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A review by nicholeb84
A Tyranny of Petticoats: 15 Stories of Belles, Bank Robbers & Other Badass Girls by Jessica Spotswood
4.0
I don't normally read anthologies, but there was something about this one that interested me. I'm very happy I picked this up.
The Stories:
"Mother Carey's Tale" by J. Anderson Coats. It felt like the beginning of something larger, and I couldn't help but feel like it could have been fleshed out just a bit more. (Maybe another 2-5 pages?) The character didn't grab me, but it was a unique story. 2.5/5 stars.
“The Journey” by Marie Lu - 2.5/5: I enjoyed her writing style in this short story. And, I thought the idea (though nothing too new) was done in a really nice way. I also really liked the main character.
“Madeleine’s Choice” by Jessica Spotswood - 3/5. The writing style was one I enjoyed. (I've never read Jessica Spotswood) But, the overall story was terribly predictable."
“El Destinos” by Leslye Walton: 5/5. A new favorite short story. A great and unique mix of myths and the real world. Beautifully written. I cannot wait to read more stuff from this author.
“High Stakes” by Andrea Cremer: 3.5/5. In a way, it felt like I was dropped into page 30 or so of a much longer novel. A really cool story, that again mixed myths and life. It was a bit cliche, but was enjoyable.
“The Red Raven Ball” by Caroline Tung Richmond: 3/5. Another story that was utterly predictable and even cliche. The writing style somewhat saved it.
“Pearls” by Beth Revis: 4.5/5. Amazing. Helen is an outstanding character, and I wish I could have read more about her and her students.
"Golds in the Roots of the Grass" by Marissa Meyer. 5/5. Wonderfully written and with great characters, too. I think that, so far, this is my favorite. It really left me wanting more. Can we get another short story about Fei-Yen and co?
“The Legendary Garrett Girls” by Y.S. Lee: 3/5. I loved the friendship between the sisters. I would actually like to read about Clara and Lily again, too. However, the overall story did not really hold my interest.
“The Color of the Sky” by Elizabeth Wein: 3/5. A well written story, that I enjoyed. Tony was a great character and it is always cool to see historical events via fictional characters.
“Bonnie and Clyde” by Saundra Mitchell: 3/5. Quick, interesting, and a lot of fun. I would have loved for there to be more of this story.
“Hard Times” by Katherine Longshore: 3/5. Rosie and Billy had a sweet friendship and I enjoyed their story. Could have done without Lloyd.
"City of Angels” by Lindsay Smith: 3/5. Good, but not great. There was something lacking in the story, that I couldn't place.
“Pulse of the Panthers” by Kekla Magoon: 4/5. Sandy and Bobby were great characters and I enjoyed the story a lot.
“The Whole World Is Watching” by Robin Talley: 3.5/5: A really strong story and a great way to end the anthology.
The Stories:
"Mother Carey's Tale" by J. Anderson Coats. It felt like the beginning of something larger, and I couldn't help but feel like it could have been fleshed out just a bit more. (Maybe another 2-5 pages?) The character didn't grab me, but it was a unique story. 2.5/5 stars.
“The Journey” by Marie Lu - 2.5/5: I enjoyed her writing style in this short story. And, I thought the idea (though nothing too new) was done in a really nice way. I also really liked the main character.
“Madeleine’s Choice” by Jessica Spotswood - 3/5. The writing style was one I enjoyed. (I've never read Jessica Spotswood) But, the overall story was terribly predictable."
“El Destinos” by Leslye Walton: 5/5. A new favorite short story. A great and unique mix of myths and the real world. Beautifully written. I cannot wait to read more stuff from this author.
“High Stakes” by Andrea Cremer: 3.5/5. In a way, it felt like I was dropped into page 30 or so of a much longer novel. A really cool story, that again mixed myths and life. It was a bit cliche, but was enjoyable.
“The Red Raven Ball” by Caroline Tung Richmond: 3/5. Another story that was utterly predictable and even cliche. The writing style somewhat saved it.
“Pearls” by Beth Revis: 4.5/5. Amazing. Helen is an outstanding character, and I wish I could have read more about her and her students.
"Golds in the Roots of the Grass" by Marissa Meyer. 5/5. Wonderfully written and with great characters, too. I think that, so far, this is my favorite. It really left me wanting more. Can we get another short story about Fei-Yen and co?
“The Legendary Garrett Girls” by Y.S. Lee: 3/5. I loved the friendship between the sisters. I would actually like to read about Clara and Lily again, too. However, the overall story did not really hold my interest.
“The Color of the Sky” by Elizabeth Wein: 3/5. A well written story, that I enjoyed. Tony was a great character and it is always cool to see historical events via fictional characters.
“Bonnie and Clyde” by Saundra Mitchell: 3/5. Quick, interesting, and a lot of fun. I would have loved for there to be more of this story.
“Hard Times” by Katherine Longshore: 3/5. Rosie and Billy had a sweet friendship and I enjoyed their story. Could have done without Lloyd.
"City of Angels” by Lindsay Smith: 3/5. Good, but not great. There was something lacking in the story, that I couldn't place.
“Pulse of the Panthers” by Kekla Magoon: 4/5. Sandy and Bobby were great characters and I enjoyed the story a lot.
“The Whole World Is Watching” by Robin Talley: 3.5/5: A really strong story and a great way to end the anthology.