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A review by mx_manda
Creepy Court Vol 1: A Monster Mall Anthology by Beatrix Hollow, Evangeline Priest, Vera Valentine, Clio Evans, Latrexa Nova, Sabrina Day, S.J. Sanders
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
The first half of this anthology is pleasantly surprising, solid.
1. Playing Mantis- Clio Evans: 4 stars
Quick, ridiculous, and bonkers in a fun way. Started off this anthology with some candy.
2. Frankie's Funhouse- Beatrix Hollow: 5 stars
I would argue this is the best story of the first half. Very dark. Definitely read the content warnings on this one.
3. Lost and Found- Vera Valentine: 3.5 stars
M/M, first queer story in the collection. Sweet and cute.
4. Fed After Midnight- Latrexa Nova: 3.5 stars
AAPI story, interesting take on Gremlins. Was ambitious in world building and would have been better for a bit more length and lore explanation, but really entertaining as-is.
5. Play- Sabrina Day: 4 stars
BIPOC. Another ambitious story that I would have loved more length to fully develop the story. A bit confusing. Had a good chuckle at what looks like playful jabs at the pretension of counter cultures in the young.
6. The Monster of Darkspell Comics- SJ Sanders: 3 stars
AAPI. While still an entertaining read, this is the "clunker" of the first half of the batch. Feels tired and dated after reading newer monster romances. SJ can't seem to continue innovating and moving past late 2010's monster and alien romance tropes and formulas.
7. Creepy Pasta- Evangeline Priest: 3 stars
AAPI. Tooth-achingly sweet and fluffy after the first stories in this half. Another story that's fine, but not one of the stronger ones.
1. Playing Mantis- Clio Evans: 4 stars
Quick, ridiculous, and bonkers in a fun way. Started off this anthology with some candy.
2. Frankie's Funhouse- Beatrix Hollow: 5 stars
I would argue this is the best story of the first half. Very dark. Definitely read the content warnings on this one.
3. Lost and Found- Vera Valentine: 3.5 stars
M/M, first queer story in the collection. Sweet and cute.
4. Fed After Midnight- Latrexa Nova: 3.5 stars
AAPI story, interesting take on Gremlins. Was ambitious in world building and would have been better for a bit more length and lore explanation, but really entertaining as-is.
5. Play- Sabrina Day: 4 stars
BIPOC. Another ambitious story that I would have loved more length to fully develop the story. A bit confusing. Had a good chuckle at what looks like playful jabs at the pretension of counter cultures in the young.
6. The Monster of Darkspell Comics- SJ Sanders: 3 stars
AAPI. While still an entertaining read, this is the "clunker" of the first half of the batch. Feels tired and dated after reading newer monster romances. SJ can't seem to continue innovating and moving past late 2010's monster and alien romance tropes and formulas.
7. Creepy Pasta- Evangeline Priest: 3 stars
AAPI. Tooth-achingly sweet and fluffy after the first stories in this half. Another story that's fine, but not one of the stronger ones.