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Reviews
The Curiosities: A Collection of Stories by Tessa Gratton, Brenna Yovanoff, Maggie Stiefvater
beaniedorman's review against another edition
5.0
As a loyal fan of Maggie Stiefvater, I had to read this one, even though I've never read anything by Tessa Gratton or Brenna Yovanoff (but now I will, soon). I very much enjoyed this collection of short stories, and the comments on writing processes that came with them. Each of the stories were different in their own way, and all of them were interesting and fun to read, and the entire book was an excellent mix of many different genres. I will be buying this book in the future.
julianfromme's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
i mostly read this for maggie, and it wasn’t necessarily bad, but you can tell the writers are still figuring out their identities. i’m also realizing that i could never read short story romance; slow burn or nothing.
thetomatowriter's review against another edition
5.0
I picked this up from the library because I haven't read anything by Maggie Stiefvater that I haven't liked, and I have been meaning to read Tessa Gratton and Brenna Yovanoff for some time. I expected to read some interesting, probably a little bit magical stories. Which I did. But the reason I loved this book went beyond that.
See, a few years ago, Stiefvater, Gratton, and Yovanoff, three YA authors who happen to be good friends and critique partners, had a blog called The Merry Sisters of Fate, where they each posted a short story once a week that was in some way challenging to them. They gave each other feedback and the blog, while they posted their stories, showed the way they all grew as writers from writing with each other. Eventually, they stopped the blog (the archives are still up, you should check it out), but they published two collections containing several of the stories.
Each story is prefaced with a little blurb from the author and usually one of the critique partners, explaining the reason they wrote that story or what they liked about it, what it said about their writing, and any other interesting tidbit. But that's not all! There are little handwritten notes throughout the book from each of the authors. It's like a director's commentary to The Merry Fates, but better than that, it's a look into the creative process and into the wild but so encouraging world of writer friendships.
This book made me feel so motivated to write, in a way that I've been struggling to feel for most of this year (I've still been writing, because you can't just wait for it to feel right, but it helps when it DOES). I wasn't even finished before I got a few friends together and we started talking about doing a similar project. And as someone who has many writer friends and loves them as dearly as the merry sisters of fate love each other, I would recommend this book. It's very interesting, the stories are wonderful of course, and it's just fun.
See, a few years ago, Stiefvater, Gratton, and Yovanoff, three YA authors who happen to be good friends and critique partners, had a blog called The Merry Sisters of Fate, where they each posted a short story once a week that was in some way challenging to them. They gave each other feedback and the blog, while they posted their stories, showed the way they all grew as writers from writing with each other. Eventually, they stopped the blog (the archives are still up, you should check it out), but they published two collections containing several of the stories.
Each story is prefaced with a little blurb from the author and usually one of the critique partners, explaining the reason they wrote that story or what they liked about it, what it said about their writing, and any other interesting tidbit. But that's not all! There are little handwritten notes throughout the book from each of the authors. It's like a director's commentary to The Merry Fates, but better than that, it's a look into the creative process and into the wild but so encouraging world of writer friendships.
This book made me feel so motivated to write, in a way that I've been struggling to feel for most of this year (I've still been writing, because you can't just wait for it to feel right, but it helps when it DOES). I wasn't even finished before I got a few friends together and we started talking about doing a similar project. And as someone who has many writer friends and loves them as dearly as the merry sisters of fate love each other, I would recommend this book. It's very interesting, the stories are wonderful of course, and it's just fun.
cyan_altaria's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
4.5
The mood and atmosphere of all the stories was amazing. They were all dark and macabre, but the brevity of the stories kept them from getting stale. The author's notes at the beginning enhanced the story that followed, and seeing the authors make comments during the stories had a nice touch. Some of the stories were a miss, but the book moved so fast I didn't mind.
sometimesrobin's review against another edition
5.0
This book was the most experimental thing I have seen published. As a reader, it was pretty nice. As a writer, it seemed revolutionary. I could see myself through some stories, through some comentary, some lines. It was a delightful read.
missprint_'s review against another edition
5.0
What happens when three talented writers decide to write short stories and pieces of flash fiction every week to hone their craft and share with each other? If those three authors are Tessa Gratton, Maggie Stiefvater, and Brenna Yovanoff you end up with a website called MerryFates.com and, a few years and novels later, you also get a short story collection featuring such oddities as a vampire kept in a box for luck, a small town re-visioning of the Arthurian legend, and school for children to dangerous to be in the real world--because they are demi-gods.
The Curiosities: A Collection of Stories (2012) by Tessa Gratton, Maggie Stiefvater, and Brenna Yovanoff is, as the title suggests, a collection of short stories. But it's also a lot more than that. Starting with the email exchange that inspired the project, The Curiosities is also a guide through the creative process of three talented writers.
