[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, June 7, 2021

“Tower of Ivory, Tower of Horn” by Reno Evangelista

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

“Tower of Ivory, Tower of Horn” by Reno Evangelista is a surreal fairy tale. A woman called the Maiden lives in a tower, and is visited from time to time by a creature known only as the Other. The Maiden leaves the tower, and encounters various men, as well as what seems to be another version of herself. She loses her way, but eventually returns to the tower and the Other.

The title of this strange and haunting tale appears to be an allusion to Homer’s Odyssey, in which false dreams come through a gate of ivory, and true dreams come through a gate of horn. This is appropriate for a story which has the feeling of a dream. The author succeeds in the difficult task of relating a meandering, mysterious plot through the use of precise, clear language. Readers who do not demand that all their questions be answered will find delving into this intriguing work a rich and rewarding experience.

Victoria Silverwolf has a newly waxed floor at work today.