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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Definitely a fantastic anthology. I don't have a favorite story because to be honest I really liked all of them?
100% Recommend.
100% Recommend.
What a remarkable set of stories - while each myth and piece of folklore in this anthology has been interpreted in a variety of ways they really reveal how stories play a level of foundation in our identities - how we connect to our own heritage and past. I really loved all the narratives from South Asia - Navratri (one of my own holidays) and the one focusing on the scenes from the Mahabarata - they made me want to go back and re-read and learn about those narratives. It was also interesting to see the similarities. Stories of love lost and found, connecting with the dead, and doing good - all lessons to remember.
Forbidden Fruit: 3 stars
Olivia’s Table: 3.5 stars
Steel Skin: 3 stars
Still Star-Crossed: 4 stars
The Counting of Vermillion Beads: 3 stars
The Land of the Morning Calm: 4 stars
The Smile: 3 stars
Girls Who Twirl and Other Dangers: 3.5
Nothing into All: 5 stars
Spear Carrier: 3 stars
Code of Honor: 3 stars
Bullet, Butterfly: 4.5 stars
Daughter of the Sun: 3 stars
The Crimson Cloak: 3.5 stars
Eyes Like Candlelight: 3.5 stars
Olivia’s Table: 3.5 stars
Steel Skin: 3 stars
Still Star-Crossed: 4 stars
The Counting of Vermillion Beads: 3 stars
The Land of the Morning Calm: 4 stars
The Smile: 3 stars
Girls Who Twirl and Other Dangers: 3.5
Nothing into All: 5 stars
Spear Carrier: 3 stars
Code of Honor: 3 stars
Bullet, Butterfly: 4.5 stars
Daughter of the Sun: 3 stars
The Crimson Cloak: 3.5 stars
Eyes Like Candlelight: 3.5 stars
In-depth Rating Breakdown:
Forbidden Fruit By: Roshani Chokshi - * * * *
Olivia’s Table By: Alyssa Wong - * * * * *
Steel Skin By: Lori M. Lee - * * * *
Still Star-Crossed By: Sona Charaipotra - * * *
The Counting of Vermillion Beads By: Aliette De Bodard - * * *
The Land of the Morning Calm By: E. C. Myers - * * * *
The Smile By: Aisha Saeed - * * * *
Girls Who Twirl and Other Dangers By: Preeti Chhibber - * * * *
Nothing into All By: Renée Ahdieh - * * * * *
Spear Carrier By: Rahul Kanakia - * * * *
Code of Honor By: Melissa de la Cruz - * * *
Bullet, Butterfly By: Elsie Chapman - * * * * *
Daughter of the Sun By: Shveta Thakrar - * * *
The Crimson Cloak By: Cindy Pon - * * * *
Eyes like Candlelight By: Julie Kagawa - * * * * *
As someone who has very little, to no, knowledge of East and South Asian culture and stories, I was super excited to dive into this anthology. I was so ready to dive into these rich worlds, with their complex myths, and beautiful messages. I knew that it was going to be a fantastic ride, and I was right.
Each one of these stories was so unique, and intriguing, and really just consumed you as a reader. Within mere sentences, you feel like you've been completely sucked into whatever mini-world and story is occurring. I also really appreciated the ways that some of the authors chose to weave sci-fi or dystopian elements into their stories, or even when they just brought an ancient myth into the modern age. It really showed just how timeless these stories and their messages are. I also really loved how, at the end of each story, the author gave some context as to where the inspiration came from, and why they chose to tackle that myth/legend in particular. It was just a very sweet, personal touch, that really helps the reader feel more connected to, not only the story, but the author as well.
I have to say, my favorite of the stories, by far, is Olivia's Table by: Alyssa Wong. The overall tone of the whole piece just really had this melancholy feel, that I think really worked with what the story was tackling. It also shared a lot of elements with one of my all-time favorite anime/manga series, xxxHOLiC by: CLAMP, so that was a pleasant bonus.
I really enjoyed all of the stories in this anthology, but the one I like the least, was Honor Code by: Melissa de la Cruz. There was nothing wrong with the story, as I said, I enjoyed it. I just wished she had strayed away from the comfort zone of The Blue Bloods series. I really would've liked to have seen her take a whole different take on this myth that she loves so much. But, I really liked that I finally got some context as to where the idea for The Blue Bloods came from. I had no idea that it was based on folklore from the Philippines.
This is one of my absolute favorite anthologies ever. I absolutely recommend it to anyone looking to broaden their horizons, and want to learn more about these beautiful cultures, and the myths and legends that helped form them.
