Excellent isue with a number of powerful and memorable stories. I particulary enjoyed "Kin" by Bruce McAllister who packed more punch into less than 8 pages than most writers do in 50. It's a touching story of a young lonely boy who forms a bond with an alien assassin. Very well written, almost poetic at times. Gardner Dozois wisely included this story in his Year's Best Collection (24th annual). Also good among others was "Under the Graying Sea" by Jonathan Sherwood and the very unusual "Change of Life" by Kat Meltzer and Ian Creasey's "The Hastillian Weed". ( )