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moonlightcupofcocoa's reviews
176 reviews
Let's Work Smarter by Katharine Mitropoulos
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This delightful little book is a wonderful addition to your child's library.
After the residents of Harmony Lane raised money needed to fix their playground, they set off to work diligently. And yet, they were making little progress no matter how hard they worked. But the wise Mouse, who had been observing them all day, suggested that they work smarter not harder! And lo and behold, they were making a lot more progress with much less exhaustion.
I went through this book with my nephew (a little older than three years old) and really appreciated the thought that went into this. It was no surprise at all for me to find out that Katharine Mitropoulos, the author, has a degree in psychology.
Not only did the book walk the kids through the process, making them watch the Harmony Lane friends as they worked harder and harder with little results, but it also showed the little readers some of the ideas for working smarter.
And all of this, without even mentioning the gorgeous illustrations by Laura Watson. I'm an adult and am obsessed with the art style and colour palette. They're a work of art. Honestly, I'd love to see posters/paintings of some of the illustrations in the book as I bet the children reading this series would love to see them too.
Overall, I highly recommend this book. It's gorgeous and very well-executed. I am thinking it would be a great New Year's read to introduce children to new year resolutions and working smarter.
After the residents of Harmony Lane raised money needed to fix their playground, they set off to work diligently. And yet, they were making little progress no matter how hard they worked. But the wise Mouse, who had been observing them all day, suggested that they work smarter not harder! And lo and behold, they were making a lot more progress with much less exhaustion.
I went through this book with my nephew (a little older than three years old) and really appreciated the thought that went into this. It was no surprise at all for me to find out that Katharine Mitropoulos, the author, has a degree in psychology.
Not only did the book walk the kids through the process, making them watch the Harmony Lane friends as they worked harder and harder with little results, but it also showed the little readers some of the ideas for working smarter.
And all of this, without even mentioning the gorgeous illustrations by Laura Watson. I'm an adult and am obsessed with the art style and colour palette. They're a work of art. Honestly, I'd love to see posters/paintings of some of the illustrations in the book as I bet the children reading this series would love to see them too.
Overall, I highly recommend this book. It's gorgeous and very well-executed. I am thinking it would be a great New Year's read to introduce children to new year resolutions and working smarter.
Tectiv Vol. 1: Noirtopia by Richard Ashley Hamilton
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Tectiv is a noirtopia graphic novel featuring Bingo Finder, the only literate person in post-apocalyptic LA. If you ever thought you are getting judged for your bookish tastes, she has it worse. Way worse. When her best friend --and love interest, the lovely Fenn suddenly disappears, Bingo decides to take matters into her own hands, taking inspiration from the detective novels of the past -- cheesy narration and all.
Overall, I found myself getting engrossed into the novel. The worldbuilding was interesting, from the misheard words that the people of this new world hang onto to the themes of transhumanism as well as the dichotomy between humans and cyborgs and robots. You find yourself reexamining our own humanity through its lens.
The pacing at times was a little slower than I expected, but the artstyle and the worldbuilding makes up for it. Besides it has exactly the broody vibe I expect reading a noir. While one of the plot twists was predictable, I was surprised by others and left me wondering about what's to come next.
Finally, special thank you to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for the ARC in exchange for my honest review! I really enjoyed reading this and honestly can't wait for Vol 2!
Overall, I found myself getting engrossed into the novel. The worldbuilding was interesting, from the misheard words that the people of this new world hang onto to the themes of transhumanism as well as the dichotomy between humans and cyborgs and robots. You find yourself reexamining our own humanity through its lens.
The pacing at times was a little slower than I expected, but the artstyle and the worldbuilding makes up for it. Besides it has exactly the broody vibe I expect reading a noir. While one of the plot twists was predictable, I was surprised by others and left me wondering about what's to come next.
Finally, special thank you to NetGalley and Mad Cave Studios for the ARC in exchange for my honest review! I really enjoyed reading this and honestly can't wait for Vol 2!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Domestic abuse
The Hollow Boy by Jonathan Stroud
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I wanted to write this review last night but I was still coming to terms with the ending and decided it'd be wise to wait till morning.
