Moonflow, Bitter Karella
Moonflow, Bitter Karella
List: $27.99 | Sale: $19.59
Club: $13.99

Moonflow

Author: Bitter Karella

Narrator: Venus Rose Fischer

Unabridged: 11 hr 3 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Run For It

Published: 09/02/2025


Synopsis

Annihilation meets Manhunt in three-time Hugo Award nominee Bitter Karella’s debut horror novel—a gloriously queer and irreverent psychedelic trip into the heart of an eldritch wood and the horrors of (cis)terhood.

I see something out there, in the woods. It does not have a face. 

They call it the King’s Breakfast. One bite and you can understand the full scope of the universe; one bite and you can commune with forgotten gods beyond human comprehension. And it only grows deep in the Pamogo forest, where the trees crowd so tight that the forest floor is pitch black day and night, where rumors of disappearing hikers and strange cults that worship the divine feminine abound.

Sarah is a trans woman who makes her living growing mushrooms. When a bad harvest leaves her in a desperate fix, the lure of the King’s Breakfast has her journeying into those vast uncharted woods. Her only guide is the most annoying man in the world, and he's convinced there’s no danger. But as they descend deeper, they realize they’re not alone. Something is luring them into the heart of the forest, and they must answer its call.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Stitching on September 02, 2025

The comp titles listed in the blurb are Annihilation and Manhunt. I've only read Manhunt which I wasn't a fan of and while I can absolutely see some common ground between the two (a trans MC, gritty tone, things get gross and irreverent) I liked Moonflow a lot more, the characters were more nuanced......more

Goodreads review by CarlysGrowingTBR on August 11, 2025

A biting botanical splatterpunk horror that leaves you wondering if they were hallucinating or if you were. Audiobook Stats: ⏰: 10 hours 30 minutes 🎤: Venus Rose Fisher Publisher: Hachette Audio Format: Single POV/Timeline I found the narrator to be clear and concise in their narration. I never had t......more

Goodreads review by Alice on September 08, 2025

2,5 ⭐️ Ya girl once again got fooled by a pretty cover (we’ll blame the mushrooms) I think this book was partly not my style, and partly needed some more work. I haven’t read a lot of horror so I’m still trying to find my taste in the genre, but this didn’t really do it for me. I think it might have......more

Goodreads review by Maria on July 07, 2025

Thank you Run For It for the eArc. Trigger warnings: graphic violence, sexual assault, gore, vomit, murder, infanticide, animal cruelty, and drug use. This book… is truly a mindfuck. I don’t believe I am the intended audience for this novel and/or genre, but I am always open to trying something at lea......more

Goodreads review by Lotte on September 02, 2025

Ehh, what the hell did I just read? This was some trippy shit. I love weird. This is definitely weird. I’m not very familiar with splatterpunk, but I’m pretty sure this does exactly what it’s supposed to. For someone new to the genre, it’s extreme, so I needed a few days to let it sink in and figure......more


Quotes

“A bizarre and fiercely original splatterpunk phantasmagoria of queerness, Moonflow is like a gay Jodorowsky film from Hell. Deranged and gleefully weird as fuck, this is an impressive debut from a singular literary talent.”—Eric LaRocca, author of Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke

"Weird, wild, and oh-so-wretched, Moonflow is the trans botanical horror we need in the world right now. Moonflow will sink its tendrils into you and infest you with its spores...and you'll enjoy it."—Drew Huff, author of The Divine Flesh and Free Burn

“I’ve never read a book like Moonflow before! It has the energy of a John Waters movie: crass, profane, populated with memorably bizarre and grotesque characters, packed with social commentary and bittersweet pathos—the type of art that is necessary for the current moment.”—Briar Ripley Page, author of Corrupted Vessels

"Is it legal to have this much fun reading a book? I'm in awe of Bitter Karella's incredible gift for creating biting satire without a shred of cruelty. Moonflow made me laugh out loud while genuinely caring about its wild cast of characters, from its all too relatable failed protagonist, to its mondo trash cinema meets Women Who Run With The Wolves villain. This is the queer splatterpunk salvation/dissolution comedic relief narrative we need in these dark times. I had a f*cking blast."—Joe Koch, author of The Wingspan of Severed Hands and Invaginies

"Luminous, trippy and an immensely satisfying read, Karella's Moonflow establishes her as a bona fide horror fiction maestro of the most accomplished order." —Gemma Amor, Bram Stoker and British Fantasy Award-nominated author of Itch!

"Moonflow is so much fun. Expert world-building, genuinely creepy situations, and characters that are easy to root for. Unique, funny, and frighteningly real. This is what horror is all about." —Sam Rebelein, Bram Stoker Award-nominated author of Edenville

“A triumph of queer, horny, hippy horror that’ll make you cackle, gasp, and scream! With its cast of iconic characters, imaginative enchanted setting, gripping story, and mind-bending horrific imagery, Bitter Karella’s Moonflow is a trip to die for.” —Eve Harms, author of Transmuted

"Moonflow is a deranged horny dayglo escapade that is so utterly queer to its core. Beyond the delirious visions, there’s a profound exploration of community and belonging. I adored this weirdo book."
 —Jane Flett, author of Freakslaw

"Bitter Karella is a powerhouse of horror. Moonflow is equal parts ridiculous, revolting and charming. It rockets into your psyche with drug-fueled mommy milker cults at 200mph and I loved every second of it." —Lor Gislason, editor of Bound of Flesh and Little Guts

"Karella has crafted the queer shroom trip from hell you didn't know you wanted. Moonflow's dose of terror is potent, and unlike anything you've ever seen." —Emmett Nahil, author of From the Belly