Roxie Vorhees’ *The Pleasure in Pain* is a provocative collection that shatters the conventional boundaries of romance and love, diving deep into the intricate spectrum of queerness with a fearless pen. In a literary landscape where narratives of desire have often been muted or obscured, Vorhees hands readers a metaphorical shovel and invites them to unearth stories that are both exhilarating and raw. With twenty-five tales and poems that explore love, lust, and a hint of darkness, this anthology beckons readers to embrace the complexities of human connection. From the outset, Vorhees makes it clear that this collection defies norms. Each story is a vivid tapestry interwoven with themes of desire, pain, and liberation. The author’s willingness to explore the darker sides of love is refreshing, as it challenges the often idealized interpretations of romance. For instance, the twisted fairytales presented in this book take familiar narratives and twist them into something uniquely queer and strikingly relevant. Vorhees doesn’t shy away from the messiness of relationships, instead opting to highlight that pain can coexist with pleasure; that love can be as intoxicating as it is perilous. The stories range from the surreal to the fantastical, with elements that are both shocking and thought-provoking. A standout piece features possessed jewelry, which not only serves as a physical representation of desire but as a metaphor for the complexities of attachment and longing. This story, like many others in the collection, illustrates Vorhees’ ability to blend the supernatural with the deeply personal, allowing readers to reflect on their own experiences of desire and the sacrifices often made in the name of love. The narrative of a house that offers your desires yet binds you inescapably is another brilliant metaphor for the often contradictory nature of human relationships. Vorhees encapsulates the idea that what we yearn for might not always be what is best for us. Through this imaginative lens, she urges readers to consider the fine line between pleasure and pain, and how the two are often intertwined. Among the tales is an exploration of a god's bathroom glory hole, a bold choice that exudes both humor and a raw honesty about human sexuality. Vorhees navigates these topics with a deft hand, bringing levity to otherwise taboo subjects and showcasing the beauty found in unabashed exploration. The inclusion of an asexual cult adds another layer of complexity, highlighting that queerness is not monolithic and that there are diverse expressions of love and desire within the community. Vorhees’ poetic prowess is equally evident, as her poems resonate with emotional depth and striking imagery. The lyrical quality of her writing enhances the overall experience, providing moments of introspection and reflection amidst the chaos of desire depicted in her stories. *The Pleasure in Pain* is not merely a collection about queerness; it is a celebration of the myriad ways love can manifest—often in ways society deems unconventional. Vorhees invites readers to embrace their desires, confront their fears, and revel in the beauty of love that exists outside societal norms. In a world where stories of romance can often feel sanitized, Roxie Vorhees’ *The Pleasure in Pain* is a daring and necessary addition to contemporary literature. It challenges the reader to confront the often messy, beautiful, and raw realities of human emotion. With each turn of the page, Vorhees offers a reminder that love, in all its forms, is worth exploring—even when it dances on the edge of pain. This collection is a must-read for anyone looking to expand their understanding of love and its many dimensions, making it a powerful testament to the complexities of queer experiences.

interestingly diverse and gorgeous anthology of LGBTQ horror-ish romances with some epic choices in there and rising star auuthors

I tried really hard to read a bit of every story when I realised I wasn’t vibing with this and ended up dnf’ing.
I love horrorotica, so this was quite a letdown :(

Roxie Voorhees’ anthology, “The Pleasure in Pain,” is a daring and evocative collection that ventures into the uncharted territories of queer love and desire. This anthology is not for the faint of heart; it challenges readers to confront their deepest fears and fantasies through a series of stories that blend horror, erotica, and romance.

The strength of this collection lies in its diversity. Each of the twenty-five stories and poems offers a unique perspective on the complexities of desire. From the eerie allure of possessed objects to the raw intensity of forbidden love, Voorhees masterfully crafts narratives that are both unsettling and captivating. The anthology’s ability to seamlessly transition between genres keeps readers on their toes, never quite knowing what to expect next.

One of the standout stories in the collection is a modern twist on a classic fairy tale, where the protagonist’s journey through a dark, enchanted forest becomes a metaphor for self-discovery and acceptance. Another memorable piece explores the concept of a haunted love affair, where the boundaries between pleasure and pain blur in hauntingly beautiful ways.

Voorhees’ writing is both lyrical and visceral, drawing readers into the emotional and physical experiences of the characters. The anthology does not shy away from exploring taboo subjects, making it a bold and unapologetic celebration of queer identity and desire. This fearless approach is what sets “The Pleasure in Pain” apart from other collections in the genre.

However, the anthology’s intensity may not be for everyone. Some readers might find the explicit content and dark themes challenging, but for those who appreciate boundary-pushing literature, this collection offers a deeply rewarding experience. It’s a testament to the power of storytelling to explore the full spectrum of human emotions, from the ecstatic to the terrifying.

