[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, September 11, 2023

“I’ll Be Your Mirror” by Rebecca Schneider

Reviewed by David Wesley Hill

In “I’ll Be Your Mirror” by Rebecca Schneider, the second offering of the September Strange Horizons, Phi Colony is in the grip of a deadly pathogen that has “killed thousands and put an end to off-world transit.” At Matora Facility, scientist Ojoa creates a race of “Artificials”— androids “generated from human neural patterns,” who will be able to care for infected patients without themselves contracting the virus. Mare, the narrator, is the first “accessioned”—born—followed by Aigrette and Capella and others of their ilk, and the story focuses on the young simulacrums as they make their way in human society, and learn what it means to be alive. There’s a compelling scene in which Mare and Aigrette watch “off-world porn” while cracking up—Artificials are created without sexual organs—which reminded me of Delany’s “Aye, and Gomorrah” in a good way. Other aspects of the tale, though, are less convincing, and the world-building is a tad creaky…. Part soap opera, part space opera, a heartfelt effort.