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charlieeee's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy and Sexual content
Minor: Lesbophobia, Kidnapping, Self harm, and Death
biobeetle's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Body horror, Misogyny, Self harm, Pregnancy, Gore, Violence, and Lesbophobia
Moderate: Sexism, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Panic attacks/disorders, and Medical content
Minor: Infidelity and Sexual content
fictionalsarah's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Body horror, Death, Suicide, Sexual content, Gore, and Blood
Moderate: Sexual harassment
ramreadsagain's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This has truly blown me away, I’ve never been so enthralled by a short story collection. There is not a single miss here, every story is unique, creative and horrifying in different ways.
I also love that every story is explicitly sapphic.
Some of my favourites were: What would you give for a treat like me, Nature Morte, The Summoning, Rath, Playing House
This has truly blown me away, I’ve never been so enthralled by a short story collection. There is not a single miss here, every story is unique, creative and horrifying in different ways.
I also love that every story is explicitly sapphic.
Some of my favourites were: What would you give for a treat like me, Nature Morte, The Summoning, Rath, Playing House
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Pregnancy, and Body horror
Minor: Cannibalism, Alcohol, Self harm, and Vomit
lenabrary's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
4.0
A solid short story collection from Moïra Fowley, her first forray into writing for adults.
Starting off with an evocative banger, Fowley sets the scene for a recurring theme in her short stories: not being listened to by the narrators' lovers and what that leads to. Her narrators are willing to give anything for love; they are needy, greedy creatures who subsist on the smallest scraps of attention and are content to see the world burn if that is what it takes to make their lovers happy. I found that a lot of her narrators are so in touch with what their lovers want and need that it feels like they take on those wants/needs as their own, whether that's actually something they would want. It reminds me of being young and insecure and thinking that the only way to keep your lover interested is to become a mirror for them - then again, that probably says more about me than Fowley's writing 😅 If men appear in her stories, they're usually on the periphery or an obstacle to be overcome on the way to the end.
Stories which stood out for me from this collection:
"Such a pretty face" surprised me in the end with how much I adored Mina and her acceptance - her greed? - for what Louie was.
"The summoning" was an absolute delight - I laughed and cheered, after all, who wouldn't want to bang a hot demon? It's hands down my favourite story from the collection. It's so great to see something hilarious included in a collection of horror; don't get me wrong, there was plenty of horror there but I also rejoiced in the description of the shy, awed puppy love Katie very quickly developed for her hot demon girlfriend.
"The Rath" shows that the blend of magic and realism is where Fowley's talent truly shines. Love that in the wee snatches we can see so much of the characters' history. And bonus points for queer women in their 40s! Yes!
"Big round ball of light and the water" once again showscases that Fowley is the queen of magical realism. What a soulful, satisfying story. Extra kudos and brownie points for trans representation!
"Two truths and a lie" was an absollute banger of a sexy queer horror story. My god. Absolute masterpiece.
Thank you to Netgalley UK and W&N for an eARC of this collection in exchange for an honest review.
Starting off with an evocative banger, Fowley sets the scene for a recurring theme in her short stories: not being listened to by the narrators' lovers and what that leads to. Her narrators are willing to give anything for love; they are needy, greedy creatures who subsist on the smallest scraps of attention and are content to see the world burn if that is what it takes to make their lovers happy. I found that a lot of her narrators are so in touch with what their lovers want and need that it feels like they take on those wants/needs as their own, whether that's actually something they would want. It reminds me of being young and insecure and thinking that the only way to keep your lover interested is to become a mirror for them - then again, that probably says more about me than Fowley's writing 😅 If men appear in her stories, they're usually on the periphery or an obstacle to be overcome on the way to the end.
Stories which stood out for me from this collection:
"Such a pretty face" surprised me in the end with how much I adored Mina and her acceptance - her greed? - for what Louie was.
"The summoning" was an absolute delight - I laughed and cheered, after all, who wouldn't want to bang a hot demon? It's hands down my favourite story from the collection. It's so great to see something hilarious included in a collection of horror; don't get me wrong, there was plenty of horror there but I also rejoiced in the description of the shy, awed puppy love Katie very quickly developed for her hot demon girlfriend.
"The Rath" shows that the blend of magic and realism is where Fowley's talent truly shines. Love that in the wee snatches we can see so much of the characters' history. And bonus points for queer women in their 40s! Yes!
"Big round ball of light and the water" once again showscases that Fowley is the queen of magical realism. What a soulful, satisfying story. Extra kudos and brownie points for trans representation!
"Two truths and a lie" was an absollute banger of a sexy queer horror story. My god. Absolute masterpiece.
Thank you to Netgalley UK and W&N for an eARC of this collection in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Body horror
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