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shartcuterie90210's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
tregina's review against another edition
5.0
Every bit of this spoke to me on a bone-deep level, from the introduction to the story notes. This is short story craft at its finest.
pages_n_puzzles's review
5.0
Slowly worked my way through these wonderful, and sometimes creepy, short stories. I really like Klages writing and world building.
owlyreadsalot's review against another edition
4.0
Wicked Wonders had many quirky reads, some that didn't end as I had hoped (wishing they had more story to them), others that made me think of life and everything around us, a few with life lesson moments. It had a variety of short stories that didn't disappoint and many that left me scratching my head.
The first story that was in this collection was a little creepy. I know many will say not really, it's just a story about a little girl who connects more with Maleficent instead of Sleeping Beauty and a little misunderstood, but I was left thinking... What is she going to do to her mom and others if she's not imagining the power that's coming out of her? She's this cute little thing who sees things in a flipped manner, but in her eyes things and people really are against her or what she chooses to have by her side. And I am left wanting more of it, to find out what becomes of her, and if anything is at is seems with her newfound ability.
Of course, after that first short story I had to keep reading and even when there were a few that I didn't really care for as much, how they were written just kept me attached and wanting more of those characters and different settings that filled these pages. Including that of a scary ham that a father had hanging in his basement for almost twenty years catching mold and scaring off possible suitors and many others. I was waiting for a creepy conclusion to it or something out of the ordinary, but all I got was a little bit of a misleading story, or maybe that's exactly the point.
Then there are those like the story of Jo and Aurora (or Rory as she likes to be called), that give the reader tons of feels. A story about a woman who returns back to her father's house (the penny arcade he owned) after he's gone and the end of the carnival is inevitable along with the tree she held many fond memories with. Here enters Rory who brings a smile to Jo's face, even when everything about this person is curious and bizarre. And it's way too short lived for the both of them, but a beautiful closing for a beautiful start.
Wicked Wonders had tons more stories like it and some not so gloomy, a few thoughtful ones, or like the story of Natto who went in search of a pearl that only brought him embarrassing moments and fears of dying (which yes many would say he deserved) just to turn around and really be about a whole different thing between the characters Sponda and Anna who are doing everything to hide a discovery that changes things in a big way.
This novel was unique and full of fun short stories that held my attention all the way through. I was very surprised by it and didn't know how much I would come to enjoy the collection presented within its pages. I found this book while searching on NetGalley and was very happy that I was given the chance to review it because it was completely worth the read.
***I received this copy from Tachyon Publications via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***
The first story that was in this collection was a little creepy. I know many will say not really, it's just a story about a little girl who connects more with Maleficent instead of Sleeping Beauty and a little misunderstood, but I was left thinking... What is she going to do to her mom and others if she's not imagining the power that's coming out of her? She's this cute little thing who sees things in a flipped manner, but in her eyes things and people really are against her or what she chooses to have by her side. And I am left wanting more of it, to find out what becomes of her, and if anything is at is seems with her newfound ability.
Of course, after that first short story I had to keep reading and even when there were a few that I didn't really care for as much, how they were written just kept me attached and wanting more of those characters and different settings that filled these pages. Including that of a scary ham that a father had hanging in his basement for almost twenty years catching mold and scaring off possible suitors and many others. I was waiting for a creepy conclusion to it or something out of the ordinary, but all I got was a little bit of a misleading story, or maybe that's exactly the point.
Then there are those like the story of Jo and Aurora (or Rory as she likes to be called), that give the reader tons of feels. A story about a woman who returns back to her father's house (the penny arcade he owned) after he's gone and the end of the carnival is inevitable along with the tree she held many fond memories with. Here enters Rory who brings a smile to Jo's face, even when everything about this person is curious and bizarre. And it's way too short lived for the both of them, but a beautiful closing for a beautiful start.
Wicked Wonders had tons more stories like it and some not so gloomy, a few thoughtful ones, or like the story of Natto who went in search of a pearl that only brought him embarrassing moments and fears of dying (which yes many would say he deserved) just to turn around and really be about a whole different thing between the characters Sponda and Anna who are doing everything to hide a discovery that changes things in a big way.
This novel was unique and full of fun short stories that held my attention all the way through. I was very surprised by it and didn't know how much I would come to enjoy the collection presented within its pages. I found this book while searching on NetGalley and was very happy that I was given the chance to review it because it was completely worth the read.
