Scan barcode
venusfawn's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to love this book; I mean it’s an anthology based around food. Sadly, most of the stories felt very flat to me but what really ruined this anthology was the wild lack of cohesion.
Once I began reading I realized that all the stories were set in the same town, and were supposed to be interconnected. Every story referenced a person or place from another story. This in itself is a really cool idea for an anthology, but the genres in this book were all over the place. There was magical realism and straight contemporary, and then horror and fantasy and violent drama. This would’ve been fine if the goal wasn’t an interwoven collection of stories. There was a story featuring ghosts, and another that had honest to god superheroes. It felt completely out of left field and was a bit confusing to read among the other stories.
My very favorite stories in this were Kings and Queens by Elsie Chapman and The Missing Ingredient by Rebecca Roanhorse; though as much as I liked them I have to admit they didn’t quite fit in with the other stories that well either. They were the best written and most interesting of them all though, in my opinion. Rain by Sangu Mandanna was also very good. The rest to me were either a bit “meh,” and there were a couple I didn’t enjoy at all. I’m so disappointed that I didn’t love this, since I was really excited to read it.
Once I began reading I realized that all the stories were set in the same town, and were supposed to be interconnected. Every story referenced a person or place from another story. This in itself is a really cool idea for an anthology, but the genres in this book were all over the place. There was magical realism and straight contemporary, and then horror and fantasy and violent drama. This would’ve been fine if the goal wasn’t an interwoven collection of stories. There was a story featuring ghosts, and another that had honest to god superheroes. It felt completely out of left field and was a bit confusing to read among the other stories.
My very favorite stories in this were Kings and Queens by Elsie Chapman and The Missing Ingredient by Rebecca Roanhorse; though as much as I liked them I have to admit they didn’t quite fit in with the other stories that well either. They were the best written and most interesting of them all though, in my opinion. Rain by Sangu Mandanna was also very good. The rest to me were either a bit “meh,” and there were a couple I didn’t enjoy at all. I’m so disappointed that I didn’t love this, since I was really excited to read it.
bheidok15's review against another edition
1.0
The dullest anthology I've ever read. Definitely not nearly as good as I thought it would be.
jordancsmith16's review against another edition
4.0
A solid collection with the majority of the stories being enjoyable and memorable. The criss-crossing of the stories could get a little confusing, but also made it more fun.
petrichor_pages's review against another edition
3.0
It's not a BAD book, but it is an anthology so there are some caveats you should be aware of.
1. The quality of the writing varies a LOT between the authors. Some stories are definitely better than others. I really loved Rin Chupeco's story, but most of the others were just alright.
2. The writing reads pretty young in a lot of the stories. Some were a lot more middle grade than YA in my personal opinion.
3. Don't expect all the stories to be light and heart-warming. There are plenty that are not super happy stories.
4. It's an anthology, so the stories are SHORT, I've never been a huge fan of short stories since I'm here for the characters.
5. The depictions of food are probably the best part of the book, but the Hungry Hearts row seemed pretty unnaturally inserted into some of the stories.
6. The book definitely needed a much stronger editor. It doesn't come together very well, and the stories themselves are, at times, awkward.
All that being said, it was nice to see an anthology focused on diversity (and included food!). I didn't hate reading it, but I doubt I would want to read it again, other than a story or two. Your mileage may vary though.
1. The quality of the writing varies a LOT between the authors. Some stories are definitely better than others. I really loved Rin Chupeco's story, but most of the others were just alright.
2. The writing reads pretty young in a lot of the stories. Some were a lot more middle grade than YA in my personal opinion.
3. Don't expect all the stories to be light and heart-warming. There are plenty that are not super happy stories.
4. It's an anthology, so the stories are SHORT, I've never been a huge fan of short stories since I'm here for the characters.
5. The depictions of food are probably the best part of the book, but the Hungry Hearts row seemed pretty unnaturally inserted into some of the stories.
6. The book definitely needed a much stronger editor. It doesn't come together very well, and the stories themselves are, at times, awkward.
