Changelings: An Autistic Trans Anthology

                                                     

Hello everyone I am super excited for this one! I literally had to run out and buy a new e-reader (well second hand I'm not made of money) to read it on and it was worth it. Thank you to Ryan and Ocean (The anthology editors) for supplying me and e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Changelings is an anthology of 13 stories written by autistic trans writers showcasing autistic trans stories. Each one is a different take with different genres, ideas and characters all showcasing the autistic trans experience. It includes author Andrew Joseph White of Hell Followed with Us fame as well as loads of new authors I can't wait to check out.

Firstly I do want to start with the elephant in the room the lack of transfeminine writers and stories, It's very transmasculine focused with some nonbinary voices as well. This means it doesn't represent the community as well as intended and I think it's a real shame. It also is very obvious when you are reading that there is a lack of these stories. 

Anyway from that I want to focus on the good points. Anthologies are a tricky prospect because they will always have stronger stories and weaker ones by definition. No anthology has ever been 1000% perfect and that is a feature not a bug of the genre. 

As an autistic person I found it really beautiful to see so many relatable characters with autism all in one book. All of them relatable and showcasing out unique nature in different ways. I especially related with the character Bug in Chrysalis for an Emperor by Briar Ripley Page. 

My faviourite stories have to be the aformentioned Chrysalis, the brilliant Mizmor L'David by Dorian Yosef Weber and Wandering Stars by Isa Boog. 

Overall this anthology is a needed and beautiful first step in showcasign the autistic and trans experienceand whislt it has things to work on that should not take away from how amazing it is to have got this far in the first place. 

via GIPHY