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scarletshore's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
- 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? No
3.75
Isabel Yap's "Never Have I Ever" is a compilation of 13 short stories, each offering a fresh and imaginative perspective. These stories traverse a range of themes, blending urban legends with folklore to create a diverse collection.
It's important to note that there are no bad stories in this book. However, in such a varied anthology, some stories resonated less with me. It's challenging to determine whether this is due to translation nuances or simply a matter of personal preference. These particular stories, though not unenjoyable, felt somewhat less engaging.
While reading, I discovered that urban legends might not be my preferred genre. Nevertheless, the overall diversity and creativity in this collection make it a valuable experience for those who appreciate narratives exploring the intersection of reality and myth. I would give it a rating of 3.75 stars, recognizing its uniqueness and Isabel Yap's talent in crafting imaginative tales.
It's important to note that there are no bad stories in this book. However, in such a varied anthology, some stories resonated less with me. It's challenging to determine whether this is due to translation nuances or simply a matter of personal preference. These particular stories, though not unenjoyable, felt somewhat less engaging.
While reading, I discovered that urban legends might not be my preferred genre. Nevertheless, the overall diversity and creativity in this collection make it a valuable experience for those who appreciate narratives exploring the intersection of reality and myth. I would give it a rating of 3.75 stars, recognizing its uniqueness and Isabel Yap's talent in crafting imaginative tales.
reading_rainbow_with_chris's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
“Never Have I Ever” by Isabel Yap
A girl transforms into a monster at night. A festival reveals its magic to a family. A circle of friends struggle with their call to protect. A servant falls in love with the maiden she must protect. The stories of Isabel Yap’s collection simmer with the unknown, leaning into Filiipino lore as the organizing principle of the narrative.
I really wanted to like this collection; the summary holds a lot of promise and I know it is held in high regard. But I have to be honest: I struggled with this one. I like a lot of Yap’s style and their premises were incredible. However, for me stories with a haunting, magical, or horror element need to be carried by the mood and scene. Suspense is also a big issue for me. These elements were inconsistent. There were some exquisite bright spots, such as Milagroso, Only Unclench Your Hand, How to Swallow the Moon, All the Best of Dark and Bright, and Misty (which actually crossed the line to terrifying in the best way). But I felt there was such a distance between these gems and the other stories it was hard to stay committed.
Overall a good collection, and I acknowledge that this may work far better for others than it did for me. I will definitely check out more of Yap’s future work, but for me this one will likely land in my pile of books forgotten.
A girl transforms into a monster at night. A festival reveals its magic to a family. A circle of friends struggle with their call to protect. A servant falls in love with the maiden she must protect. The stories of Isabel Yap’s collection simmer with the unknown, leaning into Filiipino lore as the organizing principle of the narrative.
I really wanted to like this collection; the summary holds a lot of promise and I know it is held in high regard. But I have to be honest: I struggled with this one. I like a lot of Yap’s style and their premises were incredible. However, for me stories with a haunting, magical, or horror element need to be carried by the mood and scene. Suspense is also a big issue for me. These elements were inconsistent. There were some exquisite bright spots, such as Milagroso, Only Unclench Your Hand, How to Swallow the Moon, All the Best of Dark and Bright, and Misty (which actually crossed the line to terrifying in the best way). But I felt there was such a distance between these gems and the other stories it was hard to stay committed.
Overall a good collection, and I acknowledge that this may work far better for others than it did for me. I will definitely check out more of Yap’s future work, but for me this one will likely land in my pile of books forgotten.
mgsardina's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
antonpugh's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
ceereading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
heartrend's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
4.0
some stories stood out more compared to others but overall a lovely collection of short stories with themes of mythology, speculative fic, and urban legends, all told in the lens of a filipino setting.
my favorite stories, in no particular order:
milagroso
a spell for foolish hearts,
asphalt, river, mother, child
only unclench your hand
how to swallow the moon
milagroso
a spell for foolish hearts,
asphalt, river, mother, child
only unclench your hand
how to swallow the moon
atran122's review against another edition
4.0
A fun and engaging collection of short stories. While I enjoyed some a lot more than others, they were all so diverse both in characters and mythos, making them interesting to read. Not to mention, regardless of subject, I found the writing style riveting. It hooks you in immediately.
Of all the short stories, my favorites are probably Good Girls and A Spell for Foolish Hearts.
Of all the short stories, my favorites are probably Good Girls and A Spell for Foolish Hearts.