A review by thelesbianlibrary
Lavender Speculation by Jamie Zaccaria

dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.5

Can you use werecat, zombie, and the Crukker in the same sentence? Do you have a coupon for 50% off the procedure that could fix your life? Has your stepmother banished you to the dungeons? Do you think you have a connection with an Orca? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, be warned! You may have already entered into, Lavender Speculation! Where things go bump in the night and everyday adventures become terrifying treks! Fans of Goosebumps and Are You Afraid of the Dark unite for this haunting collection of tales. 

This was a standout sapphic read, perfect for a cozy October evening. Although short story horror anthologies are extremely hard to do well, this book did a great job. I enjoyed the themes of queer identity, sapphic love, found family, patriarchy, and autonomy. They were not overbearingly present but lend well to re-reads. The contrasting yet cohesive story structures, writing style, and sub-genres created a varied but balanced reading experience that left me happy. 

The structure of this book directs the reader through different lengths and styles of pieces, which helps with the flow and keeps attention high. Having a few longer short stories supplemented with flash pieces under the established thematic umbrella gives a steady tempo that pushes and pulls the reader. The longer stories work together to form a cohesive theme but contrast in ways that allow each story to stand on its own. Even the shorter chapters are written with the same level of precision and care as the anchor pieces. I appreciated the thought that went into the structure of the stories as a whole, rather than just focusing on the plots or style. 

The writing styles are varied, from short character pieces to long structured tales. A few of the shorter psychological stories reminded me of Shirley Jackson’s work, which I love. Although the majority of the stories are on the genre side of horror, I think this book did a good job of maintaining a mature voice and not falling into the trap of sounding too juvenile. Though if you are looking for a Carmen Maria Machado-style anthology I do not think you will love this I suggest giving it a try anyway. It’s a different writing style but scratches the same woman lead sapphic heavy horror itch. 

The stories blend psychological horror, creature features, retellings, and classic horror scenarios into a creepy read. The everyday horror is focused on the psychological aspects of terror. Creature features highlight the connection between monsters and queer identities. Retellings give a fresh queer face to stories we grew up hearing. And classic horror scenarios are the stories you would most expect to see in this type of book. The goal of a horror anthology is to give the reader multiple experiences while maintaining a cohesive vibe and this is a successful utilization of the format and genre. This book hit the nail on the head and gives the reader what they are looking for and more. Plus I felt seen as both a lesbian and a horror lover. 

All in all, this sapphic short horror anthology is a must-read. From one-page screams to gory retellings, you will not want to put this book down. Not to mention never looking at a cat cafe the same again. If you like wlw storylines, plot-based horror, and jaw-dropping twists then you are in the right place. Happy reading! 

TW: Anxiety, attempted murder, child death, cannibalism, blood, bones, death, demons, depression, drugs, emesis, emotional abuse, gore, hallucinations, hospitalization, lesbiphobia, misogyny, needles, physical abuse, poisoning, PTSD, Satan/The Devil, self-harm, violence. 

Thanks so much to Jamie Zaccaria for sending me this eBook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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