Scan barcode
A review by cait26
Carniepunk by Nicole D. Peeler, Jennifer Estep, Hillary Jacques, Seanan McGuire, Jaye Wells, Delilah S. Dawson, Kelly Meding, Rob Thurman, Jackie Kessler, Allison Pang, Kevin Hearne, Kelly Gay, Mark Henry, Rachel Caine
3.0
This review is for the overall structure (once finished) and story of Carniepunk as well as separate reviews for each of the short stories in the anthology. This anthology has a collection of stories centered around events in or involved with the Carnival and are by scifi/fantasy writers. I also provided rating for each story.
A note, I have only read stories from Kevin Hearne therefore any short stories that are a part of other series I will not be reviewing them based off of their connection and furthering of story for that series.
“Painted Love” by Rob Thurman ****
The first thing I noticed was the quick and smooth writing style, which I loved. The narrator is very mysterious and Thurman does a great job of giving a little bit of information about the narrator and the world that they live in. The narrator is named Doodle who sees the world by tagging along with strangers. But the stranger that Doodle picks this time is not what Doodle wanted and has to make a decision. Overall I really enjoyed this short story and the writing; I would continue to read about Doodle or other stories by Thurman.
“The Three Lives of Lydia” by Delilah S. Dawson ***
I enjoyed this short story. The World of Sang seems very interesting and intriguing. I am curious to see how this story fitted into the Blud series. The narrator is Lydia and far more complicated and complex than I had originally thought at the beginning of the story. This short story also had an interesting commentary on life, death, and other realities.
“The Demon Barker of Wheat Street” by Kevin Hearne *****
I really enjoyed this short story. I love these characters and could read about their adventures forever. This story picks up several years after Tricked when Granuaile, Atticus, and Oberon go to Kansas to see how Granuaile’s mom is doing. While there, they stop at a Carnival and things are not what they seem. An enjoyable read for fans of the Iron Druid Chronicles but it does hold spoilers for anyone who has not read the Iron Druid Chronicles. So be aware that there are spoilers if you are looking at starting to read the Iron Druid Chronicles.
“The Sweeter the Juice” by Mark Henry *
I did not enjoy this short story. I thought the concept was interesting but I never took to the main character nor did I find myself enjoying the story. I do enjoy zombie stories and like I mentioned before, this has an interesting concept but it was not executed in a way I would ever read it again. I almost didn’t even finish it in the first place.
A note, I have only read stories from Kevin Hearne therefore any short stories that are a part of other series I will not be reviewing them based off of their connection and furthering of story for that series.
“Painted Love” by Rob Thurman ****
The first thing I noticed was the quick and smooth writing style, which I loved. The narrator is very mysterious and Thurman does a great job of giving a little bit of information about the narrator and the world that they live in. The narrator is named Doodle who sees the world by tagging along with strangers. But the stranger that Doodle picks this time is not what Doodle wanted and has to make a decision. Overall I really enjoyed this short story and the writing; I would continue to read about Doodle or other stories by Thurman.
“The Three Lives of Lydia” by Delilah S. Dawson ***
I enjoyed this short story. The World of Sang seems very interesting and intriguing. I am curious to see how this story fitted into the Blud series. The narrator is Lydia and far more complicated and complex than I had originally thought at the beginning of the story. This short story also had an interesting commentary on life, death, and other realities.
“The Demon Barker of Wheat Street” by Kevin Hearne *****
I really enjoyed this short story. I love these characters and could read about their adventures forever. This story picks up several years after Tricked when Granuaile, Atticus, and Oberon go to Kansas to see how Granuaile’s mom is doing. While there, they stop at a Carnival and things are not what they seem. An enjoyable read for fans of the Iron Druid Chronicles but it does hold spoilers for anyone who has not read the Iron Druid Chronicles. So be aware that there are spoilers if you are looking at starting to read the Iron Druid Chronicles.
“The Sweeter the Juice” by Mark Henry *
I did not enjoy this short story. I thought the concept was interesting but I never took to the main character nor did I find myself enjoying the story. I do enjoy zombie stories and like I mentioned before, this has an interesting concept but it was not executed in a way I would ever read it again. I almost didn’t even finish it in the first place.