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kgborland's review
*****Disclaimer: I'm going to review each story by itself and do it objectively. I know some, if not all, of these authors personally so I'm going to be as objective as I can. I'm not giving this work an overall rating for this reason. If I know you please do not take any review, good or bad, personally. Also, some reviews contain spoiler so if you see (*) there is a possible spoiler in that particular review.*****
I think that overall this anthology was only ok. There were some that were great and I could read novels about them, some that a short story was enough or maybe even too much in itself and then there are a few that are boring and I didn't like at all. I think every author should've been limited to one story a piece and then each story could've been given more attention. At 30 stories this anthology was too long, in my opinion.
30/30 reviews completed!
(*)Plain Doughnuts by Diane Condon-Boutier: So I didn't really get this one. It was well written, which I'm expecting will be a constant in this anthology, but as a story it didn't hold my attention and I knew she was in a donut shop so I don't get the twist. Was it that she was crazy? Seemed obvious to me since she went off on tangents about pastries...2/5. 1 point - For taking a risk with a story idea and 1 point - For the overall writing and imagery.
(*)A Gift Horse by Susan Curnow: Wow. Ms. Curnow is a very talented writer. I could picture being there in the beginning with the horses and the men. I could see the stalls and the way Josie's body curved as he watched her. Again, the twist wasn't much of a twist for me, I saw it coming by the second paragraph but that had more to do with my knowledge of that kind of lore than too much given away from the author. Great writing, good story, and fantastic use of lore. 5/5
(*)Born Idle by Isabella Erlenmeyer: So...I don't get the twist in this one either, which seems to be a trend in the ones that don't really grab me. Was it that she killed him? Sold the land? I just don't really get the twist. The beginning did sort of grab me but then the lack of dialogue and the descriptions...I found myself skimming and had to go back and re-read. Poor twist, slow-moving story, but good writing and some decent dialogue in the beginning. 2/5
(*)The Painter of Winds by Isabella Erlenmeyer: Okay...now I'm just confused. The imagery and writing were great (again it seems to be a constant) but was the priest going insane or was the painting of the winds coming to life? Did the guy kill himself because his paintings became reality and it drove him mad? I'm just confused, not even in a "makes me ponder" kind of way. Just, confused. 2/5
My Valentine by Carlos J Cortes: So this story was cute, but it kind of dragged on for me. It didn't help that I saw the twist coming early on. Does the song Escape(The Pina Coloda Song) ring any bells? Good writing, cute story but not original and it dragged. 2/5
(*)Spring Sprung by Carlos J Cortes: I liked this one better than My Valentine. I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority in that opinion but oh well. The imagery was good and near the end I could definitely see and feel being on the beach with the sand getting trapped in between my toes, holding the hands of a beautiful woman. The twist however...well...I don't really know what the twist was to be honest. Was she an intrument...what did he blow into?! I'm so confused! Good imagery, a little less laggy than the first but I have no clue about the twist...someone please comment and explain the ending because...I'm slightly lost. 3/5.
Elizabeth's Head by Michael Keyton: I'm sorry to say I didn't finish this story. The dialogue, the voice, and the story dragged. Though the overall writing and the plot idea was good it just moved to slowly to keep my interest and with 23 other stories to read I wasn't going to push to get too the hook in this one. 1/5
The Knight and the Demon by Henry Lara: Now this is my kind of a story. Fast paced, action scenes and a nice little twist at the end that I didn't see coming till just before it was revealed. This brought the collection back to life after some okay stories and one slow moving this one was perfectly placed to bring back any reader. Bravo. 5/5
The Crawler by Andy Love: This story actually grossed me out. I don't know if that was the intention of the author but I give him props. His descriptions, word choice, and just overall storytelling made me cringe near the end. I would give it a 5/5 but I don't like the feeling it left me with. SUPERB writing on the authors part but I didn't like the story or the twist. 3/5
A Room with a View by Gwendolyn McIntyre: Okay I'm undecided on this story. I don't really get the ending. I mean I understand what had been happening but I don't understand how that is a twist and not just a resolution, if that makes sense. I'm perplexed. I liked how the writer made the reader believe a Purgatorial aspect was happening. Good writing, interesting plot, confusing ending. 2/5
A Song to Remember by Gwendolyn McIntyre: I liked this. No I really this. I liked the whole idea and I would love to see it as a novel. Very unique and if its been done before I've never heard of it. Definitely my favorite out of Ms. McIntyre's two contributions. 4/5
Reconstructing Emily by Minnie Estelle Miller: I'd hate to say this but this is another one you could probably skip and you wouldn't be missing out. The writing is good but the plot is dull, there's no chemistry with the characters, even though apparently theres supposed to be and the twist seems kind of just thrown in there and again seems more like an ending than an actual twist. 1/5
