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eleanorthomas26's review against another edition
1.0
It is very rare that I dislike a book. Very rare. I love all sorts of books, I just love words. In this case they let me down.
Love Hurts is anthology of young adult love stories; some are brand new and exclusive to the book, others are just short extracts taken from other published books. I'm trying to think of something positive to say about this book but I honestly can't.
I had many problems with the book however the main issue for me was the concept. An anthology of YA, great to discover new authors, right? Sadly not. There seems to be something so invasive about reading about love over and over again, not knowing any character background or seeing there relationship develop. To me it feels like the mildest form of porn. It makes me uncomfortable. In addition, I've read most of the books in it, I know the characters well. It was nice to revisit them, but I don't remember any of them for their love scenes, I would have like different extracts which truly show the best of their personalities. That brings me to the main problem, STEREOTYPING. The YA genre has been given a reputation of soppy love stories, and this book hands the critics what they want on a plate. Grasshopper Jungle, I Am The Messenger, More Than This, these are more than love. They are thought provoking, society challenging, complex novels, yet they have been chosen to be surmised as books about "modern, star crossed lovers".
I can't be wholly negative, for I am sure there are some people who would love this book. Maybe I'm just too old for it, maybe it would suit younger teens. If you like the sound of it, give it a go, it may become one of your favorites and we can argue our points of view. I'd love that. Books are very personal and for me this just wasn't the one.
Love Hurts is anthology of young adult love stories; some are brand new and exclusive to the book, others are just short extracts taken from other published books. I'm trying to think of something positive to say about this book but I honestly can't.
I had many problems with the book however the main issue for me was the concept. An anthology of YA, great to discover new authors, right? Sadly not. There seems to be something so invasive about reading about love over and over again, not knowing any character background or seeing there relationship develop. To me it feels like the mildest form of porn. It makes me uncomfortable. In addition, I've read most of the books in it, I know the characters well. It was nice to revisit them, but I don't remember any of them for their love scenes, I would have like different extracts which truly show the best of their personalities. That brings me to the main problem, STEREOTYPING. The YA genre has been given a reputation of soppy love stories, and this book hands the critics what they want on a plate. Grasshopper Jungle, I Am The Messenger, More Than This, these are more than love. They are thought provoking, society challenging, complex novels, yet they have been chosen to be surmised as books about "modern, star crossed lovers".
I can't be wholly negative, for I am sure there are some people who would love this book. Maybe I'm just too old for it, maybe it would suit younger teens. If you like the sound of it, give it a go, it may become one of your favorites and we can argue our points of view. I'd love that. Books are very personal and for me this just wasn't the one.
bookfever's review against another edition
3.0
First of all, I'm a little disappointed that a lot of these short stories are just extracts from full books. So I didn't read them but I read all the original stories and reviewed them seperately and some of them were quite good.
Humming Through My Fingers by Malorie Blackman - 5/5
This story was a great start of this collection. Malorie Blackman is a totally new author to me and I must say that I'm impressed with this short story because I absolutely adored it. It featured Amber, a blind girl and Ethan who initially only started talking to her for a bet that he made with his friends. But little did he know that Amber would make him see the world differently just like she does. Honestly, this story was just super cute and I have nothing negative to say about it.
Tumbling by Susie Day - 4/5
This story was unique to say the least. It wasn't as good as the story by Malorie Blackman but I do try not to compare the stories too much. But anyway... I could relate to it a lot because I see myself as a fangirl too. I don't watch Sherlock but it's on my to-watch list, especially after this story. Susie Say is also a new author to me and I adored the way this story was written. I also loved that it was LGBT. I like varriety in short story collections like this. So yeah this story was great, sweet and tugged on a my heart a little.
Gentlewoman by Laura Dockrill - 3/5
So I didn't love this story but I liked it for sure. At first I wasn't sure what was going on. There was a little mystery in the beginning when the main character is trying to tell her best friend something. It becomes clear soon that Dan is a transgender teenager and is changing to Danni. I really liked how her parents were very supporting of her, her mother the most and it gave me a different view because I never read a story about a transgender person yet. Also Laura Dockrill is yet a new author to me so I'll have to check out more of her titles.
