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A review by witchy_book_babe
In These Hallowed Halls by Marie O'Regan, Paul Kane
5.0
I personally loved this Anthology and felt that each Author understood the assignment on "Dark Academia". I appreciate that this brought many unknown Author's to my attention and there were some definite favorites here that continue to linger in my mind.
1000 Ships by [a:Kate Weinberg|18536431|Kate Weinberg|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1569770937p2/18536431.jpg]
I really enjoyed this story! It may be a slight nod to Helen of Troy mixed in with elements of deceit, trust, and naivety in an academic setting. After finishing, the Author stated that this story is a prequel to her book [b:The Truants|42379216|The Truants|Kate Weinberg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539967415l/42379216._SY75_.jpg|66042624]. Which, I immediately added to my TBR pile!
Pythia by [a:Olivie Blake|16225393|Olivie Blake|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1558925167p2/16225393.jpg]
What a weird and interesting short story. A few times, I did have to reread sentences because I wasn't certain if the passages were inner thoughts, speaking to the reader, or spoken aloud dialogue. But, overall I enjoyed it; even if I felt that this was much more in the realm of Sci-Fi (in my opinion) and pushing on the limits of a Academia setting.
Sabbatical by [a:James Tate Hill|6438269|James Tate Hill|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1446463048p2/6438269.jpg]
This was a short story on a Professor, who I personally felt had a sad existence...a muted, gray life. I felt attached to his melancholy, even if it wasn't screaming on page. He seemed to have a charisma that maybe he wasn't aware of? And the event that he found himself in the middle of, was handled with such a level of cool and unbothered emotion that I found it to be the perfect end to the short story.
The Hare and the Hound by [a:Kelly Andrew|3980970|Kelly Andrew|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1647045393p2/3980970.jpg]
***This was a favorite of mine*** This story really stood out to me and I am still thinking about it. It was intriguing, mysterious, slight horror element (depending on your perception, I suppose) and this wonderful Nordic Folklore sprinkled in. I loved this so much, I ran out and purchased her other available book and preordered the next!
X House by [a:J.T. Ellison|1311949|J.T. Ellison|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1665256954p2/1311949.jpg]
A school with a chilling reputation and mystery...that had a devious conclusion. I loved the bluntness of this story. It had me guessing with the more that I learned.
The Ravages by [a:Layne Fargo|17861597|Layne Fargo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1699303843p2/17861597.jpg]
What a wicked fun tale with a cherry on top of Feminine Rage. I loved this story. Scorned lover that may even be bordering a possessive nature line? The ending is open to interpretation in my opinion.
Four Funerals by [a:David Bell|8201775|David Bell|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
This one may actually be quite uncomfortable for many readers and I completely understand that. The story revolves around a fatal school shooting. However, I am thinking that this Author's intent was to be thought provoking. And a zoomed in focus on all individuals affected by something as horrible and tragic as victims/families of victims/survivors of a horrific tragedy. Maybe going as far as to show the different faucets of humanity and how lives change for all during an act of unbelievable violence. It was a very sad story.
The Unknowable Pleasures by [a:Susie Yang|17525183|Susie Yang|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1588358393p2/17525183.jpg]
This was an interesting take on obsession to a varying degree. But, also straddles that line of longing and what motivates our dedication towards intimate relationships.
Weekend at Bertie's by [a:M.L. Rio|14954351|M.L. Rio|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1647195157p2/14954351.jpg]
Interesting plot line...this was kind of a story based on two questionable amoral characters that kind of get away with this terrible thing.
The Professor of Ontography by [a:Helen Grant|653461|Helen Grant|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1319476588p2/653461.jpg]
***This was another favorite*** I seriously can not stop thinking about this story. It was surprisingly sad and horrific. I feel it haunting me a bit, but in the best way. The way that this Author was able to grip me so fiercely within such a short amount of time, I was extremely impressed.
Phobos by [a:Tori Bovalino|17672189|Tori Bovalino|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1598954922p2/17672189.jpg]
This was maybe the only one that I didn't quite get pulled into with the writing. I think I needed more time with the characters and plotline in order to be interested. It was a quick peek into a Secret Society and the ending was slightly shocking just because I felt it was at odds with the character's decision. Maybe that was the point? I'm not sure.
Playing by [a:Phoebe Wynne|19593113|Phoebe Wynne|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1621509023p2/19593113.jpg]
I thought that this was the perfect story for the Finale in this Anthology! The star of this story was everything she needed to be and I felt like there are not enough characters written like this, especially female characters; it was truly refreshing to read!
1000 Ships by [a:Kate Weinberg|18536431|Kate Weinberg|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1569770937p2/18536431.jpg]
I really enjoyed this story! It may be a slight nod to Helen of Troy mixed in with elements of deceit, trust, and naivety in an academic setting. After finishing, the Author stated that this story is a prequel to her book [b:The Truants|42379216|The Truants|Kate Weinberg|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1539967415l/42379216._SY75_.jpg|66042624]. Which, I immediately added to my TBR pile!
Pythia by [a:Olivie Blake|16225393|Olivie Blake|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1558925167p2/16225393.jpg]
What a weird and interesting short story. A few times, I did have to reread sentences because I wasn't certain if the passages were inner thoughts, speaking to the reader, or spoken aloud dialogue. But, overall I enjoyed it; even if I felt that this was much more in the realm of Sci-Fi (in my opinion) and pushing on the limits of a Academia setting.
Sabbatical by [a:James Tate Hill|6438269|James Tate Hill|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1446463048p2/6438269.jpg]
This was a short story on a Professor, who I personally felt had a sad existence...a muted, gray life. I felt attached to his melancholy, even if it wasn't screaming on page. He seemed to have a charisma that maybe he wasn't aware of? And the event that he found himself in the middle of, was handled with such a level of cool and unbothered emotion that I found it to be the perfect end to the short story.
The Hare and the Hound by [a:Kelly Andrew|3980970|Kelly Andrew|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1647045393p2/3980970.jpg]
***This was a favorite of mine*** This story really stood out to me and I am still thinking about it. It was intriguing, mysterious, slight horror element (depending on your perception, I suppose) and this wonderful Nordic Folklore sprinkled in. I loved this so much, I ran out and purchased her other available book and preordered the next!
X House by [a:J.T. Ellison|1311949|J.T. Ellison|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1665256954p2/1311949.jpg]
A school with a chilling reputation and mystery...that had a devious conclusion. I loved the bluntness of this story. It had me guessing with the more that I learned.
The Ravages by [a:Layne Fargo|17861597|Layne Fargo|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1699303843p2/17861597.jpg]
What a wicked fun tale with a cherry on top of Feminine Rage. I loved this story. Scorned lover that may even be bordering a possessive nature line? The ending is open to interpretation in my opinion.
Four Funerals by [a:David Bell|8201775|David Bell|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
This one may actually be quite uncomfortable for many readers and I completely understand that. The story revolves around a fatal school shooting. However, I am thinking that this Author's intent was to be thought provoking. And a zoomed in focus on all individuals affected by something as horrible and tragic as victims/families of victims/survivors of a horrific tragedy. Maybe going as far as to show the different faucets of humanity and how lives change for all during an act of unbelievable violence. It was a very sad story.
The Unknowable Pleasures by [a:Susie Yang|17525183|Susie Yang|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1588358393p2/17525183.jpg]
This was an interesting take on obsession to a varying degree. But, also straddles that line of longing and what motivates our dedication towards intimate relationships.
Weekend at Bertie's by [a:M.L. Rio|14954351|M.L. Rio|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1647195157p2/14954351.jpg]
Interesting plot line...this was kind of a story based on two questionable amoral characters that kind of get away with this terrible thing.
The Professor of Ontography by [a:Helen Grant|653461|Helen Grant|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1319476588p2/653461.jpg]
***This was another favorite*** I seriously can not stop thinking about this story. It was surprisingly sad and horrific. I feel it haunting me a bit, but in the best way. The way that this Author was able to grip me so fiercely within such a short amount of time, I was extremely impressed.
Phobos by [a:Tori Bovalino|17672189|Tori Bovalino|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1598954922p2/17672189.jpg]
This was maybe the only one that I didn't quite get pulled into with the writing. I think I needed more time with the characters and plotline in order to be interested. It was a quick peek into a Secret Society and the ending was slightly shocking just because I felt it was at odds with the character's decision. Maybe that was the point? I'm not sure.
Playing by [a:Phoebe Wynne|19593113|Phoebe Wynne|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1621509023p2/19593113.jpg]
I thought that this was the perfect story for the Finale in this Anthology! The star of this story was everything she needed to be and I felt like there are not enough characters written like this, especially female characters; it was truly refreshing to read!