We Mostly Come Out at Night: 15 Queer Tales of Monsters, Angels & Other Creatures

Gr 10 Up–An ambitious anthology centering queer monstrosity in all its forms. Each entry opens with a stunning black-and-white chapter illustration, whetting readers’ appetites for the tale to follow. Stories range from ethereal fairy-tale retellings to dystopian quests of teens seeking love and acceptance in dust-soaked, drowned-out Earths. A young girl in Uruguay summons a sea witch to erase her queer feelings; the mirror-bound subject of a fearsome childhood rhyme lures readers to switch lives. This 15-story collection is unique in its diverse portrayals of monsters and of LGBTQIA+ teens, though it is uneven in tone and quality. Some stories feel rich and developed, while others drop readers into a plot that seems to never fully start. The motif of embracing difference and finding connection in the margins, even if it’s just with oneself, creates the hopeful throughline tying these pieces together. An editor’s note includes content warnings for addiction, poverty, grief, homelessness, and abortion alongside transphobia and homophobia. While this may not be a text to devour in one sitting, readers will likely savor a few stories at a time and revisit their favorites. It could also be utilized in creative writing spaces to prompt teens to explore their own monstrous narratives.