2.92 rounded up

It makes me so happy to see myself represented more in literature. However, I was really hoping that the representation would be more natural and not as 'forced' for lack of a better word. Many of the stories centred around the main characters thinking there was something wrong with them and that they had to force themselves to have sex or other characters tried to force them. While these are real and valid asexual experiences, I was looking for some more self-acceptance,  normalisation and lightness in these stories. I got some of that from Smells like Teen Virgin but the plot itself fell into much of the same aforementioned issues. Sealights was perhaps the closest I got to representation that felt natural and I really enjoyed it for that aspect.


Overall, there were definitely a few stories that I really enjoyed such as Across the Stars, Well Suited, Sealights and The Witch of Festa Falls. A few didn't work out but such are the ways of anthologies. I really hope to see more ace rep in the coming years.

 

How to love a sidewinder: 3.5
Across the stars: 3.75
Well Suited: 3.75
Nylon Bed Socks: 3
Give up the Ghost: 3.5
No Such Thing as Just: 1
Smells Like Teen Virgin: 3.75
Sealights: 3.75
Moonspirited: 3
The Third Star: 2.5
The Mermaid's Sister: 2
The Hazards of Pressing Play: 1
No Cure for Doubt: 2.5
The Witch of Festa Falls: 4