maybeillreadtoday's review against another edition
4.0
i misunderstood the assignment (see cover) because i thought these were gay monster stories and while some of the stories do include a gay monster it's more of a gay horror compilation still a lot of fun and still really good i was just a little confused
the last story Like ME was by far my favorite so good and the first story was also so good so many good stories sandwiched between the best good stories imo
the last story Like ME was by far my favorite so good and the first story was also so good so many good stories sandwiched between the best good stories imo
readingmushrooms's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
An anthology of queer horror, Queer Little Nightmares is monstrously fun and thought provoking. Though filled with monsters very, very big and not entirely human, many readers can identify and relate to the struggles and lives the characters lead.
Larger chapters are followed by short poems or stories lasting a minute or two long, perfect for preparing for the next travesty (or shocking twist) to take place.
I really liked that even though these characters are technically considered “monsters”, sometimes the true horror is the situations they find themselves in, or the unassuming human in their world. Being gay, lesbian, trans, etc. can be lonely. Unfortunately we live in a world where differences are not always celebrated. We feel like the monsters of our own stories, but I feel like that shouldn’t be devastating like many traditional horror movies make it out to be. Our community has so many beautiful and creative people in it, and this anthology is a collection of such-peoples’ works of wonder.
I would recommend this book for any adult part of the LGBT+ community wanting an entertaining and sometimes relatable read; those who don’t identify with the LGBT+ community can also find themselves saying “just one more chapter” repeatedly, getting lost in the pages. I know I will be coming back to this collection many more times in the future, both in its entirety and in sections.
Some of the stories contain sexual content, violence, gore, etc. Please check trigger warnings before diving in. I added as many as I could think of relating to the stories in the provided section of this review, but please research for any more I could have accidentally left out while making this review.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Larger chapters are followed by short poems or stories lasting a minute or two long, perfect for preparing for the next travesty (or shocking twist) to take place.
I really liked that even though these characters are technically considered “monsters”, sometimes the true horror is the situations they find themselves in, or the unassuming human in their world. Being gay, lesbian, trans, etc. can be lonely. Unfortunately we live in a world where differences are not always celebrated. We feel like the monsters of our own stories, but I feel like that shouldn’t be devastating like many traditional horror movies make it out to be. Our community has so many beautiful and creative people in it, and this anthology is a collection of such-peoples’ works of wonder.
I would recommend this book for any adult part of the LGBT+ community wanting an entertaining and sometimes relatable read; those who don’t identify with the LGBT+ community can also find themselves saying “just one more chapter” repeatedly, getting lost in the pages. I know I will be coming back to this collection many more times in the future, both in its entirety and in sections.
Some of the stories contain sexual content, violence, gore, etc. Please check trigger warnings before diving in. I added as many as I could think of relating to the stories in the provided section of this review, but please research for any more I could have accidentally left out while making this review.
Rating: 5/5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Cannibalism, Sexual content, Body horror, and Gore
Moderate: Police brutality and Homophobia
Minor: Alcohol and Drug use
poisoned_icecream's review against another edition
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Body horror, Transphobia, Police brutality, and Gore
nerdysread's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Damn that was good. Some tense, some cute, some joyful, some creepy. Quick to read/listen. Anyway horror is a perfect setting for queer stories
isabelreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A lovely, diverse collection! A few moments rubbed me the wrong way and I wish there had been some more stories featuring trans masculine characters but that's more personal preference than anything else. I ripped through the collection in about a day and it got me writing my own queer/trans monster story so it did the job!I also loved the inclusion of poetry with the prose.
Favorite story: Glamor-us, Andrew Wilmont
Favorite story: Glamor-us, Andrew Wilmont
amandadevoursbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.0
I really loved the mashup of poetry and monsters and the short stories that reflected monsters. The two together was an interesting combination. Breaking up the short stories with poems allowed both the poems and the short stories the space they needed for me to think about them.
I enjoyed reading about the queer experience through the lens of monstrousness. Glamor US is an interesting examination of transness and identity. We've got a gay couple who have a monstrous baby and a woman in her 40s maybe 50s suddenly breathing tons and tons of little monsters.
I'll be thinking about this colle tion for a while.
I enjoyed reading about the queer experience through the lens of monstrousness. Glamor US is an interesting examination of transness and identity. We've got a gay couple who have a monstrous baby and a woman in her 40s maybe 50s suddenly breathing tons and tons of little monsters.
I'll be thinking about this colle tion for a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
nwells24's review against another edition
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
robotswithpersonality's review against another edition
With 'Nightmares' in the title, I can't say they didn't warn me.
Clear winner is Glamour-Us by Andrew Wilmott. This story didn't feel like a fragment, wasn't just grotesque/gory or sad or angry or horny/lonely (honest, valid, but ultimately unsatisfying combos to be found in other entries).
In 17 pages Glamour-Us touched on body image, body dysphoria, self-image/identity, different viewpoints on being trans and transitioning, gender and gender fluidity, being non-binary in the queer/trans community, social conformity/beauty standards vs fight for acceptance, understanding, acknowledgement of humanity, clones, and tech based glamours/holograms(?). Almost more sci-fi than horror, loved it.
Poem Made From Pennywise by David Ly was the other stand out for me: escapism, the sanctuary from real life's edges that a good old campy slasher/horror movie can provide, I FELT that.
Similar to a collection of poetry, any anthology I walk away from with clear favourites keeps me coming back to the format, even if there's more misses than hits.
⚠️body horror, ageism, racism, internalized homophobia, transphobia, SA, ED
Clear winner is Glamour-Us by Andrew Wilmott. This story didn't feel like a fragment, wasn't just grotesque/gory or sad or angry or horny/lonely (honest, valid, but ultimately unsatisfying combos to be found in other entries).
In 17 pages Glamour-Us touched on body image, body dysphoria, self-image/identity, different viewpoints on being trans and transitioning, gender and gender fluidity, being non-binary in the queer/trans community, social conformity/beauty standards vs fight for acceptance, understanding, acknowledgement of humanity, clones, and tech based glamours/holograms(?). Almost more sci-fi than horror, loved it.
Poem Made From Pennywise by David Ly was the other stand out for me: escapism, the sanctuary from real life's edges that a good old campy slasher/horror movie can provide, I FELT that.
Similar to a collection of poetry, any anthology I walk away from with clear favourites keeps me coming back to the format, even if there's more misses than hits.
⚠️body horror, ageism, racism, internalized homophobia, transphobia, SA, ED