[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, March 13, 2023

“The Sing-along Killing and Silent Death of Malakine, the Horse Whisperer” by Abhilash Jayachandra

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

“The Sing-along Killing and Silent Death of Malakine, the Horse Whisperer” by Abhilash Jayachandra takes place in a world where most tasks are done through singing. The fellow named in the title has killed a man with song, an unprecedented act. He is sentenced to death, but the villagers do not know how to kill him in the same way. When they figure out the method, their entire culture changes.

Even for a tale of pure fantasy, it is difficult to believe that no one thinks of using an ordinary, physical way to execute the killer. Despite this implausibility, the premise is interesting, and the theme of the loss of innocence is conveyed in an effective manner.

Victoria Silverwolf ran a lot of errands today.