Eric Flint's 1632 & Beyond Issue #8

by 1632 and Beyond, Bethanne Kim, Terry Howard

This issue's theme is ongoing adventures. Once we finish a story, our characters lives continue. Four stories bring back old friends while two are new ones you'll see again.
In the romantic "How Lovely Are Thy Branches" (Garrett W. Vance) we find a Christmas tree on The Wonderland Isles, while ripples from prom lead to a new knife business in "Stilettos, Part 2" (Bethanne Kim). "A Week Together" (Bjorn Hasseler) continues the romantic theme with Reed and Kathy Sue Burroughs enjoying time together at home while Reed is between wars.
Parenting can lead unexpected places. "Rites of Passage" (Edith Wild) about Amalia von Herbert and Maggie Vogel picks up from the cliffhanger in Issue 4. Come see what happens next! The exact opposite of what we would expect, "Emancipation and Education" is Terry Howard's story about a boy who wants to stay in school against his father's wishes.
"The Diablo Is In The Details," Aaron Jamieson Greso's first 1632 story. It's about a Portuguese merchant and a knight who try to buy compasses and sell a donkey. Both tasks end up being harder than anticipated.

219 pages, Paperback

Published October 31, 2024

Reviews

[Ronald Spitzer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stories again. My favorite story was "A Week Together" by Bjorn Hasseler. It was very nice to read a story about married life that did not have soap opera relationships, but was a good marriage, stable family (no disfunction here) and a spiritual life. What really surprised me were the prayers. Short to the point prayer not lengthy ones like so many are prone to. I consider this a good thing to be short and to the point. I cannot criticize any stories this time, because none are bad, so read this issue to get your latest 1632 fix.

[LinHigley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dodos !!

Well written fun stories. The filling of the corners in the ring of fire tail is much enjoyable. The viewpoint of a characters just displaced from major story happening in one of the main books is intriguing and entertaining.

[Bonny Fuller-Fells · Rating 4 out of 5]

Find out what's going on

#8 let's you know what is happening in Grantville with old characters and new ones too. Some people return to Grantville while others leave.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Five stars across the board. My favorite was A Week Together (Hasseler) featuring a couple that appear to be a 'modern' Priscilla and Aquila.

[Kevin K · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as other 1632 anthologies, and it could really use another pass in the edit chamber. If it continues along this track, I may stop supporting the publication.