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A review by xx_selenite
In These Hallowed Halls by Marie O'Regan, Paul Kane
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
The issue with collections of short stories is that there will always be stories you love and some that make you indifferent. I'm going to start talking about the two which I preferred, and then more generic remarks.
Pythia by Olivie Blake: The very concept of the story is, I think, a good twist to the classical dark academia setting, the Classical references mixed to something almost surrealistic. The writing was as well great. I have not read Olivie Blake's novels yet, but I surely will give it a try!
The Hare and the Hound by Kelly Andrew: The plot is less original, but I'm a sucker for the good old "The ending is explicitly said at the beginning," reminding me of Greek tragedies. Not to mention, the use of Norse folklore is refreshing in a genre which tends to remain focused on Greco-Latin lore.
Phobos by Tori Bovalino: I have to say, I mostly liked it for the very end. Was it expected? Yes, but it doesn't mean it wasn't good. I'm also a sucker for anything with a form of secret society or organisation, so I'm obviously biased
Now, overall, I think that the main issue is that those are short stories. I am pretty convinced I would have loved all of those stories if they had been developed, but writing stories which often deal with madness, plots, secret societies, etc... requires intense characterisation and descriptions. It takes time, it's tedious, and I think this is what is lacking here. A short story makes it feel rushed, even when the concept is great.
Pythia by Olivie Blake: The very concept of the story is, I think, a good twist to the classical dark academia setting, the Classical references mixed to something almost surrealistic. The writing was as well great. I have not read Olivie Blake's novels yet, but I surely will give it a try!
The Hare and the Hound by Kelly Andrew: The plot is less original, but I'm a sucker for the good old "The ending is explicitly said at the beginning," reminding me of Greek tragedies. Not to mention, the use of Norse folklore is refreshing in a genre which tends to remain focused on Greco-Latin lore.
Phobos by Tori Bovalino: I have to say, I mostly liked it for the very end. Was it expected? Yes, but it doesn't mean it wasn't good. I'm also a sucker for anything with a form of secret society or organisation, so I'm obviously biased
Now, overall, I think that the main issue is that those are short stories. I am pretty convinced I would have loved all of those stories if they had been developed, but writing stories which often deal with madness, plots, secret societies, etc... requires intense characterisation and descriptions. It takes time, it's tedious, and I think this is what is lacking here. A short story makes it feel rushed, even when the concept is great.