Book Review: Teenage Girls Can Be Demons by Hailey Piper
From the moment I caught a glimpse of Teenage Girls Can Be Demons, I felt an irresistible draw. As someone who has long been captivated by the duality of horror and feminism, I simply had to dive into Hailey Piper’s collection. The intriguing title hints at a fierce exploration of girlhood and the haunting realities that often accompany it. With a mix of nostalgia and curiosity, I set out to explore these feminist horror stories, and what an experience it was!
This anthology is a vibrant tapestry of short stories and a novella that pulse with the visceral emotions of teenage life. While many of the tales revisit themes from Piper’s previous works—like Why We Keep Exploding and Benny Rose, the Cannibal King—the collection presents them anew, enriching our understanding of the characters and their struggles. Notably, these narratives span a myriad of horror subgenres, from the chilling aftershocks of trauma during a high school reunion to the surreal terror of period-based magic, ensuring there’s a story for every kind of horror enthusiast.
One of my favorite stories, "The Long Flesh of the Law," resonates deeply; it masterfully captures the visceral fear of a young girl being pursued by a police car. The tension was palpable, the imagery haunting. Piper’s ability to blend body horror with societal commentary is an interesting avenue that I appreciated throughout the collection. "Last Leaf of an Ursine Tree" struck me with its surreal take on menstruation and fear, solidifying my belief that horror can be both whimsical and terrifying.
Piper presents a varied cast—featuring trans girls, gender non-conforming characters, and more—that showcases the dynamic and multifaceted experiences of teenage girls. In stories like "Magical Girl Child Crusader Squad," the protagonist’s journey of grief and responsibility as a magical girl resonates with anyone who has grappled with the weight of expectation during their formative years. I found myself invested in these characters, rooting for them as they fought back against societal expectations, discovering their own autonomy in the process.
The writing is crisp and immediate, making the horror not just a thrill, but an echo of deeper emotions. Piper’s deft handling of pacing ensured that even moments of raw vulnerability were interspersed with gripping tension, leaving me eagerly turning pages. I was particularly drawn to the way Piper addressed complex themes like misogyny, grief, and autonomy, all while maintaining a sense of dark humor and irony.
A standout line read, “They were only teenage girls. What could they do?”—and each story resolutely answers that question, revealing not only the strengths of these girls but their capacity to inspire, rebel, and confront what haunts them.
In conclusion, Teenage Girls Can Be Demons is not just an anthology—it’s a profound exploration of adolescence through a feminist lens that is both unsettling and empowering. If you’re a fan of queer or feminist horror, or if you’ve ever felt the pulse of rebellion in your own teenage years, definitely grab this one. Piper’s work not only entertained me but also reminded me of the fierce spirit of girlhood, leaving me with a mixture of nostalgia and empowerment long after I put it down.
Happy reading!
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