ARC Review: Out Now: Queer We Go Again
Image from publisher’s website
Out Now: Queer We Go Again edited by Saundra Mitchell
Release: May 26, 2020
Publisher: Inkyard Press
*I received a free, digital ARC of this title from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
Last summer, I published a review on my blog for All Out: The No-Longer-Secret-Stories of Queer Teens Throughout the Ages (edited by Saundra Mitchell, published in 2018), so I was thrilled when NetGalley approved an ARC for Mitchell’s newest collection of short stories featuring queer protagonists: Out Now: Queer We Go Again. Mitchell delivers again, with an all-star group of writers representing a wide range of the queer community. I’m here for it, and you should be too.
If you read my post for All Out, then you’ll already know my feelings about Out Now. The short stories were entertaining and great, they varied across multiple genres including contemporary, romance, and fantasy (my favorites), and the representation is on point. SO, instead of rehashing all those details, I’m going to let you know that I’m giving this new collection 4-out-of-5 Awesome Austin Points, because this collection delivers in the same way. Why only a 4, you might ask? Well, every collection of short stories comes with narratives to which each reader can connect, but there are also some that may not be favorites. There were many I liked and a few that didn’t quite reach me, so overall it didn’t quite make it to a complete 5.
With that said, I want to highlight this collection with a few of my favorites that you can hopefully enjoy as much as I:
“What Happens in the Closet” by Caleb Roehrig: Roehrig definitely gives a nod to Buffy the Vampire Slayer in this short story about a town prone to vampire violence. The question becomes whether or not the protagonists can survive their high school prom?
“One Spell Too Many” by Tara Sim: Ever since Tamora Pierce enraptured me with the “magic in ordinary wonders” in her Circle of Magic series (do yourself a favor and check those out) I have loved magic in simple contexts. Sim delivers in this short story of a young witch that specializes in magical baking (literally baking her spells into cupcakes, etc.). Unfortunately she mixes up two customer orders that could have disastrous consequences. It’s quirky, it’s fun, and I found myself loving the magical delivery.
“Once Upon a Seastorm” by Fox Benwell: This story is all about finding one’s identity. It just so happens that Theodora Hearn is trying to figure out who he is, which is no small feat considering his mother claims to have found him in the foam of the sea. Benwell delves into what makes you you in the short story that will tug at your heartstrings.
I would love to hear about your favorite stories from this collection so reach out to me here on Tumblr, my Instagram, or my Goodreads!