hel_reads_etc 's review for:

The House of Illusionists: and Other Stories by Vanessa Fogg

5.0

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: N/A

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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This collection of short stories has been nothing short of enthralling. From the very first sentence, I was hooked. Each story pulls you into a completely unique world, speculative, futuristic, at times sci-fi-esque. Yet all are grounded in human themes of connection and meaning.

There’s usually not much time to get attached to characters in short fiction, but this collection is a huge exception. Fogg’s incredible skill and talent made me feel like I really knew them and I was truly invested in their stories. This often left me stunned, for the characters, when each story ended. I’d find myself desperate for just one more page to explain the cliffhanger that never comes. That’s the magic of Fogg’s writing: it’s sharp, rich, and leaves an impression that lingers long after the final sentence. I’ve genuinely found a new favourite author in Fogg, someone who builds wonder and ache into every story.

"Sweetest," "Of Milk and Blood," and "Wings" were standout stories for me—but honestly, the entire collection is amazing.