First published 2025
In this collection of dark tales, women transform into creatures that society fears most. A protagonist discovers her capacity for violence mirrors her need for survival. Another finds strength in embracing the monstrous identity others have forced upon her. These characters navigate worlds where ecological collapse meets personal trauma, where gender-based violence demands supernatural responses. Rábago Palafox places vampires at the center of stories that examine how marginalized identities resist victimization. Her protagonists move through landscapes both dreamlike and disturbing, confronting social taboos while claiming power traditionally denied to them. The collection balances speculative elements with deeply human struggles, creating narratives that are both chilling and unexpectedly hopeful. Each story reveals how transformation can become a form of resistance, how the monstrous can become empowering. The emotional core lies in witnessing women refuse to remain prey, instead becoming the predators in their own stories.
Genres: fantasy, horror, speculative-fiction, adult-fiction, dark-fantasy, short-story-collection
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, empowering, haunting, introspective, thought-provoking
Tropes: monster-as-protagonist, reclaiming-power, survival-narrative, transformation
181 pages · Paperback · University of Tampa Press
Content warnings: abuse, sexual-assault, violence