, the story of siblings in-over-their-heads that started in Issue 1. You’ll also meet the retired, grizzled war veterans you see on the cover, a tough bounty hunter in a newly purloined dress, Spanish conquistadors who meet an unfortunate end, and a Wild West sheriff caught in a town that is not what it seems.
- GenresScience FictionFantasy
108 pages, Paperback
First published July 17, 2017
2 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
November 9, 2017
**CAVEAT: I am a writer whose work has been purchased by this publication**
Solid adventure pulp, intelligently conceived, competently written, and well-presented.
Specific strengths include the story concepts (diverse, original and imaginative) and the unpredictable nature of the story outcomes. Some publications in the New Pulp genre define "pulp" narrowly as including only stories with outcomes that affirm the reader's values; Gomez and Mount have a broader concept of the term, which enables them to range to darker fare such as Sara Codair's "Soul Plantation" or C.R. Langille's Lovecraft homage "The Deep Well."
The writers involved are in most cases developing talents with previous publication credits at the semipro level. All of them show skill and are worth watching. However, there are places when the quality of the line-by-line writing doesn't quite match the quality of the world-building--the imagination is always present, but the execution sometimes isn't. The ideas crackle with energy; the dialogue sometimes less so. That said, there are no bad stories here.
The standout piece, in my opinion, is the opener, Patrick Baker's "Kauahoa vs. the Mu." The story is set in Hawaii prior to European contact, and the author's impeccable research enables him to offer up a persuasive sense of place. The battle sequence unleashes a magic system I've never quite seen the likes of, and provides the piece with an authentically Hawaiian punch.
Solid adventure pulp, intelligently conceived, competently written, and well-presented.
Specific strengths include the story concepts (diverse, original and imaginative) and the unpredictable nature of the story outcomes. Some publications in the New Pulp genre define "pulp" narrowly as including only stories with outcomes that affirm the reader's values; Gomez and Mount have a broader concept of the term, which enables them to range to darker fare such as Sara Codair's "Soul Plantation" or C.R. Langille's Lovecraft homage "The Deep Well."
The writers involved are in most cases developing talents with previous publication credits at the semipro level. All of them show skill and are worth watching. However, there are places when the quality of the line-by-line writing doesn't quite match the quality of the world-building--the imagination is always present, but the execution sometimes isn't. The ideas crackle with energy; the dialogue sometimes less so. That said, there are no bad stories here.
The standout piece, in my opinion, is the opener, Patrick Baker's "Kauahoa vs. the Mu." The story is set in Hawaii prior to European contact, and the author's impeccable research enables him to offer up a persuasive sense of place. The battle sequence unleashes a magic system I've never quite seen the likes of, and provides the piece with an authentically Hawaiian punch.
October 8, 2017
Note: I received a complimentary copy of the publication for review.
Broadswords and Blasters is the second offering in this sci-fi/fantasy/speculative fiction series, offering nine short stories by various authors. Normally, online anthologies will vary greatly in quality from story to story, but each of the stories here holds its own. Each author displays a great imagination and writing skills, making each story an individual gem on its own terms.
Highlights of this issue include Feathered Death (by Steve Cook), about a world-weary war hero who visits the scene of his greatest battle; Kane and Grable (by Michael T. Best) a tale of a rebel and his sidekick, the virtual consciousness of his deceased girlfriend; and the Oath Breaker (by Grey Harlowe), the life of a young woman who has to juggle responsibilities to the ruling class she was accepted to with that to her family and friends. Each of these brings something extra to the table that mark the best of the genre.
I did find one typo, but otherwise B&B was solidly edited. Definitely a worthwhile reading experience.
Broadswords and Blasters is the second offering in this sci-fi/fantasy/speculative fiction series, offering nine short stories by various authors. Normally, online anthologies will vary greatly in quality from story to story, but each of the stories here holds its own. Each author displays a great imagination and writing skills, making each story an individual gem on its own terms.
Highlights of this issue include Feathered Death (by Steve Cook), about a world-weary war hero who visits the scene of his greatest battle; Kane and Grable (by Michael T. Best) a tale of a rebel and his sidekick, the virtual consciousness of his deceased girlfriend; and the Oath Breaker (by Grey Harlowe), the life of a young woman who has to juggle responsibilities to the ruling class she was accepted to with that to her family and friends. Each of these brings something extra to the table that mark the best of the genre.
I did find one typo, but otherwise B&B was solidly edited. Definitely a worthwhile reading experience.
