danni_faith's review against another edition
3.0
Strong. I think his third collection is going to be Everything.
rackncheese's review against another edition
5.0
I have never connected to a writer's work the way I do to Eric Raglin's. I originally discovered his writing through his story in Queer Saints about blowing up Hobby Lobbies and immediately sought out everything I could that he's written. I'm happy to say that I'm equally pleased with this collection. I had the uncanny feeling throughout the book that Raglin and I have the same brain; I felt that emotionally connected to each of the stories. Looking forward to scrounging up all the rest of the collections he's published in so I can read more!
book_creature's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Biphobia, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Homophobia, Dementia, Animal death, and Gun violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury, and Child death
Minor: Racism, Suicide, Drug abuse, and Infertility
alexluceli's review against another edition
5.0
a rare short story collection in which every story is an absolute banger! this collection is too good and quenches the ever present need for more, more, more queer weird horror. i can’t stress enough that every story here is great, but some standouts are:
• “mother’s tongue”
• “for my final girl”
• “remy rook the cannibal cook” (perhaps my overall favorite, so unique and inventive)
• “smaller”
• “when mothman came to queer lake”
i highly recommend this collection and i look forward to reading more of raglin’s writing!
• “mother’s tongue”
• “for my final girl”
• “remy rook the cannibal cook” (perhaps my overall favorite, so unique and inventive)
• “smaller”
• “when mothman came to queer lake”
i highly recommend this collection and i look forward to reading more of raglin’s writing!
rrrebeccajayne's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.5
Finally, the queer horror I've been looking for! I just received this in a book subscription box, and I'm so glad I did or so might have never came across it.
I had so much fun reading this collection of stories, I smashed through most of it in one sitting, which is rare for me lately. I love how each story is written in a different style, and each one tells a completely different story, a lot of them very unique, it really draws you in and keeps you interested.
There's a story in here for everyone, a lot of them are based in everyday experiences with a horror twist, so a lot of people will be able to find something they relate to in here.
I had so much fun reading this collection of stories, I smashed through most of it in one sitting, which is rare for me lately. I love how each story is written in a different style, and each one tells a completely different story, a lot of them very unique, it really draws you in and keeps you interested.
There's a story in here for everyone, a lot of them are based in everyday experiences with a horror twist, so a lot of people will be able to find something they relate to in here.
whatellisreadnext's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Some great range shown in this collection, there are some dark and messed up stories in here, so obviously I really enjoyed it. Some were stronger than others, but overall it was really solid. Loved hearing Eric's inspiration for every story at the end aswell, highlights include Top 5 Ghosts Caught On Camera, My Better Half and When Mothman Came to Queer Lake.
esh_among_the_ether's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
entazis's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
This was a very fun, creative and weird collection of stories that was a joy to read it. All of it filled with anti-capitalist themes and queer characters pushed into interesting and unsettling scenarios. Stories have different topics, like biphobia, child neglect, trauma, toxic masculinity and abusive relationships.
Some personal favorites:
story about a guy living in a shitty appartement whose landlord is a vampire - I'm not a particular fan of vampires but this story really pulled it off with connecting these blood sucking creatures with landlords
story about ghosts that starts like a dark comedy but ends in the most chilling conclusion - these one hit hard emotionally and is one of the most... haunting (lol)
story about bull running - that one had the dreamlike atmosphere and one of the best visuals in the whole collection - truly disturbing and gut-punching
story about dementia but turned into a creepy sewage monster - that one was just so amazingly weird
story about a cannibal cooking show - I mean, the idea itself, I have no words, and the way it was done, just amazing
and of course the story about a man split in gay half and straight half that made me laugh and a bit cry inside, I think it beautifully captures living as a bisexual person in the world, I was not surprised learning that the author was also bi in the story notes.
The stories were all very easy to read, so give this collection a chance if you like weird queer horror.
Some personal favorites:
story about a guy living in a shitty appartement whose landlord is a vampire - I'm not a particular fan of vampires but this story really pulled it off with connecting these blood sucking creatures with landlords
story about ghosts that starts like a dark comedy but ends in the most chilling conclusion - these one hit hard emotionally and is one of the most... haunting (lol)
story about bull running - that one had the dreamlike atmosphere and one of the best visuals in the whole collection - truly disturbing and gut-punching
story about dementia but turned into a creepy sewage monster - that one was just so amazingly weird
story about a cannibal cooking show - I mean, the idea itself, I have no words, and the way it was done, just amazing
and of course the story about a man split in gay half and straight half that made me laugh and a bit cry inside, I think it beautifully captures living as a bisexual person in the world, I was not surprised learning that the author was also bi in the story notes.
The stories were all very easy to read, so give this collection a chance if you like weird queer horror.
nwreader's review against another edition
5.0
What a wild treasure.
I was lucky enough to receive an arc copy of NIGHTMARE YEARNINGS from the author im exchange for my honest review. Spoiler alert, I loved it!
In this collection there were elements of horror, gore, mind-blowing "visuals", wtf's, twists, laughs and somber moments. There were very unique plots and I really appreciated how Eric changed up his style of writing/storytelling with some of the different stories. It kept the anthology refreshing and easy to digest.
I think my top favorites from this are: "IVORY", "GRAY MATTER", "UNDER THE HOOF, UPON THE HORNS", "MY BETTER HALF" and "SMALLER".
The author does an amazing job bringing up topics of sexual identity, grief, love and so many other themes. He has such an imagination and a way of conveying it through to the reader--the stories really do play out like a movie or fever dream in your mind.
Another thing that I just love is that he added brief "story notes" in the back that explain more about the stories (I'm always a fan of this). Also, I would like to note that in the back the CW/TW are listed for each story. One story sort of hit me in the gut so I definitely suggest checking the list out in case you have some triggers. You can also always message me for specifics as well.
Again, Eric Raglin grabbed the bull by the horns
I was lucky enough to receive an arc copy of NIGHTMARE YEARNINGS from the author im exchange for my honest review. Spoiler alert, I loved it!
In this collection there were elements of horror, gore, mind-blowing "visuals", wtf's, twists, laughs and somber moments. There were very unique plots and I really appreciated how Eric changed up his style of writing/storytelling with some of the different stories. It kept the anthology refreshing and easy to digest.
I think my top favorites from this are: "IVORY", "GRAY MATTER", "UNDER THE HOOF, UPON THE HORNS", "MY BETTER HALF" and "SMALLER".
The author does an amazing job bringing up topics of sexual identity, grief, love and so many other themes. He has such an imagination and a way of conveying it through to the reader--the stories really do play out like a movie or fever dream in your mind.
Another thing that I just love is that he added brief "story notes" in the back that explain more about the stories (I'm always a fan of this). Also, I would like to note that in the back the CW/TW are listed for each story. One story sort of hit me in the gut so I definitely suggest checking the list out in case you have some triggers. You can also always message me for specifics as well.
Again, Eric Raglin grabbed the bull by the horns
theartolater's review against another edition
5.0
In terms of short stories, there's something here for everyone. Raglin jumps between moods and themes incredibly easily, and it makes for a great capsule-sized collection.
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