cover image Horizon's Edge

Horizon's Edge

Mark Guinane. Two Harbors, $17.95 paper (384p) ISBN 978-1-937928-26-1

Guinane's lackluster short story collection makes use of many elements of classic science fiction%E2%80%94a time-traveler whose attempts to make a fortune in ancient Rome go terribly awry; a man who keeps his many wives frozen in time; a future world leader who must face the warlord of a conquering alien race in one-on-one combat. Unfortunately, the author does precious little with these entertaining story concepts. What is intended to be social commentary often comes across as heavy-handed satire, e.g., a failed writer who neglects his flesh and blood wife in favor of a sexy robot. Although Guinane's prose is workmanlike, many of the stories are not structured well.