[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, January 15, 2024

“Half Sick of Shadows” by Elle Engel

Reviewed by Mina

“Half Sick of Shadows” by Elle Engel is like Rapunzel through the looking glass. A young girl, Lena, is trapped and alone in an underground tower. She must pray for sins she does not understand and look after the tower. She discovers a cellar full of books, music and films. Distracted by the amusements in the cellar, she stops carrying out her duties. But no prince is coming to save her so she must decide if she will save herself. A coming-of-age tale that would have worked better at half the length.