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Song of the Dryads
Song Of The Dryads is a black translesbian romance fantasy with themes of forced feminization via death, found family, and difficulty with accepting an identity that Bianca, the main character and resident egg, has always wanted but is terrified to fully accept.
Stuck in her ‘shell’ for over thirty years, she wasn’t exactly the happiest of people until her ‘transformation’ occurred. She was stuck protecting a town riddled with less-than-appreciative men, weighed down by the name ‘Gayle’ and all the male protector nonsense they would shove onto her just because she is strong.
When she becomes a Dryad, she gains everything she's dreamed of. But when her past catches up with her, the dreams that follow torment her. How will she escape the name and burden she never wanted while also keeping her secret from her new family?
~TRIGGER WARNINGS~
Body horror
Major character death
Murder
Trauma
Gore
Stuck in her ‘shell’ for over thirty years, she wasn’t exactly the happiest of people until her ‘transformation’ occurred. She was stuck protecting a town riddled with less-than-appreciative men, weighed down by the name ‘Gayle’ and all the male protector nonsense they would shove onto her just because she is strong.
When she becomes a Dryad, she gains everything she's dreamed of. But when her past catches up with her, the dreams that follow torment her. How will she escape the name and burden she never wanted while also keeping her secret from her new family?
~TRIGGER WARNINGS~
Body horror
Major character death
Murder
Trauma
Gore
116 pages, ebook
Published January 1, 2025
26 people want to read
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December 4, 2025Original review on Before We Go Blog: https://beforewegoblog.com/sfincs-rev...
Voice!
Bailey Saxon’s Sapphic, (re)coming-of-age fantasy is packed with it. Song of the Dryads is a bit of an unusual book, the exact feel of it difficult to pin down. At once combining the zip and banter of a Critical Role cartoon with a anime-esque cheekiness, it knows not to take itself too seriously while simultaneously wrestling with some deep and personal themes related to gender and selfhood. These elements are combined with an interest in monster and creature design, and a heartwarming energy that put me in mind of the work of Rebecca Chambers. Readers interested in gentle stories of found family in which conflict tends to be smaller-scale and interpersonal will enjoy this one best. While occasionally I longed for a little more focus, clarity, and structure from the narrative, the exuberance of the voice and the heartfelt quality of the protagonist’s story of personal growth demonstrate Saxon’s raw talent.
The protagonist of Song of the Dryads is a transfemme monster hunter named Bianca, who’s wrestling with her sense of self in the small fantasy community. That community includes a jumble of awkward acquaintances (straight cis women who see her not for who she is, but who they want her to be; misogynistic male bounty hunters; and a few close friends and family who she’s nonetheless still nervous around). When a monster hunt goes wrong, however, Bianca’s “death” becomes an opportunity for rebirth: she’s transported to the world of the dryads, where she’s finally able to claim the body and identity she was ashamed to and where she befriends a caring and supportive found family of monsters. A subplot in the novella involves a second (and third) POV and focuses on Bianca’s nonbinary sister, who becomes confused when Bianca doesn’t return from her latest mission.
Song of the Dryads is less a plot-focused novella than one concerned with personal development and character growth. While the world Saxon has crafted has everything you’d anticipate from an adventure fantasy in terms of its set pieces, its heart lies with Bianca herself and her journey of gender affirmation and healing. The modern slang and voice suit both the personal nature of Bianca’s narration, as well as the anime-esque tone of the work extremely well, and I could easily imagine Song‘s cast popping up in an adult cartoon one day. Sometimes, so-called anachronistic tones can feel jarring in a fantasy context, depending on what an author is going for, but here they felt pitch-perfect for the kind of story Saxon is invested in. Although the genres couldn’t be more different in some ways, the style of the narration and the energy of Bianca’s voice put me most in mind of the narrator of horror giant Stephen Graham Jones’s My Heart is a Chainsaw. The prose is almost stream-of-consciousness at times, and Saxon commits fully to Bianca’s voice. Contemporary queer readers will recognize many of the allusions to online queer culture that Saxon makes, and the whole work replicates the feel of being part of a queer Discord, with friends uplifting and affirming one another, while also teasing and challenging.
Where Song is perhaps a little weaker is in its editing. While the voice is exceptional and the supporting cast charming and fun, at a line level there’s some ironing out that could make the reading process a little smoother. I did find that, in the whirlwind of character interactions, whacky delight, and Bianca’s own careering thoughts, there were sometimes clarity and focus issues. So much is happening at such a breakneck speed that sometimes it was challenging to know which elements of the story were the ones the reader ought to pay the most attention to, and while the tumble from thought-to-thought-to-thought did a lot to characterize Bianca, sometimes the feel of being part of an online conversation could be overwhelming in the way that . . . well . . . online conversations and forums genuinely are! All that said, it’s very clear Saxon is a talent, and there were some beautiful turns of phrase that stood out to me as I read. In particular, in the novella’s second-to-last chapter, I found myself particularly captivated by Bianca’s reflections on herself and her experiences. The voice really does carry the piece, and my impression is that with just a bit more added plot, structure, and some minor trimming to prioritize the heart of the story’s themes, this one will really sing. Something simple, like adding a few more chapters from the sister’s perspective, might have helped bring slightly more structure to the piece, without taking away from the depth of Bianca’s POV.
