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booksandlemonsquash's review
3.0
My favourite story was the middle one, the Twins of Blackfin, and I have already added Kat Ellis’ main book to my tbr lol! It’s so creepy and perfect. Blackfin sounds like a wonderfully weird place to live. And I loved the way the town accepts the odd things that happen.
The Tribe is an odd one - I was frustrated by the lack of answers and the unreliable narrator but I did enjoy the story. But we never learn anything about why or what and in the end that frustrated me too much.
And finally Matchgirl - I liked this but again wanted more resolution. Though this time just in the form of it being slightly longer - there’s a lot left unsaid and undone at the end of the novella, especially between Nia and her dad.
The Tribe is an odd one - I was frustrated by the lack of answers and the unreliable narrator but I did enjoy the story. But we never learn anything about why or what and in the end that frustrated me too much.
And finally Matchgirl - I liked this but again wanted more resolution. Though this time just in the form of it being slightly longer - there’s a lot left unsaid and undone at the end of the novella, especially between Nia and her dad.
emilyandherroomofbooks's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
3.75
Omg these short stories had me stuck wtff!! They were so good and chilling, probably shouldnt have read them before bed well- because it was creepy and dark but it was just the same amazing. The last story didnt really have the same vibes as the first two which is where its lost the stars but even then it had me hooked, oh my gosh
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Trafficking, Kidnapping, and Death of parent
timbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
I’m always wary of anthologies. They tend to be a real mixed bag, with some great stories and some not so good.
Thankfully, I enjoyed all 3 in this collection! I’ll give a brief review on them individually.
The Darkness by Lucy Christopher ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A really suspensful story, moving between Kasha in the jungle and reflecting on how she got there. While she tries to figure out what is actually going on and if she’ll ever get out of there, we slowly learn what actually happened to her mother.
The Twins of Blackfin by Kat Ellis ⭐⭐⭐⭐
As the paranormal story of the 3, this was naturally my favourite! We get a glimpse into the strange town of Blackfin, and follow Bo as she tries to find out what is causing the kids in town to walk through the streets at night. I can’t wait to read more about this town in her full length novel Blackfin Sky.
Matchgirl by Rhian Ivory ⭐⭐⭐
I wasn’t familiar with The Little Match Girl before, so gave it a quick read before moving on to this story (definitely worth doing, you can find it online for free and it’s super short). This was the closest to a ‘standard’ contemporary, all be it with a very dark ending. While it was my least favourite of the three because of that, it’s purely because of personal taste. The writing was strong, and the ending heart wrenching.
Thankfully, I enjoyed all 3 in this collection! I’ll give a brief review on them individually.
The Darkness by Lucy Christopher ⭐⭐⭐⭐
A really suspensful story, moving between Kasha in the jungle and reflecting on how she got there. While she tries to figure out what is actually going on and if she’ll ever get out of there, we slowly learn what actually happened to her mother.
The Twins of Blackfin by Kat Ellis ⭐⭐⭐⭐
As the paranormal story of the 3, this was naturally my favourite! We get a glimpse into the strange town of Blackfin, and follow Bo as she tries to find out what is causing the kids in town to walk through the streets at night. I can’t wait to read more about this town in her full length novel Blackfin Sky.
Matchgirl by Rhian Ivory ⭐⭐⭐
I wasn’t familiar with The Little Match Girl before, so gave it a quick read before moving on to this story (definitely worth doing, you can find it online for free and it’s super short). This was the closest to a ‘standard’ contemporary, all be it with a very dark ending. While it was my least favourite of the three because of that, it’s purely because of personal taste. The writing was strong, and the ending heart wrenching.
shelbycat's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed all the stories but my favourite was the middle one.
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