A review by crtsjffrsn
Magic & Mayhem: Fiction and Essays Celebrating LGBTQA Romance by Austin Chant, Tracy Timmons-Gray, Dev Bentham, Alex Powell, Karelia Stetz-Waters, Josh Lanyon, Ginn Hale, Amanda Jean, Samantha Derr, Megan Derr, E.J. Russell, Nicole Kimberling

2.0

This is one of those cases where one tries to do too much within the same project. This anthology attempts to throw together short stories, essays, and letters, all of which initiated in different contexts and not as part of a cohesive project. The result is an anthology that seems to lack a common thread or purpose; it doesn't feel like there's a curated collection here. And I found myself surprised at the stories that were included because they didn't seem quite up to the expected caliber of their authors, but that might also be attributable to what I recall was a relatively short timing for the call for submissions.

I absolutely want to support GRNW, as it's a project I believe in, but I have to give an honest rating to this particular work. I hope the next project is conceived and developed in a more intentional, purposeful, and cohesive way...