This is the kind of book that will make your tummy upset and you'll still thank it for doing to. Rumfitt's books are disturbing and haunting and (in my opinion) absolutely phenomenal and worth every bit of cringing away. Rumfitt does body horror in such a gory yet satisfying way. I can't wait to read what they come out with next.

3.5 stars I liked it

This was extreme, and even though I do read a lot of extreme/splatterpunk horror I was not prepared for this to be as extreme as it was coming from a major publisher. There is a lot of sexual/kink content, so definitely check all the content warnings if you need to. IMO, this is more intense than Tell Me I'm Worthless.

I love the cover and after reading it makes me that much more uncomfortable. This book is repulsive, kinky, disturbing, impressive, shocking, bizarre, political and puts you in the shoes of what it's like living as a trans person in Britain. The struggle of the everyday life, living with trauma, internalized self-hate, and relationships. I could not put this book down, I read it in two sittings, but I did have to take pause at a few parts in the story because it was so disgusting, I'm not mad about it though.

It did feel a little repetitive and kind of just felt like ramblings at some parts. I get the main points of the book but I think I might be missing the point of it as a whole, that's why I took some stars off but overall I enjoyed it. I loved TMIW more though.

Do I recommend this book, yes totally! Anyone who has read and enjoyed Tell me I'm Worthless, or reads extreme horror and splatterpunk.

Thanks to netgalley and Tor Publishing Group, Tor Nightfire for sharing a digital copy for me to read and review, as always, opinions are my own 🤘🏻💀🤘🏻

Hard to rate this one. It deals with some heavy and important issues but the use of extreme fetishes to explore these issues just wasn't for me. I understand why the author chose to deliver the story this way, and the topics discussed in this novel did keep me engaged to the end.

Thank you Tor and Net Galley for this arc in exchange for an honest review! Brainwyrms is definitely an extreme horror, I highly advise reading the trigger warnings at the beginning. Alison is known for touching on serious subjects such as transphobia and fascism in her work and Brainwyrms definitely has that same element to it. This was disgusting… in the best way. I can’t wait to see what she does next.

I sadly didn't like this one. I always really enjoy this authors ideas but their writing style just doesn't work for me. I'm not sure what it is but I know its just a me thing cause everything about this book should work but it just didn't. I think plenty of others will love this book I'm just sadly going to miss out in it.

Allison Rumfitt's work is notably transgressive Queer Horror. It's also politicized, as her characters (trans people plus many others in the LGBTQIA+ Spectrum) exist in a brutally transphobic nightmare UK. So it's not difficult nor farfetched to comprehend that their characters are almost always edgy, prickly, paranoid. Paranoia is neither unfounded nor ridiculous when there really are some (or all) out to get you, and in the near-totalitarian states in which these characters exist, they are fortunate if they can remain alive. They always seem to me to perceive themselves as not achieving what they most desire, so that they come across to me as existing in a void while simultaneously existing in a state of constant defensiveness is essential, for their world is truly "out to get them."

Cautions:
Body Horror
Despair
Obscenity
Kink
Explicit on-scene intimacy
Paranoia
Transphobia

3.5 stars, which didn’t quite make the round-up to 4.

This is, I think, mostly a good book, which is extremely hard to recommend because it’s also squicky as heck. (PLEASE check the TWs if you’re considering reading; at least one other Goodreads reviewer has done an extensive list. Like, I’m genuinely floored this is a major mainstream publisher book.)

I think Rumfitt was able to pick up a lot of fascinating themes with this book, from the clever inversion of the politics of disgust to the consumptive and (yes) parasitic character of hatred, and it was certainly a captivating read; and it really, really manages to live up to the genre’s name, because it is HORRIFYING. Several sections squicked me out profoundly; they are not, however, why I took off stars.

My major qualms with the book were actually structural; there were some sections which I think could have been a little tighter, especially in the sections which I think of as "linking" or "contextualizing," which were often not directly related to the plot or characters, and instead reflected more generally on the book's political heart. I would have like a little more plot to drive the action; I also felt like the prologue was a little out of place, and that it would have been better if removed to its actual chronological location in the action. I think, on the other hand, that she did a great job of making the reader work a little harder to dissect and understand the central metaphor underlying the horror; it was still perfectly clear, but it wasn't made truly explicit until near the end of the book, when the reader has (I hope) already picked up on it.

