A review by whatyoutolkienabout
Transmogrify!: 14 Fantastical Tales of Trans Magic by g. haron davis

5.0

I was given an advanced reader copy to review. My reviews are always honest and all opinions are my own. #Transmogrify #GHaronDavis #Harper360UK #RepresentationMatters #Anthology #BookReview #gifted #ad #ARCapetta #CoryMcCarthy #MasonDeaver #JonathanLenoreKastin #EmeryLee #SaundraMitchell #CamMontgomery #AshNouveau #SonoraReyes #ReneeReynolds #DoveSalvatierra #AyidaShonibar #FrancescaTacchi #NikTraxler

An anthology of trans and nonbinary fantasy stories written by trans and nonbinary authors was an instant need to read for me. I believe 100% that representation matters in all forms of media and life so I was more than excited to read this collection. Surprisingly for an anthology I did not find one story I didn’t really like or found myself wanting to skip. The fantasy and magical elements were oftentimes funny and ‘cozy’ fantasy which is something I actually enjoy and wish there was more of. Not all fantasy and magic has to be sword fights and dragons (although there is a dragon here!).

As the blurb states transness is varied and colour as magic can be and you get an exquisite collection of fourteen different stories with characters who embody many different genders, experiences and expressions because magic and life is for everyone and that in itself is a cause for celebration. Now while I enjoyed all the stories in this collection I did have a couple of favourites. These were; Halloween Love by Sonora Reyes; High Tide by Francesca Tacchi; The Hallow King by Jonathan Lenore Kastin and Genderella by Mason Deaver. Although I loved every single one of the stories these four stuck with me the most.

I never like spoilers in my reviews and because each story offers so much it is hard to cover them without spoiling them but I believe that there is something for all fantasy fans to be found within this book and best of all it has some of the most memorable and likable characters I have read in a long time. Out of all of the fourteen and my four favourites I have to say The Hallow King probably stayed with me the most. Again trying to limit spoilers but I loved how Kastin juxtaposed historic oppression and suspicion to present day with a good dose of horror sprinkled in for good measure.

For me this book was a joy to read. It was wonderful to see trans and non-binary magic being celebrated and highlighted in such memorable ways. I really hope we get more collections like this in the future and the best part for me was I found fourteen more creators and authors to read their other works.