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sarasoleil's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
An excellent collection of short stories ranging from horror to sci-fi written by Asian women who have a story they need to tell, and they all do it so uniquely. Each of these stories has a message and they're told from a variety of lenses. Different POVs, different writing styles, different cultural takes, and while I wasn't fond of every single one, they all left me thinking and appreciating the writing.
It's hard to pick a favorite, so I won't. "Skin Dowdy" by Angela Yuriko Smith stuck out to me differently than anything else I've ever read. Its concepts are so real in how people try and change for others rather than themselves, and it often leads to negative consequences.
"The Ninth Tale" by Rena Mason was dark and fun, everything that it should have been.
"Frangipani Wishes" by Lee Murray tells a story about ghosts and how they haunt us, and the writing was so beautiful and unique. I absolutely love it.
An amazing read and one I will not hesitate to recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for giving me access to this!
It's hard to pick a favorite, so I won't. "Skin Dowdy" by Angela Yuriko Smith stuck out to me differently than anything else I've ever read. Its concepts are so real in how people try and change for others rather than themselves, and it often leads to negative consequences.
"The Ninth Tale" by Rena Mason was dark and fun, everything that it should have been.
"Frangipani Wishes" by Lee Murray tells a story about ghosts and how they haunt us, and the writing was so beautiful and unique. I absolutely love it.
An amazing read and one I will not hesitate to recommend!
Thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for giving me access to this!
thedreadcat's review
4.0
The Genetic Alchemist’s Daughter by Elaine Cuyegkeng: 5
Kapre: A Love Story by Rin Chupeco: 4
A Pet is for Life by Geneve Flynn: 4
Phoenix Claws by Lee Murray: 3.5
Of Hunger and Fury by Grace Chan: 3
Skin Dowdy by Angela Yuriko Smith: 4
Truth is Order and Order is Truth by Nadia Bulkin: 2
Rites of Passage by Gabriela Lee: 4
The Ninth Tale by Rena Mason: 4
Vanilla Rice by Angela Yuriko Smith: 3.5
Fury by Christina Sng: 2
The Mark by Grace Chan: 4
Frangipani Wishes by Lee Murray: 3.5
Little Worm by Geneve Flynn: 5
51.5 / 14 = 3.67 rounding up to 4
Kapre: A Love Story by Rin Chupeco: 4
A Pet is for Life by Geneve Flynn: 4
Phoenix Claws by Lee Murray: 3.5
Of Hunger and Fury by Grace Chan: 3
Skin Dowdy by Angela Yuriko Smith: 4
Truth is Order and Order is Truth by Nadia Bulkin: 2
Rites of Passage by Gabriela Lee: 4
The Ninth Tale by Rena Mason: 4
Vanilla Rice by Angela Yuriko Smith: 3.5
Fury by Christina Sng: 2
The Mark by Grace Chan: 4
Frangipani Wishes by Lee Murray: 3.5
Little Worm by Geneve Flynn: 5
51.5 / 14 = 3.67 rounding up to 4
kpkulski's review against another edition
5.0
Powerful. As a half Korean woman, this collection resonated on a very personal level. These stories are often painful as they are about strength, they are just as much about cultural confusion-- confusion of loyalty and how to be loyal to family and self... as well as about clarity. About feeling hollow and how otherness plays a role in each aspect. It is also contains damn good horror stories that include monsters, lore and ghosts that are not often brought to English speaking audiences. I loved it and is it one of those works that will now occupy a very meaningful place on my shelf of books that left not just a mark but an influence.
mgsardina's review against another edition
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
she_who_reads_'s review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
alexiusr's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
stephctopping's review against another edition
4.0
Most of these stories are DOPE, but a few sucked hard, so, 4 stars.
sherrise's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
beesreadings's review against another edition
4.0
3.9/5
Black Cranes is a short story anthology written by Asian women and their gripping take on the stereotypes that they’ve seen their entire lives blended in with legends and myths and it didn’t disappoint. I didn’t read this book in one go. I took my time with each story and even though I clearly have favourites, each story left something stirring in me. I think this book is a take on horror literature at its best as every story punches you in the gut and makes you think, relate and dread. As an Asian woman myself, a lot of stuff in here was relatable, especially accepting and/or moving away from your culture and diaspora experiences. Would love to check out the writing of each author in this collection. All in all, this book was both a delightful and eerie read.