Miss Lucy Had a Steamboat by David Levithan - 4/5
Gah! I love David Levithan stories so much! And this story was pretty great to me. I do know that this story is also featured in How They Met and Other Stories - a book that I own but have not yet read. I do kind of wish it would've been a new story but whatever. This story was actually the first one living up to the title of this book - Love Hurts. And other than that I loved how Lucy ended up feeling like she didn't have be involved with someone to be happy. Perfect!
Endless Love: The Valentine of Daniel and Lucinda - 2/5
I'm sorry! I really really really am but ugh! I dislike Lucinda and Daniel so much. It all goes back to when I used to read the Fallen series. I do like the first Fallen book and I've yet to finish the last book but I'm not a fan of angel books and I'm not sure if this short story fits in this collection for some reason. The only thing I liked from this story was when Cam made an appearance. I love him in the Fallen series and I'm glad to know that he's still swoon-worthy. But anyway... I didn't like this story. Lauren Kate is a great writer and a super nice person but just... angels are not my thing.
The Liar's Girl by Catherine Johnson - 5/5
Catherine Johnson is (yet again) a new author for me and this story is written in the second person. I know a lot of people dislike second person narrative but I personally think it's a gorgeous and unique way to write. And just like the narrative this story was gorgeous. It was pretty sad when we get towards the end of it when everything gets clear but wow I'm pretty impressed by it. I just love how much diversity there is in this collection.
The Unicorn by James Dawson - 2/5
This story was okay but (and this is just my opnion) I felt it didn't fit in with teen fiction. I'm also not a big fan of the navy setting in the 50's it was in. The writing and characters weren't bad and I felt honestly sad at some moments + it felt very real but it was not my thing. I do think others might like this one more than I did.
Favorite story: Humming Through My Fingers by Malorie Blackman
Least favorite story: The Unicorn by James Dawson
Humming Through My Fingers by Malorie Blackman - 5/5
This story was a great start of this collection. Malorie Blackman is a totally new author to me and I must say that I'm impressed with this short story because I absolutely adored it. It featured Amber, a blind girl and Ethan who initially only started talking to her for a bet that he made with his friends. But little did he know that Amber would make him see the world differently just like she does. Honestly, this story was just super cute and I have nothing negative to say about it.
Tumbling by Susie Day - 4/5
This story was unique to say the least. It wasn't as good as the story by Malorie Blackman but I do try not to compare the stories too much. But anyway... I could relate to it a lot because I see myself as a fangirl too. I don't watch Sherlock but it's on my to-watch list, especially after this story. Susie Say is also a new author to me and I adored the way this story was written. I also loved that it was LGBT. I like varriety in short story collections like this. So yeah this story was great, sweet and tugged on a my heart a little.
Gentlewoman by Laura Dockrill - 3/5
So I didn't love this story but I liked it for sure. At first I wasn't sure what was going on. There was a little mystery in the beginning when the main character is trying to tell her best friend something. It becomes clear soon that Dan is a transgender teenager and is changing to Danni. I really liked how her parents were very supporting of her, her mother the most and it gave me a different view because I never read a story about a transgender person yet. Also Laura Dockrill is yet a new author to me so I'll have to check out more of her titles.
Miss Lucy Had a Steamboat by David Levithan - 4/5
Gah! I love David Levithan stories so much! And this story was pretty great to me. I do know that this story is also featured in How They Met and Other Stories - a book that I own but have not yet read. I do kind of wish it would've been a new story but whatever. This story was actually the first one living up to the title of this book - Love Hurts. And other than that I loved how Lucy ended up feeling like she didn't have be involved with someone to be happy. Perfect!
Endless Love: The Valentine of Daniel and Lucinda - 2/5
I'm sorry! I really really really am but ugh! I dislike Lucinda and Daniel so much. It all goes back to when I used to read the Fallen series. I do like the first Fallen book and I've yet to finish the last book but I'm not a fan of angel books and I'm not sure if this short story fits in this collection for some reason. The only thing I liked from this story was when Cam made an appearance. I love him in the Fallen series and I'm glad to know that he's still swoon-worthy. But anyway... I didn't like this story. Lauren Kate is a great writer and a super nice person but just... angels are not my thing.
