[On May 10, 2021 Strange Horizons officially expressed its political support for Palestinian solidarity. The views of Tangent Online reviewers are not necessarily those of Strange Horizons. Fiction critiqued at Tangent Online is, as much as is humanly possible, without prejudice and based solely on artistic merit.]

Strange Horizons, November 29, 2021

“Little Lila” by Susannah Rand

“The Constellations Are Unrecognizable Here” by Andrew Joseph White

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

This extra, double-sized issue of the magazine offers two science fiction stories about deeply troubled young people.

The title character in “Little Lila” by Susannah Rand is a schoolgirl from a poor family in the near future. Her wealthier classmates can afford technology that allows them to change their appearances. After becoming the best friend of a rich girl, and witnessing all the luxuries her family can afford, her envy leads her to take drastic measures.

The author understands the psychology of middle school students very well, depicting their quick friendships and casual cruelty in a convincing manner. The speculative technology is believable, and the story’s climax is powerful without becoming melodramatic.

The narrator of “The Constellations Are Unrecognizable Here” by Andrew Joseph White is a transgendered teenager, wishing to have surgery to fit his body image. The person he loves is also transgendered, and burned himself badly to avoid being forced to marry against his will. The narrator was subjected to sadistic surgical experiments during a brutal war, so they share the experience of extreme physical pain. When the narrator breaks into a medical facility when the authorities refuse his surgical procedure, the two lovers are torn apart by their different attitudes toward body image and manipulation.

I have not mentioned the fact that this story takes place aboard a medical starship, because the space opera background is not really relevant to the plot. The emotional anguish of both characters is vividly conveyed, and is certain to have a profound effect on the reader. I must admit that I did not quite understand the conflict that leads the lovers to break up.

Victoria Silverwolf wasn’t expecting this extra issue.