Already filled with inspiring stories, The Curiosities takes things one step further with a tantalizing guide through each story. Each story is introduced by two of the three authors. Footnotes, commentary and informative sketches can also be found throughout as the women reflect on their own writing and growth as well as the strengths found in each others' stories.
Aspiring authors might find the overall package would have been complemented by a fuller explanation of the inspiration for some stories, particularly when a prompt was involved. With notes printed in each author's own hand, the matter of deciphering who is writing in the margins also takes some time.
The Curiosities is a clever, wry collection that takes standard anthology conventions and turns them upside down. Filled with stories to inspire and amaze, this one is sure to appeal to readers who are meeting the authors for the first time as much as it will to long-standing fans.
In fact, Nicole and I had so much fun reading the stories that we were inspired to start a similar project this month. Little Women Stories is already up and running. You can find stories from Nicole and myself there every month. (August's stories are already posted and so is September's prompt if you want a preview of what to expect next month.)
*This book was acquired for review from the publisher at BEA 2012
The Curiosities: A Collection of Stories (2012) by Tessa Gratton, Maggie Stiefvater, and Brenna Yovanoff is, as the title suggests, a collection of short stories. But it's also a lot more than that. Starting with the email exchange that inspired the project, The Curiosities is also a guide through the creative process of three talented writers.
Already filled with inspiring stories, The Curiosities takes things one step further with a tantalizing guide through each story. Each story is introduced by two of the three authors. Footnotes, commentary and informative sketches can also be found throughout as the women reflect on their own writing and growth as well as the strengths found in each others' stories.
Aspiring authors might find the overall package would have been complemented by a fuller explanation of the inspiration for some stories, particularly when a prompt was involved. With notes printed in each author's own hand, the matter of deciphering who is writing in the margins also takes some time.
The Curiosities is a clever, wry collection that takes standard anthology conventions and turns them upside down. Filled with stories to inspire and amaze, this one is sure to appeal to readers who are meeting the authors for the first time as much as it will to long-standing fans.
In fact, Nicole and I had so much fun reading the stories that we were inspired to start a similar project this month. Little Women Stories is already up and running. You can find stories from Nicole and myself there every month. (August's stories are already posted and so is September's prompt if you want a preview of what to expect next month.)
*This book was acquired for review from the publisher at BEA 2012
thehappyprince's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic
julsreadinglist's review
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
craftyreader14's review against another edition
This book was so addicting. I have always been a fan of Maggie Steifvater. Her beautiful writing is like a swirling storm of emotions and description. This collection was no different. The other two authors are just amazing. I have a list of books to read now! As a writer this book was an inspiration.
misssusan's review against another edition
5.0
you know, i decided this year i didn't have to review every book i read but it turns out i'm far too attached to the sound of my own voice to leave a book uncommented upon
besides this book is really great, it feels unfair to give words to ai ore and neglect something i actually liked
i'm not going to do the individual story review thing though because there were at least thirty of them, this is about me rambling, not putting actual work in
so what are these stories? creepy, atmospheric, gorgeous, full of monsters and the girls who kill them
i kind of want to toss it on tumblr because i feel like every person who flies the misandry flag would be about this life
also every single one of these stories has magic, like i know there's one tessa gratton tries to claim doesn't but i subscribe to the 'it feels like it does though!' argument of yovanoff
oh wait hold up i just remembered some yovanoff's stories. okay i retract my statement, most of these stories have magic and the ones that don't have murder so it all comes out even in the end
and it makes me want to write, i'm awed by the fact that these women could produce gems like these on a weekly basis like how? words??? on pages?!? perhaps i can attempt this thing as well?!?!?
(doug, pretend you didn't read that bit, i'm still ignoring the writing gauntlet you've thrown)
someone remind me to buy this when it comes out in paperback because i really want to own it
5 stars
besides this book is really great, it feels unfair to give words to ai ore and neglect something i actually liked
i'm not going to do the individual story review thing though because there were at least thirty of them, this is about me rambling, not putting actual work in
so what are these stories? creepy, atmospheric, gorgeous, full of monsters and the girls who kill them
i kind of want to toss it on tumblr because i feel like every person who flies the misandry flag would be about this life
also every single one of these stories has magic, like i know there's one tessa gratton tries to claim doesn't but i subscribe to the 'it feels like it does though!' argument of yovanoff
oh wait hold up i just remembered some yovanoff's stories. okay i retract my statement, most of these stories have magic and the ones that don't have murder so it all comes out even in the end
and it makes me want to write, i'm awed by the fact that these women could produce gems like these on a weekly basis like how? words??? on pages?!? perhaps i can attempt this thing as well?!?!?
(doug, pretend you didn't read that bit, i'm still ignoring the writing gauntlet you've thrown)
someone remind me to buy this when it comes out in paperback because i really want to own it
5 stars