Reviews

Into the Gray by Margaret Killjoy

Only show reviews with written explanations

kadijaaa's review

5.0

short story about a trans woman who helps kill evil men with the mermaid she’s in love with? sounds like my cup of tea. it gave everything i needed it to give i only wish it was longer!!!

kieranl's review

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dark mysterious medium-paced

2.0

Wished this was more fleshed out.

readyfreddie's review

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3.75

this story is a bit too short for me to really have a lot to say about it, but i liked it for what it is.
the little mermaid parallels were excellent, and perhaps i would have liked to see this story lean even more into that because i love that story, but i also thought it was quite nice to see this be more it’s own story, and how the ending seems to intentionally defy both the tragic ending of the original fairy tale, and the happily-ever-after of the disney version.

msrcreation's review

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3.5

Lovely writing and so interesting and unique as a premise. I was hoping for a bit more out of the ending but could easily see myself following this story as a full series.

luketolvaj's review

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5.0

I loved Into the Gray. It was an exceptionally beautiful short read that left me breathless and was profoundly trans. The writing style is gorgeous and the story was captivating. It depicted love, violence, and romance in a very unique way. The ending was very powerful. It resonated with me deeply and I highly recommend it.

elothwen's review

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4.0

Awww the ending was a bit quick and disappointing (I'd hoped Laria would become a mermaid too) but I liked it all the same. Some excellent lines:

I wasn’t drowning anymore. That was her magic. I wasn’t obsessed anymore. That was mine.

But mourning isn’t always just a hardship, it’s part of the beauty of life. My death might lend them beauty.

Their pikes were death, their swords were death, and contrary to every song ever sung, death is the opposite of love. I wanted love.

Was there no passion in her voice because I didn’t know how to listen for it? Was there no passion in her voice because there was none in her heart? Or was there passion, deep passion, and my terror kept me from hearing it?

Weary lines were etched into the witch’s dry skin, and she looked as old as the town, as old as the kingdom. Henrietta had as much magic as anyone on the island; she could look however she wanted. She chose to look decrepit. I liked that about her.