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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
My first fantasy love were vampires. I can't even remember the first vampire story I heard. I only remember the scene of a vampire leaving the library and the librarian being left behind with two little holes in her neck. It was a children's book. A fascination was born and it was, not so surprisingly, Twilight bringing back my love for reading after high school had killed it. So, I needed to have this collection on my shelves!
As always with story collections, some stories resonated more with me than others, but I have to say that there was not one story in this collection I didn't like. Mostly because all the stories were just very well written and did a great job building characters and creating an atmosphere, even when there were only very limited pages to tell said story. I also loved how all those stories were different, played with different lores and different ideas.
Of course there was one story that really really really touched me. And that was the story about the girl killed by her own father. As someone living with disabilities herself I was so moved by this story and how it talked about disability and life. I had tears in my eyes and almost had to put the book down to catch my breath. I'm also not surprised that another story, the one by, Victoria Schwab gets a screen adaptation. I mean, if this isn't the best begin of a YA vampire story ever, I don't know what will be.
The editors of the book also chose to add a page with commentary after each story. Normally I would skip over such stuff, since I like to make up my own mind and think about stories in my own way, but in this case I really thought the commentary added something. Most of all because they were insightful when it comes to traditional vampire lore and what made a story different, but also because it always came with a really nice question to think about.
As always with story collections, some stories resonated more with me than others, but I have to say that there was not one story in this collection I didn't like. Mostly because all the stories were just very well written and did a great job building characters and creating an atmosphere, even when there were only very limited pages to tell said story. I also loved how all those stories were different, played with different lores and different ideas.
Of course there was one story that really really really touched me. And that was the story about the girl killed by her own father. As someone living with disabilities herself I was so moved by this story and how it talked about disability and life. I had tears in my eyes and almost had to put the book down to catch my breath. I'm also not surprised that another story, the one by, Victoria Schwab gets a screen adaptation. I mean, if this isn't the best begin of a YA vampire story ever, I don't know what will be.
The editors of the book also chose to add a page with commentary after each story. Normally I would skip over such stuff, since I like to make up my own mind and think about stories in my own way, but in this case I really thought the commentary added something. Most of all because they were insightful when it comes to traditional vampire lore and what made a story different, but also because it always came with a really nice question to think about.
missnatalieann's review
4.0
This was fun, it had some really good stories in it from worlds that I would love to read more from. I will definitely be looking into the authors featured in this.
bookgirl1861's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
marieintheraw's review against another edition
3.0
Some stories are better than other but it depends on your enthusiasm for the story.
brianne_k's review
2.0
*2.5/5*
Most of this anthology sadly didn’t live up to expectations.
My top 3 stories (that I would love more from) are:
1) First Kill - Victoria Schwann
2) The House of Black Sapphires - Dhonielle Clayton
3) Bestiary - Laura Ruby
Most of this anthology sadly didn’t live up to expectations.
My top 3 stories (that I would love more from) are:
1) First Kill - Victoria Schwann
2) The House of Black Sapphires - Dhonielle Clayton
3) Bestiary - Laura Ruby
tiffani_reads's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Seven Nights for Dying - 3 stars
The boys from Blood River - 3 stars
Senior Year Sucks - 3 stars
The boy and the bell - 3 stars
A guidebook for the newly sired Desi vampire - 4 stars
In kind - 4 stars
Vampires never say die - 2 stars
Bestiary - DNF
Mirrors, windows & selfies - Skipped
The house of black sapphires - Skipped
First kill - 3.5 stars