I read this book as part of Queer Read Bangalore’s read along for July. I will preface by saying that I consume very little horror in any media.
Overall 3/5 stars. Lots of stories in this anthology didn’t feel like horror, or didn’t feel like complete stories; but I appreciate this book for existing and these stories for introducing me to fun and new ideas!
We frolic within the leviathan’s heart: 3/5 I enjoyed the sense of longing, and the broadwalk scenes were vivid and made for a good reading experience. I wish the story had explored the actual leviathan experience more. This wish for something just a little more set the tone for the rest of the stories.
The Neon Holocaust: 1/5 This immediately reminded me of Carmen Maria Machado’s In the Dream House. Since I really disliked that book, it’s no surprise that I disliked this story too.
Morta: 3/5 This story was about baby gay yearning. Been there, done that. The horror here was about the fear of hurting someone you love. Mild sff angle, reminded me of Ryka Aoki’s Light of Uncommon Stars.
Eclipse, or the courtship of the sun and the moon: 2/5 I really liked this story!! Beautiful setting, imagery, the writing was so compelling and drew me in... and then the ending completely ruined it. If it was supposed to be a metaphor, I wish the writer had engaged with it or explored the consequences, even continuing the metaphor. As it stands, the ending feels like a copout, or a hack to meet a deadline.
Stage five clinger: 4/5 This story explores the feelings of baby girl gay, and how sometimes queer elders (as in not just age) can be exploitative? There is a scene of exquisite imagery near the end. Gorgeous. Knocking one star off because it was more body horror than horror.
The love that whirls: 2/5 Another story that missed the mark. There was a lot of prose and a lot of emotion, but I’m truly not sure what the story was meant to say.
Crumbs: 5/5 This story was the highlight of the collection for me. Truly atrocious, the writer achieved this effect through a masterful layering of at least 5 different types of horror. Every paragraph, every beat designed to evoke some fresh disgust in the reader. I am glad I read this collection for this story alone.
Three for a funeral: 3/5 The placement of this light, familiar YA story after the series of intense ones before it was a good call.
The last disgrace: 4/5 Every good werewolf story has to be followed by a good vampire story. This one was long, but vivid and beautiful. I think the ending of this one was also a little hamstrung, but the writer played out most of the beats they started with so I feel okay about it.
The city behind the city: 3/5 Another long one. I loved the surreal aspects to the story, but the MC himself seemed a little unrelatable.
Therianthrope: 4/5 Another lovely short that made me feel things. This one spoke in particular to the apprehensions bi/pan women have about approaching other women, a fear I identify with quite heavily.
Macrame Flames: 3/5 I’m not sure if it’s the prose, the setting, or the Satan, but this one felt quite reminiscent of Good Omens. Once again, it’s the last paragraph that I’m knocking a second star off for. I understand the hesitation to bury our gays - but sometimes, the dead should stay dead.
I didn’t read Heliogabalus Fabulous because I was out of time and it felt more dreamy prose.
Throughout this collection, we see a few themes emerge: The horrific experience of being queer begins with abandonment. Every single one of the events in these stories would have gone differently if the protagonists had community - a parent wanting to know when they’ll be home, a friend to look out for them, a society that notices their absence.
I wouldn’t recommend this book to a horror fan, but I would recommend this book to someone who was looking to explore the inherent horror of being queer.