So: approach with caution, but if you liked Rumfitt’s previous book and have a strong stomach, there’s some thoughtful and clever stuff in here! Thanks so much to Tor Nightfire and Netgalley for the ARC.

I’ve been sitting here trying to review Brainwyrms and it’s hard. I think I’ve had the most DM’s about this book upon completion of any of that I’ve read, and I’ve just said “I really liked it, it’s very gross.”

Which doesn’t do it justice. Don’t get me wrong. It’s very gross. Extremely gross! I very nearly gagged in a scene that I WILL NOT SPOIL, but, woof. Let’s all remember we’re reading a book about parasite fetishes.

But where this book transcends being solely extreme horror is how it ties into the current political terror. This thread of hate that unfortunately is growing on social media. This mental decay that leads to extremism.

I couldn’t put Brainwyrms down. I needed to see what was happening next, even when it rupulsed me. Rumfit has become an absolutely must buy author for me.

Thank you to @netgalley and @tornightfire for an arc of this book which comes out October 5th.

This was a highly anticipated read for me, and it absolutely did not disappoint! Alison Rumfitt knocks it put of the park again with her newest read.

Brainwyrms is body horror at its finest. This book is absolutely disgusting in the most intriguing way. I couldn’t stop reading, but also wanted to vomit at the same time.

Frankie and Vanya’s relationship instantly drew me in, and there are plenty of unpredictable twists and turns to leave you in awe.

This book is not for everyone, but if you are into gross, weird, absolutely bananas narratives, then check this bad boy out! Brainwyrms drops in the US October 10th. I will be getting myself a copy, and you should too!

"Brainwyrms" by Alison Rumfitt is a book that left me with a whirlwind of emotions, a testament to the author's ability to push boundaries and challenge readers. This novel is not for the faint of heart, as it delves into dark and disturbing themes while offering a unique perspective on love, trauma, and identity. Readers should heed author's preface before diving in, "Brainwyrms features (very) taboo sex that many would consider unsafe or unsanitary, as well as sexual violence and child abuse."

The story revolves around Frankie, a survivor of a transphobic terrorist attack, and her enigmatic and submissive lover, Vanya, who harbors a peculiar fascination with parasites. As their relationship unfolds, so does the web of secrets and conspiracies that threaten to tear them apart. What starts as a seemingly unconventional love story evolves into a chilling exploration of how misunderstandings, shame, and trauma can infiltrate queer relationships, even within a niche fetish community.

Alison Rumfitt, known for her debut novel "Tell Me I’m Worthless," once again proves herself as a powerful voice in transgressive queer horror. While her previous work held a cracked mirror to the rise of fascism and transphobia, "Brainwyrms" takes a different approach. It's filled with wit, humor, and a dose of absurdity, as the antagonists in the story resemble cartoon villains. However, beneath the surface, the novel tackles serious issues with a ferocity that is impossible to ignore.

What sets "Brainwyrms" apart is its ability to provoke visceral reactions. While "Tell Me I’m Worthless" was genuinely terrifying, this book delves into the realms of disgust and discomfort, challenging readers to confront their own limits. Rumfitt's prose is frenetic, daring you to put the book down and walk away, but at the same time, it keeps you hooked.

In conclusion, "Brainwyrms" is a shocking, grotesque, and downright filthy journey into the depths of love, pain, and identity. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, but for those willing to venture into the darker corners of literature, Alison Rumfitt's latest offering is a daring and thought-provoking read that lingers in your mind long after you've turned the final page.

I would like to express my sincere gratitude to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for generously providing me with a digital ARC of "Brainwyrms" by Alison Rumfitt to read and review prior to the release date on 10/10/2023.

Alison Rumfitt’s Brainwyrms is a book which explores queer horror through the two characters of Frankie and Vanya. When they meet each other they are infatuated but their relationship soon turns toxic and depraved. I am confused how I feel about this book because whilst I really enjoyed reading it and flew through it in a day, I don’t really know what the book was trying to do as a whole and felt like the horror itself wasn’t really unique. The parasite fetish in it just reminded me too much of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke - granted Rumfitt’s book is slightly more witty than LaRocca’s short story it still felt very regurgitated and forced in order to gross out the reader. I found the story which focused on the rampant transphobia in Britain the best part as it almost bordered on dystopia and social horror and if this was the focus of the whole book it could have been a great psychological horror novel. However the constant attempts to shock and disturb threw the book if balance for me and I would have liked the book to be more streamlined.