The Fine Print by Renee Miller: The story and writing were really good and the twist was great. I had no idea how "fine print" was going to work itself into the story at hand but Renee did a great job with this. However, its not really my cup of tea when it comes to the topic it pertains to but it was still very good. 3/5
Lonely by Renee Miller: I liked this one. The author has a way of really making the reader feel the pain and anguish her characters are going through. The twist was comical and, I was guessing the whole time that it was a possibility, I still like it. The ending was good too, "Then it's my turn." What a fun story. 4/5
Yellowfang by Paul Mitton: So this story was sort of...gross. I don't know if the author is a dentist (by his bio I don't think so) so the topic is sort of random and out of the blue but I guess you write what comes to you. I loved the twist at the end. Its the only one that when I read the twist I was like "Did not see that coming." Good writing, good twist, but it was gross and I have this undying need to brush my teeth so I don't explode. 3/5
Vacant Possession by Paul Mitton: I liked this because it was a follow up to the authors previous story. I don't really know what the twist was in this because we already knew who she was from the previous story but it was very entertaining. I would like to see more of this duo and their adventures...maybe a book *hint hint*. 3/5
The Lady with Green Hair by D.B. Pacini: I'm not a huge Sci-fi fan so this story was kind of "eh" for me. The premise was original, I'd never read or heard of something like it, and it was well written but it dragged as a whole and the dialogue didn't hold my attention. 1/5
Double Fault by Roy L. Pickering, Jr.: I could not finish this one. It dragged and ultimately just lost my attention. There was little dialogue and too much narrative can seriously drain a short story of its appeal if not executed correctly. This story fell victim to that. I recommend skipping it. Well written but boring as a story. 1/5
The Supper by Kate Quinn: I loved this one! The writing was superb, the story was great and I loved the twist..or at least what I believe to be the twist. 4/5
String of Pearls by Kate Quinn: This story is beautifully written, the story is flawless, and twist...I'm still speechless (vocally) after reading it. 5/5
She by Kelley Roby: I didn't really like this one. Well written (the constant) but it lagged and didn't hold my attention (starting to become a constant). 2/5
(*)Commitment by Lauren Stone: So this story confuses me. Is the twist that their in purgatory? Am I reading it wrong? Well written, confusing plot and twist. 2/5
Justice by Lauren Stone: This story was completely and utterly uncalled for. It seem as if the author is jealous of Stephenie Meyer's success as an author and decided to take it out on her in this deplorable "short story". I'll be the first to admit that Twilight is not well written but it brings people entertainment and happiness so who is this author to judge other wise what is or is not a novel? Jealousy is a disgusting little bug and this story shows this author has been bit by it. Meyer is a nice woman and on top of that a human being, she should not have a story out there about her being tortured. I would recommend skipping it.
P.S. - She doesn't need her tongue to write books...plot fail.
Monster by Rita Stradling: I didn't really like this one. Too many percents and the baby thing just didn't click with me. I didn't like the way it was formatted with the italics, the bolds and everything. I think the author was swinging for something different and missed. 1/5
Letting Go by Wendy Swore: I really like this. After a couple of disappointing stories and one I still can't wrap my head around why it was allowed the author of Letting Go has slightly redeemed the anthology to me. The author has really made you feel the characters anguish and longing and the twist was well done. 4/5
Foundation by Wendy Swore: This was really sweet. I loved the ending and the twist was great. The moral of the story was oh so true as well (or I can imagine it is being only 17 myself). Well done. 4/5
Elder Cares by Jeanne Voelker: I liked this story. It was heartfelt and believable. The author did a fantastic job making you believe the relationships in the story. 3/5
Peering in the Window by Rita J. Webb: I liked this story too. The scientific aspect didn't really hold my attention but that has more to do with my personal taste than the story itself. 3/5
Writer's Dream by Rita J. Webb: This was good too. Again, a litle slow for me but good writing and a good twist at the end. 3/5
The Writer (the 30th Tale) by 20 Goodreads Writers: This story was too much. Too many authors' different styles, too long, too draggy, just too much. However, it had lovely descriptions at times but the vast amount of the description mulled the over all impact of it. I understand the premise and it was a interesting idea to end an anthology but it just didn't work this time. 1/5
I think that overall this anthology was only ok. There were some that were great and I could read novels about them, some that a short story was enough or maybe even too much in itself and then there are a few that are boring and I didn't like at all. I think every author should've been limited to one story a piece and then each story could've been given more attention. At 30 stories this anthology was too long, in my opinion.
30/30 reviews completed!
(*)Plain Doughnuts by Diane Condon-Boutier: So I didn't really get this one. It was well written, which I'm expecting will be a constant in this anthology, but as a story it didn't hold my attention and I knew she was in a donut shop so I don't get the twist. Was it that she was crazy? Seemed obvious to me since she went off on tangents about pastries...2/5. 1 point - For taking a risk with a story idea and 1 point - For the overall writing and imagery.
