poignant transfemme collection of personal essays that weaves in reflections on a number of horror films. lifting up the genre’s vilification of sick, disabled, & otherwise “failed” women will stay with me. this book made me curious to watch a few of the films listed based on the author’s appreciation, especially the original texas chain saw massacre. i loved the author’s brutal honesty & nuance. at times the author’s reflections of white privilege felt a little too self conscious.

Uncanny Valley Girls is eerie, lyrical, and completely unlike anything I’ve read before—a fever dream of girlhood, technology, and the blurred lines between the living, the artificial, and the monstrous. Zefyr Lisowski crafts a story that hums with unease, balancing tenderness and menace in a way that feels both hypnotic and dangerous.
From the first page, I was pulled into its strange, shimmering world. The prose is lush and poetic, almost incantatory, with an undercurrent of threat that never lets you get too comfortable. The girls at the center of the story are magnetic—part victim, part predator, part something entirely new—and watching their evolution felt like staring into a mirror that didn’t quite reflect me back.

What struck me most was how Lisowski uses body horror and uncanny imagery not for shock, but for intimacy. The horror here is deeply personal—rooted in identity, desire, and the way the world tries to mold you into something that isn’t quite yours to be. It’s haunting, yes, but also beautiful in its strangeness.

If you’re drawn to literary horror that reads like folklore for the digital age—queer, unsettling, and dripping with atmosphere—Uncanny Valley Girls is an absolute must-read. It lingered in my head like a half-remembered dream I wasn’t sure I wanted to wake from.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Perennial for an ARC of this title and the opportunity to provide an honest review.

Uncanny Valley Girls was a bit of a surprise. As a horror movie lover myself, the synopsis, the title, and the cover of the book totally hooked me but reading it was a bit slower and harder than expected. The horror "theme" felt like brief mentions or emotional landmarks rather than an integral part of the story and I wish that connection would have been stronger since that's what drew me into the book in the first place.

That said, it was still a beautifully written collection of essays. The author has gone through dark times, emotionally and physically, and the book unfolds these deeply personal reflections. You can feel the raw emotion and I appreciate the author opening up and speaking on their life experiences that can impact so many readers that come across this book.

Overall, I think that this title will be great for a very specific audience, but my expectations were different than what I experienced and for that, I've given this title 2/5 stars.

Lisowski draws parallels between trans, identification and horror movie themes. It is an interesting comparison and thought provoking. Through my own lens, I was intrigued at a different interpretation of cinema that goes beyond the jump, scare or violent actions that are being portrayed. Lisowski weaves their own memoir and experience throughout the book, and I found myself wanting more of their story than the movie analysis.

I love it when people write memoirs or collections of personal essays that discuss pieces of media that were really important to them or that relate to their own experiences. Zefyr Lisowski writes about her experiences growing up in the south, chronic illness, being trans, mental health struggles, making art, sexual violence, and so much more while weaving in analysis of different horror movies. This isn’t a book solely focused on film analysis, the movies are brought in to show her mindset at different points in her life or to thematically relate to the topics she’s discussing.

Something I really appreciate about this book was how open and raw it felt. Like in the essay about werewolves when she’s talking about how she thinks of werewolf stories as trans stories, but also not wanting to depict trans people as violent predators. There’s so much nuance in her writing, and the way she discusses how she chose to represent the people who had sexually assaulted her.

This is a really heavy book full of a lot of dark topics. But I think that if you’re a fan of horror films and enjoy brutally honest personal essays, then you should add it to your TBR.

Wow I just downloaded this book yesterday I stayed up all night reading this memoir it was good and very uncanny as the title !! And very reflective to say the least thank you for this fast paced read hope others enjoyed it as I did

very well done memoir that's quite interesting. the framing technique utilizing the assorted horror films worked really effectively too. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

This book has an interesting concept but I don’t think the author really nailed the payoff. The author used a lot of flowery writing which was a major turn off for me. I just didn’t fit for a nonfiction book, I love horror films and I liked the section of cinema she chooses from, but ultimately, I just couldn’t connect with the material even though I thought I would love this book. It’s a good premise but lacks conviction and guts.

I really loved how deeply Zefyr Lisowksi conveys emotions and how she is able to convey so much of her story and her thoughts in the lens of horror movies. It is a truly unique experience, and I think everyone needs to read this book.

A truly fantastic criticism and essay collection by a trans female writer that focuses on her relationship to horror films and her own body and lived experiences. It's actually neat to get to read trans critiques of other trans narratives (which doesn't happen that much), and on some of the more mainstream entries as well. Highly recommended.

I figured “Uncanny Valley Girls” by Zefyr Lisowski was going to primarily be a collection of essays diving into various themes of horror films, however it was so much more (which will be a hit or miss for you depending on what you are searching for).

“Uncanny Valley Girls” is a blend of biographic essays and film critique/theory. As someone who already laces various media to different phases of my life, it resonated deeply. I think we all have a film or two that immediately pulls us into a distinct time in our life, the ones that when you watch it was almost like it was made for you in that moment. The right film at the right time. Lisowski tackles topics such as sexual assault, chronic pain, trans-ness, and mental illness through her own personal anecdotes and connections to films. Sometimes she is admiring a film for its representation of these darker themes, other times scolding them for missing the mark.

I will say, if you are approaching and considering this book primarily for the deep-dive on films (like I initially was), it may not be for you. “Uncanny Valley Girls” serves as primarily a memoir to Lisowski’s own life. While that side of the book was fascinating and poetically written, the films serve more as an occasional cameo to parallel Lisowski’s own story. However, there is no denying the tender pain and haunting prose that Lisowski brings forth, it is candid and raw.

(I do want to thank Lisowski for introducing me to Greer Lankton, I cannot stop looking at her art.)