May 16, 2018
Pulp across the spectrum is the name of the game here, and the editors deliver a great selection of work, once again. I really enjoyed Issue 1 of Broadswords and Blasters, so what does one do then? Get online and buy further issues, of course! So I’ve now read # 2 and # 3, with two more on my TBR pile.
So here’s my wrap for # 2. The cross representation of different types of pulp is in full swing again, ranging from fantasy to sci-fi to crime to western. Yes, I did say western: “A Western Promise” by Calvin Demmer is one of my favourites, with the tough man hero having to keep an awful promise whilst fighting aliens – just excellent.
And I’m loving being taken outside of my normal reading zones. I think I mentioned that in my review of Issue 1, but it was certainly reinforced this issue, too. It's even inspired me to put pen to paper, away from my usual hard-boiled PI yarns.
I enjoyed all the stories here. If I were to pick other highlights for me, they were the stand alone tough female protagonist yarns: “The Oath Breaker” by Grey Harlowe, and “The Eye of the Sun” by D.J.Tyrer. I love a kick-arse female lead, and these both served that up. Being a crime writer, the crime sample did it for me, “Kane and Grable” by Michael T. Best, with an ex-girlfriend of an entirely different type! And then up there as equal top billing for me was “The Soul Plantation” by Sara Codair. This was a human/alien story turned on its head, but in the great tradition of an allegory which stirs your inner thoughts and stays with you.
So, Mr Gomez and Mr Mount, bravo again for editing such an excellent magazine.
My review of Issue 3 will follow in a few days.
Cheers,
ABP
So here’s my wrap for # 2. The cross representation of different types of pulp is in full swing again, ranging from fantasy to sci-fi to crime to western. Yes, I did say western: “A Western Promise” by Calvin Demmer is one of my favourites, with the tough man hero having to keep an awful promise whilst fighting aliens – just excellent.
And I’m loving being taken outside of my normal reading zones. I think I mentioned that in my review of Issue 1, but it was certainly reinforced this issue, too. It's even inspired me to put pen to paper, away from my usual hard-boiled PI yarns.
I enjoyed all the stories here. If I were to pick other highlights for me, they were the stand alone tough female protagonist yarns: “The Oath Breaker” by Grey Harlowe, and “The Eye of the Sun” by D.J.Tyrer. I love a kick-arse female lead, and these both served that up. Being a crime writer, the crime sample did it for me, “Kane and Grable” by Michael T. Best, with an ex-girlfriend of an entirely different type! And then up there as equal top billing for me was “The Soul Plantation” by Sara Codair. This was a human/alien story turned on its head, but in the great tradition of an allegory which stirs your inner thoughts and stays with you.
So, Mr Gomez and Mr Mount, bravo again for editing such an excellent magazine.
My review of Issue 3 will follow in a few days.
Cheers,
ABP
March 19, 2020
The second issue of 'new pulp with modern sensibilities' turned out to be rather watered down in comparison to the first issue. I enjoyed 'Kauahoa vs. the Mu' (Patrick S. Baker), 'A Western Promise' (Calvin Demmer), 'Island of Skulls - Part II' (Matt Spencer) and 'The Deep Well' (C.R. Langille). Rest were just OK type.
Upto you now.
Upto you now.
March 23, 2023
Broadsword and Blasters 02, 4/5
"Kauahoa vs the Mu" by Patrick S. Baker, 3.5/5
"A Western Promise" by Calvin Demmer, 3.5/5
"Feathered Death" by Steve Cook, 4/5
"The Soul Plantation" by Sarah Codair, 4/5
"Island of Skulls pt 2" by Matt Spencer, 3.5/5
"Kane and Grable" by Michael T. Best 4.5/5
"The Oath Breaker" by Grey Harlowe, 3/5
"The Deep Well" by C.R. Langille, 4.5/5
"The Eye of the Sun" by DJ Tyrer, 3.5/5
"Kauahoa vs the Mu" by Patrick S. Baker, 3.5/5
"A Western Promise" by Calvin Demmer, 3.5/5
"Feathered Death" by Steve Cook, 4/5
"The Soul Plantation" by Sarah Codair, 4/5
"Island of Skulls pt 2" by Matt Spencer, 3.5/5
"Kane and Grable" by Michael T. Best 4.5/5
"The Oath Breaker" by Grey Harlowe, 3/5
"The Deep Well" by C.R. Langille, 4.5/5
"The Eye of the Sun" by DJ Tyrer, 3.5/5
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews