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xan_van_rooyen's review
4.0
This is a wonderful collection of stories that showcases the variety of trans masc autistic experiences in settings ranging from cozy cafes in the world we know well, to the distant future where people live underground as nanobots destroy the environment. The stories span a variety of genres from contemporary romance to sci-fi and fantasy with a dash of horror. Note on the rep though - unless I really missed something, I don't think there is any trans fem representation in this collection and I wish there had been.
As with every anthology, there were some stories that resonated more with me than others based on my own personal experiences. The stories that really stood out to me were Dorian Yosef Weber's examination of rural Jewish life and what it means to be trans and autistic within a traditional community. I learned so much about Jewish culture from this story. Andrew Joseph White's story about a messy teen dealing with an abusive ex while trying to figure who they want to be was a story I particularly enjoyed as it gave us a protagonist who teetered toward being more of an anti-hero.
I think this is an important collection of stories that will resonate with teen and adult readers, allowing trans masc autistic people to be seen in fiction. All stories are prefaced with an author's note and have trigger/content warnings, which I deeply appreciated.
As with every anthology, there were some stories that resonated more with me than others based on my own personal experiences. The stories that really stood out to me were Dorian Yosef Weber's examination of rural Jewish life and what it means to be trans and autistic within a traditional community. I learned so much about Jewish culture from this story. Andrew Joseph White's story about a messy teen dealing with an abusive ex while trying to figure who they want to be was a story I particularly enjoyed as it gave us a protagonist who teetered toward being more of an anti-hero.
I think this is an important collection of stories that will resonate with teen and adult readers, allowing trans masc autistic people to be seen in fiction. All stories are prefaced with an author's note and have trigger/content warnings, which I deeply appreciated.
autistic_trans_lit's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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? No
3.5
It’s a good book and really resonates with me as an autistic trans person! It was very well done overall but as an anthology some of the short stories dragged. Most were very good but one or two I was just waiting to be over. But definitely worth a read if you’re prepared to jump around and lots of the stories were very impactful
readingautistic's review
4.0
Average rating worked out to about 3.88
I supported the kickstarter for this because I am always here for some autistic trans stories, obviously. As with any anthology there are always going to be some stories that work better for you and ones that don’t so much. My personal top five favourites were:
A Chrysalis For The Emperor
Don’t Play With My Heart
On Belonging
The Ghost On Oxford Street
Who Were You, What Are You
I supported the kickstarter for this because I am always here for some autistic trans stories, obviously. As with any anthology there are always going to be some stories that work better for you and ones that don’t so much. My personal top five favourites were:
A Chrysalis For The Emperor
Don’t Play With My Heart
On Belonging
The Ghost On Oxford Street
Who Were You, What Are You
margaretadelle's review
3.0
I'm always looking to add more trans books to my lists. So when the editor offered me a review copy of this one, I was happy to accept!
A couple notes about the curation before I mention the stories that stood out to me. The curation was a bit all over the place in terms of genre and setting. There were cute school stories, body horror, and space operas. While this means most readers are likely to find a story in a genre they like, they're also likely to find one they don't. I would have liked curation for setting/genre similar to what other identity based anthologies have done.
[Side note: it looks like the synopsis on this page was copied directly from the Kickstarter and the change in context isn't doing it much favors. Putting "we expect support" on a book's review page is like saying "we expect you to read this." Might want to look into editing that.]
As for my favorite stories, I found I liked the cutesy contemporary romances the best. That's a bit out of character for me, I usually prefer the stranger, more speculative aspects in stories. But "Don't Play With My Heart" and "Hyacinths and Other Purple Plants" were particular stand outs. I also enjoyed the ones that had light speculative elements, like "Vanishing Names" and "The Doll in the Ripped Universe." "Vanishing Names" in particular did a great job at making the setting feel like it's own character.
I really wanted to like Fate Turns the Light On, as I'm a sucker for space battles. But the foreward's explanation of how it was an analogy gave it a giant expectation that the story didn't live up to for me. I'm a queer person working in a school, with training on school shootings and unfortunate experience with political attacks on queer kids. And the story didn't really feel like it was representative of either. It felt like another space opera dogfight. A well-written one, yes. But if the foreward hadn't explicitly stated what it was supposed to be, I wouldn't have guessed.