The Liar's Girl by Catherine Johnson - 5/5
Catherine Johnson is (yet again) a new author for me and this story is written in the second person. I know a lot of people dislike second person narrative but I personally think it's a gorgeous and unique way to write. And just like the narrative this story was gorgeous. It was pretty sad when we get towards the end of it when everything gets clear but wow I'm pretty impressed by it. I just love how much diversity there is in this collection.
The Unicorn by James Dawson - 2/5
This story was okay but (and this is just my opnion) I felt it didn't fit in with teen fiction. I'm also not a big fan of the navy setting in the 50's it was in. The writing and characters weren't bad and I felt honestly sad at some moments + it felt very real but it was not my thing. I do think others might like this one more than I did.
Favorite story: Humming Through My Fingers by Malorie Blackman
Least favorite story: The Unicorn by James Dawson
khakipantsofsex's review
4.0
Aww cute. Gave me little samples of feels.
With the odd exception, I found that the self-contained stories worked better than the extracts. But overall it was an enjoyable dip into the romance genre which I really want to read more of.
One self-contained story that I found didn't work, however, was Lauren Kate's annoyingly long-titled one. I've read one of her novels before, and didn't dislike it, but I think this one was too adventurous and detailed for her to work into 20 pages. What was the point of the 'guardian angels'? The different lives? The creature called Bill, which I admittedly found amusing.
The extract of Patrick Ness' More Than This made me want to read the entire novel, though, so I'll definitely be checking that one out later this year.
With the odd exception, I found that the self-contained stories worked better than the extracts. But overall it was an enjoyable dip into the romance genre which I really want to read more of.
One self-contained story that I found didn't work, however, was Lauren Kate's annoyingly long-titled one. I've read one of her novels before, and didn't dislike it, but I think this one was too adventurous and detailed for her to work into 20 pages. What was the point of the 'guardian angels'? The different lives? The creature called Bill, which I admittedly found amusing.
The extract of Patrick Ness' More Than This made me want to read the entire novel, though, so I'll definitely be checking that one out later this year.
katieb94's review
3.0
Wasn't what I expected it to be but I enjoyed it nonetheless and my favourite story after finishing is still the story of tumblr and the Sherlock fandom. I also liked that the book focuses on a lot of LGBT issues.
Full review is here:https://sherlockianbooklover.wordpress.com/2015/04/29/book-review-love-hurts-by-malorie-blackman/
Full review is here:https://sherlockianbooklover.wordpress.com/2015/04/29/book-review-love-hurts-by-malorie-blackman/
collyofthewobbles's review
2.0
I received this from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book. It is my true opinion only.
I feel I should warn everyone coming to this book expecting it to be a Valentine version of
[b:My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories|20309175|My True Love Gave to Me Twelve Holiday Stories|Stephanie Perkins|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1401809311s/20309175.jpg|28143699]
It is not that.
I think it has been publicized in a misleading way. I expected new stories from the best of YA/Contemporary authors. Instead this is a collection of snippets taken from said authors already bestselling published books. Chosen by [a:Malorie Blackman|172977|Malorie Blackman|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1258760862p2/172977.jpg] to show modern star-crossed lovers. This was a little disappointing.
That being said, if publicized right, I think this book is an excellent way to be introduced to some of the best YA writers around and their best known work.
It is a showcase of their best work and will entice you to carry on reading, and purchase such books as. [b:If I Stay|4374400|If I Stay (If I Stay, #1)|Gayle Forman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347462970s/4374400.jpg|4422413] by Gayle Forman, [b:Trouble|18138917|Trouble|Non Pratt|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1380372541s/18138917.jpg|25482435] by Non Pratt and [b:I Am the Messenger|19057|I Am the Messenger|Markus Zusak|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1398483261s/19057.jpg|2737065] by Markus Zusak just to name a few.
