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adamcordner's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.75
I enjoyed most of the stories in this collection. Miller taps into a number of meaningful ideas across the collection, most significantly he touches on the queer experience - how it can change us, how it can make us monsters, and how that can be beautiful - and about the collective power of the powerless.
The quality varies from story to story so it's not easy to rate the collection as a whole. Some of the stories definitely left something to be desired. But I do think there's something here for everyone, and I could easily see myself picking up more of Miller's work.
My favourites from this collection are 57 Reasons for the Slate Quarry Suicides, Things with Beards, Ghosts of Home, and Angel, Monster, Man. The story told piece by piece between chapters as a framing device also brings everything together nicely.
The quality varies from story to story so it's not easy to rate the collection as a whole. Some of the stories definitely left something to be desired. But I do think there's something here for everyone, and I could easily see myself picking up more of Miller's work.
My favourites from this collection are 57 Reasons for the Slate Quarry Suicides, Things with Beards, Ghosts of Home, and Angel, Monster, Man. The story told piece by piece between chapters as a framing device also brings everything together nicely.
phaedraismyusername's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
3.5
I think this is overall a good collection that would benefit most from being a book you come back to now and again to read another story rather than reading them all cover to cover. There were some really interesting concepts at work but the writing and delivery of them was a little inconsistent when read as a whole but I got this on loan so unfortunately didn't have the luxury of taking my time with it. I would pick up other stuff by the author in the future though
camaronempanizado's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.25
galexywitch's review
emotional
reflective
medium-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
4.0
crunchylettuce's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.75
This book hollowed me out and scraped out my insides. Definitely would recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Homophobia, Hate crime, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Alcohol and Terminal illness
Minor: Drug use, Addiction, and Grief
quantumspook's review
Hair-raising and sly, drawing you in and scaring you away as you desperately try to find out if you are the hunter...or prey.
Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Thanks to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review!
ddillon154's review
4.0
Fantastically and delightfully queer. Particular favorites include "57 Reasons for the Slate Quarry Suicides," "We are the Cloud," "When Your Child Strays from God," and "Ghosts of Home."
tjpearce's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Ableism
aryelee's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is an absolutely stunning collection of short stories. They mix between science fiction and historical, contemporary and urban fantasy, all focused on queer characters surviving (and sometimes not surviving) in a world full of cruelty and love. Many stories focus on AIDS during the 1980s, and there are some with parents struggling to connect with their child who is growing up and growing into their queer identities.
Sam J. Miller's works are heartfelt and clever, full of beautiful language, complicated characters who are full of life, and worlds that are more fantastical than our own while also reflecting the struggles queer people have had for decades in the United States.
Favorite stories from this collection are: 57 Reasons for the Slate Quarry Suicides, Conspicuous Plumage, Ghosts of Home, and Angel, Monster, Man.
Sam J. Miller's works are heartfelt and clever, full of beautiful language, complicated characters who are full of life, and worlds that are more fantastical than our own while also reflecting the struggles queer people have had for decades in the United States.
Favorite stories from this collection are: 57 Reasons for the Slate Quarry Suicides, Conspicuous Plumage, Ghosts of Home, and Angel, Monster, Man.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Religious bigotry, Bullying, Police brutality, Suicidal thoughts, Pandemic/Epidemic, Violence, and War