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audreychamaine's review against another edition
4.0
[b:The Eternal Kiss 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire|6382952|The Eternal Kiss 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire|Trisha Telep|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1255581155s/6382952.jpg|6570974] is a great anthology of thirteen vampire tales by current YA authors. Not every story focuses on the vampire as love-interest/Byronic hero, although there is that if you want it. Overall, I thought this compilation did a great job of presenting the vampire in its many forms and mythologies. While the writers each have their own voice and take on the vampire, the stories hang together well as a cohesive unit, making this a strong anthology.
For me, the strongest stories were:
"Falling to Ash" by Karen Mahoney - This was more of a beginning to something that could develop much further. As my first introduction to Mahoney's work, it made me curios to read her other writings.
"Sword Point" by Maria V. Snyder - I liked this story because its vampires were truly monstrous, and the protagonist showed potential to develop into a very strong female character.
"The Coldest Girl in Coldtown" by Holly Black - I find Black's writing to be gritty, yet poetic. I also liked the way Black treated vampires as infected citizens in quarantine.
"The Thirteenth Step" by Libba Bray - This was a nicely paced, intriguing story, with a main character that had a great back story.
"Wet Teeth" by Cecil Castellucci - What made this story so good was how short and concise it was.
For me, the strongest stories were:
"Falling to Ash" by Karen Mahoney - This was more of a beginning to something that could develop much further. As my first introduction to Mahoney's work, it made me curios to read her other writings.
"Sword Point" by Maria V. Snyder - I liked this story because its vampires were truly monstrous, and the protagonist showed potential to develop into a very strong female character.
"The Coldest Girl in Coldtown" by Holly Black - I find Black's writing to be gritty, yet poetic. I also liked the way Black treated vampires as infected citizens in quarantine.
"The Thirteenth Step" by Libba Bray - This was a nicely paced, intriguing story, with a main character that had a great back story.
"Wet Teeth" by Cecil Castellucci - What made this story so good was how short and concise it was.
readitnstitch's review against another edition
2.0
Interesting reads, the best was by Libba Bray. Shocking twist. But over all none felt like a good read. Just short stories with weak plots and unfinished endings I’ll be on the look out for a few that are actual longer books.
kristid's review against another edition
4.0
Although I own quite a few anthologies, The Eternal Kiss was the first I actually read. It was difficult initially, just being shown this short look into what could be a fantastic story and having it end all too soon. Thankfully by the third short story, I was addicted to these little samples of fang-tastic tales.
I loved the variety of writing styles. There were some authors I was familiar with and some ones I was introduced to. I always enjoy reading new authors and divulging in their literary stylings, so this was an extra treat. I’m surprised I’ve never thought to read an anthology sooner. I expected to have a one or two stories be really good, and the rest just be mediocre, but all 13 stories were really well balanced.
My favorites were:
Undead is Very Hot Right Now by Sarah Brennan – This was my favorite story in the anthology I have read Sarah Rees Brennan’s book The Demon’s Lexicon (recently released) and found that I really like her writing and her distinct brand humor, and it is really evident in this short story.
Basically this one is about a boy band. Doesn’t that sound horrible in itself! But with this band, and every other boy band you have, the “hot” one, the “cool” one, the “nerdy” one. You know what I’m talking about. Well this band had a vampire, Christian, and he is the “gimmick. The story is about him trying to fit in to his new world.
The Thirteenth Step by Libba Bray – This story is more in the “horror” category. A young girl finds a job at a safe house for recovering addicts, reeling from her home experience and her own sisters admittance into rehab. Unfortunately this home has a very distinct thirteen step program.
Passing by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguié – I loved the premise of this one. It’s a post apocalyptic world, were vampires are trying to take over. Teens head to Spain to learn how to become vampire hunters. I would love to read more about this one.
Overall a excellent anthology, especially for the legions of vampire fans. Although personally I’d say the theme is more horror than romance.
I loved the variety of writing styles. There were some authors I was familiar with and some ones I was introduced to. I always enjoy reading new authors and divulging in their literary stylings, so this was an extra treat. I’m surprised I’ve never thought to read an anthology sooner. I expected to have a one or two stories be really good, and the rest just be mediocre, but all 13 stories were really well balanced.
My favorites were:
Undead is Very Hot Right Now by Sarah Brennan – This was my favorite story in the anthology I have read Sarah Rees Brennan’s book The Demon’s Lexicon (recently released) and found that I really like her writing and her distinct brand humor, and it is really evident in this short story.
