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owls_rainbow's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
The first story started with abuse. Another girl ended up institutionalised. I liked the story about the selchies (though I've never seen that spelling before). Scott Westerfield's future set story was intriguing but due to being a short story no time/space could be dedicated to world-building and I think it suffered slightly for that. It would be more interesting as a full book.
nin275's review against another edition
3.0
Not feeling like writing a detailed review. Most of the stories were juvenile, yet sort of enjoyable. My favorite was "Fan Fiction".
dominil's review against another edition
4.0
Una serie di racconti d'amore con protagonisti non infernali, ma piuttosto sovrannaturali.
Una ragazza, ancora traumatizzata dalla morte, di cui si incolpa, e dalla comparsa del fantasma della sorella, scopre che in casa sua è stato commesso un omicidio e che il fantasma del ragazzo invade i suoi sogni per chiederle aiuto e farle superare i suoi problemi.
Come fare se si vive in un paesino caratteristico, e intendo caratteristico per "alla antica, il latte lo si munge a mano", e voler andarsene per diventare medico una grande città?
Non si può, soprattutto se con una cerimonia ci si è legati a qualcuno che tutta la comunità non sopporta perchè è diverso e suona il violino come un diavolo.
In un futuro lontano, dove esistono le lezioni di Scarsità, per imparare come si viveva una volta, una classe deve fare un progetto che li faccia sentire come se fossero nel passato.
Ma se scegli di voler dormire e non sei abituato l'unica opzione è chiedere aiuto alla ragazza più preparata del corso, che a sua volta a tutti gli ormoni sbilanciati perchè vuol sentire la cara vecchia passione, senza sapere che è più imbarazzo che altro...
Tutti abbiamo amato appassionatamente un personaggio letterario e abbiamo desiderato che uscisse dalle pagine per vivere la sua avventura con lui, ma nessuno ha mai pensato alle conseguenze e a cosa fare una volta che si è abbandonati.
Le selkie, bellissime fanciulle che, in parte foca e in parte umane, si spogliavano della loro pelliccia, unico modo per trasformarsi, per fare il bagno nude alla luce lunare.
Le favole hanno parlato sempre di esseri femminile, ma che accade quando una ragazza sulla spiaggia inciampa in quella che sembra una giacca e si ritrova un bellissimo ragazzo che continua a chiamarla "moglie mia" a seguirla ovunque?
Il riassunto non è forse dei migliori, ma senza voler spoilerare troppo non potevo fare di più.
Ho adorato il modo in cui tutti e cinque i racconti affrontano l'amore stravagante, che ha altri problemi oltre il tradimento e la menzogna.
I personaggi, pur non essendo caratterizzati minuziosamente per mancanza di spazio, sono adorabili e mi sono sentita davvero coinvolta nelle loro avventure e nei loro pensieri.
Certo, il titolo non è per nulla azzeccato visto che non compare nemmeno un diavolo, ma di certo l'impatto è più forte in questo modo.
Una ragazza, ancora traumatizzata dalla morte, di cui si incolpa, e dalla comparsa del fantasma della sorella, scopre che in casa sua è stato commesso un omicidio e che il fantasma del ragazzo invade i suoi sogni per chiederle aiuto e farle superare i suoi problemi.
Come fare se si vive in un paesino caratteristico, e intendo caratteristico per "alla antica, il latte lo si munge a mano", e voler andarsene per diventare medico una grande città?
Non si può, soprattutto se con una cerimonia ci si è legati a qualcuno che tutta la comunità non sopporta perchè è diverso e suona il violino come un diavolo.
In un futuro lontano, dove esistono le lezioni di Scarsità, per imparare come si viveva una volta, una classe deve fare un progetto che li faccia sentire come se fossero nel passato.
Ma se scegli di voler dormire e non sei abituato l'unica opzione è chiedere aiuto alla ragazza più preparata del corso, che a sua volta a tutti gli ormoni sbilanciati perchè vuol sentire la cara vecchia passione, senza sapere che è più imbarazzo che altro...
Tutti abbiamo amato appassionatamente un personaggio letterario e abbiamo desiderato che uscisse dalle pagine per vivere la sua avventura con lui, ma nessuno ha mai pensato alle conseguenze e a cosa fare una volta che si è abbandonati.
Le selkie, bellissime fanciulle che, in parte foca e in parte umane, si spogliavano della loro pelliccia, unico modo per trasformarsi, per fare il bagno nude alla luce lunare.
Le favole hanno parlato sempre di esseri femminile, ma che accade quando una ragazza sulla spiaggia inciampa in quella che sembra una giacca e si ritrova un bellissimo ragazzo che continua a chiamarla "moglie mia" a seguirla ovunque?
Il riassunto non è forse dei migliori, ma senza voler spoilerare troppo non potevo fare di più.
Ho adorato il modo in cui tutti e cinque i racconti affrontano l'amore stravagante, che ha altri problemi oltre il tradimento e la menzogna.
I personaggi, pur non essendo caratterizzati minuziosamente per mancanza di spazio, sono adorabili e mi sono sentita davvero coinvolta nelle loro avventure e nei loro pensieri.
Certo, il titolo non è per nulla azzeccato visto che non compare nemmeno un diavolo, ma di certo l'impatto è più forte in questo modo.
orchardoriole's review against another edition
4.0
Four stars for interesting plots and compulsive readability. Definitely not five stars, because most of the the actual romantic relationships were...less interesting.
eli_drottningu's review against another edition
5.0
En esta ocasión leí salteadas las historias (excepto relatos de ficción que no me late tanto). Sigo pensando que mi historia favorita es "Absurdo mundo perfecto", aunque también me gustan mucho "Más ligero que el agua" y "Amor sin límites".
hezann73's review against another edition
4.0
The fact that this short story collection got four stars from me is really saying something because, as a rule, I dislike short stories. There was only one in this collection that I didn't care for. The rest were winners.
rosepetals1984's review against another edition
3.0
"Love is Hell" follows a list of young adult paranormal romance short story anthologies (alongside "Vacations from Hell" and "Prom Nights from Hell", if I'm not mistaken), with a diverse array of authors and subjects approached within. I'll say that much like other books in this scheme of anthologies, certain works appealed to me much more than others, and I think it depends highly on personal interests as to what story most appeals to the reader.
