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A review by btwnprintedpgs
Eternally Yours by Patrice Caldwell
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
I love anthologies, but, as with any anthology, this one had its strong and weak stories. I particularly loved the stories that had multiple perspectives, as the authors managed to convey characters, relationship development, and world building best in those short stories. In contrast, I found a lot of these stories, when told in a more classic storytelling style, they felt unfinished a insta-lovey. That's not to say I didn't love any of them, but I feel like with short form narratives, you need to be creative with your storytelling to truly capture everything you want to.
Anyways, here are a some one line reviews for each story:
<b>Undead Ghoul Meet-Cute by Kendare Blake</b>
A silly short story about a ghoul and a head sightseeing. Love at first attempted murder is a new one, but I liked the quirkiness and the potential.
TW: death, blood, murder, injury detail; mentions death of a grandparent
<b>A Thousand More by Chloe Gong</b>
I never know how to feel about stories like these where immortals find their way to each other in every lifetime. I feel like this was a sort of history lesson but I just didn't feel like the two MCs were developed well enough in their current life let alone their past lives.
TW: mentions war, violence, death, suicide
<b>Who Will Save Me by Julian Winters</b>
I adored this short story. I appreciated the tension, the character development, and the reveals. It felt like the perfect slice of life sort of story.
TW: homophobia, violence, car accident
<b>In the Eyes of Angels by Alexis Henderson</b>
I appreciate the Biblical depiction of angels. Felt a little scattered and not developed enough.
TW: alcohol, injury detail. flre; mentions death of a parent, cancer, alcohol addiction
<b>My Demon Prince Charming by Sandhya Menon</b>
Cute and quirky, have to love a mis-summoning love story. Was a very insta-love and not like other girls kind of story though. Very cheesey.
TW: blood
<b>Katrine and Rowan’s Exit Interview by Sarah Gailey</b>
This was such an easy story to get into. I loved the back and forth of the interview format - it gave us the world-building, the relationships building, and the overall story of the characters without any of the extras. I really enjoyed this one,
TW: mentions death, grief, manipulation
<b>Bride-Heart by Marie Rutkoski</b>
A darker story - a thriller of sorts - that was hard to look away from. This one had me riveted.
TW: animal death, blood. grooming. infidelity, death
<b>If You Give an Asura a Cookie by Akshaya Raman</b>
This one made me tear up a bit?? Despite the short length, there was character development and relationship development that made me so invested in the characters. Loved the ending!
<b>Kiss the Boy by Adib Khorram</b>
I was surprised by how much I liked this one. I felt for the characters, though I didn't love the insta-love of it. I still liked the characters and the writing, so I'll probably read more by this author.
TW: microaggressions, toxic relationship
<b>Piano Sonata No. 13 by Kalynn Bayron</b>
Another darker story. I really like how well contained this one felt - very Monkey Paw esque, but with a twist.
TW: death
<b>Once Upon a Time in Charleston by Melissa de la Cruz</b>
I was not a Blue Bloods girlie, and I remain as such in my adult life, sadly. However, I did like the passing meet cute full of possibility!
TW: toxic relationship
<b>Pierce My Soul by Kat Cho</b>
Dramatic, but I'm a sucker for second-chance romance
TW: blood, kidnapping; mentions gambling addiction, death of a parent
<b>Banes and Blessings by Hafsah Faizal</b>
I love the mythological aspect of this story and the kind Innocence of the MC
TW: mentions sexual harassment, death by drowning
<b>Bloody, Lovely by Casey McQuiston</b>
Surprised by the depth of feeling I got from this one, I love the little twists. It was cute, and now I want a longer novella about them.
TW: blood, gore; mentions death, bullying
<b>La Bruja y la Sirena by Anna-Marie McLemore</b>
A heart-wrenching and lyrical story. I loved the two perspectives and how they unravel and come together.
TW: sexual assault, abuse, racism, death
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 3/5
World Building: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Pacing: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
GoodReads Rating: 3.65/5
eARC gifted via NetGalley by Viking Books for Young Readers via PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group in exchange for an honest review.
Anyways, here are a some one line reviews for each story:
<b>Undead Ghoul Meet-Cute by Kendare Blake</b>
A silly short story about a ghoul and a head sightseeing. Love at first attempted murder is a new one, but I liked the quirkiness and the potential.
TW: death, blood, murder, injury detail; mentions death of a grandparent
<b>A Thousand More by Chloe Gong</b>
I never know how to feel about stories like these where immortals find their way to each other in every lifetime. I feel like this was a sort of history lesson but I just didn't feel like the two MCs were developed well enough in their current life let alone their past lives.
TW: mentions war, violence, death, suicide
<b>Who Will Save Me by Julian Winters</b>
I adored this short story. I appreciated the tension, the character development, and the reveals. It felt like the perfect slice of life sort of story.
TW: homophobia, violence, car accident
<b>In the Eyes of Angels by Alexis Henderson</b>
I appreciate the Biblical depiction of angels. Felt a little scattered and not developed enough.
TW: alcohol, injury detail. flre; mentions death of a parent, cancer, alcohol addiction
<b>My Demon Prince Charming by Sandhya Menon</b>
Cute and quirky, have to love a mis-summoning love story. Was a very insta-love and not like other girls kind of story though. Very cheesey.
TW: blood
<b>Katrine and Rowan’s Exit Interview by Sarah Gailey</b>
This was such an easy story to get into. I loved the back and forth of the interview format - it gave us the world-building, the relationships building, and the overall story of the characters without any of the extras. I really enjoyed this one,
TW: mentions death, grief, manipulation
<b>Bride-Heart by Marie Rutkoski</b>
A darker story - a thriller of sorts - that was hard to look away from. This one had me riveted.
TW: animal death, blood. grooming. infidelity, death
<b>If You Give an Asura a Cookie by Akshaya Raman</b>
This one made me tear up a bit?? Despite the short length, there was character development and relationship development that made me so invested in the characters. Loved the ending!
<b>Kiss the Boy by Adib Khorram</b>
I was surprised by how much I liked this one. I felt for the characters, though I didn't love the insta-love of it. I still liked the characters and the writing, so I'll probably read more by this author.
TW: microaggressions, toxic relationship
<b>Piano Sonata No. 13 by Kalynn Bayron</b>
Another darker story. I really like how well contained this one felt - very Monkey Paw esque, but with a twist.
TW: death
<b>Once Upon a Time in Charleston by Melissa de la Cruz</b>
I was not a Blue Bloods girlie, and I remain as such in my adult life, sadly. However, I did like the passing meet cute full of possibility!
TW: toxic relationship
<b>Pierce My Soul by Kat Cho</b>
Dramatic, but I'm a sucker for second-chance romance
TW: blood, kidnapping; mentions gambling addiction, death of a parent
<b>Banes and Blessings by Hafsah Faizal</b>
I love the mythological aspect of this story and the kind Innocence of the MC
TW: mentions sexual harassment, death by drowning
<b>Bloody, Lovely by Casey McQuiston</b>
Surprised by the depth of feeling I got from this one, I love the little twists. It was cute, and now I want a longer novella about them.
TW: blood, gore; mentions death, bullying
<b>La Bruja y la Sirena by Anna-Marie McLemore</b>
A heart-wrenching and lyrical story. I loved the two perspectives and how they unravel and come together.
TW: sexual assault, abuse, racism, death
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 3/5
World Building: 4/5
Writing: 4/5
Pacing: 4/5
Overall: 4/5
GoodReads Rating: 3.65/5
eARC gifted via NetGalley by Viking Books for Young Readers via PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group in exchange for an honest review.