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A review by paragraphsandpages
Fresh Ink by Lamar Giles
4.0
First off, I would like to thank the publisher and author for providing me this ARC to review. Please note that the version I read was an advanced copy, and certain events/language may be changed in the published edition.
Stars (Out of 10): 7/10 Stars
Since this is an anthology, I’ll be writing a short review for each individual story!
As a whole, this was a pretty good anthology. Most of the stories seemed to fit the theme, and there was a variety of characters and stories. While each story did hinge on the idea of diversity, they focused on a variety of other things as well, making the stories much more fleshed out overall. Lastly, the message in each of the stories usually came across quite well, except in some cases where it may have been too hidden or too forced.
Out of the 12 stories, my favorites would have to be “Super Human”, “Catch, Pull, Drive”, and “Eraser Tattoo”!
Eraser Tattoo: I haven't read any if Jason Reynolds full novels (have seen them around though!), but this story makes me want to! It was fairly simple, but in the few short pages it lasted, I was already loving the characters. The message in this one was also fairly obscured, but I think the small references to the unfairness of the situation only added to the overall effect of the story.
Meet Cute: Exactly fits the name! The setting was interesting too, since it's during a con and there's quite a few references! Only issue is, if the reader doesn't automatically know where the characters are from (since it's not revealed until later), parts of the beginning fall a little flat since it is pretty heavy in references
Don’t Pass Me By: I think story fits my expectations for this anthology more than the other two so far. While the beginning it was difficult to follow since I had to orient myself in a culture I didn't necessarily have experience with, that quickly resolved itself. Overall, this story just made me angry (at the white teacher and the white students and ugh)
Be Cool For Once: Overall I thought this was a super cute story, but it didn't seem to fit in the anthology as well as others
Tags: I really liked the format and idea behind the story, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the story myself. It felt a bit short and all over the place, and I only really sympathized with one or two of the characters
Why I Learned to Cook: This story was super cute! I love how it blended both diversity in sexuality and in culture! I especially liked that this story fostered a love both between acceptance and family, as many stories involving sexual diversity focus on the hatred from the parents.
A Stranger at the Bochinche: While I liked the premise, the story felt as if it was trying to accomplish too much in too few pages, and it left me feeling lost at points. However, I did like the stark contrast of ancient gods/an older setting + fancy tech
A Boy’s Duty: I wasn't as big a fan of this story, as I felt it dragged a bit and took a while to get to its point, but I still enjoyed it. If anything, I think I liked the characters the most.
One Voice: Okay, so don't read this if you haven't read Something In Between because this basically spoils the entire book. Also, I'm never really a fan of short stories in anthologies being from other series :/ additionally, the story itself felt too short, and made the message feel forced while also having a fairly abrupt ending. This one would have to be my least favorite.
Paladin/Samurai: I get why the comic book story was so short, but it almost felt waaay too short. However, it still was able to carry a message more subtle than One Voice, so for that I applaud it
Catch, Pull, Drive: I really loved this one! Not only the message, but the way it was written as well! Having it set during the middle of a swimming race heightened the tension dramatically, and the inner thoughts complimented that really well also.
Super Human: I really really enjoyed this one. It seemed one of the only stories that didn't have a positive ending, and the openness of the ending combined with the lack of positivity made it all the more powerful. Overall, it feels as if this story carries the message of the anthology the most.
Stars (Out of 10): 7/10 Stars
Since this is an anthology, I’ll be writing a short review for each individual story!
As a whole, this was a pretty good anthology. Most of the stories seemed to fit the theme, and there was a variety of characters and stories. While each story did hinge on the idea of diversity, they focused on a variety of other things as well, making the stories much more fleshed out overall. Lastly, the message in each of the stories usually came across quite well, except in some cases where it may have been too hidden or too forced.
Out of the 12 stories, my favorites would have to be “Super Human”, “Catch, Pull, Drive”, and “Eraser Tattoo”!
Eraser Tattoo: I haven't read any if Jason Reynolds full novels (have seen them around though!), but this story makes me want to! It was fairly simple, but in the few short pages it lasted, I was already loving the characters. The message in this one was also fairly obscured, but I think the small references to the unfairness of the situation only added to the overall effect of the story.
Meet Cute: Exactly fits the name! The setting was interesting too, since it's during a con and there's quite a few references! Only issue is, if the reader doesn't automatically know where the characters are from (since it's not revealed until later), parts of the beginning fall a little flat since it is pretty heavy in references
Don’t Pass Me By: I think story fits my expectations for this anthology more than the other two so far. While the beginning it was difficult to follow since I had to orient myself in a culture I didn't necessarily have experience with, that quickly resolved itself. Overall, this story just made me angry (at the white teacher and the white students and ugh)
Be Cool For Once: Overall I thought this was a super cute story, but it didn't seem to fit in the anthology as well as others
Tags: I really liked the format and idea behind the story, but I wasn't the biggest fan of the story myself. It felt a bit short and all over the place, and I only really sympathized with one or two of the characters
Why I Learned to Cook: This story was super cute! I love how it blended both diversity in sexuality and in culture! I especially liked that this story fostered a love both between acceptance and family, as many stories involving sexual diversity focus on the hatred from the parents.
A Stranger at the Bochinche: While I liked the premise, the story felt as if it was trying to accomplish too much in too few pages, and it left me feeling lost at points. However, I did like the stark contrast of ancient gods/an older setting + fancy tech
A Boy’s Duty: I wasn't as big a fan of this story, as I felt it dragged a bit and took a while to get to its point, but I still enjoyed it. If anything, I think I liked the characters the most.
One Voice: Okay, so don't read this if you haven't read Something In Between because this basically spoils the entire book. Also, I'm never really a fan of short stories in anthologies being from other series :/ additionally, the story itself felt too short, and made the message feel forced while also having a fairly abrupt ending. This one would have to be my least favorite.
Paladin/Samurai: I get why the comic book story was so short, but it almost felt waaay too short. However, it still was able to carry a message more subtle than One Voice, so for that I applaud it
Catch, Pull, Drive: I really loved this one! Not only the message, but the way it was written as well! Having it set during the middle of a swimming race heightened the tension dramatically, and the inner thoughts complimented that really well also.
Super Human: I really really enjoyed this one. It seemed one of the only stories that didn't have a positive ending, and the openness of the ending combined with the lack of positivity made it all the more powerful. Overall, it feels as if this story carries the message of the anthology the most.