Being Ace

September 1, 2023
A multigenre anthology of short stories for teens that centers asexual protagonists. A teen Slayer who is repulsed by sex is the target of monsters attracted to her virginal blood--until she deconstructs her community's buy-in of the heterosexist concept of virginity in "Smells Like Teen Virgin" by S.E. Anderson. In S.J. Taylor's "The Witch of Festa Falls," a girl living in 18th-century Norway is able to save her community from a fossegrim, a terrifying creature from folklore, because she's immune to his charms. "The Third Star" by RoAnna Sylver follows an aro-ace, agender, autistic teen who is worried about their queerplatonic relationship when their two partners go through rough patches, all while surviving on an emergency craft in the depths of space. The Little Mermaid is rescued from the clutches of exploitation and finds an unexpectedly platonic alliance with a merman prince in Moniza Hossain's "The Mermaid's Sister." Themes of grief, community expectations, resilience, self-esteem, and queer joy are woven throughout this anthology. The stories range widely in tone and genre, although the majority are speculative. While some are immensely satisfying, others feel noticeably underdeveloped and rushed. But readers hungry for intersectional ace (and frequently also aro) representation will be pleased to see a range of queer identities, racial backgrounds, and disabilities (including a protagonist with hyperacusis and cerebral palsy who uses a power wheelchair). May not take the whole cake, but asexual readers hungry for representation will find some outstanding pieces to dig into. (content warning) (Anthology. 14-18)

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Starred review from December 8, 2023

Gr 9 Up-Protagonists across the asexuality spectrum star in this collection of 14 short stories ranging from fantasy to science fiction to contemporary. An enchanted suit of armor poses as a fake fianc� and is bested by a would-be magistrate. A "magical ace" escorts someone through the woods to chat to their dead-and solve a murder mystery. A sex-repulsed monster hunter pushes back against the pressure to lose their virginity to become "full-fledged." Whatever the story, each individual plot is unique. Mostly unified by coming out experiences, these narratives are ultimately affirming even when situations are difficult. Some stories are more engaging than others, but the breadth of asexual characters explored-by asexual creators, no less-is remarkable. Significantly, one story features a power wheelchair user, providing rare disability representation. VERDICT This compelling collection offers readers so many opportunities to feel seen and connect. A first purchase for all teen collections.-Alec Chunn

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