Despite this I did enjoy it, especially the parts which focused on Frankie and her strange sexual experiences. I am going to read Rumfitt’s Tell Me I’m Worthless this month as I get the feeling it’s better constructed than Brainwyrms. I’m curious to know other people’s thoughts on this book as it doesn’t seem like it will be to everyone’s tastes.

DNF @ 40%
I really tried hard with this one but honestly just can’t do it anymore. I feel like at 40% there should have been something that made me want to keep reading. This book had its moments but they were far and few between.
The author consistently switches narration styles between 1st 2nd and 3rd person and as a reader I found that to be super confusing.
I feel like I have a grasp on what the book was setting out to do (Queer, Horny, Horror.) but it didn’t do it well. I think there were a lot of themes and the book lacked focus. As far as the horror goes it felt like the writing was trying hard to be “disturbing”.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I read Alison Rumfitt’s debut novel Tell Me I’m Worthless last year. A haunting evil house story, Alison follows up with Brainwyrms, which explores trauma in a disturbing and explicit way.

Frankie’s life is changed when a transphobic woman bombs her work. Frankie, who is a trans woman, is able to survive the attack. However, the trauma it causes leaves her changed. Her life becomes a blur of drugs, drinking, and sleeping with anyone she can find. One night when visiting a fetish club, she meets Vanya. Vanya isn’t like anyone she’s met yet Frankie feels like she knows her somehow. Frankie and Vanya start a toxic kink based relationship with each other. Frankie begins to see that there is more to Vanya than what she understands. Her secrets will threaten to tear them apart and destroy everyone around them.

I don’t read too many extreme horror books. I can count on one hand the ones I’ve actually finished. However, Alison’s books keep me coming back. This one felt like I was watching a disgusting X rated movie. Every kink and taboo you could think of are explored here. Graphic scenes of sex, age play, r*pe play, incest, watersports, and scat fetish are played out. There is a major theme of impregnation kink and an obsession with parasites and tapeworms. If you’ve read Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca you get a small taste of what is to come here. But this one is WORSE. Trust me. There is also major grooming and everyone has a genuinely disturbing relationship with each other. Alison even gives readers a warning midway through the book to take a break because of the disturbing content yet to come. The end of that chapter was nauseating. I wouldn’t recommend this if you can’t stomach extreme horror.

At the heart of this story, there is a lot of political discussions going on. There’s an obvious metaphorical character that is a popular children’s book author who hopes to take down the trans community with her influence. Frankie makes a point of saying that her cis coworker was lucky to die in the explosion and that “Cis girls are always spared the worse of the pain”. In the background, we get Internet forums of TERFs plotting as well as a family slowly crumbling apart. Frankie now works at a center that deletes disturbing content that is sent in and flagged on the internet. She sees the most messed up things you can imagine and goes about her days in a haze of indifference. She is extremely toxic to herself, her friends, and to Vanya. There is no clear hero or villain between them, just two people who are scarred and deeply rooted in the trauma that surrounds them.

This was a hard and eye opening read, as was Alison’s last book.

DNF @ 37%

I know it’s not the book, it is 100% me. I am not this novels target audience this book was not made for me to fully understand and enjoy. That being said I do love Alison’s work and was thrilled to be approved for this eARC.

The book tells the story of Frankie whose work place was bombed by a transphobic woman we see how this bombing blows up other aspects of Frankie’s life. Frankie tries coping with the tragedy in various ways, binge drinking, drugs and sleeping with strangers. Until she meets Vanya and they begin an intense relationship, but Frankie knows Vanya is hiding something. She begins to dig and uncovers a conspiracy that runs deeper than she could have ever imagined.

I did not make it to Frankie beginning to question Vanya’s loyalty to her because to be quite honest the descriptions of this book aren’t lying when they explain how grotesque this book is. That just goes to show the brilliance that Alison’s writing is. She puts you in these situations and scenes and I could not handle it. I was too weak for it and I will admit that. I will look for her future writings and continue to support her career and am understanding once again that I am not the target intended for this book and that is okay!

Wow. I don't think words can truly describe what I just read. When reading the trigger warning for this book, in my head I was thinking that it wouldn't be as intense as it said, but oh my it was.. But not necessarily in a bad way. I am a big fan of all things weird and out of pocket so this book fit right in my interests. I hope this doesn't make me sound weird but the grosser the story got, the more I was interested.
Not only was this book weird, it had a good underlying message. I am a straight white woman however, I am one of the biggest allies there is. Growing up, I lived with my father who is one of the most Republican man I have ever met, and never understood trans and LGBTQIA+ topics, and when it would come up, he would talk down on those individuals. I always kept my mouth shut because arguing with him got us nowhere. I love my family but am incredibly proud of myself for being more open and not falling into those hateful ways.

