Reviewed by Elizabetta

TITLE: To Summon Nightmares

AUTHOR: JK Pendragon

PUBLISHER: Less Than Three Press

LENGTH: 130 pages

BLURB:  

Three years ago, Cohen Brandwein was “Ireland’s Favorite Daughter”, a popular teenage author and internet celebrity. But ever since he came out publicly as trans, the media’s treatment of him has been less than golden, and these days, Cohen is desperate for escape.

When he inherits an old house in the country, Cohen sees it as a perfect opportunity to escape the press and work on his new book. What he doesn’t count on is becoming embroiled in a small town murder mystery and falling for the primary suspect, a man whose reality makes Cohen’s fantasy books seem like child’s play…

REVIEW: 

It’s all a bit improbable.

But it is a story about magic, after all.

Cohen is the unsuspecting new guy in a creepy small town somewhere in Ireland. He just moved into a dank and creepy house. His inheritance from a recently deceased aunt. Cohen is a popular online writer and videographer. He’s looking for peace and quiet, needs to write that next book and escape the hordes. Ever since he came out online as trans, he’s been too much in the spotlight.

The story starts with a conjuring, some five years in the past. Two teens, Niall and Jacky need help from a powerful demon. These two have some capacity for magic but do they really know what to do with it?

Improbable, yeah, but I just went with it. The author had me in the palm of their hand with this one. I just never knew quite where it was going. What is the connection? — between magic and a young trans man who desperately wants the right body to live in? It becomes clear as you read. What a clever way to delve into the dilemma.

An odd, trip of a story… Witches, monsters, a serial killer, lots of bloody gore, all-round creepiness…  

… but what makes it special is the treatment of Cohen. This is my first romance with a trans main character. And what a compelling guy… kind-hearted, generous, sweet, courageous… The story also digs into Cohen’s pervasive feelings of dysphoria. His constant fight with depression. Of his longing to feel comfortable, within himself and without, but always feeling inadequate. His longing for a body that matches who he is inside. It never feels manipulative or laid-on-too-thick. It touched my heart.

“Cohen had never had a boyfriend before, and he’d never allowed himself to think that he might… he’d identified as a lesbian and had a string of girlfriends before ever coming out as trans. He’d always known he was bi, really, but he’d also always felt like gay men were unattainable to him, like he was an imposter for even being attracted to them.”

When Cohen meets Niall in that remote village it does seem improbable. Their connection is immediate; their relationship takes off suddenly. But why not? They are two lonely souls who desperately need physical connection and acceptance. They fit together. 

When Cohen gets the incredible chance to set everything right, he makes an important decision. An ‘ah-ha’ moment that illuminates his waking nightmare– his twist between self-hate and self-love– and his depth of character.

I have to recommend this (please heed the tags). For Cohen. To Cohen.

(The ending is totally WTF, though. I’m so wondering what is up next.)

RATING:

BUY LINKS: 

Less Than Three Press

Amazon

Amazon.uk

ARe