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Queer Fish #1
Queer Fish
Love takes many forms-and Queer Fish covers most of the ones you've never thought twice about! This eclectic anthology of gay fiction is packed with memorable couples just trying to make it work, whether "it" is as simple as distance or as complicated as figuring out how to date a headless ghost, an insidious incubus, an overworked superhero, or a big stupid Irish guy from South Boston. Whatever challenges these heroes face, there's never a shortage of passion, intrigue and zombie attacks.
282 pages, Paperback
First published October 20, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 23, 2014
Perhaps I'm biased, because I'm the author of Mike Dies at the End (which you can find reviewed separately at Mike Dies At The End), but I enjoyed this collection very much! The stories run a good range from serious to silly, and all of them have something good to offer. It's always nice to have one's own work found among good company, and that's absolutely the case here.
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November 8, 2011Anthologies have pros and cons, the major pros is that among many authors it’s more likely everyone will find at least few stories they like. In this case my personal favour goes to Mike Dies at the End (A Parody) by W2, for me this story is worthy of a full novel and I really hope the author will consider to expand it. And even if it has not an usual happily ever after, not at all, The Golem of Rabbi Loew by Johnny Townsend confirms me that I really like this author. Other favorites are Fools in Love by Chelsea Crowley, Super Love by Chris Helton, Starpoint Rendezvous by E. Craig McKay and Color Zap! By Sam Sommer. But in general, all the stories are more than above the average.
Incubus Ex by Ashley-Renee Cribbins: a sweet and little creepy tale about a 16 years old boy, Austin, half jealous half scared of her sister’s boyfriend, Sully. 18 years old sister is leaving for college and she wants to break with his boyfriend, but it’s not that simple, Sully is an incubus, and if she doesn’t do something to “trap” him, he will be able to reach her. Once the trick is done, only Austin can undo it, and night after night Sully comes to Austin to ask for his freedom… only that Austin is starting to understand how “useful” an incubus can be to a 16 years old boy. At first it seemed Austin was not gay, but I appreciated the little insight on his dreams the author gave us, so that it’s not at all unexpected the development of his relationship with Sully… not unexpected but nevertheless funny.
Mike Dies at the End (A Parody) by W2: all right, first of all this had me laughing in a moment when I shouldn’t have (read while there were too many people around me who had wanted to know why I was laughing…), when you will arrive to the “lie back and think of England”, you will understand why. This story is a funny romp, a satire about the usual ghost hunting stories; it remembers me a little that tv fiction where two buddy friends open a PI firm specialized in paranormal activities. Jason is gay, Mike is straight, but Jason is also single and Mike is “generous”, and so he let Jason have sex with him; but this situation cannot last long, and with the help of some very close friends, Jason will find his match in goth guy Ty. All of them Mike, Jason and Ty are really young, and so the feeling is that of a frat boys story with a paranormal twist. Very, very nice.
Monsters So Fair by Lyle Blake Smythers: after two stories more or less on the funny side, this one instead border on drama (if not being totally immersed in it). It’s a fantasy tale about a false prince Agib and a beautiful young man, Droo. The prophecy said that Agib will kill Droo, but when they meet each other, to Agib seems impossible that he will be the assassin of such innocent boy; and so instead of war they make love, but the morning looms upon them.
The Song by Rob Rosen: simple and romantic, even if with a little aftertaste of horror, exactly like the old fairy tales, this is a retelling of the little mermaid, but I will give you a tip, the ending is different. A young man is searching for a treasure, but he will find something more important and for sure more lasting than gold.
Dark Entries by Michael C. Thompson: 1 night and 1 day of nightmare; Lawrence and Jon are a couple already facing an imminent wreck. Both of them on heavily drugs, they are no more able to distinct between nightmare and reality. And in the end there will be no distinction between nightmare and reality.
Welcome to Anteaterland by Nathaniel Fuller: not sure how I feel about this story, I think there is an hidden meaning I didn’t fully catch, maybe something related to the monotony of life and how you have to take risks to be happy; but the man in this story took a pretty big risk when he came out to his wife, when he decided to enter in a long term relationship with a man and building a modern family with him and his son. Actually I think their life was pretty good, and even if the sex became routine, for them it was still good. So I’m not sure, it’s not that in the end they are not still together, but sincerely I preferred the way they were before.
