Strange Horizons, August 17, 2020
Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf
The main character in “Alone” by Emma Törzs is a scientist who studies the isotopes in feathers from a species of bird that is either extremely rare or extinct. Her studies reveal that the birds came from one of the moons of Saturn. This discovery has a powerful effect on her life.
The story is mostly a character study, as the protagonist changes from a loner into a person with closer connections to others. The author presents the speculative content in the style of hard science fiction, with a detailed explanation of the meaning of anomalous isotopes of heavy water in the feathers. Despite this attempt at verisimilitude, the premise is difficult to accept. This well-written but implausible work may appeal to readers of mainstream fiction, rather than those who demand scientific validity.
Victoria Silverwolf had some stuff wiped out of her computer recently.