Reviews

Dirty Heads by Aaron Dries

binka_28's review

5.0

I really enjoyed this book. The cover art was what drew me in and the beautiful descriptions through the story kept me hooked. I loved the ambiguity of the story. All the 90's references made me super nostalgic. Super quick read I read this in one sitting, I couldn't put it down!

littlespookysmut's review

5.0

Give me more gay cosmic horror!! I absolutely loved this from start to finish. I love the nostalgia of going to the video store and just looking at the horror VHS’s. This might be one of my favorites of 2023.

desireeslibrary's review

3.0

This was cute. I loved the 90s nostalgia and the queer coming-of-age elements. But the writing seemed to deteriorate over time and I found myself feeling quite unsatisfied at the end.

shaniatheduck's review

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

zeronvalentine's review

dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

3.0

sugoimax's review

dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.0

time_isnt_real's review against another edition

dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

donahuebn's review

2.0

This one was a miss for me. It was confusing at times, and the attempt at horror was subpar.

smtvash's review

5.0

4.5

A fantastic, queer horror novella with real teeth and claws.
Aaron Dries explores the MOST uncomfortable of feelings when you're about to come out and combined that element of our imagined worst case scenario to really unfold a nightmare in Dirty Heads. It's fantastic!
I loved the tone, I loved the prose, I loved the aesthetics presented and it is legit at times a horrifying experience.
Well done!

calamity_cal's review

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Yeah this book was not good. It was way to heavy handed with it's metaphor to the point it was almost screaming at you. The horror was fine? Like it wasn't particularly scary cause you could predict everything that would happen next and it was trying so hard to justify itself. Also this is one of the most unrealistic teens I've ever read he's 13 and just doesn't act like a 13 year old, maybe it's cause he's Australian. The fact he uses the phrase "institutionalized homophobia" what 13 year old in the 90s would know that phrase? Especially one who won't acknowledge his own queerness. also when he's like "men, women, people who don't fit into either' or whatever. Whoo! Diversity! But what teen in the 90s would be aware of non-binary people! Especially one who was so scared of anything gay. Thankfully it was a short quick read so it didn't waste too much of my time. Just appreciate the cover art and skip reading it.