Sunbathers is an erotic horror novella, written by Lindz McLeod, and published by Hedone Books. An ambitious title that not only explores concepts such as daylight vampires as a consequence of climate change, but also the desire to fit into a group, putting it over yourself, all enveloped in the narration of a desperate character.

The world ended in sun flares. Some refused to take shelter, and deliberately stayed out; most died, but those that survived burned into something different: stronger and powerful, but depending on light; now they persecute those that refused to join, taking them out of their shelters and killing them. They are called Sunbathers.
Soph is hidden together with other survivors in a burrow in the ground; scavenging food and gathering water in the night, trying to resist. However, their survival is becoming increasingly more difficult, especially once they discover the Sunbathers are eating human flesh and poisoning other food; Soph doesn't believe in the escape plan. After being caught by the Sunbathers, desperate for survival, Soph offers the life of her mates for her survival, a chance to burn her sins and become a Sunbather. But this new situation is not the escape she thought it was, as soon it is clear the Sunbathers are not the freedom she craved for; now, she will be between the wall and the rock when she discovers a lamp is being built, meaning the end of humanity. Soph has to make a choice.

With the character of Soph, McLeod explores the idea of fitting into a group, and how on many occasions, she will have to put herself behind the interests of that group; she even renounces humanity in exchange for becoming a Sunbather. However, in the own new society, it is soon clear that sexual freedom is not existent, forcing many of the members into a weekly heterosexual ritual, effectively erasing other identities.

Inside Sunbathers, we can also find interesting element horrors, such as cannibalism, body horror and, well, inverse vampires. I would have preferred that some scenes, such as the burning and violence, to be a bit more detailed, but I think it also makes sense to put the emphasis on Soph's metaphorical journey through her humanity and bestiality.

Ambitious and imaginative, Sunbathers is a great example of what erotic horror can do in the adequate hands; not only we have interesting concepts, but also a compelling story with a flawed character. A great novella by Lindz McLeod.