It's very rare for me to find a sequel so mesmerizing that I'd forget my bedtime. That I'd find myself thinking about it all day.
Jonathan Stroud writes fear so beautifully that, even through the first two books, I found myself shuddering at times as I saw and felt what the characters were going through. But in this book, he also proved that he can write emotions, especially erratic teenage emotions, so well! I didn't realize it but some of Lucy's own insecurities and jealousies creeped up on me the same way those spirits creep up on them in investigations.
I found myself reliving moments from my own teenagehood, moments of my own insecurity.
I am so relieved I have the following book in the series. I think I'd have gone mad after that ending if I didn't. Cannot wait to start reading it -- oh wait, I already started it over breakfast, oops!
It's very rare for me to find a sequel so mesmerizing that I'd forget my bedtime. That I'd find myself thinking about it all day.
Jonathan Stroud writes fear so beautifully that, even through the first two books, I found myself shuddering at times as I saw and felt what the characters were going through. But in this book, he also proved that he can write emotions, especially erratic teenage emotions, so well! I didn't realize it but some of Lucy's own insecurities and jealousies creeped up on me the same way those spirits creep up on them in investigations.
I found myself reliving moments from my own teenagehood, moments of my own insecurity.
I am so relieved I have the following book in the series. I think I'd have gone mad after that ending if I didn't. Cannot wait to start reading it -- oh wait, I already started it over breakfast, oops!
Sugar Shack: (A Graphic Novel) by Lucy Knisley
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Graphic for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
*Deep Breath* I. Loved. This. So. Much. So so much. Every single page was just wonderful. I found myself pausing to relish every detail, every line and every colour. For the few hours I spent reading this book, I felt transported to a simpler life and almost felt as if I was part of that family.
The story tackles topics such as found family, adapting to a new family, discovering one's identity and those of their loved ones alongside introducing the reader to cute tidbits about life on the farm, how maple syrup is made and sustainable farming.
The characters are so well-done, yes, including Walter. The pacing was so well done. The humor was wonderful. It honestly felt like being wrapped up in a cozy blanket, being handed hot chocolate and just allowed to sit under a tree for a while.
I really need to go back and read the other books (I assume they exist since the characters refer to past events). I need to also buy a physical copy for my library because I think it needs to be a part of my winter reading list every year.
*Deep Breath* I. Loved. This. So. Much. So so much. Every single page was just wonderful. I found myself pausing to relish every detail, every line and every colour. For the few hours I spent reading this book, I felt transported to a simpler life and almost felt as if I was part of that family.
The story tackles topics such as found family, adapting to a new family, discovering one's identity and those of their loved ones alongside introducing the reader to cute tidbits about life on the farm, how maple syrup is made and sustainable farming.
The characters are so well-done, yes, including Walter. The pacing was so well done. The humor was wonderful. It honestly felt like being wrapped up in a cozy blanket, being handed hot chocolate and just allowed to sit under a tree for a while.
I really need to go back and read the other books (I assume they exist since the characters refer to past events). I need to also buy a physical copy for my library because I think it needs to be a part of my winter reading list every year.
Huda F Wants to Know?: A Graphic Novel by Huda Fahmy
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Dial Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This is the first time I'm reading something for Huda Fahmy. As simplistic as the artstyle is, the cover managed to grab my attention. Perhaps it was all the pink? Not to mention that I haven't seen many graphic novels about or by muslim voices, so of course I had to give it a try.
Before getting into the details, I wanted to first say I appreciated Huda's introductory note and disclaimer regarding the story and the characters not representing all muslims nor all muslim experiences. It's always tricky to provide representation for such a diverse and large population. Not all muslim women wear hijab, for example. And those that do can wear it in various ways. Not all arab and muslim women wear abayas, regardless of their hijabi status. And unfortunately, whole not intentional, readers who aren't familiar with culture often end up generalizing based on experiences they read.
So, I appreciate Huda F. being upfront and clear about that.
