Strange Horizons, August 3, 2020

“My Love, Our Lady of Slaughter” by Christine Lucas

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

Set on Mars at a future time when Earth is uninhabitable, “My Love, Our Lady of Slaughter” by Christine Lucas deals with two women with neurological implants that give them powerful telekinetic abilities. Soldiers arrive at the isolated sanctuary where they live and work as healers. The commander wants one of the women to return to her homeland, in order to use her powers to defeat rebels. He offers a young girl, with illegal implants, as a replacement.

The story’s background is colorful and interesting. The two women and the girl are more convincing characters than the commander, who is a stereotypical warmongering villain. He is also a fool, because it is obvious from the beginning that all his soldiers and weapons are no match for the psychic talents of the women. The tale’s violent climax is predictable.

Victoria Silverwolf has no telekinetic abilities.