Blood Sugar Sex Magic by Georgina Li: there is a story, but I think the main purpose of the author was to give the reader like flash of images more than a linear story; Billy, James and Mike and their journey from night to day, who will love who, who will remain with whom. James reads messages everywhere, but are those messages real or instead is James’s sensibility that gives him that “power”? And the messages are sending him in the right direction or not?
Baker Boy by Thomas Fuchs: I think this is an allegory on the lure of the seven sins, Gluttony, Fornication, Avarice, Pride, Wrath, Vainglory, Acedia, even if the poor guy of the story doesn’t really behave as a greed or irate man; but gluttony, lust, pride, vainglory and sloth are all symptoms he will experiment once he will meet Baker Boy, temptation all around.
The Zombissager by Colleen Chen: after a set of more dark stories, Zombissager goes back to the funny and light, even if in an horror set; Awesomeman and Coolman are superheroes and boyfriends, and they have to save the world from a threat made by a lot of zombie-dildos a crazy scientist put on the market… I think you can catch this is not exactly a “serious” horror plot, and our two superheroes will easily overcome the villain… or maybe not.
Shudder by Alice Fox: a graphic novel about a ghost minstrel and the proud knight that will help him with some little trouble he has with demons. Of course the proud knight will obtain the favors of the lady… ops of the minstrel in exchange of his efforts.
Mondeval’s Heart by Rose Mambert: I liked this story, it has not perhaps a sure happily ever after but at least is not without hope; it’s a fantasy tale about two unlikely companions, a demon and a human. No one aside from Ash has Tamaril’s trust, and as a loyal pet, Tamaril is willing to do everything to protect Ash, even losing his only chance to be normal again. I think it was a great demonstration of love, and I hope the author was only giving us a taste of something more, that in her mind there is a whole novel where Tamaril and Ash can find a place where they are not a demon and a human, but simply two men in love.
Zombie Hunt by Danielle Renn: more horror than romance, it’s probably a classic zombie tale, and if you know what I mean, then probably you are more ready than me to the future that is expecting zombie James Hunt and his human lover Evan. I know you cannot always have a perfectly happily ever after, and for sure not in an apocalyptic world were humans are living as captives, but still Evan’s love for Hunt was so tender I really felt for them and their fate.
The Hollow Hills of New Hampshire by Frank Muse: funny horror tale about a young gay man who find himself the “owner” of a brownie, that, if you didn’t know, is not a pastry, but a 3 feet tall domestic elf with highly specialized housekeeping skills. The dream of every gay man? Well not exactly when the survival of such elf depends on you having an heir and you have no interest in women at all…
This Won’t Hurt a Bit by Thomas Kearnes: two possible wrong lovers and two possible right lovers, but of course the narrative voice has to do the wrong choice before realizing that he is probably letting go his future. While there is one of those men that I see heading towards destruction, there is a spark of hope for the other two to build something good and nice. While the previous stories are about “fake” horror themes like zombie and trolls, this is about a the “real” horror of domestic violence.
The Golem of Rabbi Loew by Johnny Townsend: a bittersweet story set in a XVI century Prague about an old rabbi who finds the love of his life in the arms of a golem; or maybe the golem was simply a poor man who was not as educated as the rabbi but who has an heart bigger than any normal man, an heart that he was willing to sacrifice for the good of the people who gave him everything when he had nothing. This is yet another of the stories for which it’s more than worth to give this anthology a chance.
Fools in Love by Chelsea Crowley: Horatio is a little snobbish and Gus is a little too friendly… well it’s expected if you consider Horatio is the wizard in a fantasy court where Gus is the fool. Horatio has never considered Gus too much until the day he finds himself the joke of the other man, and I think that was exactly the purpose of the fool. This is a sweet and funny tale, no angst no drama, a little breath of fresh air in a mostly dark anthology.
Super Love by Chris Helton: funny, sweet and tender, this is just a day in the life of Maddex and his superhero boyfriend Greg. It’s like every ordinary couple, with Greg always out called for some emergency and Maddex at home, but like any other half of a clever couple, Maddex will understand that to make their relationship work, he has to share as much as possible of his boyfriend’s life.
Starpoint Rendezvous by E. Craig McKay: a sci-fi short story about two “businessmen” Simon and Jeremy, who not only share a business but also a bed. At the beginning of the story Simon and Jeremy are enjoying the offering of a sex resort but financial troubles are out there waiting them, and they need to find a way to make their business work so that also their relationship will grow to a level of comfort that allow them to retire. But when the moment is there, the thrill of the adventure is a too potent lure to resist.