(*)A Gift Horse by Susan Curnow: Wow. Ms. Curnow is a very talented writer. I could picture being there in the beginning with the horses and the men. I could see the stalls and the way Josie's body curved as he watched her. Again, the twist wasn't much of a twist for me, I saw it coming by the second paragraph but that had more to do with my knowledge of that kind of lore than too much given away from the author. Great writing, good story, and fantastic use of lore. 5/5
(*)Born Idle by Isabella Erlenmeyer: So...I don't get the twist in this one either, which seems to be a trend in the ones that don't really grab me. Was it that she killed him? Sold the land? I just don't really get the twist. The beginning did sort of grab me but then the lack of dialogue and the descriptions...I found myself skimming and had to go back and re-read. Poor twist, slow-moving story, but good writing and some decent dialogue in the beginning. 2/5
(*)The Painter of Winds by Isabella Erlenmeyer: Okay...now I'm just confused. The imagery and writing were great (again it seems to be a constant) but was the priest going insane or was the painting of the winds coming to life? Did the guy kill himself because his paintings became reality and it drove him mad? I'm just confused, not even in a "makes me ponder" kind of way. Just, confused. 2/5
My Valentine by Carlos J Cortes: So this story was cute, but it kind of dragged on for me. It didn't help that I saw the twist coming early on. Does the song Escape(The Pina Coloda Song) ring any bells? Good writing, cute story but not original and it dragged. 2/5
(*)Spring Sprung by Carlos J Cortes: I liked this one better than My Valentine. I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority in that opinion but oh well. The imagery was good and near the end I could definitely see and feel being on the beach with the sand getting trapped in between my toes, holding the hands of a beautiful woman. The twist however...well...I don't really know what the twist was to be honest. Was she an intrument...what did he blow into?! I'm so confused! Good imagery, a little less laggy than the first but I have no clue about the twist...someone please comment and explain the ending because...I'm slightly lost. 3/5.
Elizabeth's Head by Michael Keyton: I'm sorry to say I didn't finish this story. The dialogue, the voice, and the story dragged. Though the overall writing and the plot idea was good it just moved to slowly to keep my interest and with 23 other stories to read I wasn't going to push to get too the hook in this one. 1/5
The Knight and the Demon by Henry Lara: Now this is my kind of a story. Fast paced, action scenes and a nice little twist at the end that I didn't see coming till just before it was revealed. This brought the collection back to life after some okay stories and one slow moving this one was perfectly placed to bring back any reader. Bravo. 5/5
The Crawler by Andy Love: This story actually grossed me out. I don't know if that was the intention of the author but I give him props. His descriptions, word choice, and just overall storytelling made me cringe near the end. I would give it a 5/5 but I don't like the feeling it left me with. SUPERB writing on the authors part but I didn't like the story or the twist. 3/5
A Room with a View by Gwendolyn McIntyre: Okay I'm undecided on this story. I don't really get the ending. I mean I understand what had been happening but I don't understand how that is a twist and not just a resolution, if that makes sense. I'm perplexed. I liked how the writer made the reader believe a Purgatorial aspect was happening. Good writing, interesting plot, confusing ending. 2/5
A Song to Remember by Gwendolyn McIntyre: I liked this. No I really this. I liked the whole idea and I would love to see it as a novel. Very unique and if its been done before I've never heard of it. Definitely my favorite out of Ms. McIntyre's two contributions. 4/5
Reconstructing Emily by Minnie Estelle Miller: I'd hate to say this but this is another one you could probably skip and you wouldn't be missing out. The writing is good but the plot is dull, there's no chemistry with the characters, even though apparently theres supposed to be and the twist seems kind of just thrown in there and again seems more like an ending than an actual twist. 1/5
The Fine Print by Renee Miller: The story and writing were really good and the twist was great. I had no idea how "fine print" was going to work itself into the story at hand but Renee did a great job with this. However, its not really my cup of tea when it comes to the topic it pertains to but it was still very good. 3/5
Lonely by Renee Miller: I liked this one. The author has a way of really making the reader feel the pain and anguish her characters are going through. The twist was comical and, I was guessing the whole time that it was a possibility, I still like it. The ending was good too, "Then it's my turn." What a fun story. 4/5
Yellowfang by Paul Mitton: So this story was sort of...gross. I don't know if the author is a dentist (by his bio I don't think so) so the topic is sort of random and out of the blue but I guess you write what comes to you. I loved the twist at the end. Its the only one that when I read the twist I was like "Did not see that coming." Good writing, good twist, but it was gross and I have this undying need to brush my teeth so I don't explode. 3/5
Vacant Possession by Paul Mitton: I liked this because it was a follow up to the authors previous story. I don't really know what the twist was in this because we already knew who she was from the previous story but it was very entertaining. I would like to see more of this duo and their adventures...maybe a book *hint hint*. 3/5
