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Phantom Pain
It’s just Lisa’s luck that a long-awaited relationship would start just as she develops a disturbing medical problem. In this 8,000-word LGBTQ body horror story, the terror doesn't come from the outside, but from within. As Lisa's mysterious illness ravages her body, she has a choice to make. Will she choose love? Or something worse?
30 pages, ebook
First published October 31, 2021
About the author
Ruth Anna Evans
57 books116 followersRuth Anna Evans is a writer of short horror fiction who lives in the heart of all that is sinister: the American Midwest. She has been composing prose of all types since childhood but finds something truly delightful in putting her nightmares on the page. Her stories are full of twists and turns with relatable protagonists and startling endings. If you like Grady Hendrix and Ira Levin, you'll like Ruth Anna Evans. Follow Ruth Anna on Twitter @ruthannaevans for updates on her work.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 30, 2022
Everything started with a strong pain in the chest for Lisa. Then it got worse. Rot started at her left breast. Is there any cure for the spreading disease? What do the doctors recommend? What is Veronicas's role? What is meant by "body donor". Quick and disgusting read. Nasty denouement. Well written, eerie at parts, but body horror isn't truly my cup of tea. Nice cover though.
January 21, 2022
A super gooey short tale of body horror. It needed a little more fleshing out but it gave me the Icks and that’s always fun! 😊
November 24, 2022
This novelette was delightful: a super quick, nasty, gooey horror novelette featuring a plus-sized lesbian protagonist who's dealing with a sudden and terrifying medical condition.
I was sold from the beginning when Lisa has to deal with a completely idiotic doctor (because honestly, yes, I could see some jackass being like "maybe lose some weight and *insert spoiler* will stop happening!"), but what really got me was this one particular body horror scene that I can't describe—I'll say it made me literally gag a little. Also, I definitely caught myself crossing an arm over my chest to subconsciously protect myself at one point. 😂
This was my first time reading Ruth Anna Evans' work, but I can't wait to read more now!
✨ Representation: fat lesbian MC, sapphic side character, gay side character
✨ Content warnings for:
———
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I was sold from the beginning when Lisa has to deal with a completely idiotic doctor (because honestly, yes, I could see some jackass being like "maybe lose some weight and *insert spoiler* will stop happening!"), but what really got me was this one particular body horror scene that I can't describe—I'll say it made me literally gag a little. Also, I definitely caught myself crossing an arm over my chest to subconsciously protect myself at one point. 😂
This was my first time reading Ruth Anna Evans' work, but I can't wait to read more now!
✨ Representation: fat lesbian MC, sapphic side character, gay side character
✨ Content warnings for:
———
twitter | booktok | bookstagram | blog
July 14, 2022
Vile!
This was a vile and disgusting book. I loved it! Not ashamed to admit it made me a little queasy. I could almost smell what was being described. Can't wait to read more of this author's work!
This was a vile and disgusting book. I loved it! Not ashamed to admit it made me a little queasy. I could almost smell what was being described. Can't wait to read more of this author's work!
September 10, 2022
Such a good short story!!
January 28, 2022
"Bursting" with fun.
A short sweet tale of a girl just wanting to have some fun, but things always get in her way...What lengths would you go to just to survive? What choices would you make?
A short sweet tale of a girl just wanting to have some fun, but things always get in her way...What lengths would you go to just to survive? What choices would you make?
December 14, 2022
This is my second Ruth Ann Evans book, and this one was just as good and maybe even better than Side Effects Include. Ruth Ann writes really relatable characters, and I felt for Lisa as she tried to navigate through her issues.The gooey parts were great, full of excellent descriptions that will probably gross a lot of people out, plus it had a nice unexpected twist! I would definitely recommend that any body horror fans check this one out, or if you're looking to feel a little yucky while eating breakfast, this one's for you.
March 5, 2023
Grabbed this a while ago, as the cover was really fab.
Finally sat down to read it, and am super glad I did.
Yikes! What a short sharp shock of LGBTQ body horror this was!
Really grisly and gory at times. The cinema part was especially yucky!
Loved it very. Will definitely read more by Ruth Anna Evans.
Finally sat down to read it, and am super glad I did.
Yikes! What a short sharp shock of LGBTQ body horror this was!
Really grisly and gory at times. The cinema part was especially yucky!
Loved it very. Will definitely read more by Ruth Anna Evans.