Color Zap! By Sam Sommer: in a male future society were man with man can procreate thank to “genofacility” structure it’s no more an issue being gay, but there is still a way to being a misfit; Spencer is born with blue hair and his boyfriend Gavin has green hair. They are considered freaks and they find comfort in each other. And like all young men with a dream they will find a way to fight for their freedom.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982991339/?...
Incubus Ex by Ashley-Renee Cribbins: a sweet and little creepy tale about a 16 years old boy, Austin, half jealous half scared of her sister’s boyfriend, Sully. 18 years old sister is leaving for college and she wants to break with his boyfriend, but it’s not that simple, Sully is an incubus, and if she doesn’t do something to “trap” him, he will be able to reach her. Once the trick is done, only Austin can undo it, and night after night Sully comes to Austin to ask for his freedom… only that Austin is starting to understand how “useful” an incubus can be to a 16 years old boy. At first it seemed Austin was not gay, but I appreciated the little insight on his dreams the author gave us, so that it’s not at all unexpected the development of his relationship with Sully… not unexpected but nevertheless funny.
Mike Dies at the End (A Parody) by W2: all right, first of all this had me laughing in a moment when I shouldn’t have (read while there were too many people around me who had wanted to know why I was laughing…), when you will arrive to the “lie back and think of England”, you will understand why. This story is a funny romp, a satire about the usual ghost hunting stories; it remembers me a little that tv fiction where two buddy friends open a PI firm specialized in paranormal activities. Jason is gay, Mike is straight, but Jason is also single and Mike is “generous”, and so he let Jason have sex with him; but this situation cannot last long, and with the help of some very close friends, Jason will find his match in goth guy Ty. All of them Mike, Jason and Ty are really young, and so the feeling is that of a frat boys story with a paranormal twist. Very, very nice.
Monsters So Fair by Lyle Blake Smythers: after two stories more or less on the funny side, this one instead border on drama (if not being totally immersed in it). It’s a fantasy tale about a false prince Agib and a beautiful young man, Droo. The prophecy said that Agib will kill Droo, but when they meet each other, to Agib seems impossible that he will be the assassin of such innocent boy; and so instead of war they make love, but the morning looms upon them.
The Song by Rob Rosen: simple and romantic, even if with a little aftertaste of horror, exactly like the old fairy tales, this is a retelling of the little mermaid, but I will give you a tip, the ending is different. A young man is searching for a treasure, but he will find something more important and for sure more lasting than gold.
Dark Entries by Michael C. Thompson: 1 night and 1 day of nightmare; Lawrence and Jon are a couple already facing an imminent wreck. Both of them on heavily drugs, they are no more able to distinct between nightmare and reality. And in the end there will be no distinction between nightmare and reality.
Welcome to Anteaterland by Nathaniel Fuller: not sure how I feel about this story, I think there is an hidden meaning I didn’t fully catch, maybe something related to the monotony of life and how you have to take risks to be happy; but the man in this story took a pretty big risk when he came out to his wife, when he decided to enter in a long term relationship with a man and building a modern family with him and his son. Actually I think their life was pretty good, and even if the sex became routine, for them it was still good. So I’m not sure, it’s not that in the end they are not still together, but sincerely I preferred the way they were before.
Blood Sugar Sex Magic by Georgina Li: there is a story, but I think the main purpose of the author was to give the reader like flash of images more than a linear story; Billy, James and Mike and their journey from night to day, who will love who, who will remain with whom. James reads messages everywhere, but are those messages real or instead is James’s sensibility that gives him that “power”? And the messages are sending him in the right direction or not?
Baker Boy by Thomas Fuchs: I think this is an allegory on the lure of the seven sins, Gluttony, Fornication, Avarice, Pride, Wrath, Vainglory, Acedia, even if the poor guy of the story doesn’t really behave as a greed or irate man; but gluttony, lust, pride, vainglory and sloth are all symptoms he will experiment once he will meet Baker Boy, temptation all around.
The Zombissager by Colleen Chen: after a set of more dark stories, Zombissager goes back to the funny and light, even if in an horror set; Awesomeman and Coolman are superheroes and boyfriends, and they have to save the world from a threat made by a lot of zombie-dildos a crazy scientist put on the market… I think you can catch this is not exactly a “serious” horror plot, and our two superheroes will easily overcome the villain… or maybe not.