In general, there's a lot of great stories in here. Like I mentioned before, I don't usually go for the cutesy contemporary stories, but something about them drew me in this time. As long as you're prepared for a wide range of vibes, you'll probably find something you like.
A couple notes about the curation before I mention the stories that stood out to me. The curation was a bit all over the place in terms of genre and setting. There were cute school stories, body horror, and space operas. While this means most readers are likely to find a story in a genre they like, they're also likely to find one they don't. I would have liked curation for setting/genre similar to what other identity based anthologies have done.
[Side note: it looks like the synopsis on this page was copied directly from the Kickstarter and the change in context isn't doing it much favors. Putting "we expect support" on a book's review page is like saying "we expect you to read this." Might want to look into editing that.]
As for my favorite stories, I found I liked the cutesy contemporary romances the best. That's a bit out of character for me, I usually prefer the stranger, more speculative aspects in stories. But "Don't Play With My Heart" and "Hyacinths and Other Purple Plants" were particular stand outs. I also enjoyed the ones that had light speculative elements, like "Vanishing Names" and "The Doll in the Ripped Universe." "Vanishing Names" in particular did a great job at making the setting feel like it's own character.
I really wanted to like Fate Turns the Light On, as I'm a sucker for space battles. But the foreward's explanation of how it was an analogy gave it a giant expectation that the story didn't live up to for me. I'm a queer person working in a school, with training on school shootings and unfortunate experience with political attacks on queer kids. And the story didn't really feel like it was representative of either. It felt like another space opera dogfight. A well-written one, yes. But if the foreward hadn't explicitly stated what it was supposed to be, I wouldn't have guessed.
In general, there's a lot of great stories in here. Like I mentioned before, I don't usually go for the cutesy contemporary stories, but something about them drew me in this time. As long as you're prepared for a wide range of vibes, you'll probably find something you like.
amanda_shortman's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Changelings presents 13 stories from autistic trans masculine and non-binary voices. The anthology's tagline of "nothing about us without us" lies at the heart of this book. Far too often in today's society we hear too much about autistic and trans people from those who are neurotypical and cis, and not enough from those with the lived experience to know exactly what it feels like. Add in the intersectional nature of being both autistic and trans, and you'll begin to understand the important role this anthology plays in helping others to feel seen and less alone.
The stories themselves take you on a journey through a range of genres and topics. Whether you like sci fi and fantasy, contemporary pieces, or something with a darker edge, you'll find a story in here that you'll love. Trying to choose a favourite is too hard!
Expect to feel things when you read these stories. Whilst there is an overarching feeling of love and acceptance within these pages, the authors have not shied away from the grittier aspects of being an autistic trans person in today's world. There's sensory overload, gender dysphoria, homophobia and transphobia, controlling parents, abusive partners, and more.
All of the stories come with a list of content warnings, so you can be prepared for what is to come (and skip any which might be too painful for you to read). Even though I have not experienced some of these things (I am autistic and queer, but I am cis), I still felt everything deeply. The authors have really created some incredible stories that deserve to be read by both autistic trans people and those who'd like to understand their experiences more.
The stories themselves take you on a journey through a range of genres and topics. Whether you like sci fi and fantasy, contemporary pieces, or something with a darker edge, you'll find a story in here that you'll love. Trying to choose a favourite is too hard!
Expect to feel things when you read these stories. Whilst there is an overarching feeling of love and acceptance within these pages, the authors have not shied away from the grittier aspects of being an autistic trans person in today's world. There's sensory overload, gender dysphoria, homophobia and transphobia, controlling parents, abusive partners, and more.
All of the stories come with a list of content warnings, so you can be prepared for what is to come (and skip any which might be too painful for you to read). Even though I have not experienced some of these things (I am autistic and queer, but I am cis), I still felt everything deeply. The authors have really created some incredible stories that deserve to be read by both autistic trans people and those who'd like to understand their experiences more.
mayabee76's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
erinsbookshelves's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
kappareads's review against another edition
3.0
telltalelakej's review
5.0
wow i can’t believe i’m officially a published author, that’s actually wild (unless you count the short story published in my local newspaper when i was like 10 which i do not 😔)
anyway, i may be biased but if you’re looking for a mixed-genre anthology about autistic trans people, then look no further! all the stories are amazing!
anyway, i may be biased but if you’re looking for a mixed-genre anthology about autistic trans people, then look no further! all the stories are amazing!