December 15, 2022
Well…. Huh…. Very gruesome and disturbing! Just what I like in a splattery read!
That was not was I was expecting… I thought it’d end up being a psychological issue instead of an actual physical one for Lisa.
Love this author, so please check out this and her other works!
That was not was I was expecting… I thought it’d end up being a psychological issue instead of an actual physical one for Lisa.
Love this author, so please check out this and her other works!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2023
Body horror is not always my go-to genre or subgenre, but this one lingered in my mind. As I write this review, it is more than a week since I read the work. Life happened, and I was delayed in posting this review, but the delay actually allowed me to see the impact the work had on me as a reader. Our protagonist in the story has a pain that turns to body horror and now, when I have a flash of pain, I think of this story, which means it must have burrowed deep into my mind and left its impact there.
I think this story worked so powerfully on me because it is a tale of bodily betrayal. It carries with it a series of ethical and social commentaries, but ultimately one is left looking at one's own life. When will my body betray me? When will the quick pain become one that lingers a little longer? When will the lingering pain become the beginning of the end? I do not tend toward hypochondria, but this story is a reminder of our mortality, that there are no guarantees, and that just because good does begin to find us does not mean we will not betray ourselves and others - whether by our failing bodies or our own choices when confronted with the fact that we are all given a certain time limit that we do not know. We do not hear the mortality alarm clock until it is time to go, so to speak. The protagonist sees the decay start and makes a choice that makes the horror all the more severe. This is body horror and morality play; this is body horror and the "trolley problem" writ large; this is a story that will create in you a response... and that means it has a value beyond just the horror (which is value in and of itself - not knocking horror for horror's sake, of course).
I also found myself considering this in a "vibe" of Edgar Allan Poe - akin to his The Masque of the Red Death not in that it imitates it, but that the theme of wanting to be safe and wanting to be engaged play out - albeit it differently - in this text. Our protagonist is opening herself up to a relationship for the first time in some time in the beginning of the work. When the unexpected and bleak begins, there are responses and choices. One could read much into this as a commentary a la Poe if one wanted, though the outcome is decidedly different.
As you can tell, this story keeps playing around in my mind more than a week later. It created a visceral body horror response and a consideration of our mortality and morality. Worth your time to read this one.
I think this story worked so powerfully on me because it is a tale of bodily betrayal. It carries with it a series of ethical and social commentaries, but ultimately one is left looking at one's own life. When will my body betray me? When will the quick pain become one that lingers a little longer? When will the lingering pain become the beginning of the end? I do not tend toward hypochondria, but this story is a reminder of our mortality, that there are no guarantees, and that just because good does begin to find us does not mean we will not betray ourselves and others - whether by our failing bodies or our own choices when confronted with the fact that we are all given a certain time limit that we do not know. We do not hear the mortality alarm clock until it is time to go, so to speak. The protagonist sees the decay start and makes a choice that makes the horror all the more severe. This is body horror and morality play; this is body horror and the "trolley problem" writ large; this is a story that will create in you a response... and that means it has a value beyond just the horror (which is value in and of itself - not knocking horror for horror's sake, of course).
I also found myself considering this in a "vibe" of Edgar Allan Poe - akin to his The Masque of the Red Death not in that it imitates it, but that the theme of wanting to be safe and wanting to be engaged play out - albeit it differently - in this text. Our protagonist is opening herself up to a relationship for the first time in some time in the beginning of the work. When the unexpected and bleak begins, there are responses and choices. One could read much into this as a commentary a la Poe if one wanted, though the outcome is decidedly different.
As you can tell, this story keeps playing around in my mind more than a week later. It created a visceral body horror response and a consideration of our mortality and morality. Worth your time to read this one.
November 10, 2022
it was… interesting
ok so that was different. i wasn’t expecting it to go down that road but I’m also no entirely surprised. the writing is pretty good, there were a few moments were it just felt like the story needed more backstory/filler bits between the big moments. the first doctors visit where he says about losing weight just felt forced and unnecessary. i get that the “have you tried losing weight” line is used far to often but I feel like in this case weight would have nothing to do with what was happening to her body which is kinda proven in the last sentence. so the dr hyde was my biggest issue but it’s not really that major. all in all it wasn’t a bad little read
ok so that was different. i wasn’t expecting it to go down that road but I’m also no entirely surprised. the writing is pretty good, there were a few moments were it just felt like the story needed more backstory/filler bits between the big moments. the first doctors visit where he says about losing weight just felt forced and unnecessary. i get that the “have you tried losing weight” line is used far to often but I feel like in this case weight would have nothing to do with what was happening to her body which is kinda proven in the last sentence. so the dr hyde was my biggest issue but it’s not really that major. all in all it wasn’t a bad little read
February 5, 2022
Body Horror
I really wish this story would have been longer and a little more detailed. It was good but could have been so much better.
