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sophieconstable 's review for:
After: Nineteen Stories of Apocalypse and Dystopia
by Ellen Datlow, Terri Windling
I did like this one though a few of the stories were disappointments. I have written mini reviews for each story to help anyone thinking about reading this.
The segment by Genevieve Valentine:
I liked this one and it had a startling twist in the plot that I didn't see coming! The whole acting agency thing was a different idea but I never quite knew what the disaster was. This let the story down a little bit. Four stars.
After the cure by Carrie Ryan:
I really liked this one. The plot was creepy and it did keep you wondering. I loved how it was zombies that brought about the end of the world and that there was a cure meaning we were in the shoes of someone who used to be a zombie. It was very different and I really liked the ending and the slight hope that it portrayed. Five stars.
Valedictorian by N.K Jemisin:
I liked this one. It was very unusual and I liked the characters. I was a bit confused about the whole world thing as it was never exactly clear what the disaster was. It read a bit like an extract from a longer story as well. Four stars.
Visiting Nelson by Katherine Langrish:
I liked this one. The characters were nice and I liked how the story revolves around one event. However I was never quite sure what the disaster was. The ending also left me with the impression that it was the first part of a larger story. Four stars.
All I know of freedom by Carol Emshwiller:
I loved this one. It was unique and I loved the conspiracy people. They were a wonderful addition. I also loved the main character who made her own decisions that led to the ending that was rather bittersweet. Five stars.
The other elder by Beth Revis:
I really liked this one. I loved how the main character was learning new things at the same time that we did which added intrigue. I also loved how morals were called into question. I was a bit confused by the ending as all of a sudden we seemed to switch POVs. Four stars.
The great game at the end of the world by Matthew Kressel:
I don't exactly know how I feel about this one. It's definitely unique and I loved how we switched from Before and After. However I just felt like something was missing all the way through. Three stars.
Reunion by Susan Beth Pfeffer:
I really liked this one. I loved how we were mainly kept in the dark all the way through until the end when what was really happening was revealed. Looking back on it though it was very info dumpy. Four stars.
Blood drive by Jeffrey Ford:
I loved this one. It seemed like something that could really happen especially when we look at the current state of American politics. I also loved the two girls going to Prom together. That was a cute touch which led to a cute ending. Five stars.
Reality girl by Richard Bowes:
This was a slightly confusing one. I never felt like I fully understood what was going on and kept having to go back. However it did have a good plot and good characters. Three stars.
How Th'irth wint rong by Hapless Joey @homeskool.guv by Gregory Maguire:
I don't know how to feel about this one. It's definitely original but because of the fact that it was supposed to be written by someone who can't spell I found it hard to read. Once I deciphered it though it was rather good. Three stars.
Rust with wings by Stephen Gould:
This one was quite good. It was very action packed and the characters were forced to think on their feet. I also liked how they didn't know exactly what was going on. Four stars.
Faint heart by Sarah Rees Brennan:
I loved this one. The characters were amazing and I loved the premise. It was exciting and well crafted. I also loved the ending! Five stars.
The easthound by Nalo Hopkinson:
I quite liked this one. It was rather confusing at the beginning but it did get better. Nothing really made it stand out but it was a very enjoyable read. Three stars.
Gray by Jane Nolan:
This one was a poem that I had to read quite a few times. However it was pretty good. I did like it. Not quite sure how dystopian it is though. Four stars.
Before by Carolyn Dunn:
This one was quite boring. Not much really happened and I couldn't get attached to any of the characters. Two stars.
Fake plastic trees by Caitlin R. Kiernan:
This one was okay if slightly confusing. It mainly stayed at the same pace throughout and not much exactly happened. I did like the characters though. Three stars.
You won't feel a thing by Garth Nix:
This one felt a little bit too much like Fantasy. It didn't seem to fit the theme even though I really liked it. However this might be because I haven't read the book it's set in the same world as. Four stars.
The marker by Cecil Castellucci:
I loved this one. It was unique and special and I loved how morals were called into question. It fit really well with the story. Five stars.