I have read most of these books already, so I glanced at the passages Malorie picked out and then moved on. Some I had not read though and it was nice to get a taste of the books. There is a great deal of diversity in the book, from LGBT to Disability and Race. I was very pleased with this, it’s nice to see a genre really stretching its legs and dealing with different subjects.
There is some original material in it, by [a:Malorie Blackman|172977|Malorie Blackman|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1258760862p2/172977.jpg], [a:Laura Dockrill|2743831|Laura Dockrill|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1313070675p2/2743831.jpg], [a:David Levithan|11664|David Levithan|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1208616138p2/11664.jpg], [a:Lauren Kate|2905297|Lauren Kate|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1296679724p2/2905297.jpg] and my particular favourite. Tumbling by [a:Susie Day|1387053|Susie Day|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1250382771p2/1387053.jpg]. An adorable, Sherlockian, Tumblr themed offering featuring FibroMyalgia.
All are very sweet though and what I expected from this book.
All in all, it’s a sweet book, opening you up to the world of YA and a great read for Valentine.
I feel I should warn everyone coming to this book expecting it to be a Valentine version of
[b:My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories|20309175|My True Love Gave to Me Twelve Holiday Stories|Stephanie Perkins|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1401809311s/20309175.jpg|28143699]
It is not that.
I think it has been publicized in a misleading way. I expected new stories from the best of YA/Contemporary authors. Instead this is a collection of snippets taken from said authors already bestselling published books. Chosen by [a:Malorie Blackman|172977|Malorie Blackman|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1258760862p2/172977.jpg] to show modern star-crossed lovers. This was a little disappointing.
That being said, if publicized right, I think this book is an excellent way to be introduced to some of the best YA writers around and their best known work.
It is a showcase of their best work and will entice you to carry on reading, and purchase such books as. [b:If I Stay|4374400|If I Stay (If I Stay, #1)|Gayle Forman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1347462970s/4374400.jpg|4422413] by Gayle Forman, [b:Trouble|18138917|Trouble|Non Pratt|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1380372541s/18138917.jpg|25482435] by Non Pratt and [b:I Am the Messenger|19057|I Am the Messenger|Markus Zusak|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1398483261s/19057.jpg|2737065] by Markus Zusak just to name a few.
I have read most of these books already, so I glanced at the passages Malorie picked out and then moved on. Some I had not read though and it was nice to get a taste of the books. There is a great deal of diversity in the book, from LGBT to Disability and Race. I was very pleased with this, it’s nice to see a genre really stretching its legs and dealing with different subjects.
There is some original material in it, by [a:Malorie Blackman|172977|Malorie Blackman|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1258760862p2/172977.jpg], [a:Laura Dockrill|2743831|Laura Dockrill|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1313070675p2/2743831.jpg], [a:David Levithan|11664|David Levithan|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1208616138p2/11664.jpg], [a:Lauren Kate|2905297|Lauren Kate|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1296679724p2/2905297.jpg] and my particular favourite. Tumbling by [a:Susie Day|1387053|Susie Day|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1250382771p2/1387053.jpg]. An adorable, Sherlockian, Tumblr themed offering featuring FibroMyalgia.
All are very sweet though and what I expected from this book.
All in all, it’s a sweet book, opening you up to the world of YA and a great read for Valentine.
sofiasaghir's review
3.0
As this is a book of short stories and extracts, I will be approaching my review similarly to the way that I approached my review for My True Love Gave to Me and I will be reviewing each story/extract seperately and then giving my overall opinion of the book. However, as there are 24 stories/extracts, each review will only be a few lines or maybe even one. I couldn’t think of a better way to organise my reviews.
Read more at: https://thereadingfangirl.wordpress.com/2015/01/29/love-hurts-edited-by-malorie-blackman/
Read more at: https://thereadingfangirl.wordpress.com/2015/01/29/love-hurts-edited-by-malorie-blackman/
rachelverna's review
3.0
Authors that have original short stories are Malorie Blackman, Susie Day, Laura Dockrill, Catherine Johnson and James Dawson.
