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The risk with anthologies is that, unless you have a very good editor and a very clear and cohesive vision, they tend to feel disjointed. Sometimes, despite the difference in styles, tones, and even genres, anthologies rise above because the theme sparkles in each story. That did not happen here.
Most of the short stories felt artificial, tacked on, and the characters were forgettable. I'm glad to see more representation, but representation is not enough to carry a book.
The only two stories that deserve five stars are Print Shop by Nina LaCour, which is delicate and quiet but very sweet, and The Department of Dead Love by Nicola Yoon, which is creative and a little dark but ultimately upliftingly romantic. 259 Million Miles by Kass Morgan was also creative and bittersweet, I'd give it four stars. Everything else, three to one stars.
I guess this just wasn't for me?
Most of the short stories felt artificial, tacked on, and the characters were forgettable. I'm glad to see more representation, but representation is not enough to carry a book.
The only two stories that deserve five stars are Print Shop by Nina LaCour, which is delicate and quiet but very sweet, and The Department of Dead Love by Nicola Yoon, which is creative and a little dark but ultimately upliftingly romantic. 259 Million Miles by Kass Morgan was also creative and bittersweet, I'd give it four stars. Everything else, three to one stars.
I guess this just wasn't for me?