If you're sensitive to intense sexual activities, rape, self harm, suicide, or just squeamish, this book isn't for you. However, I had a blast cringing at the intense details Rumfitt included in this story!

Okay, first things first: I really need you to take a look at the content notes and be VERY CLEAR that you're going into something transgressive and dark. This book was almost too much for me in terms of the lines that it crossed. I love horror and I don't usually think of myself as squeamish, but this is... a lot.

Still on board? Cool. Now let me clarify that this book is about as unsubtle as a brick to the head. It doesn't intend to be subtle. There are two primary metaphors going on in here, and they're both represented by parasites. Both of the primary characters experience a lot of self-loathing and encounter a metric crapton of transphobia. It took me a while to get through this book, given how intense it is, and I kept thinking about the concept of brainworms a lot in between reading sessions. The idea that something gets into your head and rides along as a dark passenger, fundamentally changing your biology and cognitive processes, is a powerful one. Speaking as someone who grapples with mental health, it works on a few levels, all of which are profoundly uncomfortable. I often felt quite literally sick to my stomach while reading this because of the imagery, but the more I sit with it the more I get what she was going for. This is a powerful book. I don't like shock for the sake of shock, but the more metaphysical concept of hate getting under our skin and taking up toxic residence there is so apt for the book's message that it was worth the shock factor and the lingering nausea.

There were a few places where I feel like the message got a bit muddled, or maybe I was so focused on the absolute weirdness of the literal events that the finer nuances escaped me. I would be very careful about who I recommend this book to, because as I said, it's a lot, and even beyond that it tackles a lot of intense topics. Reading this book was definitely outside of my comfort zone, but as with other queer and trans horror that I've been reading lately, it reads like an honest reaction to all of the government-reinforced, socially approved violence against the community, and it echoes so many common experiences from within the community, ranging from SA to family rejection to self-harm, that it hit me in a deep place.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book as an ARC. This subgenre continues to be one of my favorite new categories I've delved into this year.

I was really hoping to love this book as much as Tell Me I'm Worthless. I really like the idea of the book and how it depicted transphobia. I just feel like there was a little too much going on at once and there were a few times I felt lost. This definitely won't be for everyone!

Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Nightfire for this ARC. this was my second read by Alison and I believe it will be my last. Although I found the plot to be unique and interesting, I struggled reading this one.

I think Rumfitt is a great new voice in horror, but the body horror and gore in this was almost too much for me. To be honest, I HATE any stories with parasites so that’s my fault for even requesting this book to begin with.

Brainwyrms has a very strong message and hits a bunch of important culture and social plots. Unfortunately I didn’t enjoy reading this one and found myself skimming some parts.

Brainwyrms by Alison Rumfitt
I wanted to love this book. I was excited to read a book that explored the growing threat of transphobia and the way terfs share their ideas almost as if they’re sharing a parasite with each other….but that’s not what I got.
Instead, this book focuses solely on disgusting the reader leaving no more for any plot or character development. Every page is filled with rambling ongoing sentences that while they give a good insight into the headspace of the character, leaves the reader struggling to understand what is happening.
I didn’t rate this book low purely because of how gross it was (honestly kudos to the author you made me want to vomit). I rated it low because of the lack of plot within all that grotesque gore. I think this book could’ve packed a huge punch if the author had just focused exploring any aspect of the plot a little bit more. It didn’t expand on the horrors of transphobia, nor on the interpersonal relationship between the two characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Another queer horror masterpiece by Alison Rumfitt.

Brainwryms was so kinky and incredibly revolting, yet I could not put it down and I finished in one day.

There were definitely some jaw dropping, nauseating, and cringing moments, but I could not tear my eyes from the pages.

What I liked:
- short chapters
- shocking content
- broken characters
- dual POV (Frankie & Vanya)
- nod to a certain British terf

What I didn't like:
- sometimes Vanya's chapters, which were just a constant stream of their consciousness, were a bit difficult to read (thankfully the audiobook helped with these chapters)!
- the ending felt rushed

Overall, I was captivated by this read and found the experience to be enjoyable. I think I would only recommend this book to people who enjoy more extreme/graphic body horror.

Thank you to netgalley for the eARC and ALC!