The Lady with Green Hair by D.B. Pacini: I'm not a huge Sci-fi fan so this story was kind of "eh" for me. The premise was original, I'd never read or heard of something like it, and it was well written but it dragged as a whole and the dialogue didn't hold my attention. 1/5
Double Fault by Roy L. Pickering, Jr.: I could not finish this one. It dragged and ultimately just lost my attention. There was little dialogue and too much narrative can seriously drain a short story of its appeal if not executed correctly. This story fell victim to that. I recommend skipping it. Well written but boring as a story. 1/5
The Supper by Kate Quinn: I loved this one! The writing was superb, the story was great and I loved the twist..or at least what I believe to be the twist. 4/5
String of Pearls by Kate Quinn: This story is beautifully written, the story is flawless, and twist...I'm still speechless (vocally) after reading it. 5/5
She by Kelley Roby: I didn't really like this one. Well written (the constant) but it lagged and didn't hold my attention (starting to become a constant). 2/5
(*)Commitment by Lauren Stone: So this story confuses me. Is the twist that their in purgatory? Am I reading it wrong? Well written, confusing plot and twist. 2/5
Justice by Lauren Stone: This story was completely and utterly uncalled for. It seem as if the author is jealous of Stephenie Meyer's success as an author and decided to take it out on her in this deplorable "short story". I'll be the first to admit that Twilight is not well written but it brings people entertainment and happiness so who is this author to judge other wise what is or is not a novel? Jealousy is a disgusting little bug and this story shows this author has been bit by it. Meyer is a nice woman and on top of that a human being, she should not have a story out there about her being tortured. I would recommend skipping it.
P.S. - She doesn't need her tongue to write books...plot fail.
Monster by Rita Stradling: I didn't really like this one. Too many percents and the baby thing just didn't click with me. I didn't like the way it was formatted with the italics, the bolds and everything. I think the author was swinging for something different and missed. 1/5
Letting Go by Wendy Swore: I really like this. After a couple of disappointing stories and one I still can't wrap my head around why it was allowed the author of Letting Go has slightly redeemed the anthology to me. The author has really made you feel the characters anguish and longing and the twist was well done. 4/5
Foundation by Wendy Swore: This was really sweet. I loved the ending and the twist was great. The moral of the story was oh so true as well (or I can imagine it is being only 17 myself). Well done. 4/5
Elder Cares by Jeanne Voelker: I liked this story. It was heartfelt and believable. The author did a fantastic job making you believe the relationships in the story. 3/5
Peering in the Window by Rita J. Webb: I liked this story too. The scientific aspect didn't really hold my attention but that has more to do with my personal taste than the story itself. 3/5
Writer's Dream by Rita J. Webb: This was good too. Again, a litle slow for me but good writing and a good twist at the end. 3/5
The Writer (the 30th Tale) by 20 Goodreads Writers: This story was too much. Too many authors' different styles, too long, too draggy, just too much. However, it had lovely descriptions at times but the vast amount of the description mulled the over all impact of it. I understand the premise and it was a interesting idea to end an anthology but it just didn't work this time. 1/5
sarahconnor89757's review
3.0
Why wasn't I asked to be a part of this? 1 star!
Or, I'll wait to read it and then judge.
Probably not though.
-----------------------------------------------
The above is what I wrote when I added it to my list. It was meant as a joke to amuse specific friends. This was before people actually read my reviews.
I'm leaving it so if you are to read the comments below you will understand what they are referring to.
On to the actual review:
This is a book put together in a Goodreads group with a bunch of unpublished or vanity/pod published authors, so it is what you would think; not tightly put together and heavy with pieces that should have been left on a floppy.
I was looking forward to it, though. I like self-published books and it looked as if the contributors put some amount of work into this but it was too white-bread for what it advertises itself as. The cover and plethora of accent marks don't represent what makes up most of this 400+ page book.
Well, actually, the accent marks may be a good preview to the quality you'll be getting in this anthology.
Or, I'll wait to read it and then judge.
Probably not though.
-----------------------------------------------
The above is what I wrote when I added it to my list. It was meant as a joke to amuse specific friends. This was before people actually read my reviews.
I'm leaving it so if you are to read the comments below you will understand what they are referring to.
On to the actual review:
This is a book put together in a Goodreads group with a bunch of unpublished or vanity/pod published authors, so it is what you would think; not tightly put together and heavy with pieces that should have been left on a floppy.
I was looking forward to it, though. I like self-published books and it looked as if the contributors put some amount of work into this but it was too white-bread for what it advertises itself as. The cover and plethora of accent marks don't represent what makes up most of this 400+ page book.
Well, actually, the accent marks may be a good preview to the quality you'll be getting in this anthology.
More...