Dark and weird and beautifully written, this is a compelling read. I loved the premise, and I think it will stay with me for a very long time. ( )

This short work is easily a brilliant alt-vamp novella that focuses more on eating thoughts and getting addicted to the bad ones... and then there's the neato twist at the end. :)

LOVED this one's twist.

The fact that it's a perfect blend of characters, interesting magic, tragedy, and pathos make it a nearly perfect story, right down to the slurping noises at the end. So cool! :) Friendship is the BEST.

(Some people who have read this story might think that I'm slightly sick, but that's okay. I'll own it because I love this story.) ( )

Hungry Daughters of Starving Mothers. Jen is her mother's daughter, a sort of psychic vampire who dines on the bad thoughts of others. Jen's date tonight is Harvey, a man who thinks about murdering and raping her during dinner. He tastes delicious, fills her right up. She stores his vile, black essence in a jar in her refrigerator next to her other seasonings. After Harvey, she can't be satisfied with the normal petty thoughts of her dates. She needs something more.

She finds someone else to dine with, someone who is like her. Both of them wanting more than their mothers taught them to have. Both of them wanting to take pleasure in what they do. So she leaves behind her mother with all her jars of ex-lovers, and she leaves behind her best friend who used to remind her of everything good and who now seems like nothing at all.

This story was about mothers and daughters, about wanting and needing and desiring so much more than your mother was allowed to have, and about deciding what's really right for you. It was surprising and creepy and I loved it.
( )

Jen searches carefully for the right dates on Tindr; dates who will provide what she really needs. Jen is a kind of vampire; she feeds on bad thoughts.

And one night she hits the jackpot.

As this is a short story, it's tough to say anything more without spoiling the whole thing, but Wong builds setting, situation, and character with exquisite perfection.

I also reviewed her [b:The Fisher Queen|24867253|The Fisher Queen|Alyssa Wong|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/book/50x75-a91bf249278a81aabab721ef782c4a74.png|44516059], last year.

Highly recommended.

This story and others I received as part of the 2016 Hugo Awards voters' packet. ( )