A review by katrinamarie
Grim by Rachel Hawkins, Julie Kagawa

4.0

The Key by Rachel Hawkins: I’m a big fan of Rachel Hawkins, and this story did not disappoint. I didn’t see the ending coming, and I love when that happens. The Key was a great way to start this anthology, and added in the right amount of creepy.

Figment by Jeri Smith-Ready: I loved this story. It’s kind of bittersweet. I like that there is an epilogue included at the end. We get closure from this tale, and it definitely gave me the warm fuzzies.

The Twelfth-Girl by Malinda Lo: This needs to be a full length novel. I loved it, and I have to know more about the lives of the girls at the private school, and the “other” world. The ending totally creeped me out, and I think it could be elaborated on so much more.

The Raven Princess by Jon Skovron: This is another story that left me with warm fuzzies. There’s definitely a moral, and I kind of figured out where this was going early on. That didn’t stop me from enjoying it though.

Thinner Than Water by Saundra Mitchell: First, a disclaimer about this short story, it deals with incest. There isn’t anything graphically explained, but you know it’s going on. I will say after having a hard time reading about the incest, I did end up enjoying this story. The princess takes some great strides in setting things right.

Before the Rose Bloomed by Ellen Hopkins: This just wasn’t for me. I have no problems with writing in prose, but the way the story flowed didn’t work for me.

Beast/Beast by Tessa Gratton: I love Beauty and the Beast retellings, and this one was great. It was eery, and the writing was beautiful.

The Brothers Piggett by Julie Kagawa: When I found out Julie Kagawa was doing a Three Little Pigs retelling I was anxious to know how she was going to do it. I freaking loved this short story. It was a bit predictable, but very enjoyable.

Untethered by Sonia Gensler: Untethered was an okay read for me. I knew what was going to happen from the beginning. I do like Gensler’s writing style, though.

Better by Shaun David Hutchinson: Loved this one. We get a sci-fi feel, and a crazy turn of events at the end. I don’t want to ruin the story, but this is definitely one of my favorites in the anthology.

Light It Up by Kimberly Derting: I didn’t finish this story. It just didn’t keep my attention.

Sharper than a Serpent’s Tongue by Christine Johnson: This one was just odd. I didn’t really see a point to it, and that could be because I don’t know the original tale it was based on.

A Real Boy by Claudia Gray: Probably one of my favorites in the anthology. I love the sci-fi element, and seeing things through new eyes again. There’s something about innocence that gives me the warm fuzzies.

Skin-Trade by Myra McEntire: Creepy, but great. Love Myra McEntire’s writing. This was a great short story!

Beauty and the Chad by Sarah Rees Brennan: I love how Brennan’s writing is always fun and draws you in. The story read like a mix between the Disney movie, and just pure fun.

The Pink by Amanda Hocking: Another in the middle short story for me. I don’t have feelings for it either way.

Sell Out by Jackson Pearce: My first time reading anything by Jackson Pearce, and I wish this was longer! I loved it. I will definitely be reading more of this author.