IT’S STILL PRIDE MONTH FOR A FEW MORE DAYS! So, let’s explore a personal favorite genre of mine: Queer Horror. The idea of horror quite frequently focuses on the out of the ordinary, or the thing that is out of place. And, when you grow up feeling the same way, it makes sense to identify with creatures like Frankenstein’s monster or Dracula, creatures that were not asked to be but are and must adapt to a world that is unwelcoming. In honor of pride month, here are some new works that exemplify the idea that what goes bump in the night isn’t always the thing you should fear.
The Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling is not for the faint of heart. Three women, Ser Voyne, a war hero, Phosyne, an ex-nun, and Treila, a survivor, are trapped within the walls of a sieged castle. Along with all the other town folk, soldiers, and king, they are barricaded within with dwindling supplies and no hope for rescue from the outside world. People are starving and the three women are out of time to find a solution. But a miracle happens and the patron saint of the city arrives, bringing food and salvation. But the three women do not see a happy ending coming, they believe tragedy has arrived. Visceral and dark, Starling creates another stellar horror entry.
In Hungerstone by Kat Dunn, Lenore has been married to steel works magnate Henry for ten years. She prides herself on being the model wife in spite of the loss of her parents at a young age and having to fight tooth and nail in order to secure a proper and convenient marriage. Henry, a man with money but no status, and Lenore, a woman with status but no money, find in each other a solution to their problems. After ten years though, the relationship wains as no children are produced and Lenore finds the confines of society are beginning to tighten. On the way to their new estate in Nethersaw, the pair meet the sickly and sickeningly beautiful Carmilla, whom Lenore endeavors to bring back to health. But deep secrets are revealed in Nethersaw and Lenore finds herself fighting for her life against foes outside as well as in. Gothic and alluring, Dunn reworks the story of Carmilla into a new sumptuous read.
Jo Kozak finds herself looking to standout in art school in Mallory Pearson’s Voice Like A Hyacinth. Jo is in the final year of art school along with her friends Caroline, Finch, Amrita, and Saz. The group is devoted to each other and take on an us vs. everyone else stance. The problem? The end of the year is capped off with a group showing and the best student of the year is given a chance to have a solo show, gain notoriety, and an almost guaranteed career. Only one will get the spot and with doubt and anxiety mounting, the friends turn to otherworldly means to improve their chances. But all things cost, and when their lecherous teacher is sacrificed for their benefit, the girls must reckon with their choices and fight to keep their friendship from being torn apart. Pearson’s work is reminder that the road of ambition is paved with blood, sweat, and tears.
None of those sound interesting? There are so many more, like Awakened by A.E. Osworth about a malicious AI and the coven of witches trying to stop it. Or The Lamb by Lucy Rose, a novel about a mother whose appetite for meat goes a little too far. So many wonderful books and so little time! Enjoy these books and remember the library is for everyone.