Shudder by Alice Fox: a graphic novel about a ghost minstrel and the proud knight that will help him with some little trouble he has with demons. Of course the proud knight will obtain the favors of the lady… ops of the minstrel in exchange of his efforts.
Mondeval’s Heart by Rose Mambert: I liked this story, it has not perhaps a sure happily ever after but at least is not without hope; it’s a fantasy tale about two unlikely companions, a demon and a human. No one aside from Ash has Tamaril’s trust, and as a loyal pet, Tamaril is willing to do everything to protect Ash, even losing his only chance to be normal again. I think it was a great demonstration of love, and I hope the author was only giving us a taste of something more, that in her mind there is a whole novel where Tamaril and Ash can find a place where they are not a demon and a human, but simply two men in love.
Zombie Hunt by Danielle Renn: more horror than romance, it’s probably a classic zombie tale, and if you know what I mean, then probably you are more ready than me to the future that is expecting zombie James Hunt and his human lover Evan. I know you cannot always have a perfectly happily ever after, and for sure not in an apocalyptic world were humans are living as captives, but still Evan’s love for Hunt was so tender I really felt for them and their fate.
The Hollow Hills of New Hampshire by Frank Muse: funny horror tale about a young gay man who find himself the “owner” of a brownie, that, if you didn’t know, is not a pastry, but a 3 feet tall domestic elf with highly specialized housekeeping skills. The dream of every gay man? Well not exactly when the survival of such elf depends on you having an heir and you have no interest in women at all…
This Won’t Hurt a Bit by Thomas Kearnes: two possible wrong lovers and two possible right lovers, but of course the narrative voice has to do the wrong choice before realizing that he is probably letting go his future. While there is one of those men that I see heading towards destruction, there is a spark of hope for the other two to build something good and nice. While the previous stories are about “fake” horror themes like zombie and trolls, this is about a the “real” horror of domestic violence.
The Golem of Rabbi Loew by Johnny Townsend: a bittersweet story set in a XVI century Prague about an old rabbi who finds the love of his life in the arms of a golem; or maybe the golem was simply a poor man who was not as educated as the rabbi but who has an heart bigger than any normal man, an heart that he was willing to sacrifice for the good of the people who gave him everything when he had nothing. This is yet another of the stories for which it’s more than worth to give this anthology a chance.
Fools in Love by Chelsea Crowley: Horatio is a little snobbish and Gus is a little too friendly… well it’s expected if you consider Horatio is the wizard in a fantasy court where Gus is the fool. Horatio has never considered Gus too much until the day he finds himself the joke of the other man, and I think that was exactly the purpose of the fool. This is a sweet and funny tale, no angst no drama, a little breath of fresh air in a mostly dark anthology.
Super Love by Chris Helton: funny, sweet and tender, this is just a day in the life of Maddex and his superhero boyfriend Greg. It’s like every ordinary couple, with Greg always out called for some emergency and Maddex at home, but like any other half of a clever couple, Maddex will understand that to make their relationship work, he has to share as much as possible of his boyfriend’s life.
Starpoint Rendezvous by E. Craig McKay: a sci-fi short story about two “businessmen” Simon and Jeremy, who not only share a business but also a bed. At the beginning of the story Simon and Jeremy are enjoying the offering of a sex resort but financial troubles are out there waiting them, and they need to find a way to make their business work so that also their relationship will grow to a level of comfort that allow them to retire. But when the moment is there, the thrill of the adventure is a too potent lure to resist.
Color Zap! By Sam Sommer: in a male future society were man with man can procreate thank to “genofacility” structure it’s no more an issue being gay, but there is still a way to being a misfit; Spencer is born with blue hair and his boyfriend Gavin has green hair. They are considered freaks and they find comfort in each other. And like all young men with a dream they will find a way to fight for their freedom.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0982991339/?...
April 3, 2012
This anthology was easy to enjoy because the whole collection is really solid. My favorites were "Mike Dies at the End" by W2, "Baker Boy" by Thomas Fuchs and "Dark Entries" by Michael C. Thompson. Okay, so I'll just move onward to the summaries:
Incubus-Ex by Ashley-Renee Cribbins
I could kind of see where this one was going from the beginning, but I like the inclusion of an incubus. Okay, so the main plot points would be sister has a relationship with an incubus, Sully, but wants to go to college unburdened so she puts up a hex bag to bind him to the house. Her brother, Austin, is the only one who can pull down the hex bag and set Sully free. He decides not to...as to why he doesn't, that's up to you to find out.
