A review by magicalghoul
Fist of the Spider Woman: Tales of Fear and Queer Desire by Amber Dawn

dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

I didn't expect the stories in this anthology to be so dependent on sexual violence for their horror, so that was a letdown. Moreover, I feel they suffer for it.

There were some stories I enjoyed though, but the rest of them were more miss than hit for me.

Noteworthy stories (♢ liked; ❥ loved)

♢ Slug by Megan Milks
♢ Conspiracy of Fuckers by Nomy Lamm
❥ Homeland by Kristyn Dunnion
♢ Crabby by Michelle Tea
❥ Shark by Kestrel Barnes
♢ Fear of Dying to the Wrong Song by Amanda Lamarche

I'd be all over Here Lies the Last Lesbian Rental in East Vancouver by Amber Dawn if it weren't for the sexual assault. A shame, because the concept is really good and the execution was doing well up until that point.

Please mind the warnings if you intend to read this anthology, I wouldn't recommend it to someone who's had trauma related to any of the things listed.  

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