All these disclaimers aside, muslim or not, the message in this story is universal. It handles grief, loss and mental illnesses in an honest and relatable way. Huda F's real life experiences definitely inspired the story and both she and the readers get to revisit her parents' divorce together.
I especially appreciated that the story highlighted that religion doesn't equate assuming all mental health problems go away magically and that, at times, professional mental health assistance is not only needed but encouraged.
I enjoyed the humor and found myself, an adult, relating to some of the moments presented. The simplistic artstyle does work (although I'm still confused about that dotted sister, haha, I need to go read the other books to see if I get answers).
Overall, a great read!
This is the first time I'm reading something for Huda Fahmy. As simplistic as the artstyle is, the cover managed to grab my attention. Perhaps it was all the pink? Not to mention that I haven't seen many graphic novels about or by muslim voices, so of course I had to give it a try.
Before getting into the details, I wanted to first say I appreciated Huda's introductory note and disclaimer regarding the story and the characters not representing all muslims nor all muslim experiences. It's always tricky to provide representation for such a diverse and large population. Not all muslim women wear hijab, for example. And those that do can wear it in various ways. Not all arab and muslim women wear abayas, regardless of their hijabi status. And unfortunately, whole not intentional, readers who aren't familiar with culture often end up generalizing based on experiences they read.
So, I appreciate Huda F. being upfront and clear about that.
All these disclaimers aside, muslim or not, the message in this story is universal. It handles grief, loss and mental illnesses in an honest and relatable way. Huda F's real life experiences definitely inspired the story and both she and the readers get to revisit her parents' divorce together.
I especially appreciated that the story highlighted that religion doesn't equate assuming all mental health problems go away magically and that, at times, professional mental health assistance is not only needed but encouraged.
I enjoyed the humor and found myself, an adult, relating to some of the moments presented. The simplistic artstyle does work (although I'm still confused about that dotted sister, haha, I need to go read the other books to see if I get answers).
Overall, a great read!
City of Ghosts by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
When I first got this book, I admit I was mainly attracted to the cover. I had no idea what it was about, had never read anything for V. E. Schwab before and certainly didn't know it was a middle grade book.
As I began to read, I found myself somewhat losing interest. Not necessarily due to the plot or that it's a middle-grade book, but because I found Cassidy to be very dull and obnoxious. The book, and Cassidy's own narration since this is in first person POV, seemed intent on telling us that she is 'not like the other girls' almost repeatedly.
"You can tell because they look like copies—same shiny hair, same perfect teeth, same painted nails—where I’m all elbows and knees, round cheeks, and curly brown hair. I don’t even own nail polish."
I think it falls into the same trap of making Cassidy judgmental in an effort to make her relatable which could still alienate young girls reading the book that *may* also like makeup. Arguably this behavior could also be fitting for a girl of Cassidy's age, but it wasn't a great introduction in my opinion.
I can safely say that I like her the least out of all the characters in the book, including Cassidy's parents.
And, yet, I kept on reading because V. E. Schwab paints a wonderful atmosphere with her words. I found myself letting go of any expectations and simply enjoying the ride. And it was all worth it in the end.
I enjoyed the worldbuilding and its symbolism. The writing style is pretty atmospheric, especially for a middle-grade book. And I found myself getting emotional especially towards the end. The descriptions of death, slipping through the veil and emotional turmoil associated with it all were so well-done I found myself holding my breath a couple times.
While I wasn't sure if I was going to continue reading the series after the first chapter or two, I can safely say I am looking forward to them. Even if just for Jacob.
Nitpick: WE NEED MORE GRIM! There's a cat on the cover but we barely saw it in the book!
As I began to read, I found myself somewhat losing interest. Not necessarily due to the plot or that it's a middle-grade book, but because I found Cassidy to be very dull and obnoxious. The book, and Cassidy's own narration since this is in first person POV, seemed intent on telling us that she is 'not like the other girls' almost repeatedly.
"You can tell because they look like copies—same shiny hair, same perfect teeth, same painted nails—where I’m all elbows and knees, round cheeks, and curly brown hair. I don’t even own nail polish."
I think it falls into the same trap of making Cassidy judgmental in an effort to make her relatable which could still alienate young girls reading the book that *may* also like makeup. Arguably this behavior could also be fitting for a girl of Cassidy's age, but it wasn't a great introduction in my opinion.
I can safely say that I like her the least out of all the characters in the book, including Cassidy's parents.
And, yet, I kept on reading because V. E. Schwab paints a wonderful atmosphere with her words. I found myself letting go of any expectations and simply enjoying the ride. And it was all worth it in the end.
I enjoyed the worldbuilding and its symbolism. The writing style is pretty atmospheric, especially for a middle-grade book. And I found myself getting emotional especially towards the end. The descriptions of death, slipping through the veil and emotional turmoil associated with it all were so well-done I found myself holding my breath a couple times.
While I wasn't sure if I was going to continue reading the series after the first chapter or two, I can safely say I am looking forward to them. Even if just for Jacob.
Nitpick: WE NEED MORE GRIM! There's a cat on the cover but we barely saw it in the book!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Death of parent
The Spellbook Library, Vol. 1 by Uta Isaki
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Thank you to NetGalley and Kodansha Comics for the ARC! All the thoughts below are my own.
I happened to be scrolling when the cover caught my attention. I’ve enjoyed a fair share of manga before, but my experience with shonen has been hit or miss. While some have caught my interest, others started to feel like variations on the same formula. But reading the synopsis, I had to give this one a try -- it seemed to be a lovely tribute to books and book lovers.
And I wasn’t disappointed. This is a shonen with librarians!
Overall, I enjoyed the worldbuilding that was revealed so far. The different departments, the entrance exam, the training. All were pretty fun to learn about and had me wondering what's to come next.
The characters, while so far very formulaic and predictable, have potential. I am curious about Yan and Tohru specifically, while really not caring for the princess. The side characters seem like they could be interesting too, but we haven’t seen quite enough of them yet to form strong impressions.
The art style is cute and expressive, and I loved the sketches included at the end of the volume. That said, I did find some of the action panels a bit hard to follow. The scenes often felt crowded with onomatopoeia that could be repetitive or confusing, so I sometimes skimmed these parts, hoping the dialogue would fill in the gaps.
If there’s one thing I’d like to see more of, it’s a sense of urgency. By the end of Volume 1, I still felt unclear about the main characters’ goals. We have one character who seems to be mostly mysterious (and probably has a hidden agenda), another whose simple ambition doesn’t require much to achieve, and a third who seems content just doing her job. While the worldbuilding definitely shines, this lack of drive makes it a bit harder to feel truly invested in the characters. At times, it felt like they were simply going through the motions.
Overall, I enjoyed this. The concept is delightful, and as a tribute to books and libraries, it has plenty of charm. I hope we get to see more of the characters and the worldbuilding in Volume 2.
I happened to be scrolling when the cover caught my attention. I’ve enjoyed a fair share of manga before, but my experience with shonen has been hit or miss. While some have caught my interest, others started to feel like variations on the same formula. But reading the synopsis, I had to give this one a try -- it seemed to be a lovely tribute to books and book lovers.
And I wasn’t disappointed. This is a shonen with librarians!
Overall, I enjoyed the worldbuilding that was revealed so far. The different departments, the entrance exam, the training. All were pretty fun to learn about and had me wondering what's to come next.
The characters, while so far very formulaic and predictable, have potential. I am curious about Yan and Tohru specifically, while really not caring for the princess. The side characters seem like they could be interesting too, but we haven’t seen quite enough of them yet to form strong impressions.
The art style is cute and expressive, and I loved the sketches included at the end of the volume. That said, I did find some of the action panels a bit hard to follow. The scenes often felt crowded with onomatopoeia that could be repetitive or confusing, so I sometimes skimmed these parts, hoping the dialogue would fill in the gaps.
If there’s one thing I’d like to see more of, it’s a sense of urgency. By the end of Volume 1, I still felt unclear about the main characters’ goals. We have one character who seems to be mostly mysterious (and probably has a hidden agenda), another whose simple ambition doesn’t require much to achieve, and a third who seems content just doing her job. While the worldbuilding definitely shines, this lack of drive makes it a bit harder to feel truly invested in the characters. At times, it felt like they were simply going through the motions.
Overall, I enjoyed this. The concept is delightful, and as a tribute to books and libraries, it has plenty of charm. I hope we get to see more of the characters and the worldbuilding in Volume 2.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
When I first came across The Graveyard Book, all I knew was that it was about a boy growing up in a graveyard. I wasn’t sure how a story like this could work, but I was drawn in by the mystery of it. I knew I had to give it a try.
Usually, it takes me a while to truly settle into a book, but here, the opening scene had me instantly hooked. It manages a perfect balance of humor and suspense, making you feel tense while leaving you too curious to look away.
And then you meet the graveyard residents. Each one is memorable, each has their quirks and histories, and it feels like you get to know them intimately, not only as they are in death but as they once were in life.
In classic Gaiman fashion, the story is filled with unanswered mysteries and hints that make the world feel deep and storied. By the end, you won’t have every answer—and for me, that was part of the charm. Allow my mind to wander and wonder, please.
It’s always bittersweet goodbye in the end, no matter how many times I've read this book. I am always in tears by the last page.
’ve both read the book and listened to the audiobook versions (one narrated by Neil Gaiman himself and the other a full-cast performance). Each is wonderfully done, but the full-cast version is my favourite—the voices of each character feel exactly as they did in my head.
Usually, it takes me a while to truly settle into a book, but here, the opening scene had me instantly hooked. It manages a perfect balance of humor and suspense, making you feel tense while leaving you too curious to look away.
And then you meet the graveyard residents. Each one is memorable, each has their quirks and histories, and it feels like you get to know them intimately, not only as they are in death but as they once were in life.
In classic Gaiman fashion, the story is filled with unanswered mysteries and hints that make the world feel deep and storied. By the end, you won’t have every answer—and for me, that was part of the charm. Allow my mind to wander and wonder, please.
It’s always bittersweet goodbye in the end, no matter how many times I've read this book. I am always in tears by the last page.
’ve both read the book and listened to the audiobook versions (one narrated by Neil Gaiman himself and the other a full-cast performance). Each is wonderfully done, but the full-cast version is my favourite—the voices of each character feel exactly as they did in my head.
The Whispering Skull by Jonathan Stroud
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Child death and Violence
Unnatural Creatures: Stories Selected by Neil Gaiman by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
Since this is a collection of short stories I will share short notes and a rating for each of them separately. The overall star rating would be for the collection as a whole and will be the calculated average for the individual stories.
Overall: I rarely decide to own short story collections, because more often than not, I don't find enough stories in them I'd want to revisit. This was the first one I found myself looking to buy.
Individual Stories Ratings:
The Spot by Grahan Wilson (5 stars) - I made up the name because its name is actually a visual of a blob. I really enjoyed this whole story as nonsensical and strange as it is. So much so I had to go look up other books by Grahan Wilson since I hadn't heard the name before.
The Cartographer Wasps and the Anarchist Bees by E. Lily Yu ( 1 star) - I'm not even sure what I read. I read it twice to try and get into a different mindset and see if I'd like it better, but no. It tries to be a commentary on politics and society but does it in such a convoluted way that you can't help but hate it.
The Griffin and the Minor Canon by Frank R. Stockton (4 stars) - I actually really enjoyed this one. The flow of the story was good. Pacing was great. Overall really well-written.
Ozioma the Wicker by Nnedi Okorafor (3 stars) - When I went back to remember the stories in the collection, I found myself unable to remember which story this was. I enjoyed the story enough while reading it, but I wouldn't say I loved it. Something about the pacing and a rather abrupt ending perhaps? It was well-written and it did provide enough details to paint the picture but overall wasn't impactful.