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for sending me a free ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review!

Full review has been posted to Goodreads, a mini review will be posted to my Instagram at the end of June in my monthly wrap-up, my full review will be posted to Instagram in September, one month prior to publication.

This memoir is a brutally honest and intensely raw exploration, where the author, Lisowski, plunges into her profound love and appreciation for the horror genre. With a masterful touch, she artfully weaves together the chilling themes of horror films and the unsettling real-life traumas she has navigated. Throughout this evocative narrative, Lisowski bravely confronts deeply personal topics, including her battles with chronic illness, the enduring shadow of family trauma, the intricate maze of mental health, and her poignant experiences with self-harm and abuse. Moreover, she sheds light on the unique challenges she has faced as a trans woman, illuminating a spectrum of human experience that is both heartbreaking and empowering.

The subject matter, at times heart-wrenching, is imbued with an unwavering sense of hope and an unexpected beauty that glimmers through the darkness. Lisowski constructs a narrative arc that seeks growth, love, and care amidst the relentless ravages of suffering. Her poignant writing is marked by intelligence and authenticity, resonating deeply with readers and inviting them into her world.

Initially, I approached this work with the anticipation of a collection of essays and analyses exploring various intersections of horror, queer identity, and social commentary. To my surprise, it unfolded into a more distilled memoir format. However, I quickly found Lisowski’s life story and emotional voice so compelling that it transformed my initial expectations into a refreshing revelation, profoundly meaningful in its embrace of complexity.

Lisowski demonstrates remarkable talent in her use of lyrical prose, evoking powerful emotions and offering insightful reflections that linger in the mind long after the last page has turned. Yet, there were moments where the narrative felt slightly meandering; some essays were exceptionally strong and impactful, while others ventured into the terrain of too many themes—each intriguing in its own right—ultimately feeling rushed or underdeveloped for the scope of a single essay. Furthermore, there were instances where the connections drawn between facets of her experiences felt tenuous at best.

Despite these critiques, I hold a sincere hope that Lisowski continues her writing journey in the future. Her unique perspective and exceptional ability to intertwine personal narratives with broader cultural themes stand as a testament to her incredible talent and resilience, promising a future filled with powerful storytelling.

Absolutely incredible and truly unforgettable. It made my heart ache, reminded me of my love of horror and gave me hope, in a strange way. I felt lucky to be able to see inside the author's brain, if only for a short while.

A fiercely personal and sharply intelligent essay collection that uses horror films as a lens to explore identity, trauma, class, and the human need for connection. Lisowski writes with poetic clarity and emotional depth, blending memoir with cultural criticism in a way that feels both intimate and expansive. Her reflections on films like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Saint Maud reveal how horror comforts as much as it disturbs—offering solace, recognition, and even love. This is a book about surviving what tries to unmake you, and finding beauty in the grotesque. Smart, gutsy, and deeply felt—it lingers long after reading.

3.5 stars. I really enjoyed everything about this. A blend of a memoir and essays with themes about change, trauma, and love. Talks about how you can see yourself in horror movies and talks about all of the cult classics that I love, which I really related to. This is not what I was expecting at all but I still very much enjoyed it. Lisowski is trans, and has went through so much change in her life, which she writes about in this SO WELL. Also her taste in horror movies and art made me blush. As always, thank you Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the earc.

It's not what I was expecting but it was gripping.

Uncanny Valley Girls is a raw memoir-in-essays weaving together themes of survival, trauma, and love through a lens that’s both deeply personal and critical. While the title nods to horror, the book isn’t about the genre so much as the uncanny moments in life where trauma, identity, and resilience collide mixed in with unconventional lessons learned from horror movies.

Her writing is fearless and unflinching, drawing from her own experiences to explore how survival shapes the self and relationships. The essays don’t just recount events, they critique the social structures and cultural myths that often fail or harm those navigating trauma and marginalization. There’s a strong sense of urgency and honesty throughout, with the author refusing to shy away from discomfort or complexity.

For readers looking for a memoir that challenges conventions and explores survival in all its messy, painful, and hopeful facets, Uncanny Valley Girls is a compelling and unforgettable read.

Loved this essay collection that explored gender and coming of age through the lens of horror and pop culture.

To be upfront, I went into this thinking it was going to be a collection of essays/analyses of various horror, queer, and social topics, but was caught off guard when it turned out to primarily be a diluted memoir. Luckily, Lisowski’s life and emotional voice were quite interesting, making it easy to flip my expectations.

Lisowski is talented at using poetic prose, conveying emotion, and communicating reflections, but I felt that this collection could have been a little tighter. Some essays were solid, while others contained too many themes (but all interesting themes!) to depthfully explore in a single essay, and others felt like they were grasping at straws when making connections. I really hope she writes more in the future.

Some of my favorite essays were Ghostface, Werewolf Girl, Devotion, and Uncanny Valley of the Dolls.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Perennial and Paperbacks for the Advanced Reader Copy.

A poignant memoir that blends art and film with discussions of love, war, mental illness, disability, isolation, and survival. Each of these stories hit me hard and I loved the analysis/critique of horror movies through the lens of trans becoming, disability, and love.

It was hard for me to read partially because I felt so seen. Navigating this world as a trans disabled person can be so painful. This collection feels like an ode to every feeling of pain, rage, and hopelessness I’ve experienced.

I recommend this to anyone who likes emotional memoirs, exploration of heavy themes, and horror movies!

This is a very interesting mix of memoir and social commentary. We follow a deeply personal journey of our author's identity exploration and struggles with mental illness, as well as the media in which they found refuge. I found the essays to be very well-written and at times although the subject matter was difficult, it was addressed in a very engaging way.