I did not have “give 5 stars to a horror book” on my BINGO card for this year, even if it is considered a “cozy” horror (a descriptor that I disagree with). But I really loved everything about this: the characters, the humor, the themes. The main character is Shesheshen, an amorphous goopy monster who is rudely awoken from hibernation when monster hunters enter her lair. She is injured while fleeing in a shapeshifted human form and rescued by Homily.
Shesheshen realizes she needs to come clean about who she is as she and Homily become closer, but before she can do so, Homily reveals that her family is hunting a monster who cursed her family. Her family happens to be nobility that essentially owns the isthmus where Shesheshen lives. Homily is referring to Shesheshen, who has never cursed anyone. She offers to help Homily’s family hunt herself, basically. Homily’s family is the worst, and trauma is one of the main themes that Wiswell explores. He does it empathetically and accurately if not subtly. I love how supportive and insightful Shesheshen is and the recognition that love isn’t going to cure trauma. There is also commentary on humanity in general and how humanity can be just as monstrous as monsters, if not worse.
There is definitely gore and what could be considered body horror, although a lot of that didn’t bother me much, perhaps because Shesheshen isn’t human and the way she’s manipulating bones and organs within her body is normal for her. And in spite of everything I’ve just described, there’s a lot of humor. Much of it comes from the commentary Shesheshen is making about humans and relationships. This is a highly quotable/highlightable book (e.g., “It was the older families that clutched most of the wealth, even though it was harvested by the laborers. What the laborers got out of it that kept them from eating the rich, Shesheshen didn’t understand”).
I absolutely loved this book, so much more than I ever would have expected, and I don’t just recommend this to horror readers. I am not generally a horror reader. I’m a bit squeamish and I don’t like feeling freaked out, but this could not be have been more up my alley. If you think you could be even a little bit interested in a funny, heartfelt horror novel that also has a central asexual, sapphic relationship (and is written by a queer, disabled, neurodivergent author), please give this one a try.