Perhaps the most important element of Song is its warmth and its ability to affirm. Today particularly, with trans and marginalized rights under attack in the UK, US, and elsewhere, communities wherein trans, nonbinary, and gender diverse people are welcomed, celebrated, and encouraged to present as their true selves are essential to our survival. This is especially the case for trans women of colour. Saxon’s beautiful representation of a wholesome queer community expresses the importance of those environments, and I’d recommend Song to community-members in need of hope. Whether you already belong to a supportive network of fellow trans people and allies, or are currently feeling alone, Song is a lovely opportunity to reflect on how we can support one another, and a reassurance that we’re not alone. Small, whimsical details, such as a chapter entitled, “Gay Force Winds,” brought a smile to my face, and helped inject a sense of fun that counterbalances an interest in Bianca’s struggles with identity.
I recommend Song of the Dryads to queer readers, cozy and slice-of-life fans, readers who love a little of an anime influence, and even to litRPG fans in search of something very different (Song isn’t a litRPG, but elements of Bianca’s discovery of her new powers and form put me in mind of a video game, or perhaps a progression fantasy). There’s a huge amount of personality in this one.
Voice!
Bailey Saxon’s Sapphic, (re)coming-of-age fantasy is packed with it. Song of the Dryads is a bit of an unusual book, the exact feel of it difficult to pin down. At once combining the zip and banter of a Critical Role cartoon with a anime-esque cheekiness, it knows not to take itself too seriously while simultaneously wrestling with some deep and personal themes related to gender and selfhood. These elements are combined with an interest in monster and creature design, and a heartwarming energy that put me in mind of the work of Rebecca Chambers. Readers interested in gentle stories of found family in which conflict tends to be smaller-scale and interpersonal will enjoy this one best. While occasionally I longed for a little more focus, clarity, and structure from the narrative, the exuberance of the voice and the heartfelt quality of the protagonist’s story of personal growth demonstrate Saxon’s raw talent.
The protagonist of Song of the Dryads is a transfemme monster hunter named Bianca, who’s wrestling with her sense of self in the small fantasy community. That community includes a jumble of awkward acquaintances (straight cis women who see her not for who she is, but who they want her to be; misogynistic male bounty hunters; and a few close friends and family who she’s nonetheless still nervous around). When a monster hunt goes wrong, however, Bianca’s “death” becomes an opportunity for rebirth: she’s transported to the world of the dryads, where she’s finally able to claim the body and identity she was ashamed to and where she befriends a caring and supportive found family of monsters. A subplot in the novella involves a second (and third) POV and focuses on Bianca’s nonbinary sister, who becomes confused when Bianca doesn’t return from her latest mission.
Song of the Dryads is less a plot-focused novella than one concerned with personal development and character growth. While the world Saxon has crafted has everything you’d anticipate from an adventure fantasy in terms of its set pieces, its heart lies with Bianca herself and her journey of gender affirmation and healing. The modern slang and voice suit both the personal nature of Bianca’s narration, as well as the anime-esque tone of the work extremely well, and I could easily imagine Song‘s cast popping up in an adult cartoon one day. Sometimes, so-called anachronistic tones can feel jarring in a fantasy context, depending on what an author is going for, but here they felt pitch-perfect for the kind of story Saxon is invested in. Although the genres couldn’t be more different in some ways, the style of the narration and the energy of Bianca’s voice put me most in mind of the narrator of horror giant Stephen Graham Jones’s My Heart is a Chainsaw. The prose is almost stream-of-consciousness at times, and Saxon commits fully to Bianca’s voice. Contemporary queer readers will recognize many of the allusions to online queer culture that Saxon makes, and the whole work replicates the feel of being part of a queer Discord, with friends uplifting and affirming one another, while also teasing and challenging.
Where Song is perhaps a little weaker is in its editing. While the voice is exceptional and the supporting cast charming and fun, at a line level there’s some ironing out that could make the reading process a little smoother. I did find that, in the whirlwind of character interactions, whacky delight, and Bianca’s own careering thoughts, there were sometimes clarity and focus issues. So much is happening at such a breakneck speed that sometimes it was challenging to know which elements of the story were the ones the reader ought to pay the most attention to, and while the tumble from thought-to-thought-to-thought did a lot to characterize Bianca, sometimes the feel of being part of an online conversation could be overwhelming in the way that . . . well . . . online conversations and forums genuinely are! All that said, it’s very clear Saxon is a talent, and there were some beautiful turns of phrase that stood out to me as I read. In particular, in the novella’s second-to-last chapter, I found myself particularly captivated by Bianca’s reflections on herself and her experiences. The voice really does carry the piece, and my impression is that with just a bit more added plot, structure, and some minor trimming to prioritize the heart of the story’s themes, this one will really sing. Something simple, like adding a few more chapters from the sister’s perspective, might have helped bring slightly more structure to the piece, without taking away from the depth of Bianca’s POV.
