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kayleeaspen's review against another edition
5.0
These stories were amazing! Each was unique in its own way, and they all leave you desiring more.
jacobsite's review against another edition
3.0
A pretty touch and go collection of short stories that have a focus on the feeling of “fate” and coping with that feeling in various situations. All of the stories are really well written, and despite all of them being focused on different topics and characters, this underlying feeling of dread stays consistent throughout. My main issue is that a few of the stories didn’t quite stick the landing in my eyes, or were just not terribly interesting overall, which is what lands it at 3 stars. I do recommend Glass-Lung and Pleiades though, those were my favorite of the stories in here.
jpark414's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
I (surprisingly) enjoyed every story in this collection- There's a similar mood over all the stories, even if they are about different people/different settings. Sachdeva has a way with words that has felt more natural than all the other books that I've been reading recently.
I (surprisingly) enjoyed every story in this collection- There's a similar mood over all the stories, even if they are about different people/different settings. Sachdeva has a way with words that has felt more natural than all the other books that I've been reading recently.
balletbookworm's review against another edition
5.0
Lordt, y’all, this small story collection is face-meltingly good. The stories all turn on the juxtaposition of the real with the fantastical, one-click off from traditional fairy tales in feel. I got a little brain-tickle as each one reminded me very subtly of an older tale but without retelling any one in particular. “Killer of Kings” is flat-out gorgeous, “All the Names Used for God” is quietly mind-blowing, and the final story “Pleiades” is devastating. Another outstanding collection from an Iowa Writers’ Workshop alum.
jdintr's review against another edition
3.0
The best of the short stories in this collection deal with young women looking for a way out (with or without a man). In "The World By Night" a pioneer girl, left behind by a husband looking for work, explores a cave network in search of community. In "Glass-Lung" Effie leaves Philadelphia to explore for a hidden Egyptian tomb with her husband. And the title story is a clever imagining of the lives of two Nigerian girls, kidnapped from their school by Islamic extremists.
As with most short story collections, there are some duds, but on the whole, Sachdeva is a writer worth following.
As with most short story collections, there are some duds, but on the whole, Sachdeva is a writer worth following.
matthewwester's review against another edition
5.0
5/5. Well written stories, fantastical at times yet always feeling grounded and genuine. The stories are different from one another, which cannot be said for all short story collections out there. None of these stories are trying too hard, they have just what they need and kept my interest throughout. I'll definitely be a buyer of whatever book this author publishes next!
irmakkilinc's review against another edition
4.0
Overall Rating: 3.5 stars.
•The World by Night ‣ 3 stars.
•Glass-Lung ‣ 3.5 stars.
•Logging Lake ‣ 2 stars.
•The Killler of Kings ‣ 5 stars.
•All the Names for God ‣ 3 stars.
•Robert Greenman and the Mermaid ‣ 2.5 stars.
•Anything You Might Want ‣ 3.5 stars.
•Manus ‣ 3 stars.
•Pleiades ‣ 4 stars.
•The World by Night ‣ 3 stars.
•Glass-Lung ‣ 3.5 stars.
•Logging Lake ‣ 2 stars.
•The Killler of Kings ‣ 5 stars.
•All the Names for God ‣ 3 stars.
•Robert Greenman and the Mermaid ‣ 2.5 stars.
•Anything You Might Want ‣ 3.5 stars.
•Manus ‣ 3 stars.
•Pleiades ‣ 4 stars.
peelspls's review against another edition
4.0
Beautiful characterization and haunting stories
The first two stories of the collection started off quite boring. But then I realized that the author's simple style actually set up environments far richer than one expects when entering a story. The speciality of these stories is that the characters are bound to each other through so many complex attachments, and rendered without judgment. Perhaps my main issue with these stories is that almost all of them end on a cliffhanger.
Ranging from the girls kidnapped by Boko Haram to a society struggling under an unstoppable but stupid alien force that replaces their bodies, these stories capture a vast environment straddling magic, mystery, science and most importantly, genuine people. There isn't a single character in any of these stories that doesn't feel real, and it's a credit to the author's portrayal for making it real.
The first two stories of the collection started off quite boring. But then I realized that the author's simple style actually set up environments far richer than one expects when entering a story. The speciality of these stories is that the characters are bound to each other through so many complex attachments, and rendered without judgment. Perhaps my main issue with these stories is that almost all of them end on a cliffhanger.
Ranging from the girls kidnapped by Boko Haram to a society struggling under an unstoppable but stupid alien force that replaces their bodies, these stories capture a vast environment straddling magic, mystery, science and most importantly, genuine people. There isn't a single character in any of these stories that doesn't feel real, and it's a credit to the author's portrayal for making it real.
jfields62's review against another edition
4.0
Every story was so unique and very enjoyable! Highly recommend
8.5/10
8.5/10
bookofcinz's review against another edition
4.0
I imagine it is very hard to write a good collection of short stories mainly because it takes a lot to have a strong plot with well developed characters in just 3-15 pages. Anjali Sachdeva makes this challenge seems seamless.
This is a very strong, solid collection of short stories, I am amazed at her writing range. She explores so many different topics and does it so spectacularly. I am floored that this is a debut collection because it is so well done. Some of my stand out stories are:
The World By Night
Glass-Lung
Logging-Lake
Killer of Kings
All the Names they Used for God
Robert Greenman and the Mermaid
Anything You Might Want
Manus
Pleiades
Ok.... So I just listed out ALL the stories (LOL).... yes! This collection is insanely good!
This is a very strong, solid collection of short stories, I am amazed at her writing range. She explores so many different topics and does it so spectacularly. I am floored that this is a debut collection because it is so well done. Some of my stand out stories are:
The World By Night
Glass-Lung
Logging-Lake
Killer of Kings
All the Names they Used for God
Robert Greenman and the Mermaid
Anything You Might Want
Manus
Pleiades
Ok.... So I just listed out ALL the stories (LOL).... yes! This collection is insanely good!