Mike Dies at the End (A Parody) by W2
First, I just have to say that I love the idea that mystical powers are sexually transmitted. I love all the well-placed absurdity of this story. The line the squirrel says near the beginning, and the fact the fries sing...yeah, you see where I'm going with this-- uh, no you don't. I don't even know where I'm going.
Anyway, the characters are fun and have lots of personality. The situations are crazy, but well-written so that makes them believable in a surrealist on acid kind of way. The descriptions of Real Dolls; horrifying. The solution to the puzzle; quite entertaining.
In final review I love this story. It speaks to me.
Monsters So Fair by Lyle Blake Smythers
This is a fantasy story about fate and prophecy. The narrator, Agib, has first been told that he is the person who can end the curse over a stretch of ocean by destroying the bronze statue on top of Bent Mountain that keeps destroying boats with magnetism. Droo, the son of a merchant, has been told that if the statue on Bent Mountain falls he will be killed by a false Prince named Agib by the time he turns eighteen. The two end up on the same island, but there is no animosity between them, so how can the second prophesy be fulfilled if there is love and not war? In a way I was kind of dreading getting to the ending because the moment that Droo and Agib have together is quite perfect.
The Song by Rob Rosen
Somewhat scary in the build up to the siren, and I enjoyed the treasure hunter's determination to thwart the siren's song. The basic story is that a treasure hunter goes on a quest for gold where he knows that others have failed due to reports of sirens luring the adventurers to their death. Despite his preparations the siren manages to get his attention anyway, but not as he was prepared for.
Dark Entries by Michael C. Thompson
This story is rather twisted and made me want to listen to Bauhaus while reading to get the full effect. The couple, Jonathan and Lawrence, in this story already has a lot of issues with drug problems and paranoia just being the icing on the cake. Lawrence's nightmares and reality start to blur together, and things get even more disjointed around the time he meets a strange, but beautiful man on the beach. The strange man appears to be mocking him, and claims to be named Peter Murphy. Lawrence sees Peter as teasing him, then he sees him as a disturbing fish creature in his nightmares, and then Jon's paranoia sees them as entirely something else. The ending of this story is rather shocking as it is revealed that both men end up with their wishes fulfilled.
Welcome to Anteaterland by Nathaniel Fuller
I kind of felt like I was missing something as I went through this story. It was like something bigger going on behind the scenes, which I guess is kind of what happens in Anteaterland so maybe that all works out.
Blood Sugar Sex Magic by Geogina Li
This story is interesting because it reads like a prose poem with influences of city life, and I also get this sensation of contrast between night and day. I had to read this one a couple times to pay attention to everything that's going on around the characters. The rhythm of the words is interesting. I also like the idea of James reading the signs and believing that there are meanings and then other meanings. This story feels like a series of images and has a pace that reminds me of wandering around cities at night after the bars are closed and everything is kind of disorienting.
Baker Boy by Thomas Fuchs
I love how this story looked at temptation, and it was strange enough that I had to tell a friend who has a culinary arts degree about it right after I read it. References to Baker Boy have been added to our dialogues about food. So, good job.
In this story a man in the best shape of his life gives into the temptation of a mysterious bakery, and to the allure of the baker boy who tempts him with food among other things. Sure, the main character gains a lot of weight that the sexual escapades can't work off, but the end results were not quite as expected.
The Zombissager by Colleen Chen
Sir Zomablot is out to conquer Peaceville with his army of undead cocks that he has packaged and sold as Zombissagers. Super boyfriends Coolman and Awesomeman can't let that happen. If the names are any indication this is a silly story, but it is pretty entertaining.
Shudder by Alice Fox
This is a cute little graphic novel-like piece that involves an exiled noble and the headless apparition of a minstrel who has a demon problem. The demons look like stretchy cats, which I suppose would be quite horrifying to see in person. After the demon problem is remedied the exiled man can stay in the castle and you can cue true love's first kiss, or something like that.
Mondeval's Heart by Rose Mambert
Ash and Tamaril are companions by chance or fate, but they are loyal to each other and prepared to die on their quest. Ash is human while Tamaril is a ferlik who is also Cursed with a powerful magic that can only be used at a high price. Tamaril trades his memories or blood for magic, use of the power in the past has destroyed his memory to the point that he doesn't remember even his original name. This story throws your from the heat of passion into the heat of battle and makes you wonder what all will be lost and gained once the fight is over.
