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arlenren's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Visceral, provocative, revolting. Don't make the mistake I did and start reading this on the train; you do NOT want anyone looking over your shoulder. Once I'd found a more suitable place to read it, I couldn't put it down. This book pulls no punches as it lays out the threat that trans people face in the UK today, unflinching in a portrayal that remains truthful even through a lens of conspiratorial fantasy. Like all the best horror novels, it has moments of comedy that provide respite from the crushing tension. I went into this book thinking it was going to make me feel sick yet surprisingly it didn't, in spite of how personal some of its triggers are for me. I guess there's something wrong with me?? Luckily, there's nothing wrong with this book. If you have a strong stomach and an open mind, this is a faultless read. Easiest five stars I've given in a long time. (Please do check the trigger warnings though).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Violence, Vomit, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Fatphobia, Gore, Abortion, Alcohol, Animal death, Body shaming, Hate crime, Incest, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, and Drug use
ejkimberley's review against another edition
4.0
This is a book I could not blame any given person for loving or hating respectively. Because for many, it will be a "rough go", which contains too much and too constant a burden of unpleasantness for the work as a whole to be enjoyed. But for others, it will be, like Rumfitt's "Tell Me I'm Worthless", a powerful work of sexual and psychological horror.
In particular, abusive sexual behaviour is a nearly constant factor, in this book. And fetishistic language and activity which many will find unpleasant is effectively its central focus.
I think I have a relatively strong stomach, when it comes to this stuff. And that's why Brainwyrms gets 4 out of 5 stars, in my case. But even I found myself wishing certain scenes and passages would just come to an end much sooner than they did.
Personally, I would have wished for a little more exploration of the science fiction premises and implications behind the "wyrms" themselves. But there is some treatment of that.
All in all, an intentionally and thoughtfully disgusting look at terrible people doing terrible things for largely terrible reasons, in which redemption cannot be reasonably hoped for.
In particular, abusive sexual behaviour is a nearly constant factor, in this book. And fetishistic language and activity which many will find unpleasant is effectively its central focus.
I think I have a relatively strong stomach, when it comes to this stuff. And that's why Brainwyrms gets 4 out of 5 stars, in my case. But even I found myself wishing certain scenes and passages would just come to an end much sooner than they did.
Personally, I would have wished for a little more exploration of the science fiction premises and implications behind the "wyrms" themselves. But there is some treatment of that.
All in all, an intentionally and thoughtfully disgusting look at terrible people doing terrible things for largely terrible reasons, in which redemption cannot be reasonably hoped for.
boxofcats's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
readingwmiles's review against another edition
3.0
i don’t read extreme horror very often and this was definitely that. gross, kinky, disturbing horror. i was invested in these characters and their relationships with each other, something i think rumfitt does really well! she does a great job at painting these messy awful queer characters and still making them endearing. it went a little off the rails at the end though, and just got a little too nasty for me. however i’m glad such gay extreme horror exists for all the freaks out there
oddgrimvibes's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Fucking hell
petepilgrim's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Extreme, filthy, kinky, horror which I couldn't put down - Even when the author addresses the reader directly that it's time to take a break.
But despite all the grizzly details of body horror, there's still little as scary as Britain's growing transphobia.
and yes, there's a JK Rowling analogue.
But despite all the grizzly details of body horror, there's still little as scary as Britain's growing transphobia.
and yes, there's a JK Rowling analogue.
littlespookysmut's review against another edition
challenging
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
thequack4's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ew