Maleficence: An Anthology of Queer Disabled Villainy

Name: Maleficence: An Anthology of Queer Disabled Villainy
Price: 17.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9798218481773

✍️ Sirius

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$17.99

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A collection of thirteen stories featuring queer disabled villains in horror fiction.

This anthology challenges the trope of the able-bodied hero by presenting villains who are both queer and disabled. Sirius brings together writers to create characters who are undeniably monstrous yet rooted in lived experiences often ignored in the genre. The stories avoid pity or inspiration, focusing instead on the raw power and corruption of these figures. Readers will find werewolves, vampires, and scientists who refuse to be cured or normalized. The work stands as a direct answer to the question of where disabled villains reside in horror literature.

Key Themes

queer disabled villains werewolves in wheelchairs conjoined twins

Literary Context

Published in 2024 by Laughing Man House, this anthology addresses the lack of representation for disabled characters in horror fiction. It responds to specific community inquiries about the absence of such figures in genre literature. The work sits within contemporary queer horror, offering a distinct perspective on villainy that diverges from traditional narratives.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Clive Barker · Poppy Z. Brite · Tamsyn Muir

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Vampires

🏛 Laughing Man House 📅 2024 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798218481773

📚 This Book in Collections

🐺 Werewolf & Shapeshifter Fiction

📝 Description: Maleficence: An Anthology of Queer Disabled Villainy

Sirius edits Maleficence, an anthology published by Laughing Man House in 2024 that centers queer disabled villains. The collection features thirteen horror authors who present characters who are morally corrupt and physically or mentally distinct from societal norms. Readers encounter werewolves in wheelchairs, conjoined twins, and mad scientists with irritable bowel syndrome. These figures range from vampires to desperate academics, all united by their shared identity and villainous nature. The book draws on classic horror traditions while subverting them through specific disability and queer perspectives. It does not offer redemption arcs for its protagonists but instead presents them as rotten to the core. This volume suits readers seeking dark fiction that challenges conventional hero narratives. It may not appeal to those who prefer traditional monster stories where disability is a tragic flaw rather than a source of power or identity. The anthology is organized around these specific character types, allowing each author to explore different facets of queer disabled villainy. The contributors use their unique voices to bring these marginalized figures into the spotlight of horror fiction. The result is a cohesive collection that examines the intersection of queerness, disability, and monstrosity without apology or sanitization.

💎 Our verdict on Maleficence: An Anthology of Queer Disabled Villainy

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Sirius’s anthology delivers a cohesive and unapologetic examination of queer disabled villainy, successfully challenging the trope of the able-bodied hero. The collection excels in presenting characters who are rotten to the core, avoiding inspiration tropes to focus on raw power. Contributors bring unique voices to figures ranging from wheelchair-using werewolves to scientists with specific medical conditions, creating a diverse yet unified thematic experience. This work suits readers looking for dark fiction that critiques societal norms through the lens of monstrosity. It is less suitable for those preferring traditional monster stories where disability is merely a tragic flaw.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking dark fiction that actively subverts conventional hero narratives will find this collection deeply rewarding. It is ideal for those who appreciate horror that centers on morally corrupt characters rooted in lived experiences often ignored by the genre. By presenting villains who are undeniably monstrous yet refuse normalization, the book offers a raw exploration of power and corruption. It appeals to audiences tired of redemption arcs, preferring stories where disability and queerness serve as sources of identity and monstrosity rather than pity. This volume provides a necessary spotlight for marginalized figures in horror fiction without apology or sanitization.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Sirius’s anthology delivers a cohesive and unapologetic examination of queer disabled villainy, successfully challenging the trope of the able-bodied hero. The collection excels in presenting characters who are rotten to the core, avoiding inspiration tropes to focus on raw power. Contributors bring unique voices to figures ranging from wheelchair-using werewolves to scientists with specific medical conditions, creating a diverse yet unified thematic experience. This work suits readers looking for dark fiction that critiques societal norms through the lens of monstrosity. It is less suitable for those preferring traditional monster stories where disability is merely a tragic flaw.