Perhaps the most important element of Song is its warmth and its ability to affirm. Today particularly, with trans and marginalized rights under attack in the UK, US, and elsewhere, communities wherein trans, nonbinary, and gender diverse people are welcomed, celebrated, and encouraged to present as their true selves are essential to our survival. This is especially the case for trans women of colour. Saxon’s beautiful representation of a wholesome queer community expresses the importance of those environments, and I’d recommend Song to community-members in need of hope. Whether you already belong to a supportive network of fellow trans people and allies, or are currently feeling alone, Song is a lovely opportunity to reflect on how we can support one another, and a reassurance that we’re not alone. Small, whimsical details, such as a chapter entitled, “Gay Force Winds,” brought a smile to my face, and helped inject a sense of fun that counterbalances an interest in Bianca’s struggles with identity.
I recommend Song of the Dryads to queer readers, cozy and slice-of-life fans, readers who love a little of an anime influence, and even to litRPG fans in search of something very different (Song isn’t a litRPG, but elements of Bianca’s discovery of her new powers and form put me in mind of a video game, or perhaps a progression fantasy). There’s a huge amount of personality in this one.
April 15, 2025
Overall - I enjoyed this novella. I really liked the concept of the dryads - they are all described so uniquely! I feel like there is a rich world here that has so much that can be explored. I wanted more from it. More on the magic and lore, more on what's going on.
The story moved *really* fast though and I feel like that pace hurt the story. The novella covers three weeks of time, and most of that time happens offscreen. It was a whirlwind of scenes that needed some slower periods where the main character could actually process what's happening.
I was frustrated that some things about the dryads were brought up but never actually done . Maybe that's being left for a future story, but it would have been nice to acknowledge the timing of it instead of just dropping it. I understand that our main character is coming into this fresh and learning what's going on alongside the reader, but it felt like everyone was more into flirting with each other rather than actually teaching about Dryad lore.
This is the author's debut novella. I do hope to see more in this world and will give her next book another shot.
The story moved *really* fast though and I feel like that pace hurt the story. The novella covers three weeks of time, and most of that time happens offscreen. It was a whirlwind of scenes that needed some slower periods where the main character could actually process what's happening.
I was frustrated that some things about the dryads were brought up but never actually done . Maybe that's being left for a future story, but it would have been nice to acknowledge the timing of it instead of just dropping it. I understand that our main character is coming into this fresh and learning what's going on alongside the reader, but it felt like everyone was more into flirting with each other rather than actually teaching about Dryad lore.
This is the author's debut novella. I do hope to see more in this world and will give her next book another shot.
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October 25, 2025Read for SFINCS3, RTC!
October 14, 2025
Actual rating: 3.5⭐️
This book is fun! And a reminder for me, a cis woman, that I'm still not reading diversely enough 🙈 Anyway, I loved many of the themes presented in the book: women supporting women, women loving women, the Dryads being so chill and accepting. (There's so much love for women, by other women, in this book, platonically or otherwise. As someone who grew up being mean girl'd, I really love this. We should have each other's backs, you know?)
Most of all, however, I loved the insight into Bianca's life and struggles, which is especially relevant now with the world becoming so anti-trans.
The world has an epic fantasy vibe so the modern language (and names) might be jarring and a dealbreaker for some. I'm not in love with it, but I appreciate it, as I think it made the story more accessible/relatable. The writing style isn't my favorite either, but Bianca's voice shines through pages and that's noteworthy.
This book is also more character-driven than plot-driven. I came in trying to follow the plot (typical of me) but I soon realized that the book was really about Bianca's transformation. With that in mind, I stopped expecting answers to my plot-related questions and enjoyed following Bianca's journey toward acceptance and self-love.
This book is fun! And a reminder for me, a cis woman, that I'm still not reading diversely enough 🙈 Anyway, I loved many of the themes presented in the book: women supporting women, women loving women, the Dryads being so chill and accepting. (There's so much love for women, by other women, in this book, platonically or otherwise. As someone who grew up being mean girl'd, I really love this. We should have each other's backs, you know?)
Most of all, however, I loved the insight into Bianca's life and struggles, which is especially relevant now with the world becoming so anti-trans.
The world has an epic fantasy vibe so the modern language (and names) might be jarring and a dealbreaker for some. I'm not in love with it, but I appreciate it, as I think it made the story more accessible/relatable. The writing style isn't my favorite either, but Bianca's voice shines through pages and that's noteworthy.
This book is also more character-driven than plot-driven. I came in trying to follow the plot (typical of me) but I soon realized that the book was really about Bianca's transformation. With that in mind, I stopped expecting answers to my plot-related questions and enjoyed following Bianca's journey toward acceptance and self-love.
June 15, 2025
a very fun very queer fantasy adventure, dryads, trans rep, lesbians! the writing wasn't to my taste but is full of personality
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews