Review of "Moods and Megrims Volume 2: More Hysterical Women" Compiled by Desiree Horton
Updated: Oct 25
Moods and Megrims Volume 2: More Hysterical Women didn't hold back whatsoever!
While I loved the first volume, I felt volume 2 had stronger stories.
This collection mirrors the real world, and as such, it was difficult to read at times—but that's what makes stories like this so necessary. It's not just sexual assault for shock value but rather it's about honesty, and the dehumanization assault causes. And a powerful statement is made: consequences will come, with or without the help of those meant to protect us.
This collection is full of women bringing their own justice, and there was an exploration of femininity too. Very few stories missed the mark for me, and all left a gut-punch of lasting impact.
My thoughts on each story:
⇝ My top four* are in green! ⇜
• Prey Tell – Nadine Stewart
I can't say much without giving the story away, but it's wonderfully told (through journal entries, text messages, receipts, etc.)
• I Dream of Jeannie – S.E. Howard
Surprising and chilling.
• Nothing Good Comes From A Loud Girl – Christy Aldridge
I loved this piece so much; the feeling of pushing everything down, yet still somehow being seen as "too sensitive" was written so wonderfully. Another piece where I don't know what to say without giving away too much, but I found that the ending was powerful and satisfying.
• Riley Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Mountview Mental Institution – Kay Hanifen
This all played out beautifully!
• Foresight – Rikki Goodwin
I love how the thrill of danger is the main theme here, and I didn't expect it to go in the direction it did!
• Ravening – Chloe York
Amazingly gory story about sisterly love, and acceptance. I could talk about this one for ages!
• Scarred into Obsession – Lesley A. Camphouse
The morally gray area this lives in is delicious. Do unto others, or however the saying goes 👀
• Made with Love – Cassandra O'Sullivan Sachar
Absolutely incredible! A little uncomfortable at first, and the horror and truth unfolds beautifully.
• The Cellar – Eve L. Fell
Wonderful concept.
• Alabama Motel Room – Ashley Fox
Heartbreaking—the idea/truth that even when/if justice is served, the wounds remain.
• Enjoy the Silence – Kirsten Noelle Craig
This was bittersweet in a sense, but beautifully written.
• Lone Woman – Desiree Horto
Epic, and the title is perfect for the content!
• It All Comes Back to Him – Kinsey Harlow
Powerful. This piece settled heavily in my chest, and I think it was the perfect ending to the collection.
*I've been picking my top three recently, but I genuinely couldn't drop any of these four from the list!
Quotes I thought were neat:
• "A loud girl was an ugly thing in their house, uglier even than a cruel one, because cruelty could be hidden under prettiness. But anger had a way of showing its teeth. Anger was ugly, and women should never be ugly."
— Nothing Good Comes From A Loud Girl, Christy Aldridge
• "Memory is fluid, like trying to hold a river in your hands—everything constantly slipping through your fingers..."
— Riley Farmer Will Have Her Revenge on Mountview Mental Institution, Kay Hanifen
• "She rubbed the linoleum harder as if she could cleanse her heart of the pain it held."
— Enjoy the Silence, Kirsten Noelle Craig
What I also loved was that every story is a plot-twist waiting to happen, and very seldom could I predict how a specific piece would end.
Surprising, visceral, and haunting—Moods and Megrims Volume 2 delivered all that and more!
