[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 18, 2023

“A Murmuring Darkness” by N.V. Haskell

Reviewed by David Wesley Hill

The final September offering of Strange Horizons, “A Murmuring Darkness” by N.V. Haskell, introduces us to Ama, a “bird mother”, who uses her flock of giant “argentavis” —think rocs—to protect her little village from the predatory “ligers” and wolves abiding in the surrounding jungle. Unfortunately, her neighbors are an ungrateful bunch, and far from thanking her for her service, most treat her shabbily. Then Elder Xinuen passes, and the churlish villagers, led by the brute Huwe, feel free to let loose their animus and to come after both Ama and her young ward, Kina. Given that Ama is in telepathic contact with her huge taloned brood, this is not a wise decision, and the denouement of the tale is as satisfyingly bloody as you would expect.