To Rule the Desert by Monica Robinson

Book Review by Violet James McMaster (she/they)

I met Monica Robinson (@corvus.et.liber) through one of my favorite Philadelphia bookstores, The Spiral Bookcase (@spiralbookcase), as well as through a reading she hosted promoting her poetry collection from last year, Peeling the Yellow Wallpaper. What struck me about Monica’s poetic voice is the way in which she weaves the surreal and supernatural throughout moments of pure trauma and connection. She’s additionally a super warm and engaging person, so when she put out a post looking for readers of her upcoming novella, I had to jump right on that!

To Rule the Desert is a kaleidoscopic, queer re-imagining of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, telling the tale of two lovers fighting to find one another in the hazy otherworld of Route 40. A shadowy killer is stalking along the motels along the stretch of highway and our protagonists fall prey to his hungry desires. From there, the story unwinds as Quinn and Ava traverse a decaying limbo, all while avoiding the goddess of the underworld before their souls are separated forever.

Earlier, when I mentioned Robinson’s command of surreal poetic imagery, this talent reflects within her prose as well. Gorgeous images swirl around each other in a chaotically restrained dance—at least that’s how I felt as I was reading. Following the central couple is reminiscent of engaging in a sleepy waltz with the goddess of the underworld…but dustier.

There’s an absolute understanding within Robinson’s reimagining of the classic myth. The passion inherent from its opening moments to the effortless queering the characters, the novel introduces a deeper sense of desire and longing in their journey. Both Ava and Quinn are presented in all their complexities, while the spirit of Death herself offers a form of retribution, mercy, and unfiltered, queer rage.

To Rule the Desert is at once a mystery, a road trip adventure, and a surreal dramatic horror at the same time, coalescing in a rich and textured stew you’ll find yourself returning to again and again—if only to make sure you’ve tasted every morsel possible.

Violet James McMaster (she/they) is a librarian, writer, and voracious reader from Bucks County, PA. Her focus is primarily horror, comics/graphic novels, and queer/trans literature. You can find more of her reviews/book musings on Instagram @violetjamesmcmaster.