A review by uchihas
They Were Here Before Us by Eric LaRocca
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I hated “Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke” and I hated this one decidedly less.
Now that I’ve had time to process: I was not a fan of the first story mostly because I’m not super into the but it was written very well. The second story was alright but I’m not sure that a story that perpetuates the ideology is… super cool but maybe I’m missing some underlying moral or something. Loved the third story’s karmic retribution even if it was a tough read at first. Fourth story was okay. Fifth story did not do it for me, again I wasn’t sure how to feel about the perpetration of and I think if not written by a fellow queer person it would’ve really rubbed me the wrong way. Loved the last story, very that I wasn’t expecting but am certainly not mad at! I do like LaRocca’s writing style and it felt that they had more of a voice this time. I did read it on KU but wouldn’t have been mad about spending money on it like last time LOL…
Now that I’ve had time to process: I was not a fan of the first story mostly because I’m not super into the
Spoiler
anthropomorphism of insectsSpoiler
gay men as zoophilesSpoiler
queer folk being sexual predatorsSpoiler
cosmic horrorGraphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Animal cruelty, Death, Self harm, Blood, Gore, and Animal death
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Dementia, Car accident, Excrement, Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Cursing, and Suicidal thoughts
Mentions of bestiality/zoophilia.