Scan barcode
A review by paperbackd
Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions by Melissa Marr, Kelley Armstrong, Rachel Caine
4.0
Since Kelley Armstrong announced this anthology I've wanted to get my hands on it and now that I've finally read it I can say that it more than met my expectations. I'm usually wary of buying anthologies, because they always seem to be a mixed bag - some stories leave you wanting so much more while others leave you wondering why you bothered to read them in the first place. But with such a fantastic line-up of authors, Enthralled was perfection from start to finish. Here's my (non-spoilery!) take on each story:
Giovanni's Farewell by Claudia Grey - A sweet story featuring a handsome, mild-mannered ghost and two twins trying to come to terms with their newfound supernatural gifts. I haven't read any of Grey's work before now, but this story definitely piqued my interest! 4 stars.
Scenic Route by Carrie Ryan - Beautifully dark story of family and loyalty set in the world of Carrie Ryan's The Forest of Hands and Teeth series. As a huge fan of Ryan's zombie apocalypse novels Scenic Route was definitely one of my favourites of the entire anthology. 5 stars.
Red Run by Kami Garcia - A richly atmospheric ghost story in which not everything is as it seems. A lovely addition from one of my favourite YA authors. 4 stars.
Things About Love by Jackson Pearce - Another favourite, although I haven't read As You Wish (the story from which this one originates). Pearce tells the tale of a naive young djinn trying to understand the human condition of love. Very interested in reading more from this author! 5 stars.
Niederwald by Rachel Vincent - A quick detour to Niederwald, a town of Harpies, quickly turns sour for Sabine and Emma of Vincent's Soul Screamers series. Might have to bump this one up a few notches on my to-buy list. 3 stars.
Merely Mortal by Melissa Marr - Perhaps the only story I was underwhelmed by. I've heard great things about Marr's Wicked Lovely series but I wasn't impressed by this snapshot. 2 stars.
Facing Facts by Kelley Armstrong - Okay, I admit it. I brought this anthology for Facing Facts alone and I skipped straight to this one as soon as it arrived. And even if the rest of the anthology had been terrible it would've been completely worth it! As a huge fan of Armstrong's Darkest Powers series, this story was everything I could've asked for. Tori's featured heavily in this one. We see Chloe dealing with her guilt over the deaths of Dianne Enright and Dr. Davidoff at the end of The Reckoning. And Chloe and Derek are as adorable as ever. 5 stars!
Let's Get this Undead Show on the Road by Sarah Rees Brennan - A vampire-fronted boy band goes on tour. Yes, it's as hilarious as that summary suggests. 4 stars.
Bridge by Jeri Smith-Ready - A companion story to Smith-Ready's Shade, told in free verse. I have to admit, I'm not sure the style worked, but the story itself was touching. 3 stars.
Skin Contact by Kimberly Derting - It's hard for me to judge this one, as I haven't read the original story Desires of the Dead. But I'm interested in learning more about these characters. 3 stars.
Leaving by Ally Condie - A very powerful sci-fi/dystopian piece. This story reminded me why I loved Ally Condie's Matched and why I'm looking forward to reading more from her. 4 stars.
At The Late Night, Double Feature, Picture Show by Jessica Verday - Can't you just tell from the title that this is a good one? Featuring flesh-eating Girl Scouts and vampires in drag, complete with Rocky Horror references. I wasn't expecting to love this one, as I'm not a fan of Verday's but I was pleasantly surprised. 4 stars.
IV League by Margaret Stohl - A couple of poorly educated vampire teens attempt to trick their way into Harvard. 3 stars.
Gargouille by Mary E. Pearson - A beautifully written story of love and self-sacrifice. Pearson's mythological world is gorgeously atmospheric and I'm looking forward to reading more from her! 5 stars.
The Third Kind by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - This is one of those short stories that I really wish could be made into a full-length story. With multiple sequels. Two sisters take a road trip to San Antonio. They don't know what waits for them at their destination but they know it's vital they make there alive. 5 stars.
