[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 5, 2022

“The Crow Husband” by Sarah McGill

Reviewed by Victoria Silverwolf

In “The Crow Husband” by Sarah McGill, a young woman leaves rice and trinkets for crows when she goes out hunting. She receives these items back from a crow in the form of a man, as the two begin an unspoken courtship involving exchanges of food and gifts.

This synopsis describes the story’s very simple basic plot, but much of the text involves the woman’s relationship with her sister, who is about to be married. The author writes very well, creating memorable characters and an evocative setting in clear and vivid language. I have to admit that the resulting work leaves me vaguely unsatisfied, as if there should be more to it. From the very beginning there is no suspense in the plot, with an outcome that is inevitable.

Victoria Silverwolf likes crows.