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paledaughter 's review for:

4.0

books and roses = 4 stars

"sorry" doesn't sweeten her tea = 5 stars (my fave)

is your blood as red as this? (no) = 5 stars

is your blood as red as this? (yes) = 3.5 stars

drownings = 3.5 stars

presence = 4.5 stars

a brief history of the homely wench society = 5 stars (also my fave)

dornička and the st. martin's day goose = 4 stars

freddy barrandov checks ... in? = 4 stars

if a book is locked there's probably a good reason for that, don't you think? = 4 stars

Average rating = 4.25 stars, official rating = 4.5 stars

This is the first short story collection that I have ever read and I absolutely adored it. I would really recommend this to people who enjoy stories involving magical realism and fairytale elements and also to people who haven't read short story collections before.

I honestly enjoyed every story (some more than others) and I found their themes to be completely unique and captivating. I also loved the amount of diversity that was present in the stories, it didn't feel like Helen Oyeyemi forced it at all and the issues of sexuality (particularly the representation of same sex couples) and races weren't presented as particularly noteworthy topics.

I enjoyed the fact that multiple characters make appearances in different stories but I did end up feeling like it was slightly unnecessary at one point. Still would 100% recommend.
Great characters, great stories, overall great time.