passes the bechdel test

Hungry Ghost is book 2 of the Tales of the Pack series, which explores feminism, sexuality, and gender through the lens of the werewolf mythos.

Strange is the new normal for college freshman Lexie Clarion. She could be writing papers and going to frat parties like a normal girl, but Lexie is no normal girl. She spends each full moon fighting against the beast that threatens to escape her body, and the rest of the time mooning over her alpha ex-girlfriend. When Lexie discovers the eviscerated body of a fellow student, she knows the violent full-blood Rare wolves are back on the prowl. But with no proof, no plan, and no allies, Lexie and the Pack have to decide how to fight back. And they have to do so fast, before all the women of Milton become prey.

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Lunatic Fringe indulges the feminine wild by giving the classic werewolf myth a lesbian twist. Lexie Clarion’s first night at college, she falls in with a pack of radical feminist werewolf hunters. The next morning, she falls for a mysterious woman who may be among the hunted. As Lexie’s new lover and the Pack battle for Lexie’s allegiance, the waxing moon illuminates old hatreds, new enemies, and a secret from Lexie’s childhood that will change her life forever.

“Enthralling, empowering, and well written.”
- Curve Magazine

“Lunatic Fringe is a pretty foxy romance and an excellent exploration of groups and identity, both of which make it a strong debut from Ms. Moon.”
- Pornokitch

“Lunatic Fringe is a groundbreaking creative accomplishment that is certain to make a splash among readers of both queer literature and speculative fiction.”
-Dr. David Higgins, Science Fiction Division Head for the International Association for the Fantastic in the Arts (iafa.org)

“Allison Moon has written a novel that reflects women today with an engaging story filled with folklore, romance & sex. She could very well be the writer to give feminism a good name again.” – Jon Imparato, Artistic Director of the Lily Tomlin/Jane Wagner Cultural Arts Center.

“Capturing all the awkwardness of a new life, new love and new limbs with a startling and honest intensity, Lunatic Fringe isn’t afraid to show you its teeth. Full moons, feminism, and fisting, Allison Moon’s novel kept me turning pages.”
-Alexandra Erin, TalesofMu.com

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The protagonist in this book had a rough start as an orphan abused in a nunnery. Her tough-love father returns for her when she is eight years old. They both work for royals who use them. Despite this, Reveka holds no grudges, tries to do the right thing and works towards her impossible dream of becoming an herbalist. When a curse on the princesses of the castle starts hurting everyone, and the prize for breaking the curse would let her become an herbalist, she cleverly and sneakily takes matters into her own hands.

The most feminist aspects of this book are rather subtle. Reveka criticizes the status quo. She thinks of everyone’s well-being rather than trying to follow the rules. She is chastises the princesses for being selfish and using religious superstition as justification for letting others get hurt. There are no obvious male romantic interests. She admits to small attractions to a young boy and an older man, but those feelings are brushed aside in favor of practical matters. Reveka is even outraged by her father’s ridiculous love interest. This hero exhibits great critical thinking, independence and empathy.

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One of the main characters of Scriber is Bryndine, a giant warrior over six feet tall, the niece of the king whose nickname is the Bloody Bride.

When Bryndine was first introduced, my first thought was: “Oh, no.” I thought she would be a caricature, a joke. She’s described as huge, beefy, muscular, not very pretty. What motivation would an author have to create a character like this if not as a joke?

But when I continued reading Scriber, I was pleasantly surprised. No, I was shocked. Not only is Bryndine a kick-ass character, she’s a HERO. All the other main characters look up to her. She’s competent and has an unshakable resolve and loyalty to her people even though they hate her.

Bryndine has also assembled her own army unit of kick-ass women, so there’s no lack of strong female characters in this book. Scriber stomps the Bechdel test into the dust.

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