[REVIEW] Moonflowers & Nightshade
Reaching back through horror history, it’s very clear that horror has always been queer, be it in the queer subtext of the films of James Whale or in speculation of the mother of horror Mary Shelley’s sexuality; however, as society has become more accepting of explicit queer representation in film and literature, sapphic representation tends to be restricted to a sort of box, more frequently being associated with period pieces, the gothic, or vampires. But lesbian characters shouldn’t be restricted to just those subgenres in mainstream horror, they should be allowed to be depraved and violent and sexual. Moonflowers & Nightshade, a sapphic horror anthology written by queer authors and edited by Bram Stoker nominee and Splatterpunk Award winner Samantha Kolesnik, features eighteen stories of sapphic love and brutality.
Moonflowers & Nightshade is a testament to the talent of its editor, Samantha Kolesnik. This anthology is the second I’ve read from Kolesnik, after 2020s Worst Laid Plans: An Anthology of Vacation Horror. Once again, I am impressed by Kolesnik’s ability to assemble a group of stories that effectively highlights the key elements of the theme without feeling too repetitive or redundant. Sapphic horror is broadly defined in this anthology, rather than hyperfocusing on one sub-genre of sapphic horror. This gave a refreshing variety and contrast to the stories as we move from stories about angels of death to desperate ghosts to sexy cannibals. While the word sapphic can be associated with woman-loves-woman romance, this anthology doesn’t limit its stories to those that feature lesbian romances, instead, we get to see not only love and sex, but also, depravity and dark desires.
Rae Knowles’ “Common Oleander” tells the story of a lesbian couple who will do anything to keep their garden alive, even if they must shed blood to do so. This story was particularly effective since it didn’t overstay its welcome, delivering well-paced, impactful horror. Avra Margariti’s “Fathomless Things” explores the existential desire for the darkness of the void, as a supposedly happenstance romance between a cosmic being and regular human woman turns sour, bolstered by Margariti’s signature evocative and beautiful prose. While I very rarely find myself drawn to fantasy, Cyrus Amelia Fisher’s “The Court of Mouths” made me interested in seeking out more fantasy horror after reading this story of perpetually feasting and never satisfied lords meeting a grotesque and violent end to their everlasting meal.
Samantha Kolesnik succeeded in editing yet another anthology that continually surprises, shifting genre and tone in a way that prevents the anthology from becoming too redundant; however, I did feel like there were several stories that felt more like first chapters of longer works, often ending right when I was beginning to become intrigued. And despite my love of all things cannibalism, there might have been one or two many stories that dealt with themes of unsatisfiable hunger, consumption, and the intersection between hunger and sexuality. But knowing the horror community, I am sure that there are many readers who will be all in for the cannibalistic entries in this anthology. Despite these small complaints, Moonflowers & Nightshade is a sapphic horror anthology that will surely entertain and frighten, while providing crucial lesbian representation in genre fiction.