Scan barcode
venusbloo's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
I was given a free ebook version of Wyngraf Issue 3 by the editor Nathaniel Webb in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, Nathaniel!
As many readers know, the genre of cozy fantasy is having an entire moment in the publishing industry right now thanks in no small part to the success of books like Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree. It's also spawned new sub-genres like cozy sci-fi, and I even heard someone talking about cozy horror the other day! Obviously readers are champing at the bit for more cozy reading, but it's still difficult to find at times.
Now, cozy reading seekers need look no further than independently published cozy fantasy magazine, Wyngraf. The editor Nathaniel Webb and staff have managed to consistently compile around 200 pages of short stories that will tick every cozy fantasy box. Issue 3 has stories ranging from romance to humor to sports fantasy, so there's something for everyone to enjoy. Each issue also features beautifully commissioned cover art, and issue 3 is no exception.
This issue opens with an essay from the editor detailing his obvious love for cozy fantasy as a genre. Webb also explores the emerging tenants of what makes a fantasy story cozy. It's obvious that Webb take great pride in finding the best stories for the magazine while doing his best to help develop the sub-genre. I really enjoyed the obvious research Webb put into the essay as well, and I'll be looking into several authors he mentioned!
After the essay, there is a short forward which includes a summary of each of the ten short stories to follow. Although, Webb admits one of the stories is more properly a novelette in length, it was such an enjoyable read I can't imagine this issue without it. In fact, it was one of my favorite stories in the whole issue.
This story is called "The Ink-Stained Pilgrim" by Michael Martin. The story begins with a scribe on the edge of burn-out, and it follows him on his journeys after he impulsively quits his job to wander the country. He doesn't have a goal in mind; just a feeling he follows. This story will likely speak to the hearts of many people, and I loved it so much!
A few of my other favorites included "The Rose Quarter" by Samantha Rich and "High Pasture" by Liam Hogan. In "The Rose Quarter" a crabby professor reluctantly helps a favored student when he is in danger of being evicted from his home. The cozy twist comes from how the student and his boyfriend are saved. Meanwhile, "High Pasture" strays from romance and walks smack into humor. It's short but absolutely hilarious. I was literally laughing out loud while reading it. I don't want to say more because it'll spoil the fun.
I truly loved every story in this issue, and there are more than a few that I plan to re-read when I need something short and sweet. Magazines like Wyngraf are enjoyable reading anytime, but they are especially nice to have around as a literary palette cleanser between longer fantasy and sci-fi reading. I'll definitely be getting another issue on my own soon!
I gave Wyngraf, Issue 3 edited by Nathaniel Webb five out of five stars. Anyone at all interested in cozy fantasy should give this magazine a try. It has a wide-ranging variety of stories all still falling within the cozy fantasy sub-genre umbrella, and it is obviously edited with care. The newest issue released recently, and there's also plenty of free stuff on the Wyngraf website if you want to get an idea of what to expect before buying.
As many readers know, the genre of cozy fantasy is having an entire moment in the publishing industry right now thanks in no small part to the success of books like Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree. It's also spawned new sub-genres like cozy sci-fi, and I even heard someone talking about cozy horror the other day! Obviously readers are champing at the bit for more cozy reading, but it's still difficult to find at times.
Now, cozy reading seekers need look no further than independently published cozy fantasy magazine, Wyngraf. The editor Nathaniel Webb and staff have managed to consistently compile around 200 pages of short stories that will tick every cozy fantasy box. Issue 3 has stories ranging from romance to humor to sports fantasy, so there's something for everyone to enjoy. Each issue also features beautifully commissioned cover art, and issue 3 is no exception.
This issue opens with an essay from the editor detailing his obvious love for cozy fantasy as a genre. Webb also explores the emerging tenants of what makes a fantasy story cozy. It's obvious that Webb take great pride in finding the best stories for the magazine while doing his best to help develop the sub-genre. I really enjoyed the obvious research Webb put into the essay as well, and I'll be looking into several authors he mentioned!
After the essay, there is a short forward which includes a summary of each of the ten short stories to follow. Although, Webb admits one of the stories is more properly a novelette in length, it was such an enjoyable read I can't imagine this issue without it. In fact, it was one of my favorite stories in the whole issue.
This story is called "The Ink-Stained Pilgrim" by Michael Martin. The story begins with a scribe on the edge of burn-out, and it follows him on his journeys after he impulsively quits his job to wander the country. He doesn't have a goal in mind; just a feeling he follows. This story will likely speak to the hearts of many people, and I loved it so much!
A few of my other favorites included "The Rose Quarter" by Samantha Rich and "High Pasture" by Liam Hogan. In "The Rose Quarter" a crabby professor reluctantly helps a favored student when he is in danger of being evicted from his home. The cozy twist comes from how the student and his boyfriend are saved. Meanwhile, "High Pasture" strays from romance and walks smack into humor. It's short but absolutely hilarious. I was literally laughing out loud while reading it. I don't want to say more because it'll spoil the fun.
I truly loved every story in this issue, and there are more than a few that I plan to re-read when I need something short and sweet. Magazines like Wyngraf are enjoyable reading anytime, but they are especially nice to have around as a literary palette cleanser between longer fantasy and sci-fi reading. I'll definitely be getting another issue on my own soon!
I gave Wyngraf, Issue 3 edited by Nathaniel Webb five out of five stars. Anyone at all interested in cozy fantasy should give this magazine a try. It has a wide-ranging variety of stories all still falling within the cozy fantasy sub-genre umbrella, and it is obviously edited with care. The newest issue released recently, and there's also plenty of free stuff on the Wyngraf website if you want to get an idea of what to expect before buying.
whammajamma's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
More...