Black Cranes is a short story anthology written by Asian women and their gripping take on the stereotypes that they’ve seen their entire lives blended in with legends and myths and it didn’t disappoint. I didn’t read this book in one go. I took my time with each story and even though I clearly have favourites, each story left something stirring in me. I think this book is a take on horror literature at its best as every story punches you in the gut and makes you think, relate and dread. As an Asian woman myself, a lot of stuff in here was relatable, especially accepting and/or moving away from your culture and diaspora experiences. Would love to check out the writing of each author in this collection. All in all, this book was both a delightful and eerie read.
evavroslin's review against another edition
5.0
Alma Katsu's foreword at the beginning of this anthology is a gripping take on the stereotypes that Asian women have grappled with their entire lives, from the trope of being seen as subservient Geishas to the Dragon Lady, overtly sexualized, and the views of other problematic lenses. She speaks of depersonalization, of family expectations, waiting hand and foot on men in the family, the obligation to parents, but particularly expectations of daughters. This resonated deeply with me as my cultural background also contains many of the same expectations. In spite of all of this cultural weight, Katsu rightly points out that Asian women can be scientists, warrior princesses, fierce fighters, or vengeful spirits. "We can be many things. The only thing we can't be is defeated."
With this stunning introduction, we launch into one of the best horror anthologies of the year, and it sets an incredibly high benchmark. For horror fans who grumble that women "can't" write extreme horror or that women "can't" write scary stories, please shove this book into their faces because not only are the stories well-crafted, dark, and terrifying, they are unique, original, and follow unconventional storytelling patterns that are marvelous. These stories are exquisite and a testament to how many talented South Asian women are writing horror and dark fantasy--women with roots in Japan, China, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and more as well as the diasporas they're part of.
Rather than go through story by story and provide my gushing thoughts on how I adored so many of these stories, I want to encourage readers to discover the tales for themselves--to marvel at the unique mythologies, belief systems, and things that plague these characters. I do want to give a special mention -- having been a huge fan of Christina Sng's poetry for such a long time, it was a treat to see more of her long-form fiction, and her piece, "Fury," is impeccable. I do also want to call attention to "Phoenix Claws" by Lee Murray, which is my new favourite story by her. You have to discover for yourself why it's so unforgettable and horrific. I loved it, as well as her second piece, "Frangipani Wishes," which has a more sombre, tragic energy, and poetry mixed in. Definitely add this book to your TBR pile, because it will be one of the most memorable anthologies you'll read this year.
With this stunning introduction, we launch into one of the best horror anthologies of the year, and it sets an incredibly high benchmark. For horror fans who grumble that women "can't" write extreme horror or that women "can't" write scary stories, please shove this book into their faces because not only are the stories well-crafted, dark, and terrifying, they are unique, original, and follow unconventional storytelling patterns that are marvelous. These stories are exquisite and a testament to how many talented South Asian women are writing horror and dark fantasy--women with roots in Japan, China, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, and more as well as the diasporas they're part of.
Rather than go through story by story and provide my gushing thoughts on how I adored so many of these stories, I want to encourage readers to discover the tales for themselves--to marvel at the unique mythologies, belief systems, and things that plague these characters. I do want to give a special mention -- having been a huge fan of Christina Sng's poetry for such a long time, it was a treat to see more of her long-form fiction, and her piece, "Fury," is impeccable. I do also want to call attention to "Phoenix Claws" by Lee Murray, which is my new favourite story by her. You have to discover for yourself why it's so unforgettable and horrific. I loved it, as well as her second piece, "Frangipani Wishes," which has a more sombre, tragic energy, and poetry mixed in. Definitely add this book to your TBR pile, because it will be one of the most memorable anthologies you'll read this year.