Zombie Hunt by Danielle Renn
In a post zombie apocalypse world zombie infectee James Hunt protects a settlement of survivors in exchange for shelter and feedings of blood to sustain him. A young man named Evan who lives in the settlement latches onto Hunt and follows him around. Evan is quite curious and in awe of Hunt and wishes to forge any sort of connection that he can between the two because they have a relatively simple past, and within the settlement connections between people are not as simple as they seem. In this world the ugliness of the created society in the settlement is hidden behind the façade of civilization. Evan's actions indicate that he is looking for a sort of salvation and an escape from the settlement, but how far away can he get? And at what price?
The Hollow Hills of New Hampshire by Frank Muse
This was an amusing horror story about a young man named Derek who becomes the owner of a brownie--a short, hairy, naked house elf of lore. (Side note: brownies creep me out already and I rarely encounter them in my usual reading...so that got to me right away.) At first the brownie makes sure the apartment is clean, food is prepared and the place is comfortable to the point of creepiness, but then he starts to cause a bit of trouble when he panics at the realization that his new owner really has no interest in women or reproduction...and the Brownie kind of needs him to have an heir in order to survive.
This Won't Hurt a Bit by Thomas Kearnes
The narrator first hooks up with a guy named Harrison, and is annoyed by Harrison's show of consideration over whether or not he was enjoying their encounter. Soon after that the narrator admits that he's used to getting in between couples and at the moment is trying to be involved with Blake, who is already living with Sam. Blake and Sam are a train wreck of a relationship, but Blake has obvious feelings of complacency and fatalism towards his situation. When the narrator is given a slight chance with Blake it isn't quite what he expected, but from that he garners a sort of revelation.
The Golem of Rabbi Loew by Johnny Townsend
As I read this I noticed that the pacing of the story feels similar to a biblical story. I enjoyed this retelling of The Golem of Prague, and found it easier to read then the version of the original story that I was supposed to read for a Survey of Jewish Culture class. Anyway, the golem in this story not only defends the Jewish population of Prague, but also serves as a companion for Rabbi Loew who feel that his desires for other men would lead others to sin, but since Joseph lacks a soul there's no concern for him sinning. The story is quite bittersweet.
Fools in Love by Chelsea Crowley
Gus, the court jester, insults the court wizard, Horatio Metorimax, and as punishment the jester is forced to assist him in order to better appreciate the wizard's work. Horatio is surprised to find that he can relax around Gus and they both get along better than expected. Gus turns out to be a more complex character than he initially seems and he confesses that he has been hurt by magic before. This is a cute story and I enjoyed the explanation of Gus's background, and I think Horatio learned a lot from Gus.
Super Love by Chris Helton
This story deals with the everyday frustration of dating a super hero, which is a profession with a highly irregular schedule. Odd schedules are a rather relatable feature of relationships in general, and I enjoyed seeing how Maddex tried to bridge that divide in order to spend more time with Greg.
Starpoint Rendezvous by E. Craig McKay
Simon and Jeremy work together as prospectors and play together in the Melia Starpoint space hotel that can provide all varieties of tantalizing sexual experiences. They spend most of the story indulging in what each other, and the hotel, has to offer, but also discuss their newly joined business endeavors and the trouble of transporting asteroids. I must admit that my mind kept wondering off while reading this story because I kept imagining what all could possibly be at such a hotel. So, I generally enjoyed the lazy, sexy and indulgent nature of this tale, and the excitement of the trials of hauling asteroids through space kind of took a backseat to the entertainment at the hotel.
Color Zap! By Sam Sommer
The Genofacility allows two people of any gender to have children, and produces those children in a regulation manner in which they are prepared for a drab world, but Spencer was born with periwinkle blue hair. His parents force him to cover his hair with a hat, and then begin shaving his head as he gets older. He decides for himself that he wants to show off his hair, but on his first time out in public he is given an unfair amount of abuse. He soon finds more people with colorful hair including his boyfriend, Gavin, who has bright green hair. The people with brightly-colored hair form a society to promote the acceptance of them in the general population. I found the story interesting and inspiring and think it was a good note to end the anthology on. The feeling I got from this story was that even though some progress is made there is still room for equality, and sometimes different groups get left behind during the quest for acceptance.
Incubus-Ex by Ashley-Renee Cribbins
I could kind of see where this one was going from the beginning, but I like the inclusion of an incubus. Okay, so the main plot points would be sister has a relationship with an incubus, Sully, but wants to go to college unburdened so she puts up a hex bag to bind him to the house. Her brother, Austin, is the only one who can pull down the hex bag and set Sully free. He decides not to...as to why he doesn't, that's up to you to find out.