Automatic by Rachel Caine - A soda machine full of canned blood is set up to meet the ever-growing demand for the vampires of Morganville. Chaos ensues. 3 stars.
Giovanni's Farewell by Claudia Grey - A sweet story featuring a handsome, mild-mannered ghost and two twins trying to come to terms with their newfound supernatural gifts. I haven't read any of Grey's work before now, but this story definitely piqued my interest! 4 stars.
Scenic Route by Carrie Ryan - Beautifully dark story of family and loyalty set in the world of Carrie Ryan's The Forest of Hands and Teeth series. As a huge fan of Ryan's zombie apocalypse novels Scenic Route was definitely one of my favourites of the entire anthology. 5 stars.
Red Run by Kami Garcia - A richly atmospheric ghost story in which not everything is as it seems. A lovely addition from one of my favourite YA authors. 4 stars.
Things About Love by Jackson Pearce - Another favourite, although I haven't read As You Wish (the story from which this one originates). Pearce tells the tale of a naive young djinn trying to understand the human condition of love. Very interested in reading more from this author! 5 stars.
Niederwald by Rachel Vincent - A quick detour to Niederwald, a town of Harpies, quickly turns sour for Sabine and Emma of Vincent's Soul Screamers series. Might have to bump this one up a few notches on my to-buy list. 3 stars.
Merely Mortal by Melissa Marr - Perhaps the only story I was underwhelmed by. I've heard great things about Marr's Wicked Lovely series but I wasn't impressed by this snapshot. 2 stars.
Facing Facts by Kelley Armstrong - Okay, I admit it. I brought this anthology for Facing Facts alone and I skipped straight to this one as soon as it arrived. And even if the rest of the anthology had been terrible it would've been completely worth it! As a huge fan of Armstrong's Darkest Powers series, this story was everything I could've asked for. Tori's featured heavily in this one. We see Chloe dealing with her guilt over the deaths of Dianne Enright and Dr. Davidoff at the end of The Reckoning. And Chloe and Derek are as adorable as ever. 5 stars!
Let's Get this Undead Show on the Road by Sarah Rees Brennan - A vampire-fronted boy band goes on tour. Yes, it's as hilarious as that summary suggests. 4 stars.
Bridge by Jeri Smith-Ready - A companion story to Smith-Ready's Shade, told in free verse. I have to admit, I'm not sure the style worked, but the story itself was touching. 3 stars.
Skin Contact by Kimberly Derting - It's hard for me to judge this one, as I haven't read the original story Desires of the Dead. But I'm interested in learning more about these characters. 3 stars.
Leaving by Ally Condie - A very powerful sci-fi/dystopian piece. This story reminded me why I loved Ally Condie's Matched and why I'm looking forward to reading more from her. 4 stars.
At The Late Night, Double Feature, Picture Show by Jessica Verday - Can't you just tell from the title that this is a good one? Featuring flesh-eating Girl Scouts and vampires in drag, complete with Rocky Horror references. I wasn't expecting to love this one, as I'm not a fan of Verday's but I was pleasantly surprised. 4 stars.
IV League by Margaret Stohl - A couple of poorly educated vampire teens attempt to trick their way into Harvard. 3 stars.
Gargouille by Mary E. Pearson - A beautifully written story of love and self-sacrifice. Pearson's mythological world is gorgeously atmospheric and I'm looking forward to reading more from her! 5 stars.
The Third Kind by Jennifer Lynn Barnes - This is one of those short stories that I really wish could be made into a full-length story. With multiple sequels. Two sisters take a road trip to San Antonio. They don't know what waits for them at their destination but they know it's vital they make there alive. 5 stars.
Automatic by Rachel Caine - A soda machine full of canned blood is set up to meet the ever-growing demand for the vampires of Morganville. Chaos ensues. 3 stars.