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Book Review: ifs Imagine Fantasy Science Fiction by Mark Brandon Allen

categories: Book, Apocalyptic, Anthropomorphic, Shapeshifer, Gothic, Slipstream, Historic, Time Travel, Science Fiction

Mark Brandon Allen

about this book: Over the last few years the nineteen poems and stories contained in this anthology have been published in various science fiction magazines and e-zines or heard on pod-casts. All of them were based upon poems and stories written for my children and grandchildren's enjoyment.

The basic premise behind each of the entries was always what if. So it was quite natural to title the book "ifs." "IMAGINE FANTASY SCIENCE FICTION" was added as a banner to let prospective buyers know what to expect between the covers." (The ampersand was purposely left out of the marque sentence to avoid looking like a well known magazine.) The lone figure on the cover, gazing out into space from the opening belly panels of a star-ship, is a subliminal reference to the keystone novelette of the work "Space:Espacio," the first title listed on the cover sidebar.

There is no doubt that the collection is eclectic and somewhat uneven, but that was never an issue in selecting the contents. "ifs" is meant to be an easy read, both serious and humorous, for everyone who enjoys fantasy and science fiction including young adults - just like the ones for whom the original prose was imagined.

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Other book by Mark Brandon Allen		Fifth World Temporal

IRS imagine fantasy science fiction

Although I do not normally read science fiction, I must admit that I really enjoyed the selection of stories and poems in this collection. Mr. Brandon paints a vivid picture of another world in each selection. It was one of my favorite read this summer. [by Greg Wieckert]