Lisa is a 38 year old high school teacher that is single and alone. She meets Veronica right after she discovers her breast bleeding and puss leaking from it. She goes to the doctor with no prevail and is prescribed an ointment (this is were things threw me off, should have had more detailed).
Lisa and Veronica hit it off but Lisa’s illness keeps them from really connecting. Lisa’s illness is getting worse and she has a choice to make that could save her life but to what sacrifice?
Caution: self mutilation
I really wish this story would have been longer and a little more detailed. It was good but could have been so much better.
Lisa is a 38 year old high school teacher that is single and alone. She meets Veronica right after she discovers her breast bleeding and puss leaking from it. She goes to the doctor with no prevail and is prescribed an ointment (this is were things threw me off, should have had more detailed).
Lisa and Veronica hit it off but Lisa’s illness keeps them from really connecting. Lisa’s illness is getting worse and she has a choice to make that could save her life but to what sacrifice?
Caution: self mutilation
January 31, 2023
The concept was interesting, but the overall writing didn't appeal to me. Since it was so short, there was a lot of telling rather than showing how the main character processed things. There was also an odd part towards the beginning implying that one of Lisa's students was being abused? But she didn't question or care about it at all, which made me pretty instantly dislike her.
Overall though, I can't fault a short book for not elaborating on things. If you want a quick and easy, gross and gore-y body horror that examines body dysmorphia and beauty standards, this is for you.
Overall though, I can't fault a short book for not elaborating on things. If you want a quick and easy, gross and gore-y body horror that examines body dysmorphia and beauty standards, this is for you.
October 11, 2022
This book.... I don't even know where to start.. its weird it's creepy its sick but I loved it. This authors novelettes are so good and I'm loving them.
I'm amazed how quickly she can create a character in your head and give it feeling without using many pages
Highly recommend to fans of short horror
I'm amazed how quickly she can create a character in your head and give it feeling without using many pages
Highly recommend to fans of short horror
October 11, 2022
Im not even sure what I just read but cuddled up to a cushion hiding half behind it made it better.
This short story is perfect for horror fans.
What a creepy, disgusting, horrifying story.
Very interested in this author now.
This short story is perfect for horror fans.
What a creepy, disgusting, horrifying story.
Very interested in this author now.
March 23, 2023
For a short story, it certainly packed a lot of uncomfortableness into it. Finished this in one sitting. I found the characters to be interesting enough, even with very little backstory to them. I'll definitely be looking to read more of this author's work.
October 4, 2023
Well that was...gross. Not at all what I expected. I did like it...it was a quick read and the story is different from anything I've read before. But...I don't see myself reading it again at any point. 3.5 stars.
November 19, 2022
Well, that was unsettling. Makes my boobs hurt just thinking about it. You also have that wonderful “what would you do” moment. I love those! Disturbing little read.
November 27, 2022
Just learned about this author and I’m impressed! Dearly loved the gore!!
July 1, 2022
3.5 stars. Short body horror story. Reminded me of a Twilight Zone episode.
July 8, 2022
loved the story but the writing felt a little rough and unrefined. I'm looking forward to more from RAE.
February 1, 2023
This was my first full read this year (I've got a couple of books still on the go I need to finish) and it definitely kick-started my desire to read again. Quick and sharp, gory and gross. Just how I like it. I wasn't too fond of some parts, but it definitely got the horror down. I'd say with a bit more fleshing out (no pun intended) and maybe some reworking of the dialogue this would be a great read.
April 23, 2022
A chilling tale of body horror. Lisa thinks that she may finally have found the perfect woman for her, when things begin to go horribly wrong. Her medical problem starts with a pain in her chest, a sore on her breast and then progresses as Lisa’s body literally falls apart one body part at a time.
November 25, 2022
*3.25 stars
GROSS!!! 10/10 very good but disgusting. I felt it right in my tit
GROSS!!! 10/10 very good but disgusting. I felt it right in my tit
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews