I feel like the internet has desensitized me to most disgusting things so I didn't have a hard time with that aspect of this book at all. What I did have a problem with was the writing style. This book was way too hard to follow. I am not an expert when it comes to writing so I'm not really sure of the correct terms but the book would switch character perspectives but also switch between I, she, you, etc so often and I'm just not a fan of that. At the beginning of every chapter I would have to try to figure out who this point of view was from and how it fit in with the rest of the book. There were some parts that I thought were really good and actually felt like a statement on how trans people are treated with cruelty and violence but it was just all over the place and thrown in at random times. Also I hated how the end of the book made the whole thing into something completely different. The other thing I noticed is how the descriptions would come off so juvenile. For example she would say something like - they were hugging so tight they were shaking like a dog taking a shit. Uh, what?

Another issue I had with the book is right in the beginning she says that any similarities between real people or real situations is coincidental but I call BS. I found a lot of things that seemed to be direct references to people and events that actually happened.

Excellent narration, but it seems I didn't take the description seriously enough. Very, very graphic. I couldn't handle it, but this certainly will find its audience.

Synopsis; When a transphobic woman bombs Frankie’s workplace, she blows up Frankie’s life with it. As the media descends like vultures, Frankie tries to cope with the carnage: binge-drinking, sleeping with strangers, pushing away her friends. Then, she meets Vanya. Mysterious, beautiful, terrifying Vanya.

The two hit it off immediately, but as their relationship intensifies, so too does Frankie’s feeling that Vanya is hiding something from her. When Vanya’s secrets threaten to tear them apart, Frankie starts digging, and unearths a sinister, depraved conspiracy, the roots of which go deeper than she ever imagined.

Shocking, grotesque, and downright filthy, Brainwyrms confronts the creeping reality of political terrorism while exploring the depths of love, pain, and identity.

My Thoughts: I never know how to properly explain Alison’s books. I feel this is one people will either love or hate. It was disgusting. I loved it.

WE LOVE QUEER HORROR, but holy fuggin shiz, Alison Rumfitt has completely outdone herself after the body-horror possession that Tell Me I'm Worthless was. Brainwyrms is profoundly sad and dystopically terrifying especially as the government and certain political parties continue to rip bodily autonomy from us. I SCREAMED when Macmillan Audio gave me audiobook access to this highly anticipated horror, and I'm additionally thankful to Tor Nightfire, Netgalley, and Alison Rumfitt for granting me advanced digital access as well.

There's a parasite plaguing the sex-curious LGBTQ+ community and people are both equally terrified and turned on. Because the media and politicians are always eager to input their opinions where they aren't needed, they flock to this night scene, transforming mothers and other family members into murderous conspiracy theorists looking to eradicate the anomalies.

Rumfitt's symbolism runs deep, for I'm sure all of the bigoted people view the LGBTQ+ community as a parasite and stop at nothing to point, mock, and discriminate those individuals. What may have read as gross horror is unfortunately distantly close to normal for so many trans-persons facing hate and danger from those who have no place distributing such actions.

Brainwyrms is set to hit shelves on October 10, 2023, and I cannot wait.