All that being said, it was nice to see an anthology focused on diversity (and included food!). I didn't hate reading it, but I doubt I would want to read it again, other than a story or two. Your mileage may vary though.
holls_marie28's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
I really love the idea of this short story collection and how all the stories connected in small ways or overlaps. I personally was drawn towards more of the spooky and twisty stories compared to the more coming of age ones but overall I really enjoyed reading it and it was a great way to try out a bunch of new to me authors
lilia493's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
emerrick's review against another edition
4.0
This was really good!!! Highly recommend.
Diverse characters and authors talking about the various forms of love in their lives. More than one made me cry, and others I'm still thinking about almost a week later
Diverse characters and authors talking about the various forms of love in their lives. More than one made me cry, and others I'm still thinking about almost a week later
fillmewithwords's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
seryuginan's review against another edition
3.0
it’s been a long time since i picked up a compilation book and i have been in the right mood to read hungry hearts, so here are some reviews/impressions of my favorite stories! (not a spoiler free)
- rain by sangu mandanna
i loved the message the author conveyed and honestly it was quite touching despite that it was only delivered through a very short story. the conversation between the characters were somehow funny and pure while still moving and heartwarming. this story really did make me want to eat coorg pandhi curry — with the right amount of kachampuli, of course!
- kings and queens by elsie chapman
OH MY GOD?? A WORLD OF SECRET SOCIETIES BEHIND AN ORDINARY RESTAURANT ??? I’M VERY HOOKED FOR THIS HELLO??????? i thought this book would only be filled with lighthearted and cute stories featured with lots of delicious food references but holy crap. not complaining though!
- the grand ishq adventure by sandhya menon
aaaaaa been meaning to read sandhya menon’s books and i think i’m already in love with the writings? i have exactly predicted the plot but anyway!!
- ten missing ingredients by rebecca roanhorse
GOODNESS. WOW??? OK?? NO THOUGHTS HEAD EMPTY??????????
- hearts à la carte by karuna riazi
HAHA okay so apparently after witches and secret societies and other magical things, now it’s time for superhero slash muslim wonder boy who falls from the stars to join the gang. i was having so much fun while reading this lmao.
- a bountiful film by s.k. ali
it was a bit of mystery, and i can say that this book really has a great mix of different genres and their own uniqueness. i really love how the characters from another author will appear as a supporting characters and interact with the mc in the story, like in here hania meets neha from the grand ishq adventure. so in love with these interconnected short stories.
- rain by sangu mandanna
i loved the message the author conveyed and honestly it was quite touching despite that it was only delivered through a very short story. the conversation between the characters were somehow funny and pure while still moving and heartwarming. this story really did make me want to eat coorg pandhi curry — with the right amount of kachampuli, of course!
- kings and queens by elsie chapman
OH MY GOD?? A WORLD OF SECRET SOCIETIES BEHIND AN ORDINARY RESTAURANT ??? I’M VERY HOOKED FOR THIS HELLO??????? i thought this book would only be filled with lighthearted and cute stories featured with lots of delicious food references but holy crap. not complaining though!
- the grand ishq adventure by sandhya menon
aaaaaa been meaning to read sandhya menon’s books and i think i’m already in love with the writings? i have exactly predicted the plot but anyway!!
- ten missing ingredients by rebecca roanhorse
GOODNESS. WOW??? OK?? NO THOUGHTS HEAD EMPTY??????????
- hearts à la carte by karuna riazi
HAHA okay so apparently after witches and secret societies and other magical things, now it’s time for superhero slash muslim wonder boy who falls from the stars to join the gang. i was having so much fun while reading this lmao.
- a bountiful film by s.k. ali
it was a bit of mystery, and i can say that this book really has a great mix of different genres and their own uniqueness. i really love how the characters from another author will appear as a supporting characters and interact with the mc in the story, like in here hania meets neha from the grand ishq adventure. so in love with these interconnected short stories.
jburgener2's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? N/A
5.0