In conclusion, “The Pleasure in Pain” is a provocative and thought-provoking anthology that will leave a lasting impression on its readers. Roxie Voorhees has crafted a collection that is as beautiful as it is disturbing, making it a must-read for those who dare to explore the darker side of love and desire.

The Pleasure in Pain is a collection of short stories dealing with queerness, romance and love, leaning into more intense and darker portrayals and explorations. As with most anthologies, there is a range of stories that are engaging and work well while others don't quite meet the mark whether they were being edgy simply for shock value or not being able to get their story out in this shorter form. Definitely not the strongest anthology but still worth the read for those that stood out: I WANDER THE EARTH LONGING TO TASTE YOUR BEATING HEART, Mantis & Invitation.

Wow. What can I possibly say about this anthology? Obviously, if you like sex in your horror (or horror in your erotica), then “horrortica” is perfect for you. And if, like me, you’re not sure…well, you’ll probably figure it out pretty quickly.

Despite my love of Queer horror, this collection was not for me. That’s not to say that it was poorly written or compiled. Just that it was somehow simultaneously too much and not enough for my enjoyment. I think what I mean by that is: I can enjoy extreme horror or splatterpunk writing, but I want to feel that there is a purpose beyond shock value. And this collection seemed to relish in descriptions that were not even particularly gory, but brought out a lot of exasperated “why?”s due to disgust. (I never want to think about oral sex on a mummy ever again please.)

Every once in a while there would be a story that I liked the concept of. (Graphite by Amanda M Blake was quite unique.) There were even a few quotes that made me swoon over the writing. (I Wander the Earth Longing to Taste Your Beating Heart by Minh-Anh Vo Dinh stands out here.) But the thing I liked most were the rare occasions when a writer felt like a spiritual successor to Poppy Z Brite. This was usually rather brief, but it made me smile every time. It felt classic and nostalgic.

More often than not, I felt overwhelmingly neutral; waiting for the next piece that would make an impression. I mindlessly read through the bits of monster erotica, which did absolutely nothing for me. I struggled through the poetry, which is not something that I personally look for in an anthology. And the amount of times that I simply noted “meh” at the end of a story was kind of astounding.

This is definitely a niche that I think will appeal to some people, and so I’m glad that it exists. I just discovered that I'm not the target audience.

"The Pleasure in Pain" edited by Roxie Voorhees is a bold and unapologetic exploration of queer love, lust, and desire. With twenty-five stories and poems that cut across the spectrum of queerness, from the romance to fantasy to horror, it embarks on a journey into diversity and immersion.

One of the most important strengths of this anthology is a refusal to shy away from the complications inherent to queer identity and experience. This brightness, so often characterized in the feel of these stories and poems within its pages—an embrace of queerness in all its forms: twisted fairy tales, possessed jewelry, asexual cults, glory holes in bathrooms for gods—provides a new view on love and desire as it tramples the carpet on tired narratives.

The contributors to this anthology mirror a great diversity of voices from within the queer community, bringing into the collection rich tapestries of experiences and perspectives. From established to emerging popular voices, a multitude of unique voices and visions are brought to the table that sets a collection as diverse as it is compelling.

Beyond the thematic richness within, "The Pleasure in Pain" is also characterized by very bold and provocative storytelling. It delves headlong into taboo subjects, exploring generic conventions and the darker sides of desire with a kind of fearlessness. While stories in this anthology can be very challenging or even uncomfortable for some, others will appreciate its willingness to break the conventions and push the boundaries.

This is hardly the first collection of short stories I've read, but it is not a genre I explore often. Perhaps that is why this book didn't really work for me. The stories themselves weren't all bad, but there were some I enjoyed more than others -even some I couldn't make myself finish. The whole horrortica concept was interesting to me at first and it's what innitially made me want to read this book, but I think I liked the idea more than the execution.

Overall, I'm sure this book will be interesting to some, but I don't think I'd recommend it.

I didn’t like this book. I didn’t think it lived up to what the description was saying. I was very disappointed and it took everything in me to finish this book

Okay I have never read short stories before but this had me hocked. It makes me want to read even more.. With that being said this book is 11/10 and will be looking for more from author.

The Pleasures in Pain like most anthologies I have been picking up land with an overall rating of a 3. I rate each individual story to get that overall rating. While most stories did hold my attention, very few wowed me to the point of recommendation. Several authors in here know what their goal is and have intrigued to pick up more, which for me is a huge reason I pick up anthologies. I will however restrain from for the time being with my track record.

A few of my favorites are, Graphite by Amanda M. Blake and 'Bite' by Arthur DeHart.

I did enjoy the mix of poetry thrown in and will be looking for more anthologies with that trick. It kept the pace sweet and short, and most of the poems really worked for me.

"Maybe the real grail is all the gloryholes we decorate with ironic daisy chains along the way."

