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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
slow-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:
Yes
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Like all short story collections, some are inevitably going to be better than others. Last one I read sadly put me off, I think.
I very rarely read anthologies and this is why - several of these stories weren't even dark academia, and some were downright bad. There was some potential in here - loved Olivie Blake's offering specifically - but a lot of filler too.
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
breaking my tradition of not writing reviews for this, here are my ratings for each story:
- “1000 ships” by Author — 2.5★
- “Phytia” by Olivie Blake — 5★
- “Sabbatical” by James Tate Hill — 2★
- “The Hare and the Hound by Kelly Andrew — 5★
- “X House” by J.T. Ellison — 5★
- “The Ravages” by Layne Fargo — 3.5★
- “Four Funerals” by David Bell — 2★
- “The Unknowable Pleasures” by Susie Yang — 3★
- “Weekend at Bertie’s” by M.L. Rio — 3.5★
- “The Professor of Ontography” by Helen Grant — 5★
- “Phobos” by Tori Bovalino — 5★
- “Playing” by Phoebe Wynne — 3★
average grade: 3.70 (rounded up to 3.75)
- “1000 ships” by Author — 2.5★
- “Phytia” by Olivie Blake — 5★
- “Sabbatical” by James Tate Hill — 2★
- “The Hare and the Hound by Kelly Andrew — 5★
- “X House” by J.T. Ellison — 5★
- “The Ravages” by Layne Fargo — 3.5★
- “Four Funerals” by David Bell — 2★
- “The Unknowable Pleasures” by Susie Yang — 3★
- “Weekend at Bertie’s” by M.L. Rio — 3.5★
- “The Professor of Ontography” by Helen Grant — 5★
- “Phobos” by Tori Bovalino — 5★
- “Playing” by Phoebe Wynne — 3★
average grade: 3.70 (rounded up to 3.75)
Overall rating: 3.3
1000 Ships by Kate Weinberg: 3.25
Interesting, might read The Truants at some point.
Pythia by Olivie Blake: 2
I don't think Olivie Blake is for me, also I prefer my dark academia without AI.
Sabbatical by James Tate Hill: 3
The atmosphere was really depressing so kudos to the writing, I guess. I did get distracted by all of the weird names though.
The Hare and the Hound by Kelly Andrew: 4
Interesting and eerie, I would also like to read from this author again.
X House by J.T. Ellison: 2.75
The beginning was so good, very atmospheric and fun but wtf was that ending? I hated all of that.
The Ravages by Layne Fargo: 3.5
A little silly but also a little spooky and gay so I enjoyed it overall.
Four Funerals by David Bell: dnf
The Unknowable Pleasures by Susie Yang: dnf
Weekend at Bertie's by M.L. Rio: 3.5
A little disappointing and, similar to X House, this had an interesting setup with a mediocre ending.
The Professor of Ontography by Helen Grant: 3.75
I hated it but I also sort of loved it. The writing didn't work for me, but it was entertaining and weird enough to ignore. Very silly very fun.
Phobos by Tori Bovalino: 4
Good for her!
I liked the vibes and we finally have a story that can be called dark academia.
Playing by Phoebe Wynne: dnf
How is this dark academia (she thinks to herself for the thousandth time)
1000 Ships by Kate Weinberg: 3.25
Interesting, might read The Truants at some point.
Pythia by Olivie Blake: 2
I don't think Olivie Blake is for me, also I prefer my dark academia without AI.
Sabbatical by James Tate Hill: 3
The atmosphere was really depressing so kudos to the writing, I guess. I did get distracted by all of the weird names though.
The Hare and the Hound by Kelly Andrew: 4
Interesting and eerie, I would also like to read from this author again.
X House by J.T. Ellison: 2.75
The beginning was so good, very atmospheric and fun but wtf was that ending? I hated all of that.
The Ravages by Layne Fargo: 3.5
A little silly but also a little spooky and gay so I enjoyed it overall.
Four Funerals by David Bell: dnf
The Unknowable Pleasures by Susie Yang: dnf
Weekend at Bertie's by M.L. Rio: 3.5
A little disappointing and, similar to X House, this had an interesting setup with a mediocre ending.
The Professor of Ontography by Helen Grant: 3.75
I hated it but I also sort of loved it. The writing didn't work for me, but it was entertaining and weird enough to ignore. Very silly very fun.
Phobos by Tori Bovalino: 4
Good for her!
I liked the vibes and we finally have a story that can be called dark academia.
Playing by Phoebe Wynne: dnf
How is this dark academia (she thinks to herself for the thousandth time)