For me, Scott Westerfield had the best work in the anthology with both an intriguing universe, concept, and set of protagonists within the story "Stupid Perfect World". The story alternates between the voices of a boy and a girl who must learn to do without specific amenities in their lives, and end up learning lessons about life, love, and how technology can't always give you everything you want in life. I would easily give his work 4.5/5 stars for the resonating themes and voices. I wouldn't even mind a full length novel of this story. Granted, part of its ability to stand out may be that it's speculative fiction/sci-fi rather than urban fantasy, but the way its conceptually developed and executed was fascinating.
The second best story in my eyes belonged to Justine Larbalestier with "Thinner than Water". The story revolves around a young woman who falls in love with an outsider of her controlling village and family. I felt for the character's struggles and hardships, and her determination to rise above them. Granted, part of me felt that after one of the major twists within the story, the ending didn't measure up quite as much as it began, but it was still an interesting read.
"Sleeping with the Spirit" by Laurie Faria Stolarz was a typical, but enjoyable ghost story about a young woman haunted in her dreams by a boy long deceased in her family's home. It does have a sweet yet eerie feel to it in places, and I liked the added touch of resolution where the protagonist tries to make amends so that the ghost can finally be at peace.
The stories that didn't really work with me may surprise some or none. I've read Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely and found much to like in it, but her contribution "Love Struck" didn't quite hit me with as much potency. I think the short story format was part of the reason (might've made an interesting novella or novel with more time to develop the characters and situations), not to mention the familiar premise to me (which I've seen handled quite a few times in better context). I give her credit though, it started out with enough intrigue to keep me reading, but didn't quite deliver.
"Fan Fictions" by Gabrielle Zevin didn't live up to my expectations unfortunately. I think the twist on events would've been more effective if certain elements of the story hadn't felt so forced. I understood what the author was trying to do - establish the story of a girl so caught up in this mysterious boy who happens to come straight from a fictional story, but her mania isn't really justified and doesn't come across as much eerie as it does haphazard. Great premise, though could've had better execution.
I did enjoy Love is Hell for what it offered, and I think the stories will intrigue those who love Paranormal Romance in a variety of different settings. I'd recommend it for a relaxing read.
Overall score: 3/5
For me, Scott Westerfield had the best work in the anthology with both an intriguing universe, concept, and set of protagonists within the story "Stupid Perfect World". The story alternates between the voices of a boy and a girl who must learn to do without specific amenities in their lives, and end up learning lessons about life, love, and how technology can't always give you everything you want in life. I would easily give his work 4.5/5 stars for the resonating themes and voices. I wouldn't even mind a full length novel of this story. Granted, part of its ability to stand out may be that it's speculative fiction/sci-fi rather than urban fantasy, but the way its conceptually developed and executed was fascinating.
The second best story in my eyes belonged to Justine Larbalestier with "Thinner than Water". The story revolves around a young woman who falls in love with an outsider of her controlling village and family. I felt for the character's struggles and hardships, and her determination to rise above them. Granted, part of me felt that after one of the major twists within the story, the ending didn't measure up quite as much as it began, but it was still an interesting read.
"Sleeping with the Spirit" by Laurie Faria Stolarz was a typical, but enjoyable ghost story about a young woman haunted in her dreams by a boy long deceased in her family's home. It does have a sweet yet eerie feel to it in places, and I liked the added touch of resolution where the protagonist tries to make amends so that the ghost can finally be at peace.
The stories that didn't really work with me may surprise some or none. I've read Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely and found much to like in it, but her contribution "Love Struck" didn't quite hit me with as much potency. I think the short story format was part of the reason (might've made an interesting novella or novel with more time to develop the characters and situations), not to mention the familiar premise to me (which I've seen handled quite a few times in better context). I give her credit though, it started out with enough intrigue to keep me reading, but didn't quite deliver.
"Fan Fictions" by Gabrielle Zevin didn't live up to my expectations unfortunately. I think the twist on events would've been more effective if certain elements of the story hadn't felt so forced. I understood what the author was trying to do - establish the story of a girl so caught up in this mysterious boy who happens to come straight from a fictional story, but her mania isn't really justified and doesn't come across as much eerie as it does haphazard. Great premise, though could've had better execution.
I did enjoy Love is Hell for what it offered, and I think the stories will intrigue those who love Paranormal Romance in a variety of different settings. I'd recommend it for a relaxing read.
Overall score: 3/5
alelunari's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
bibliocat4's review against another edition
4.0
I almost didn't read this one but changed my mind and I am glad I did! I really liked all the stories in this book. The first story is Sleeping with the Spirit by Laurie Faria Stolarz and is a love story between a teenage girl and a ghost. The 2nd is Stupid Perfect World by Scott Westerfled and is set in the future when teenagers are forced to experience one thing from the very distant past that they don't have or do any longer (think common cold, sleeping, hormones, traveling without teleport pads etc). The 3rd is Thinner than Water by Justine Larbalestier which involves a human girl and a faerie boy. The 4th is Fan Fictions by Gabrielle Zevin and I really cannot explain this one. The last is Love Struck by Melissa Marr about a selchie (seal person) and a human.
loveyourlibrary's review against another edition
2.0
I only read the story by Scott Westerfeld and it didn't really live up to my expectations.