Two other shorts appear but were published in other books before:
David Levithan's Miss Lucy had a Steamboat and Lauren Kate's Endless Love: The Valentine of Daniel and Lucinda (Part of the Fallen Series).
Everyone else just has extracts from one of their books in here.
I wrote an actual review on my blog.
Two other shorts appear but were published in other books before:
David Levithan's Miss Lucy had a Steamboat and Lauren Kate's Endless Love: The Valentine of Daniel and Lucinda (Part of the Fallen Series).
Everyone else just has extracts from one of their books in here.
I wrote an actual review on my blog.
laurenjamesauthor's review
I was a bit disappointed in this book because I thought it was a collection of short stories like MY TRUE LOVE GAVE TO ME. Instead it's extracts from existing books by these authors, with one original story by Malorie Blackman. I really wasn't interested in reading scenes from random books without any backstory or connection to the characters. Not my thing.
divinefolly's review
3.0
Humming Through My Fingers | Malorie Blackman: 3.5☆
More Than This | Patrick Ness: 3.5☆ - Way too short but it makes me want to read more :)
The Infinite Moment Of Us | Lauren Myracle: 2.5☆
If I Stay | Gayle Foreman: 4☆
Tumbling | Susie Day: 5☆
Trouble | Non Pratt: 3.5☆
Rani And Sukh | Bali Rai: 1☆
You Against Me | Jenny Downham: 0.5☆
13 Little Blue Envelopes | Maureen Johnson: 2☆
Junk | Melvin Burgess: 0.5☆
Noughts & Crosses: 5☆ - Holy Patootie I NEED TO READ THIS ENTIRE SERIES RIGHT NOW
Gentlewoman | Laura Dockrill: 5☆ - So beautiful!
Heroic | Phil Earle: 3☆
Miss Lucy Had A Steamboat | David Levithan: 4☆
I Am The Messenger | Markus Zusak: 5☆
Grasshopper Jungle | Andrew Smith: 4☆
Echo Boy | Matt Haig: 3.5☆
Forbidden | Tabitha Suzuma: 4.5☆
Endless Love | Lauren Kate: 2.5☆
Midwinterblood | Marcus Sedgwick: 0.5☆
The Liar's Girl | Catherine Johnson: 4☆
The Unicorn | James Dawson: 3☆
Northern Lights | Philip Pullman: 0.5☆
We Were Liars | E. Lockhart: 4☆
More Than This | Patrick Ness: 3.5☆ - Way too short but it makes me want to read more :)
The Infinite Moment Of Us | Lauren Myracle: 2.5☆
If I Stay | Gayle Foreman: 4☆
Tumbling | Susie Day: 5☆
Trouble | Non Pratt: 3.5☆
Rani And Sukh | Bali Rai: 1☆
You Against Me | Jenny Downham: 0.5☆
13 Little Blue Envelopes | Maureen Johnson: 2☆
Junk | Melvin Burgess: 0.5☆
Noughts & Crosses: 5☆ - Holy Patootie I NEED TO READ THIS ENTIRE SERIES RIGHT NOW
Gentlewoman | Laura Dockrill: 5☆ - So beautiful!
Heroic | Phil Earle: 3☆
Miss Lucy Had A Steamboat | David Levithan: 4☆
I Am The Messenger | Markus Zusak: 5☆
Grasshopper Jungle | Andrew Smith: 4☆
Echo Boy | Matt Haig: 3.5☆
Forbidden | Tabitha Suzuma: 4.5☆
Endless Love | Lauren Kate: 2.5☆
Midwinterblood | Marcus Sedgwick: 0.5☆
The Liar's Girl | Catherine Johnson: 4☆
The Unicorn | James Dawson: 3☆
Northern Lights | Philip Pullman: 0.5☆
We Were Liars | E. Lockhart: 4☆
smay's review
3.0
Who wrote these? The stories in this book were picked by Malorie Blackman, author of the Noughts & Crosses series and many many other YA novels. She gathered stories by the most famous YA authors of today, the likes of Maureen Johnson, Marcus Zusak and E. Lockhart.
