[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, December 11, 2023

“Bury Me in the Water” by H. B. Asari

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

“Bury Me in the Water” by H. B. Asari takes place in a fantasy version of the modern world in which sea-dwelling humanoids exist. Pollution of the ocean forces them to live on land, spending time in swimming pools and tanks of water as a poor substitute for their natural environment.

The plot deals with two half-sisters, the daughters of an aquatic father. One is the child of a human mother, the other of an aquatic mother. They meet only once as children. A traumatic incident causes them to spend their lives apart for many years.

The half-human sister grows up to have a corporate job. The other sister ekes out a living as a nude dancer in a tank of water at a strip club and by battling hybrid creatures in a swimming pool used as an arena. Their father’s impending funeral brings them together, where they must deal with bitter memories and the possibility of sharing their lives.

As can be seen, this is an emotional story, dealing with family tensions and denial of one’s identity. The author avoids sentimentality by creating characters who have flaws but are sympathetic. The premise is treated in a believable fashion, making the fantastic seem real.

Victoria Silverwolf had to put an extra blanket on the bed last night.