Reviews

The Book of Queer Saints by Mae Murray, Eric Raglin, Perry Ruhland, LC von Hessen, James Bennett, George Daniel Lea, Nikki R. Leigh, Joe Koch, K.S. Walker, Hailey Piper, Briar Ripley Page, Joshua R. Pangborn, Eric LaRocca, Belle Tolls

schech's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

cupidcove's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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? It's complicated

2.5

The only stories in this collection that I will remember will be the ones I didn't like. I think much of the writing was poorly done and many stories replicate similar themes. Many of the things explored in the stories did not have the time needed to fully flesh out what they were trying to say. Many needed more editing. I just don't think this collection was successful at all. 

caracabe's review against another edition

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

To quote from the foreword by Sam Richard: “This book is full of queer representation that is messy and ugly and uncomfortable and painful. It’s a book full of queer characters who are cruel and conflicted and complex and interesting. Yes, queer joy, but also: queer rage, queer hostility, queer panic, queer madness, queer violence, queer horror.”

It’s an anthology, so of course I connected with some stories more than others, but all are well-written, imaginative, and (like all the best monster stories) ruthlessly human.

justanothermark's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

4.0

rackncheese's review against another edition

5.0

I am a lifelong fan of short story anthologies, but even people who love them know that their weakness lies in the wide range in quality the stories can span. This anthology didn't have that AT ALL. I loved every single story and definitely found some new favorites to check out other work by. A horror anthology that is unapologetically queer and truly hoffific in a variety of subgenres - 5 stars.

borghalrantipole's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

jazthegreat's review against another edition

dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

rogueservitor's review

challenging dark emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

letsgoevie's review

dark

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

adamsfall's review against another edition

5.0

It’s impossible to rate an anthology as a whole for me. So it gets 5 stars for existing and being made by wonderful people. Below is a rating of each story - purely based on my enjoyment of reading it.

We Frolic Within the Leviathan’s Heart by Hailey Piper - 4/5 ⭐️
Incredible start to the collection. A stand out.

Neon Holocaust by Eric LaRocca - 3/5 ⭐️
Not the best or worst I’ve read of LaRocca. Definitely in the better half of the collection. Sometimes I think his stuff can be the kind of artistic that my brain doesn’t grasp/appreciate.

Morta by James Bennett - 5/5 ⭐️
Fantastic.

Eclipse, or The Courtship of the Sun and Moon by Perry Ruhland - 3/5 ⭐️
This one wasn’t a stand out, but it was fine.

Stage Five Clinger by Nikki R. Leigh - 5/5