***I received this copy from Tachyon Publications via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.***
karenleagermain's review against another edition
5.0
Thank You to Tachyon Publications for providing me with an advance copy of Ellen Klages' short story collection, Wicked Wonders, in exchange for an honest review.
PLOT- In her short story collection, Wicked Wonders, Ellen Klages explores a variety of themes; such as pregnancy in space, teenagers caught in a parallel world of classic board games, and what to do with a twenty-year old ham that has been aging in the basement of your childhood home. Wicked Wonders contains stories in several genres, including high fantasy, science-fiction, and literary fiction. Klages writes stories that are hilarious, heartbreaking, and unforgettable.
LIKE- Wicked Wonders is my first experience with Klages' writing. Although I now realize that she is well-known and award-winning, I had not heard of her prior to this collection. I have added all of her books to my wishlist = must read more now! Wicked Wonders is marvelous. Klages has a unique world-view and her stories are both fresh and surprising. While reading this collection, I felt a range of emotions, from laughing to crying and everything in-between.
I loved that Klages included background info on all of her stories, explaining her inspiration for each. As a fellow writer, I felt relieved to find a kindred spirit in Klages with regard to how she becomes fixated on certain things, especially during research, and that her writing process is a little scattered. She's an amazing writer and hearing about her process gives me hope!
The entire collection is strong, but here are a few of my favorite stories.
The Scary Ham - I didn't realize this was non-fiction as I was reading it, but Klages confirms that this story was autobiographical, about her cleaning out her childhood home after her parents died. In the basement, her father has kept an expensive ham that he has been curing for two decades. Klages and her sister decide to throw a funeral for the ham. It's hilarious. Having dealt with more than my fair share of family death and cleaning out homes, I can relate. I've never found a ham, but there are weird secrets lurking when you start emptying a house, and if you don't laugh about it, you'd probably cry.
Echoes of Aurora- Jo returns to her childhood home after her father dies and meets a mysterious woman, who moves in with her. This story is beautiful and unexpected. I loved the story world, with Jo's family having owned an arcade in a lakeside tourist town. The arcade has not been maintained over the years and it's filled is unusual vintage machines. This mysterious story is a constant battle between decay and life.
Friday Night at St. Cecilia's - Rachel is grounded on a Friday night at her Catholic boarding school and her evening is rather dull, until the new housekeeper, Mrs. Llewelyn, invites her to play a game. I loved the creativity in this story, with Rachel finding herself lost in a board game world. Clue is my all-time favorite board game, so I got a kick out of being included. This story is funny and sinister.
Goodnight Moons- Zoe has dreamed of space travel, and after years of hard work and good fortune, she has been picked to go on a colonization mission to Mars. It's suppose to be short-term; years, not a lifetime. However, while Zoe is in space, she learns that she is pregnant and that changes everything. It's hard to choose, but this may be my very favorite in Wicked Wonders. It stuck with me. It made me feel uncomfortable. The part that is troublesome is the reactions that Zoe receives regarding her pregnancy and the shift in her life. Baby aside, other choices now cease to be her own. Her wishes and dreams cease to matter. It's terrifying.
DISLIKE- Nothing. Klages is such a gifted writer, I can't wait to read more of her stories.
RECOMMEND- Yes, yes, yes!!!! Klages is the best "new-to-me" author discovery that I've made in a long time. I have a serious crush on her writing style. I enjoyed the diversity of the stories included in Wicked Wonders. I don't often read fantasy or science-fiction, so it was great to step out of my reading comfort zone.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
PLOT- In her short story collection, Wicked Wonders, Ellen Klages explores a variety of themes; such as pregnancy in space, teenagers caught in a parallel world of classic board games, and what to do with a twenty-year old ham that has been aging in the basement of your childhood home. Wicked Wonders contains stories in several genres, including high fantasy, science-fiction, and literary fiction. Klages writes stories that are hilarious, heartbreaking, and unforgettable.
LIKE- Wicked Wonders is my first experience with Klages' writing. Although I now realize that she is well-known and award-winning, I had not heard of her prior to this collection. I have added all of her books to my wishlist = must read more now! Wicked Wonders is marvelous. Klages has a unique world-view and her stories are both fresh and surprising. While reading this collection, I felt a range of emotions, from laughing to crying and everything in-between.
