Blood on Her Tongue

Blood on Her Tongue by Johanna Van Veen, 368 pages

Lucy has always been close to her twin sister, Sarah, so when Sarah's husband informs her that Sarah is unwell, Lucy rushes to her side. Once she arrives, she finds that Sarah's much worse than Lucy thought — she's on the verge of death, starving but refusing to eat, and ranting like a madwoman. However, as she attends to her sister, Lucy learns that this mysterious disease seems to stem from around the same time that a body was found in one of the peat bogs at Sarah's estate, making Lucy curious about the bog body as well as its effects on her sister.

Van Veen is a native of the Netherlands, and she has found a fantastic setting for her gothic historical horror novels in her homeland. Much like her first book, My Darling Dreadful Thing, Van Veen uses the landscape to create an appropriately creepy atmosphere in Blood on Her Tongue. By marrying the supernatural horror associated with the bog body with the true-to-life dangers of being a headstrong woman (or worse, a lesbian) in the 1880s and throwing in some truly gruesome body horror, Van Veen has created an excellently creepy and twisty novel. Recommended for fans of Dracula and Shirley Jackson who don't mind a wee bit of cannibalism.

Lesbian Love Story

Lesbian Love Story: A Memoir in Archives by Amelia Possanza

In Lesbian Love Story, Amelia Possanza examines a number of archives, looking into the world of lesbians over time. Possanza sometimes puts herself into her story-telling about lesbians or compares the lives of the lesbians she has studied to her own modern-day experiences.

In seven chapters, we learn about lesbians whom we have never heard of, as well as ones whom we have (the poet Sappho, golfer Babe Zaharias). Some lesbians are persons of color, some were married to men, some never actually came out as lesbians, but it seems quite likely that they were, and some were able to pass as men, in order to be with the women they loved.

Possanza is looking for a long-lasting love story, hoping that she will find one for herself, too. Because historical records often leave gaps, Possanza sometimes adds to the story what she thinks might have happened. I found it an enjoyable, informative read.

Even Though I Knew the End

Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk, 136 pages

Helen is an augur who uses her magical abilities to track murderers, kidnappers, and all manner of lowlifes through 1940s Chicago. When she's not doing that, she's spending her time with Edith, the saintly love of her life. However, Helen has a secret that not even Edith knows: Helen's soul is not hers, and in just a few days, the demon who owns it is coming calling. But if she can manage to catch Chicago's most notorious serial killer, there's a chance she can keep that soul, and her life, a bit longer.

In this short book, Polk creates a rich world of angels, demons, magic, and hidden lesbian nightclubs. It's wonderfully told, and just the perfect length, and I can see why it has received so many accolades. However, angels and demons books aren't really my cup of tea, and having read Rebecca Roanhorse's Western-set Tread of Angels fairly recently, I felt like this one was just OK. But if demons, angels, and soul bargains are your jam, by all means, read this, as it's a great addition to that fantasy subgenre.

(Also: let's judge this book by the cover for a minute, because that is GORGEOUS.)

Juliet takes a breath - graphic novel

 

Juliet Takes a breath: graphic novel / Gabby Rivera, illustrated and adapted by Celia Moscote, 176 pgs.

The graphic novel form of the popular book by the awesome Gabby Rivera. Juliet is trying to find herself.  She is a lesbian but her mom thinks it is a "phase." Her girlfriend is kind of non-responsive and she is heading out for an internship with a famous white feminist. What could go wrong?  Oh, yea...she still has a lot to learn.  And learn she does!  I found this story to be fairly standard but beautiful.  The art here is amazing and we are ready for Juliet to take over the world.