Keekee Smith’s Reviews > Welcome to Your Body: Lessons in Evisceration > Status Update

In Your Image by Kia Delmas

An interesting transformation story that leans a bit toward gross-out horror.

The Resurrectionist by Bryan Young

I kept waiting for the scare but suspense and anticipation seemed to be the strongest elements at play. I did enjoy the flow of the short, as well as Young’s writing style.

Within the Naga’s Coils by Rachel Searcey

I was expecting a little more from the title dealing with the naga, but it was overall a good story.

As a person with a uterus, I adore the concept of it floating peacefully in a moonlit pool until I need it or becoming beautiful gems at the bottom of the pool if I don’t. A perfect summary of the way specifically cis-women are often ignorantly reduced to whether or not they can bear a child, their wants or well-being be damned. As John put it, “Without her womb, she is nothing, an empty specter with no purpose.”

World of Angel by Johnathan Heart

A fascinating concept that I feel could be endlessly explored. I failed to see the horror, but it enthralls me nonetheless.

Whole Again by Emma E. Murray

Oof. This one hit deep. Grief is such an insanely personal entity. It’s not a far stretch to say this could happen to any one of us. It’s truly a scary thought.

Intoxication by Lindsey Ragsdale

Despite a moment of soft gore, this story was sweet. I would read a series about Jake and Thalia. I didn’t find anything frightening, but it was a great read.

The Rotten Cradle by Demi-Louise Blackburn

I couldn’t get into the story and didn’t feel the horror. I wonder if it had been a longer piece if that would be remedied.

Run Through the Pain by Taylor Ketterer

Whether by reality or hallucination, I doubt I’d ever have the grit to do what Sam did. It wasn’t horrifying, but it’s definitely a situation you wouldn’t want to find yourself in.

Deeper
By Bridget D. Brave

The horrifying aspect of this short for me is that I could believe someone would do this. The whole time I was reading this I was shaking my head. It’s a mix of disbelief, disgust, and dismay. By the end, I was utterly appalled. I’ll be thinking about this one for longer than I’d like to, that’s for sure.