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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
dark
fast-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:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My favourites:
X House by J.T. Ellison 4⭐️
The Unknowable Pleasures by Susie Yang 4.25⭐️
Phobos by Tori Bovalino 5⭐️
X House by J.T. Ellison 4⭐️
The Unknowable Pleasures by Susie Yang 4.25⭐️
Phobos by Tori Bovalino 5⭐️
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mass/school shootings
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
The issue with collections of short stories is that there will always be stories you love and some that make you indifferent. I'm going to start talking about the two which I preferred, and then more generic remarks.
Pythia by Olivie Blake: The very concept of the story is, I think, a good twist to the classical dark academia setting, the Classical references mixed to something almost surrealistic. The writing was as well great. I have not read Olivie Blake's novels yet, but I surely will give it a try!
The Hare and the Hound by Kelly Andrew: The plot is less original, but I'm a sucker for the good old "The ending is explicitly said at the beginning," reminding me of Greek tragedies. Not to mention, the use of Norse folklore is refreshing in a genre which tends to remain focused on Greco-Latin lore.
Phobos by Tori Bovalino: I have to say, I mostly liked it for the very end. Was it expected? Yes, but it doesn't mean it wasn't good. I'm also a sucker for anything with a form of secret society or organisation, so I'm obviously biased
Now, overall, I think that the main issue is that those are short stories. I am pretty convinced I would have loved all of those stories if they had been developed, but writing stories which often deal with madness, plots, secret societies, etc... requires intense characterisation and descriptions. It takes time, it's tedious, and I think this is what is lacking here. A short story makes it feel rushed, even when the concept is great.
Pythia by Olivie Blake: The very concept of the story is, I think, a good twist to the classical dark academia setting, the Classical references mixed to something almost surrealistic. The writing was as well great. I have not read Olivie Blake's novels yet, but I surely will give it a try!
The Hare and the Hound by Kelly Andrew: The plot is less original, but I'm a sucker for the good old "The ending is explicitly said at the beginning," reminding me of Greek tragedies. Not to mention, the use of Norse folklore is refreshing in a genre which tends to remain focused on Greco-Latin lore.
Phobos by Tori Bovalino: I have to say, I mostly liked it for the very end. Was it expected? Yes, but it doesn't mean it wasn't good. I'm also a sucker for anything with a form of secret society or organisation, so I'm obviously biased
Now, overall, I think that the main issue is that those are short stories. I am pretty convinced I would have loved all of those stories if they had been developed, but writing stories which often deal with madness, plots, secret societies, etc... requires intense characterisation and descriptions. It takes time, it's tedious, and I think this is what is lacking here. A short story makes it feel rushed, even when the concept is great.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Average Rating: 3.5/5
1000 Ships by Kate Weinberg: 4.25/5
Pythia by Olivie Blake: 4.5/5 (my favourite by far)
Sabbatical by James Tate Hill: 3/5
The Hare and the Hound by Kelly Andrew: 3.75/5
X House by J.T. Ellison: 2.5/5
The Ravages by Layne Fargo: 3.75/5
Four Funerals by David Bell: 2/5
The Unknowable Pleasures: 3/5
Weekend at Berties's by M.L. Rio: 3.25/5
The Professor of Ontography by Helen Grant: 3.25/5
Phobos by Tori Bovalino: 4/5
Playing by Phoebe Wynne: 4.25/5
1000 Ships by Kate Weinberg: 4.25/5
Pythia by Olivie Blake: 4.5/5 (my favourite by far)
Sabbatical by James Tate Hill: 3/5
The Hare and the Hound by Kelly Andrew: 3.75/5
X House by J.T. Ellison: 2.5/5
The Ravages by Layne Fargo: 3.75/5
Four Funerals by David Bell: 2/5
The Unknowable Pleasures: 3/5
Weekend at Berties's by M.L. Rio: 3.25/5
The Professor of Ontography by Helen Grant: 3.25/5
Phobos by Tori Bovalino: 4/5
Playing by Phoebe Wynne: 4.25/5
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes