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iam's review
5.0
I absolutely adored this queer and especially trans take on being turned into a vampire.
The worldbuilding was interesting, with vampires being known and mostly integrated, and the bureaucratic aspect to it was very intriguing but also bleak.
There was also a great mix of pragmatism and erotica that I found very appealing.
There's also a lot of casual transphobia, mixed in both with they day-to-day life as a trans man, but also in context of healthcare and vampirism.
Highly recommend this one to anyone who wants a trans-focussed view on vampirism!
The short story is free to read online.
Content warnings include: transphobia, death, being buried alive, consensual and unconsensual biting, blood drinking, sex on-page, dysphoria, bleeding and a bit of gore.
The worldbuilding was interesting, with vampires being known and mostly integrated, and the bureaucratic aspect to it was very intriguing but also bleak.
There was also a great mix of pragmatism and erotica that I found very appealing.
There's also a lot of casual transphobia, mixed in both with they day-to-day life as a trans man, but also in context of healthcare and vampirism.
Highly recommend this one to anyone who wants a trans-focussed view on vampirism!
The short story is free to read online.
Content warnings include: transphobia, death, being buried alive, consensual and unconsensual biting, blood drinking, sex on-page, dysphoria, bleeding and a bit of gore.
alexgalloway26's review
5.0
Just total perfection. Can't wait for the companion book coming out. I'm so ready to read it.
apeescapefan's review
3.0
Reads a little like a fanfiction, which isn't bad imo, but the story does feel a bit choppy.
oakwrought's review
3.0
this was interesting, I would be interested to revisit it later. I found the assimilation of vampires and the discussions of that process very interesting. Seeing a trans person in a vampire story was incredibly cool, and it meant a lot to me. I think I will connect more deeply to the story in the future. Overall, it was incredibly interesting and such a rich read for a novelette
vkelt's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
esw's review
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
heniaakbar's review
4.0
Hugo 2018 best Novelette: Nominee
Interesting story about a gay transman who is turned to be vampire and the complexity of their bodies.
Interesting story about a gay transman who is turned to be vampire and the complexity of their bodies.
saturniidead's review
4.0
Content warning: . Available to read for free at the Uncanny Magazine website.
I really adore the idea, but I wasn’t completely sold on the execution, I’d really like to see more of this fleshed out so it has more time to overcome the concerns I had. You get a peek into a modern world of vampires and humans coexisting through strict legal systems which the story unfolds as our narrator is thrust into the midst of it. The world-building regarding this in such a short story really pleasantly surprised me. I felt like I got a good grasp of the important aspects and honestly, I’d love to keep learning more about it. But, my biggest issues came down to the actual pacing, underdeveloped concepts, and excessive reiteration.
I was left confused about the actual timing of events and how they spaced out, which is why I think it being longer could have helped. Changes in time and scene felt like a blur, which might be meant to mirror our narrator Finley’s experience, but left me a little too dazed. The actual lore felt solid, but some concepts felt like they were lopped in for the sake of conflict without fleshing them out fully. Finley’s transness was presented in a way that felt almost over-emphasized, so some of the mentions of it felt unnecessary. I feel like once again, a longer length would benefit this critique so there was more time to show it off, so it felt natural instead of a reminder.
This sounds harsh but I say it from a position of tough love, as I really loved the concept Gay trans vampire and his relationship with a cis gay vampire helping him maintain his transition while undead? Absolutely brilliant! I’d just love to see it polished up, and mostly, I’d love to see more. This really has great potential as a work, and overall I’m really happy it exists. It ambitiously dabbles into really dark topics, even pointing out cis-savioritirsm, medical gatekeeping, transphobia revenge... Where can I get more?
Summary:
Readability: ★★★☆☆, A lot of difficult topics that could trigger dysphoria are throughout this so, be well aware going in (specific dysphoria warnings:). Definitely read this on a good dysphoria day!
Entertainment: ★★★★☆, This is about a 4.5 only because of the time and scene changes, they effected my immersion in the story, feeling like I had missed a bit. I really was interested in the world being built, the laws of becoming a vampire and living as one was fascinating. Supernatural exploration of being trans is a topic I want to see more of, and I was really captivated by what was offered! Have I said I just really want more of this enough yet?
Audience: If you’re into a more darker supernatural fiction with hints of erotica, this would be good for you! The main focus is on the transformation and coping, so you get some really gritty moments! 18+ of course, but I think this could work for cis and trans readers!
Spoiler
alcohol, gendered body language, assault, transphobia, bigotry, police brutality, death, vomiting, sexism, menstruation, sex, bloodplay, biting, power dynamicsI really adore the idea, but I wasn’t completely sold on the execution, I’d really like to see more of this fleshed out so it has more time to overcome the concerns I had. You get a peek into a modern world of vampires and humans coexisting through strict legal systems which the story unfolds as our narrator is thrust into the midst of it. The world-building regarding this in such a short story really pleasantly surprised me. I felt like I got a good grasp of the important aspects and honestly, I’d love to keep learning more about it. But, my biggest issues came down to the actual pacing, underdeveloped concepts, and excessive reiteration.
I was left confused about the actual timing of events and how they spaced out, which is why I think it being longer could have helped. Changes in time and scene felt like a blur, which might be meant to mirror our narrator Finley’s experience, but left me a little too dazed. The actual lore felt solid, but some concepts felt like they were lopped in for the sake of conflict without fleshing them out fully
Spoiler
specifically with Finley getting a heavy period again, it being repeatedly brought up without elaboration had me lost. I was going to write it off as something to do with how his top surgery reverted because of the vampiric restoration abilities, but Finley himself alluded how vampires couldn’t give birth while listing off reasons people couldn’t legally transform, making me wonder how this plays in?This sounds harsh but I say it from a position of tough love, as I really loved the concept Gay trans vampire and his relationship with a cis gay vampire helping him maintain his transition while undead? Absolutely brilliant! I’d just love to see it polished up, and mostly, I’d love to see more. This really has great potential as a work, and overall I’m really happy it exists. It ambitiously dabbles into really dark topics, even pointing out cis-savioritirsm, medical gatekeeping, transphobia revenge... Where can I get more?
Summary:
Readability: ★★★☆☆, A lot of difficult topics that could trigger dysphoria are throughout this so, be well aware going in (specific dysphoria warnings:
Spoiler
menstrual blood stains in public, breast growth, use of genitalia during sex, wording like cunt and clit, transphobic reaction to genitaliaEntertainment: ★★★★☆, This is about a 4.5 only because of the time and scene changes, they effected my immersion in the story, feeling like I had missed a bit. I really was interested in the world being built, the laws of becoming a vampire and living as one was fascinating. Supernatural exploration of being trans is a topic I want to see more of, and I was really captivated by what was offered! Have I said I just really want more of this enough yet?
Audience: If you’re into a more darker supernatural fiction with hints of erotica, this would be good for you! The main focus is on the transformation and coping, so you get some really gritty moments! 18+ of course, but I think this could work for cis and trans readers!