Sunbird by Neil Gaiman (5 stars) - One of my favourites in this collection. Writing is great. Flow was very good and so was the pacing. I found myself really excited to see what happens next and how it will end (even though we were getting hints about the ending throughout the whole thing). Also, as someone with Egyptian family, I really appreciated the use of Kawha (street cafe) terminology. I wasn't expected it and loved it.
The Sage of Theatre by Diana Wynne Jones (3 stars) - I usually loved Diana Wynne Jones books, but this one was a little too disjointed. I liked the concept but the pacing was not very good. I kept finding myself counting down the pages to its end because I felt like it was dragging on. In general I wasn't sure if it fit the general theme of the collection. But Diana Wynne Jones is the amazing writer of Howl's Moving Castle so I'm sure you'll love other works by her, don't let this deter you!
Gabriel Ernest by Saki (3.5 stars) - This was overall a good ghost (well, werewolf) story. It left me feel unnerved and spooked out throughout. Its pacing was a little strange and it felt like it ended abruptly but I still recommend it.
The Cockatoucan by E. Nesbit (4 stars) - It's very 'Alice in Wonderland'-like in that it makes little sense and reads like a fever dream, but you'll enjoy every minute of it. I really loved the writing style too and will be looking for similar works by the author.
Moveable Beast by Maria Dahvana Headley (2 stars) - The idea is good, but the execution not so much. I found myself somewhat bored by what should've been a fun enough short journey through Bastardville, the strange town the protagonist lives in.
The Flight of the Horse by Larry Niven (3 stars) - I'm really torn about this story. It's more sci-fi which should've been fine and it does paint a grim and intriguing picture of the future. It didn't outlast its welcome and I'd say the pacing was fine. But for me, at least, it didn't really leave any impact.
Prismatica by Samuel R. Delany (4 stars) - This reads like a fairy tale meets Pirates of the Carribean story. I actually really enjoyed it and found myself remembering it fondly in the few days after reading it.
The Manticore, the Mermaid, and Me by Megan Kurashige (3.5 stars) - I don't know how I feel about this one. On the one hand, it really did creep me out which is great. On the other hand, I actually forgot about it after and only remembered it again while working on the review. I think it's something to do with the main character being forgettable, but I'd also argue for a short story like this, do you really need a memorable character? I keep going back and forth between 3.5 and 4 stars.
The Compleat Werewolf by Anthony Boucher (4.5 stars) - I really liked this story. It was a bit longer than the others I believe but it was so worth it. The writing was really good. The pacing was great. The ending was wonderfully done, in my opinion. I just really enjoyed it as a whole.
The Smile on the Face by Nalo Hopkinson (2 stars) - I was going to rate this story a star higher, but to be honest, its pacing was just not very good. It took forever to get to the point and when it did, it moved too fast and became almost nonsensical. For some reason I found myself really not liking any of the main characters, either.
Or All the Seas with Oysters by Avram Davidson (3 stars) - I think the idea is interesting and unique. And I did enjoy the writing style enough. The problem I had with it was I found myself confused at the end. The climax seems to have happened off the screen and rather abruptly. I would like to read more by this author.
Come Lady Death by Peter S. Beagle (4.5 stars) - This story left me feeling things, haha. I don't even know how to explain it. It's both a celebration and grief of humanity, done in an unusual and kinda fun way. I found myself loving the writing style but staying because of the way it made me feel. The characters are fun and very memorable. I want to read more by the author. I do question if this was technically an unnatural creature? I suppose it is.
Overall: I rarely decide to own short story collections, because more often than not, I don't find enough stories in them I'd want to revisit. This was the first one I found myself looking to buy.
Individual Stories Ratings:
The Spot by Grahan Wilson (5 stars) - I made up the name because its name is actually a visual of a blob. I really enjoyed this whole story as nonsensical and strange as it is. So much so I had to go look up other books by Grahan Wilson since I hadn't heard the name before.
The Cartographer Wasps and the Anarchist Bees by E. Lily Yu ( 1 star) - I'm not even sure what I read. I read it twice to try and get into a different mindset and see if I'd like it better, but no. It tries to be a commentary on politics and society but does it in such a convoluted way that you can't help but hate it.
