Brainwyrms

Brainwyrms is a body horror novel that follows multiple trans characters in London as they navigate a world of increasing hostility and supernatural threats. The story centers on Frankie, a trans woman working as a content moderator, who becomes entangled in events following a terrorist attack at her former workplace. The narrative interweaves elements of body horror, social media dystopia, and contemporary political tensions. Characters move through underground kink scenes and extremist meetings while encountering mysterious parasitic entities that blur the line between reality and nightmare. The book employs multiple viewpoints and non-linear storytelling, shifting between characters' perspectives as their paths begin to intersect. Events play out across London's queer spaces, corporate offices, and shadowy gathering places. Through its fusion of horror and transgender themes, Brainwyrms examines identity, bodily autonomy, and radicalization in modern Britain. The novel uses its supernatural elements to explore very real social anxieties and conflicts.

Readers describe Brainwyrms as an intense, visceral horror novel that deals with dark themes. Many compare it to the works of Junji Ito and David Cronenberg. Readers highlighted: - Raw, unflinching approach to body horror - Effective portrayal of trans experiences and dysphoria - Creative use of online culture and internet horror - Fast-paced, gripping narrative Common criticisms: - Graphic violence and gore too extreme for some readers - Plot pacing feels rushed in later sections - Some found the social media elements distracting - Writing style can be chaotic Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.1/5 (300+ ratings) StoryGraph: 3.75/5 (600+ ratings) "Not for the squeamish but utterly compelling" - Goodreads reviewer "The body horror hits harder because the characters feel real" - Amazon review "Sometimes too experimental for its own good" - StoryGraph user Content warnings for violence and gore are frequently mentioned in reviews.

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🧠 The book's title "Brainwyrms" references both cerebral parasites and the internet term "brainworms," describing obsessive thought patterns that spread like mental contagions. 🖥️ Content moderation, a central theme in the novel, involves reviewing potentially traumatic material daily, with real-world moderators often experiencing PTSD-like symptoms from prolonged exposure. 🏳️‍⚧️ Alison Rumfitt is part of a growing movement of trans horror authors reshaping the genre, following in the footsteps of writers like Poppy Z. Brite and Caitlín R. Kiernan. 🎭 The novel's three-part structure mirrors classical tragedy, with each section representing a different stage of psychological and physical transformation. 🇬🇧 The book's London setting draws from the city's rich history of Gothic literature, from Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" to Clive Barker's urban horror works.