I loved that Klages included background info on all of her stories, explaining her inspiration for each. As a fellow writer, I felt relieved to find a kindred spirit in Klages with regard to how she becomes fixated on certain things, especially during research, and that her writing process is a little scattered. She's an amazing writer and hearing about her process gives me hope!
The entire collection is strong, but here are a few of my favorite stories.
The Scary Ham - I didn't realize this was non-fiction as I was reading it, but Klages confirms that this story was autobiographical, about her cleaning out her childhood home after her parents died. In the basement, her father has kept an expensive ham that he has been curing for two decades. Klages and her sister decide to throw a funeral for the ham. It's hilarious. Having dealt with more than my fair share of family death and cleaning out homes, I can relate. I've never found a ham, but there are weird secrets lurking when you start emptying a house, and if you don't laugh about it, you'd probably cry.
Echoes of Aurora- Jo returns to her childhood home after her father dies and meets a mysterious woman, who moves in with her. This story is beautiful and unexpected. I loved the story world, with Jo's family having owned an arcade in a lakeside tourist town. The arcade has not been maintained over the years and it's filled is unusual vintage machines. This mysterious story is a constant battle between decay and life.
Friday Night at St. Cecilia's - Rachel is grounded on a Friday night at her Catholic boarding school and her evening is rather dull, until the new housekeeper, Mrs. Llewelyn, invites her to play a game. I loved the creativity in this story, with Rachel finding herself lost in a board game world. Clue is my all-time favorite board game, so I got a kick out of being included. This story is funny and sinister.
Goodnight Moons- Zoe has dreamed of space travel, and after years of hard work and good fortune, she has been picked to go on a colonization mission to Mars. It's suppose to be short-term; years, not a lifetime. However, while Zoe is in space, she learns that she is pregnant and that changes everything. It's hard to choose, but this may be my very favorite in Wicked Wonders. It stuck with me. It made me feel uncomfortable. The part that is troublesome is the reactions that Zoe receives regarding her pregnancy and the shift in her life. Baby aside, other choices now cease to be her own. Her wishes and dreams cease to matter. It's terrifying.
DISLIKE- Nothing. Klages is such a gifted writer, I can't wait to read more of her stories.
RECOMMEND- Yes, yes, yes!!!! Klages is the best "new-to-me" author discovery that I've made in a long time. I have a serious crush on her writing style. I enjoyed the diversity of the stories included in Wicked Wonders. I don't often read fantasy or science-fiction, so it was great to step out of my reading comfort zone.
Like my review? Check out my blog!
pjrusen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
nthurman_dude's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
By its vary nature, a collection of short stories is going to vary in quality and appeal. And there were some stories that were more engaging and appealing than others for me. So, while it would seem hard to give the entire collection a 5 star rating, the overall effect was just that for me. Each story offered a slice of life - I felt like I was entering into a brief visit of the characters' lives and, at the end, I was left wondering what happened after. In between - the story itself - were engaging glimpses of their lives, some more striking and interesting than others.
Some of my favorites, for different reasons, included Amicae Aeternum (this one grew on me), Hey, Presto! (one that persuaded me as it went along), Echoes of Aurora (a dose of nostalgia), Friday Night at St. Cecilia's (for the concept), Gone to the Library, Sponda the Suet Girl (a come-uppance), and Woodsmoke (unexpected ending... at least for me). The Scary Ham, though a real story, left me smiling.
Some of my favorites, for different reasons, included Amicae Aeternum (this one grew on me), Hey, Presto! (one that persuaded me as it went along), Echoes of Aurora (a dose of nostalgia), Friday Night at St. Cecilia's (for the concept), Gone to the Library, Sponda the Suet Girl (a come-uppance), and Woodsmoke (unexpected ending... at least for me). The Scary Ham, though a real story, left me smiling.
fernzommu's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
crtsjffrsn's review against another edition
4.0
I don't think it's at all an exaggeration to say that this anthology honestly has something for everyone. Fantasy, science fiction, fairy tale, you name it--it's here. And to top it off, every one of these stories is well written and kept me engaged from beginning to end. This was my first experience reading anything by Ellen Klages, and I am glad I picked this up. This is an author who demonstrates great skill in both creating richly-developed worlds and unique, three-dimensional characters over and over again in short stories. It's no small feat, and she does it so very well. Definitely worth a read!
[Disclaimer: This review is based on an advance reading copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.]
[Disclaimer: This review is based on an advance reading copy provided by the publisher via NetGalley.]