Basically this one is about a boy band. Doesn’t that sound horrible in itself! But with this band, and every other boy band you have, the “hot” one, the “cool” one, the “nerdy” one. You know what I’m talking about. Well this band had a vampire, Christian, and he is the “gimmick. The story is about him trying to fit in to his new world.
The Thirteenth Step by Libba Bray – This story is more in the “horror” category. A young girl finds a job at a safe house for recovering addicts, reeling from her home experience and her own sisters admittance into rehab. Unfortunately this home has a very distinct thirteen step program.
Passing by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguié – I loved the premise of this one. It’s a post apocalyptic world, were vampires are trying to take over. Teens head to Spain to learn how to become vampire hunters. I would love to read more about this one.
Overall a excellent anthology, especially for the legions of vampire fans. Although personally I’d say the theme is more horror than romance.
toastymaloney's review against another edition
4.0
I like this vamp collection of stories. Some were creeptastic, but all were entertaining.
shonaningyo's review against another edition
1.0
Hated it. I disliked every single author in this book except Holly Black, and the one she did submit was read previously by me in her collection of stories called "The Poison Eaters", if I recall correctly.
Each story is basically an attempt at an intriguing novella that just falls flat with me.
That one story, with the Academy of Swords, kind of pissed me off, because there is this one part where the girl is like:
"Sensei..?"
"It's Okinawan for 'teacher'."
As an otaku, that grated on my nerves. Sensei is JAPANESE for teacher. If anything, it's the same on every damn island, no matter what the different dialects they may have.
"It's Okinawan for 'hawk'". Oh you mean the word "TAKA"? Yeah, that's Japanese. Why the hell would the teacher know Okinawan? If anything, it's a dialect of Japanese, not a language, despite it being labelled as such.
Anyway, this book sucked. I hated them all. Go figure, all of the "contributing authors" have written their own crappy knock-off of a vampire series. Ugh, gag me with a spoon.
Each story is basically an attempt at an intriguing novella that just falls flat with me.
That one story, with the Academy of Swords, kind of pissed me off, because there is this one part where the girl is like:
"Sensei..?"
"It's Okinawan for 'teacher'."
As an otaku, that grated on my nerves. Sensei is JAPANESE for teacher. If anything, it's the same on every damn island, no matter what the different dialects they may have.
"It's Okinawan for 'hawk'". Oh you mean the word "TAKA"? Yeah, that's Japanese. Why the hell would the teacher know Okinawan? If anything, it's a dialect of Japanese, not a language, despite it being labelled as such.
Anyway, this book sucked. I hated them all. Go figure, all of the "contributing authors" have written their own crappy knock-off of a vampire series. Ugh, gag me with a spoon.
nicolelin23's review against another edition
5.0
I did not care for all of the tales in this book. But most of them where really great. Also like the fact that in the book becoming a vamp was not always a good thing. At time the tales were a little bit dark. But I live them. A must read
eb00kie's review against another edition
1.0
Let me make this ADVICE: Don't read stuff good authors wrote into just because you like them. ADVICE: Don't listen to me. I did just that.
I dislike this book to the point where the most I can give is my eternal pity and a hope of good luck for several good authors that managed to put everything(I hope so) they are bad at in those stories and from now on to the end of their writing career will only write good stuff.
I dislike this book to the point where the most I can give is my eternal pity and a hope of good luck for several good authors that managed to put everything(I hope so) they are bad at in those stories and from now on to the end of their writing career will only write good stuff.
wilda85's review against another edition
5.0
Another fabulous Morganville story told by Eve's pov. I could get used to that :)
impybelle's review against another edition
4.0
You know how every short story collection has at least a couple of stories you suspect were only included to meet a magical number (in this case it's thirteen) or because the editor is friends with the author or something?
The closest this collection comes is Cassandra Clare's entry and that's simply because I don't remember what it was about, despite having read it yesterday. Just about everyone else is already on my "Love them!" list or is now on my "read... more!" list. Bonus points for some of the vampires actually being villains.
The closest this collection comes is Cassandra Clare's entry and that's simply because I don't remember what it was about, despite having read it yesterday. Just about everyone else is already on my "Love them!" list or is now on my "read... more!" list. Bonus points for some of the vampires actually being villains.