pragreads 's review for:

All Out: The No-Longer-Secret Stories of Queer Teens Throughout the Ages by Saundra Mitchell

5.0

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JKASHFDGDSAJDH SO MANY SAPPHIC GIRLS THIS MADE ME SO HAPPY

the finest of the bundle:
● the dresser & the chambermaid by robin talley (aka the CUTEST short story on this planet)
● MARY AND SUSANNA AAAAAH
● BARNABY HALFORD!!!
● the fucking king walking in on mary & susanna kissing AND SAYING HE'S SORRY HE DISTURBED THEM
● ngl I laughed so hard at this part

“He said—” Susanna choked “—he said, ‘Right then, girls. Carry on.’”
Mary lost her composure all over again, collapsing against Susanna in a heap. They laughed and laughed as quietly as they could, holding each other through their tears.
“Well, then,” Mary said. “We ought to follow the royal command, should we not?”
And that was precisely what they did.

● every shade of red by elliot wake

The last thing I saw was the green roof of the forest dulling into gray and falling down around me, and then darkness. But in the darkness all I saw was my beautiful boy. My golden boy, my Robin. No other name fit him, and never would. Sometimes sight is a more powerful way of hearing than sound.

● it's sort of sad but SO PURE AND QUEER and i was just so invested in it


● the girl with the blue lantern by tess sharpe

Oriana shook her head. “It’s not your fault. They think you’re all the same. I thought so, too. Until...”
She reached over and took Ella’s hand in hers, stroking her fingers down the inside of her palm. Ella gasped, every feeling in her body focused on that spot, and when Oriana pulled away, Ella’s skin glistened with gold.

● ...all i have to say is that I love ella with all my life


● the end of the world as we know it by sara farizan
● BEST FRIENDS (TO ENEMIES) TO LOVERS IS THE FUCKING HILL I WILL DIE ON

“Happy New Year, Ez. The world has not ended. We’re going to be okay. Tell your mom I couldn’t stay for breakfast. I have to go break up with John. Talk soon.”
I read the note another twenty times on the first day of the New Year. I felt warm and thrilled, but a little uneasy as to why. Katie Brewer. Huh. Who knew? Maybe we both did. Maybe it was a long time coming or maybe it wasn’t. But I knew I wouldn’t be able to find a better New Year’s kiss for many New Years to come.
I had a whole slew of questions about what the future would hold now.

● this is my favorite trope ever jahfsag and it was so cute



● the inferno & the butterfly by shaun David hutchinson

“I’m cursed,” Wilhelm said.
“Then we’ll be cursed together.”
Wilhelm’s hands trembled. “I’ll only bring you misery.”
“I’ll take a lifetime of misery with you over a day of love from Mr. Dubois.”
“Without their greatest acts, both our masters will be ruined.”
“Then let’s ruin them,” I said. “Will you come with me, Wilhelm? I’m asking.”
Wilhelm crossed the space between us and kissed me. He kissed me as easily as breathing. I wrapped my arms around his waist and we vanished, leaving only his chains behind.

● THE WRITING WAS SO GOOD!!!! THE BEGINNING AND END HOLY SHIT
● i didn't realize it was shaun when i read it but OFC IT WAS of course i love his writing and his stories



there was one story i kinda skipped and some of the stories were a little EH but honestly this anthology is a blessing so five stars here we go