Molly Tanzer

The title of this anthology is a little misleading, implying a sense of kitsch and lack of seriousness; this could not be further from the truth. The introduction discusses the fact that this falls more within the Conan-sequence sword and sorcery camp of fantasy, rather than high fantasy. I would say these stories go a step further than that. While I agree that sword and sorcery frequently incorporates Lovecraftian mythology elements, and are certainly dark and action packed, these show more particular stories have a sense of bleakness and futility that is much more reminiscent of true lovecraftian fiction. Many also fall firmly within the realm of weird fiction, as we are left with a sense of confusion, a lack of clear explanation for what has just transpired.
Bullington has edited other anthologies for Stonskin Press, and both he and the imprint itself do a good job of recruiting authorial talent for their collections. While there are one or two stories in here I found a bit of a slog to finish, on the whole it was an excellent example of what can be accomplished by placing weird fiction in various historical ages. One or two of the stories I was struggling with really turned around after a few pages and became some of my favorites of the collection. There’s even a really novel use of something which other children of the 80s like myself may remember with fondness, the choose your own adventure story, by one of the authors. show less

3.5 stars. Tags for multiple queer and gender queer characters, multiple disabled characters, alternate fantasy history, vampires, ghosts, were-creatures of all types, etc. Potentially a fun verse to play in. Really well drawn protagonist and cast of central characters. At its best it reminds me somewhat of the best parts of Buffy, especially once Buffy was finally playing by her own rules. At its worst, well, there's some completely gratuitous kink shoehorned in here to no purpose at all, show more and I just...if you're going to bother with memorably weird kink, it should at least be a plot point. show less

The fertility deity Shub-Niggurath, the Black Goat of the Woods with a Thousand Young, is first mentioned in H. P. Lovecraft’s revision story "The Last Test" (1928), before appearing in key Mythos tales such as "The Dunwich Horror" (1928) and "The Whisperer in Darkness" (1930). Shub-Niggurath is never actually described but frequently appears as the source of prayer and incantation by orgiastic and fevered worshippers (Iä! Shub-Niggurath! Iä! Shub-Niggurath). Martian Migraine Press and show more editor’s Scott R. Jones and Justine Geoffrey have taken Shub-Niggurath, and the dark primal lusts embodied by that object of worship, as the start point for this 18 story anthology of eroticised Mythos horror. The writers include some experienced Lovecraftian authors, a number of writers best known for their work in erotica and a smattering of newer voices. Critically for a volume of this type it maintains a Lovecraftian atmosphere throughout with each of the tales being very much of the Mythos – or at least very close cousins. The balance between horror and erotica is also well handled with each different story titling more in one direction than the other - the editors provide a visual signifier at the star of each story as to which element provides the focus of the story. The stories are for the most part intelligent, well-constructed and well-written with only one to two failing to fully ignite, which is a fairly decent strike rate for this type of anthology. I particularly enjoyed "Babymama" (which opens with the stunning line of: "I shouldn't have called her pussy a slavering maw."); "Our Child" by Annabeth Leong (a terrifying story of motherhood) and "The Scarlet Scripture" by Ambrosius Grimes. Overall this is an excellent anthology, with plenty for the lovers of Lovecraft, horror and erotica. Of course if you love all three this becomes an indispensable volume. Iä! Shub-Niggurath, indeed. show less

Creatures of Will and Temper is billed as a lesbian Picture of Dorian Gray. (Some reviews identify it as queer rather than lesbian, but let's be honest: queer Picture of Dorian Gray is just Picture of Dorian Gray, so one needs to be more specific and although there are queer characters who aren't lesbians in this book, of the significant on-page romantic relationships, the only same-sex one is between women.) That's accurate, but not sufficient. It's a bit of a retelling and a bit of an show more expansion. Although there are several characters with names taken obviously from the original, there's more than one Dorian figure, nor does it follow anything like the same story arc.

The paranormal elements are also rather more pronounced than I recall from the original. Obviously a book in which one can sell one's soul so that his portrait will age instead of him isn't exactly what you'd call realistic fiction, but Creatures of Will and Temper fleshes the concept out with societies of demon-worshipers and, of course, fighting demons.

Really, if this is the book for you, I shouldn't have to say anything else. You're probably already ordering it from your library or your favorite book seller. But I really ought to say a little more than one can get from the blurb, and so I'll say that although the basic concept of this book is a terrific hook, what really makes it is the relationship between young Dorina (beautiful, spoiled, in love with all things aesthetic) and her older sister, Evadne (homely, athletic, and a talented fencer). Ultimately, what matters isn't the search for beauty, or fighting demons, it's sisterly love. And sisterly antagonism, but not so much at the end of the day. show less