Mike Dies at the End (A Parody) by W2
First, I just have to say that I love the idea that mystical powers are sexually transmitted. I love all the well-placed absurdity of this story. The line the squirrel says near the beginning, and the fact the fries sing...yeah, you see where I'm going with this-- uh, no you don't. I don't even know where I'm going.
Anyway, the characters are fun and have lots of personality. The situations are crazy, but well-written so that makes them believable in a surrealist on acid kind of way. The descriptions of Real Dolls; horrifying. The solution to the puzzle; quite entertaining.
In final review I love this story. It speaks to me.
Monsters So Fair by Lyle Blake Smythers
This is a fantasy story about fate and prophecy. The narrator, Agib, has first been told that he is the person who can end the curse over a stretch of ocean by destroying the bronze statue on top of Bent Mountain that keeps destroying boats with magnetism. Droo, the son of a merchant, has been told that if the statue on Bent Mountain falls he will be killed by a false Prince named Agib by the time he turns eighteen. The two end up on the same island, but there is no animosity between them, so how can the second prophesy be fulfilled if there is love and not war? In a way I was kind of dreading getting to the ending because the moment that Droo and Agib have together is quite perfect.
The Song by Rob Rosen
Somewhat scary in the build up to the siren, and I enjoyed the treasure hunter's determination to thwart the siren's song. The basic story is that a treasure hunter goes on a quest for gold where he knows that others have failed due to reports of sirens luring the adventurers to their death. Despite his preparations the siren manages to get his attention anyway, but not as he was prepared for.
Dark Entries by Michael C. Thompson
This story is rather twisted and made me want to listen to Bauhaus while reading to get the full effect. The couple, Jonathan and Lawrence, in this story already has a lot of issues with drug problems and paranoia just being the icing on the cake. Lawrence's nightmares and reality start to blur together, and things get even more disjointed around the time he meets a strange, but beautiful man on the beach. The strange man appears to be mocking him, and claims to be named Peter Murphy. Lawrence sees Peter as teasing him, then he sees him as a disturbing fish creature in his nightmares, and then Jon's paranoia sees them as entirely something else. The ending of this story is rather shocking as it is revealed that both men end up with their wishes fulfilled.
Welcome to Anteaterland by Nathaniel Fuller
I kind of felt like I was missing something as I went through this story. It was like something bigger going on behind the scenes, which I guess is kind of what happens in Anteaterland so maybe that all works out.
Blood Sugar Sex Magic by Geogina Li
This story is interesting because it reads like a prose poem with influences of city life, and I also get this sensation of contrast between night and day. I had to read this one a couple times to pay attention to everything that's going on around the characters. The rhythm of the words is interesting. I also like the idea of James reading the signs and believing that there are meanings and then other meanings. This story feels like a series of images and has a pace that reminds me of wandering around cities at night after the bars are closed and everything is kind of disorienting.
Baker Boy by Thomas Fuchs
I love how this story looked at temptation, and it was strange enough that I had to tell a friend who has a culinary arts degree about it right after I read it. References to Baker Boy have been added to our dialogues about food. So, good job.
In this story a man in the best shape of his life gives into the temptation of a mysterious bakery, and to the allure of the baker boy who tempts him with food among other things. Sure, the main character gains a lot of weight that the sexual escapades can't work off, but the end results were not quite as expected.
The Zombissager by Colleen Chen
Sir Zomablot is out to conquer Peaceville with his army of undead cocks that he has packaged and sold as Zombissagers. Super boyfriends Coolman and Awesomeman can't let that happen. If the names are any indication this is a silly story, but it is pretty entertaining.
Shudder by Alice Fox
This is a cute little graphic novel-like piece that involves an exiled noble and the headless apparition of a minstrel who has a demon problem. The demons look like stretchy cats, which I suppose would be quite horrifying to see in person. After the demon problem is remedied the exiled man can stay in the castle and you can cue true love's first kiss, or something like that.
Mondeval's Heart by Rose Mambert
Ash and Tamaril are companions by chance or fate, but they are loyal to each other and prepared to die on their quest. Ash is human while Tamaril is a ferlik who is also Cursed with a powerful magic that can only be used at a high price. Tamaril trades his memories or blood for magic, use of the power in the past has destroyed his memory to the point that he doesn't remember even his original name. This story throws your from the heat of passion into the heat of battle and makes you wonder what all will be lost and gained once the fight is over.