This is a different sort of read for me, though not because it's queer or horror related. Seeing this on netgalley immediately caught my attention, and I've been digesting this in small bites over the past week since. Every story is unique, the wordings rich, sumptuous and sinful as you get to see how each writer approaches body horror and erotic gore in different ways. An absolute delight to read and something I will happily recommend to people wanting to dip their toes into more experimental formats of queer lit.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for allowing me an ARC copy for an honest review!

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of this book. With any collection, some stories were better than others. I loved the wide diversity that this book contained.

This was a good quick read. It took me awhile to get into it and it was certainly something I needed to be in the mood to read. There are twenty-five stories and poems in this so I think there is something for everyone. Some I enjoyed more than others but overall it was enjoyable. I don’t know if I would pick it up again. I did however find a few poems saved to share with others.

Disappointing Experience with "The Pleasure in Pain"

Review:

As an avid reader, I strive to explore diverse genres and perspectives. When I stumbled upon "The Pleasure in Pain," I was intrigued by the promise of a unique narrative approach and the wealth of inclusion of LGBTQIA+ representation. However, my experience with the book left me uneasy and ultimately led to my decision not to finish it.

The collection's premise hinted at delving into the complexities of human emotions and experiences, particularly those surrounding pain and pleasure. While I appreciate the author's intent to explore such themes, I found the execution unsettling rather than thought-provoking. While I understand that literature often challenges readers' comfort zones, the discomfort I felt while reading "The Pleasure in Pain" did not stem from a thought-provoking narrative or compelling characters. Instead, it felt gratuitous and lacking in depth.

While technically proficient, the writing style needed to immerse me in the stories or connect me with the characters. Instead, it felt detached, further exacerbating my sense of unease. The lack of a clear narrative thread made it difficult for me to engage with the stories meaningfully.

Despite my disappointment, every reader's experience is subjective, and what didn't resonate with me may appeal to others. Therefore, I encourage readers intrigued by the premise to approach "The Pleasure in Pain" with an open mind and judge it for themselves.

In conclusion, while "The Pleasure in Pain" may appeal to some readers seeking boundary-pushing literature, it ultimately fell short of my expectations. I commend the author for their bold exploration of challenging themes but found the execution more discomfort than enlightening.

I recently read "The Pleasure in Pain: A Queer Horrortica Anthology" edited by Roxie Voorhees, and overall, it was an interesting experience. This collection of short stories and poetry mixes eroticism with visceral horror, featuring a wide range of queer identities among both characters and authors.

I appreciated the diversity in storytelling styles and the unique narratives. Some stories stood out more than others, with "A Gift So Sweet" by Zach Rosenberg, "Graphite" by Amanda M. Blake, "I Wander the Earth Longing to Taste Your Beating Heart" by Minh-Anh Vo Dinh, and "Mantis" by Dori Lumpkin being my favorites. These stories explored complex relationships and emotions in a hauntingly beautiful way.

However, not all stories hit the mark for me. Some felt less engaging, and I found myself skimming through a few sections. The horror elements leaned more towards gore than actual fear, which didn't always work for me. The anthology also felt a bit unorganized at times, with poems and stories not always blending seamlessly.

Despite these issues, the collection offered a refreshing take on queer narratives and erotica. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys darker, more complex stories with a queer focus. Overall, it was an entertaining read with some standout pieces that made it worth my time.

I am giving this book 2 stars. Although, it was a great mix of authors and different writing styles to explore - it disappointed me. For me there were more misses then hits within this Anthology. With an Anthology I don't expect to like/love everything however, I do hope to at least enjoy 50%. I found myself quite often confused and bored. I was excited to pick this book up because the mix of genres sounded appealing. Unfortunately, I was happy to put this down. Maybe it was my fault because going into the book I was expecting a shock factor but it never came for me.

I look forward to reading this during the Halloween season and hopefully have a better review than this one 😅

This collection was very hit-or-miss for me. I don’t think the overall theme translated well across the genres of story. A lot of the pieces felt like class assignments trying to mimic renaissance works or other older works. I would definitely check out another collection, but this one didn’t do it for me.

An anthology with 25 queer horror erotica stories with a divers range of queer identities and variety of writing styles.

From the very first page this anthology definitely held my attention and I found myself captivated by how thought provoking every story was.

The one that stood out the most for me was ‘I wander The Earth Longing To Taste Your Beating Heart’ by Minh-Anh Vo Dinh. Exceptional. Both the writing style and the story itself. Hauntingly beautiful.

“There are no sanctuaries for boys with a craving for human flesh.”

“I would give up immortality if it meant providing you warmt for the remainder of our days. I can be your sanctuary. Let my frozen corpse be your home.”

This anthology offers a wide range of stories and a refreshing perspective on queerness, love, desire and death. It’s a captivating anthology with a story for everyone. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring each tale and I recommend this to anyone who is looking for a thought provoking read with a exceptional variety of storytelling.