Overall I quite liked this book and enjoyed most of the stories.
The segment by Genevieve Valentine:
I liked this one and it had a startling twist in the plot that I didn't see coming! The whole acting agency thing was a different idea but I never quite knew what the disaster was. This let the story down a little bit. Four stars.
After the cure by Carrie Ryan:
I really liked this one. The plot was creepy and it did keep you wondering. I loved how it was zombies that brought about the end of the world and that there was a cure meaning we were in the shoes of someone who used to be a zombie. It was very different and I really liked the ending and the slight hope that it portrayed. Five stars.
Valedictorian by N.K Jemisin:
I liked this one. It was very unusual and I liked the characters. I was a bit confused about the whole world thing as it was never exactly clear what the disaster was. It read a bit like an extract from a longer story as well. Four stars.
Visiting Nelson by Katherine Langrish:
I liked this one. The characters were nice and I liked how the story revolves around one event. However I was never quite sure what the disaster was. The ending also left me with the impression that it was the first part of a larger story. Four stars.
All I know of freedom by Carol Emshwiller:
I loved this one. It was unique and I loved the conspiracy people. They were a wonderful addition. I also loved the main character who made her own decisions that led to the ending that was rather bittersweet. Five stars.
The other elder by Beth Revis:
I really liked this one. I loved how the main character was learning new things at the same time that we did which added intrigue. I also loved how morals were called into question. I was a bit confused by the ending as all of a sudden we seemed to switch POVs. Four stars.
The great game at the end of the world by Matthew Kressel:
I don't exactly know how I feel about this one. It's definitely unique and I loved how we switched from Before and After. However I just felt like something was missing all the way through. Three stars.
Reunion by Susan Beth Pfeffer:
I really liked this one. I loved how we were mainly kept in the dark all the way through until the end when what was really happening was revealed. Looking back on it though it was very info dumpy. Four stars.
Blood drive by Jeffrey Ford:
I loved this one. It seemed like something that could really happen especially when we look at the current state of American politics. I also loved the two girls going to Prom together. That was a cute touch which led to a cute ending. Five stars.
Reality girl by Richard Bowes:
This was a slightly confusing one. I never felt like I fully understood what was going on and kept having to go back. However it did have a good plot and good characters. Three stars.
How Th'irth wint rong by Hapless Joey @homeskool.guv by Gregory Maguire:
I don't know how to feel about this one. It's definitely original but because of the fact that it was supposed to be written by someone who can't spell I found it hard to read. Once I deciphered it though it was rather good. Three stars.
Rust with wings by Stephen Gould:
This one was quite good. It was very action packed and the characters were forced to think on their feet. I also liked how they didn't know exactly what was going on. Four stars.
Faint heart by Sarah Rees Brennan:
I loved this one. The characters were amazing and I loved the premise. It was exciting and well crafted. I also loved the ending! Five stars.
The easthound by Nalo Hopkinson:
I quite liked this one. It was rather confusing at the beginning but it did get better. Nothing really made it stand out but it was a very enjoyable read. Three stars.
Gray by Jane Nolan:
This one was a poem that I had to read quite a few times. However it was pretty good. I did like it. Not quite sure how dystopian it is though. Four stars.
Before by Carolyn Dunn:
This one was quite boring. Not much really happened and I couldn't get attached to any of the characters. Two stars.
Fake plastic trees by Caitlin R. Kiernan:
This one was okay if slightly confusing. It mainly stayed at the same pace throughout and not much exactly happened. I did like the characters though. Three stars.
You won't feel a thing by Garth Nix:
This one felt a little bit too much like Fantasy. It didn't seem to fit the theme even though I really liked it. However this might be because I haven't read the book it's set in the same world as. Four stars.
The marker by Cecil Castellucci:
I loved this one. It was unique and special and I loved how morals were called into question. It fit really well with the story. Five stars.
Overall I quite liked this book and enjoyed most of the stories.