The Griffin and the Minor Canon by Frank R. Stockton (4 stars) - I actually really enjoyed this one. The flow of the story was good. Pacing was great. Overall really well-written.
Ozioma the Wicker by Nnedi Okorafor (3 stars) - When I went back to remember the stories in the collection, I found myself unable to remember which story this was. I enjoyed the story enough while reading it, but I wouldn't say I loved it. Something about the pacing and a rather abrupt ending perhaps? It was well-written and it did provide enough details to paint the picture but overall wasn't impactful.
Sunbird by Neil Gaiman (5 stars) - One of my favourites in this collection. Writing is great. Flow was very good and so was the pacing. I found myself really excited to see what happens next and how it will end (even though we were getting hints about the ending throughout the whole thing). Also, as someone with Egyptian family, I really appreciated the use of Kawha (street cafe) terminology. I wasn't expected it and loved it.
The Sage of Theatre by Diana Wynne Jones (3 stars) - I usually loved Diana Wynne Jones books, but this one was a little too disjointed. I liked the concept but the pacing was not very good. I kept finding myself counting down the pages to its end because I felt like it was dragging on. In general I wasn't sure if it fit the general theme of the collection. But Diana Wynne Jones is the amazing writer of Howl's Moving Castle so I'm sure you'll love other works by her, don't let this deter you!
Gabriel Ernest by Saki (3.5 stars) - This was overall a good ghost (well, werewolf) story. It left me feel unnerved and spooked out throughout. Its pacing was a little strange and it felt like it ended abruptly but I still recommend it.
The Cockatoucan by E. Nesbit (4 stars) - It's very 'Alice in Wonderland'-like in that it makes little sense and reads like a fever dream, but you'll enjoy every minute of it. I really loved the writing style too and will be looking for similar works by the author.
Moveable Beast by Maria Dahvana Headley (2 stars) - The idea is good, but the execution not so much. I found myself somewhat bored by what should've been a fun enough short journey through Bastardville, the strange town the protagonist lives in.
The Flight of the Horse by Larry Niven (3 stars) - I'm really torn about this story. It's more sci-fi which should've been fine and it does paint a grim and intriguing picture of the future. It didn't outlast its welcome and I'd say the pacing was fine. But for me, at least, it didn't really leave any impact.
Prismatica by Samuel R. Delany (4 stars) - This reads like a fairy tale meets Pirates of the Carribean story. I actually really enjoyed it and found myself remembering it fondly in the few days after reading it.
The Manticore, the Mermaid, and Me by Megan Kurashige (3.5 stars) - I don't know how I feel about this one. On the one hand, it really did creep me out which is great. On the other hand, I actually forgot about it after and only remembered it again while working on the review. I think it's something to do with the main character being forgettable, but I'd also argue for a short story like this, do you really need a memorable character? I keep going back and forth between 3.5 and 4 stars.
The Compleat Werewolf by Anthony Boucher (4.5 stars) - I really liked this story. It was a bit longer than the others I believe but it was so worth it. The writing was really good. The pacing was great. The ending was wonderfully done, in my opinion. I just really enjoyed it as a whole.
The Smile on the Face by Nalo Hopkinson (2 stars) - I was going to rate this story a star higher, but to be honest, its pacing was just not very good. It took forever to get to the point and when it did, it moved too fast and became almost nonsensical. For some reason I found myself really not liking any of the main characters, either.
Or All the Seas with Oysters by Avram Davidson (3 stars) - I think the idea is interesting and unique. And I did enjoy the writing style enough. The problem I had with it was I found myself confused at the end. The climax seems to have happened off the screen and rather abruptly. I would like to read more by this author.
Come Lady Death by Peter S. Beagle (4.5 stars) - This story left me feeling things, haha. I don't even know how to explain it. It's both a celebration and grief of humanity, done in an unusual and kinda fun way. I found myself loving the writing style but staying because of the way it made me feel. The characters are fun and very memorable. I want to read more by the author. I do question if this was technically an unnatural creature? I suppose it is.