As someone who has very little, to no, knowledge of East and South Asian culture and stories, I was super excited to dive into this anthology. I was so ready to dive into these rich worlds, with their complex myths, and beautiful messages. I knew that it was going to be a fantastic ride, and I was right.
Each one of these stories was so unique, and intriguing, and really just consumed you as a reader. Within mere sentences, you feel like you've been completely sucked into whatever mini-world and story is occurring. I also really appreciated the ways that some of the authors chose to weave sci-fi or dystopian elements into their stories, or even when they just brought an ancient myth into the modern age. It really showed just how timeless these stories and their messages are. I also really loved how, at the end of each story, the author gave some context as to where the inspiration came from, and why they chose to tackle that myth/legend in particular. It was just a very sweet, personal touch, that really helps the reader feel more connected to, not only the story, but the author as well.
I have to say, my favorite of the stories, by far, is Olivia's Table by: Alyssa Wong. The overall tone of the whole piece just really had this melancholy feel, that I think really worked with what the story was tackling. It also shared a lot of elements with one of my all-time favorite anime/manga series, xxxHOLiC by: CLAMP, so that was a pleasant bonus.
I really enjoyed all of the stories in this anthology, but the one I like the least, was Honor Code by: Melissa de la Cruz. There was nothing wrong with the story, as I said, I enjoyed it. I just wished she had strayed away from the comfort zone of The Blue Bloods series. I really would've liked to have seen her take a whole different take on this myth that she loves so much. But, I really liked that I finally got some context as to where the idea for The Blue Bloods came from. I had no idea that it was based on folklore from the Philippines.
This is one of my absolute favorite anthologies ever. I absolutely recommend it to anyone looking to broaden their horizons, and want to learn more about these beautiful cultures, and the myths and legends that helped form them.
some of the stories were great and really well written, but some are just forgettable.
Some of my favorites:
olivia’s table by alyssa wong.
spear carrier by rahul kanakia.
code of honor by melissa de la cruz.
bullet, butterfly by elise chapman.
and finally the crimson cloake by cindy pon.
Some of my favorites:
olivia’s table by alyssa wong.
spear carrier by rahul kanakia.
code of honor by melissa de la cruz.
bullet, butterfly by elise chapman.
and finally the crimson cloake by cindy pon.
As with most anthologies, some pieces are stronger them others, but they are all well-refined and add unique nuances to the overall experience that is this collection of retellings of East and South Asian myths.
I had no prior knowledge of the myths and stories included in this work, and I found myself fascinated by the complexity and depth of these cultural relics, and the diligence with which the writers approached them.
If you are as intrigued and mesmerized by mythology as I am, this anthology is indubitably for you!
I had no prior knowledge of the myths and stories included in this work, and I found myself fascinated by the complexity and depth of these cultural relics, and the diligence with which the writers approached them.
If you are as intrigued and mesmerized by mythology as I am, this anthology is indubitably for you!
While some stories are more appealing than others, the vastness of experience alone makes this worth the read. I was particularly taken by the Philipino and Korean stories.
A Thousand Beginnings and Endings is an anthology of 15 fifteen stories from YA authors, and each story is based on Asian folklore and mythology. We have stories about girls transforming into birds to escape, and stories about goddesses falling in love with mortals. The stories in the book are a mix of fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary and romance. I believe some of these stories are #ownvoices too.
This book was beautiful. Coming from a Western upbringing in the UK, I'm ashamed to say I knew next to nothing about Asian folkmore and mythology. But this book was great, and really did a great job of bringing some of those stories to the mainstream. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing was beautiful, the stories were great (I don't think there was a single story in the book that I actively disliked), and I really like the explanations at the end of each story detailing the author's inspiration and their motivation.
Overall, a great book and I can't wait to check out some of the authors featured in the book!
This book was beautiful. Coming from a Western upbringing in the UK, I'm ashamed to say I knew next to nothing about Asian folkmore and mythology. But this book was great, and really did a great job of bringing some of those stories to the mainstream. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The writing was beautiful, the stories were great (I don't think there was a single story in the book that I actively disliked), and I really like the explanations at the end of each story detailing the author's inspiration and their motivation.
Overall, a great book and I can't wait to check out some of the authors featured in the book!
Loved reading this anthology, it's definitely diverse, and I loved all these different takes on a lot of myths that sheltered person I am, hadn't heard of. Lots of great authors, and I enjoyed Olivia's Table and Steel Skin, Spear Carrier, Code of Honor, Bullet, Butterfly, and Eyes Like Candlelight!
emotional
There are a few stories that really stood out to me: The Land of the Morning Calm; Bullet, Butterfly; and Eyes Like Candlelight.