Zombie Hunt by Danielle Renn
In a post zombie apocalypse world zombie infectee James Hunt protects a settlement of survivors in exchange for shelter and feedings of blood to sustain him. A young man named Evan who lives in the settlement latches onto Hunt and follows him around. Evan is quite curious and in awe of Hunt and wishes to forge any sort of connection that he can between the two because they have a relatively simple past, and within the settlement connections between people are not as simple as they seem. In this world the ugliness of the created society in the settlement is hidden behind the façade of civilization. Evan's actions indicate that he is looking for a sort of salvation and an escape from the settlement, but how far away can he get? And at what price?
The Hollow Hills of New Hampshire by Frank Muse
This was an amusing horror story about a young man named Derek who becomes the owner of a brownie--a short, hairy, naked house elf of lore. (Side note: brownies creep me out already and I rarely encounter them in my usual reading...so that got to me right away.) At first the brownie makes sure the apartment is clean, food is prepared and the place is comfortable to the point of creepiness, but then he starts to cause a bit of trouble when he panics at the realization that his new owner really has no interest in women or reproduction...and the Brownie kind of needs him to have an heir in order to survive.
This Won't Hurt a Bit by Thomas Kearnes
The narrator first hooks up with a guy named Harrison, and is annoyed by Harrison's show of consideration over whether or not he was enjoying their encounter. Soon after that the narrator admits that he's used to getting in between couples and at the moment is trying to be involved with Blake, who is already living with Sam. Blake and Sam are a train wreck of a relationship, but Blake has obvious feelings of complacency and fatalism towards his situation. When the narrator is given a slight chance with Blake it isn't quite what he expected, but from that he garners a sort of revelation.
The Golem of Rabbi Loew by Johnny Townsend
As I read this I noticed that the pacing of the story feels similar to a biblical story. I enjoyed this retelling of The Golem of Prague, and found it easier to read then the version of the original story that I was supposed to read for a Survey of Jewish Culture class. Anyway, the golem in this story not only defends the Jewish population of Prague, but also serves as a companion for Rabbi Loew who feel that his desires for other men would lead others to sin, but since Joseph lacks a soul there's no concern for him sinning. The story is quite bittersweet.
Fools in Love by Chelsea Crowley
Gus, the court jester, insults the court wizard, Horatio Metorimax, and as punishment the jester is forced to assist him in order to better appreciate the wizard's work. Horatio is surprised to find that he can relax around Gus and they both get along better than expected. Gus turns out to be a more complex character than he initially seems and he confesses that he has been hurt by magic before. This is a cute story and I enjoyed the explanation of Gus's background, and I think Horatio learned a lot from Gus.
Super Love by Chris Helton
This story deals with the everyday frustration of dating a super hero, which is a profession with a highly irregular schedule. Odd schedules are a rather relatable feature of relationships in general, and I enjoyed seeing how Maddex tried to bridge that divide in order to spend more time with Greg.
Starpoint Rendezvous by E. Craig McKay
Simon and Jeremy work together as prospectors and play together in the Melia Starpoint space hotel that can provide all varieties of tantalizing sexual experiences. They spend most of the story indulging in what each other, and the hotel, has to offer, but also discuss their newly joined business endeavors and the trouble of transporting asteroids. I must admit that my mind kept wondering off while reading this story because I kept imagining what all could possibly be at such a hotel. So, I generally enjoyed the lazy, sexy and indulgent nature of this tale, and the excitement of the trials of hauling asteroids through space kind of took a backseat to the entertainment at the hotel.
Color Zap! By Sam Sommer
The Genofacility allows two people of any gender to have children, and produces those children in a regulation manner in which they are prepared for a drab world, but Spencer was born with periwinkle blue hair. His parents force him to cover his hair with a hat, and then begin shaving his head as he gets older. He decides for himself that he wants to show off his hair, but on his first time out in public he is given an unfair amount of abuse. He soon finds more people with colorful hair including his boyfriend, Gavin, who has bright green hair. The people with brightly-colored hair form a society to promote the acceptance of them in the general population. I found the story interesting and inspiring and think it was a good note to end the anthology on. The feeling I got from this story was that even though some progress is made there is still room for equality, and sometimes different groups get left behind during the quest for acceptance.
March 8, 2012
Review will appear in the next issue of ICARUS magazine.
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