How many stories do I need to read? 24. This collection is kind of a biggie. Blackman set out to combine the best stories about love, ranging from the exciting first start to the horrible end. Most of the stories are excerpts from novels, so if you've read those you can skip some. There are also 7 original stories that are definitely worth your time. The stories range from 5 to 30 pages.
What was the least boring story? Gentlewoman by Laura Dockrill was definitely my favorite. It's about a boy who wants to become a girl with the help of modern medicine. His parents are having trouble accepting the change and all the while he is also in love with a girl. Being a transgender lesbian is not an easy thing to admit. Dockrill writes such a powerful story, that it made me want to cry in public. Another good one is David Levithan's Miss Lucy Had a Steamboat about the denouncement of relationships and monogamy. Kind of interesting to see 16-year olds decide that they don't need relationships to have love.
What was the most boring story? I was not a fan of The Liar's Girl by Catherine Johnson. It's written in a strange narrative and tells the story of a girl and a boy, but mostly their families. The boy's father went to the West Indies and met the girl's family and did not so nice things to them. As revenge the mother took her daughter back to London to take revenge on the father with the help of the girl. It lacked feeling and in such a large collection it just couldn't stand out.
Short Story Boring Index: Personally, I find the collection a bit too long so I would say it scores around medium on the Boring Index. I understand that Blackman wanted to showcase her favorite writers and pieces, but there are just too many for this to be a tight collection. Another problem with the excerpts is that you are thrown into the middle of a book and it really takes a while to find solid ground and get into it. But often the stories will be over by then, so you don't really feel the feelings Blackman wants you to feel. That's why the original stories were my favorites, written as self-containing emotional bombs. After a while I did get a bit sick of the whole devotion to romantic love, but I think that as a teenager I would have been swooning all over the place. With this collection Malorie Blackman set out to excite her readers to look up the authors and books and read them. I do think she did a great job at that as my TBR pile expanded quite a bit!
We received an ARC from the publisher Corgi Childrens through Netgalley. Love Hurts will be published on the 29th of January 2015.
How many stories do I need to read? 24. This collection is kind of a biggie. Blackman set out to combine the best stories about love, ranging from the exciting first start to the horrible end. Most of the stories are excerpts from novels, so if you've read those you can skip some. There are also 7 original stories that are definitely worth your time. The stories range from 5 to 30 pages.
What was the least boring story? Gentlewoman by Laura Dockrill was definitely my favorite. It's about a boy who wants to become a girl with the help of modern medicine. His parents are having trouble accepting the change and all the while he is also in love with a girl. Being a transgender lesbian is not an easy thing to admit. Dockrill writes such a powerful story, that it made me want to cry in public. Another good one is David Levithan's Miss Lucy Had a Steamboat about the denouncement of relationships and monogamy. Kind of interesting to see 16-year olds decide that they don't need relationships to have love.
What was the most boring story? I was not a fan of The Liar's Girl by Catherine Johnson. It's written in a strange narrative and tells the story of a girl and a boy, but mostly their families. The boy's father went to the West Indies and met the girl's family and did not so nice things to them. As revenge the mother took her daughter back to London to take revenge on the father with the help of the girl. It lacked feeling and in such a large collection it just couldn't stand out.
Short Story Boring Index: Personally, I find the collection a bit too long so I would say it scores around medium on the Boring Index. I understand that Blackman wanted to showcase her favorite writers and pieces, but there are just too many for this to be a tight collection. Another problem with the excerpts is that you are thrown into the middle of a book and it really takes a while to find solid ground and get into it. But often the stories will be over by then, so you don't really feel the feelings Blackman wants you to feel. That's why the original stories were my favorites, written as self-containing emotional bombs. After a while I did get a bit sick of the whole devotion to romantic love, but I think that as a teenager I would have been swooning all over the place. With this collection Malorie Blackman set out to excite her readers to look up the authors and books and read them. I do think she did a great job at that as my TBR pile expanded quite a bit!
We received an ARC from the publisher Corgi Childrens through Netgalley. Love Hurts will be published on the 29th of January 2015.