Category Archives: Book Review

Steel Skin by Lori M. Lee

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Steel Skin
Author: Lori M. Lee
In: A Thousand Beginnings and Endings (Ellen Oh & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Mythology, Retellings, Science fiction
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2018

Thoughts

This was a wonderful story that started off feeling like it was entirely contemporary, but turned into a bit of a SciFi. At the beginning of this short story, the idea of a cyborg infiltrating the girl’s home seemed kind of far fetched. And, honestly, a way for her to deal with the grief of losing her mother. However, as the story unfolded, it seemed closer and closer to the truth. And in uncovering this truth, so many existential questions and thoughts were raised. I’ll probably reread this short story multiple times, coming up with a new meaning behind the fantastic words.

Every new paragraph in this story offered up a new surprise, and, mostly I found them quite enjoyable. Alright, not every one was a positive surprise, but they most definitely were all enjoyable. I kind of loved how each moment unfolded a new twist. And, honestly, even if I reread this, I probably wouldn’t be able to predict what would happen next. The ending of this was, thus, completely unexpected, but fantastic. I just didn’t expect that kind of solidarity and loyalty if I’m being honest. It was such a pleasant surprise.

At the core of this story, there are a lot of questions about how we process emotions and what actually makes a human. I spent this entire story wondering what is normal and what isn’t in the emotional spectrum. And, as with this story, how could you program something to feel in the way that humans do? I mean, were pretty insane and illogical, so it’s definitely a legitimate question. One that will genuinely keep me up at night if I let it.

<- Olivia’s TableStill Star-Crossed ->

Image source: Amazon

Sister Twelve: Confessions of a Party Monster by Christopher Barzak

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Sister Twelve: Confessions of a Party Monster
Author: Christopher Barzak
In: Glitter and Mayhem (Amber Benson)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Retellings
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2013

Thoughts

I don’t know what I was expecting to start this collection, but a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princes wasn’t quite what I had in mind. And I loved it! Plus, there was a bit of a glam dance theme going on that I dug. And the father as the villain? A fantastic spin on the already eerily beautiful fairy tale.

The narrator of this is the quintessential stereotype of a youngest sibling – impulsive and just a little bit selfish. All she wants throughout this is her freedom and independence, which i can understand. However, there was also something painfully naive and selfish.

I’m not 100% about the choices made at the end of this story. I mean, she runs away to a world of dancing and independence. There’s also drugs and ambiguity, and living in a not quite there realm. It’s maybe better than being forced into a marriage with a gross old man, but I’m not entirely sure by how much…

<- Glitter and MayhemApex Jump ->

Image source: Amazon

Side Work by Sara Farizan

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Side Work
Author: Sara Farizan
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Family, Food, LGBTQI
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

One of my favourite things to experience in short stories is the suspense of knowledge. I love spending an entire story trying to figure out what happened to have the characters end up where they are. In the case of Side Work, I spent the entirety of the story wondering what it was that the narrator actually did to warrant her exile and silence from her family.

There were so many tangled threads throughout this short story. Honestly, a surprising number considering the length of the actual story. I love that the drama from the past is all twisted up with self-confidence, discovering who you are and sexuality. You know, the dramas and themes that we all have to come to terms with in our teens and figure out as we grow. This was just a bit of a harsher learning curve than some.

Although there is much pain and silent suffering throughout this story, I love that it all, ultimately ends with the beginnings of a happily ever after. I mean, the protagonist is still young, so there’s probably going to be more suffering in the future. But, there is so much hope and optimism for becoming someone you want to be. Plus, she is able to find forgiveness for her past, and find a way to reconcile with her father. A happy ending if I ever did read one.

<- A Bountiful FilmPanaderia ~ Pasteleria ->

Image source: Goodreads

Seek No More by Isobelle Carmody

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for green monkey dreams isobelle carmody book cover

Title: Seek No More
Author: Isobelle Carmody
In: Green Monkey Dreams (Isobelle Carmody)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Year: 1996

Thoughts

It’s kind of unclear as to whether or not Noah lives in a fantasy world of reality or his mind. Which makes this a bit of an uncomfortable read for me. At least, that’s how I found the entire reality of this story – I wasn’t’ sure if we were in the real world with someone who is a bit unsettled with reality. Or in an urban fantasy world with someone who is just misunderstood. I suppose that’s what makes this story one that will be interesting to reread.

Although I’m not sure of where the line between reality and not is blurred, this did, ultimately have a happy ending. It was a bit of a dark story, but I don’t necessarily hate that fact when there is a nice ending. One that felt really hopeful and sweet.

I really enjoyed the craftiness Noah shows in escaping his bully, Buddha. And also how that just shows how those who don’t quite fit in are ostracized. Ultimately, this was a story about found family and maybe, just maybe, finding a place to belong.

<- The Witch SeedThe Phoenix ->

Image source: Allen & Unwin

Secrets at the Door by Inka York

Book Review
Overview

Title: Secrets at the Door
Author: Inka York
Rating Out of 5: 2 (Managed to read it… just)
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 0

Thoughts

I really wanted to like this, and I honestly, didn’t dislike it. Mostly because the writing was actually quite good. I just didn’t feel drawn in from the beginning of the story. And, because I have over 5,000 books on my ereader alone, I’m trying to be a whole lot more selective about what I’m reading. Honestly, this was kind of forgettable and, even though I read half of the story before DNF’ing, I can’t actually tell you what happened.

Image source: Amazon

Panaderia ~ Pasteleria by Anna-Marie McLemore

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Panaderia ~ Pasteleria
Author: Anna-Marie McLemore
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Food, LGBTQI
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

This was a fantastic way to finish out the Hungry Hearts collection. Mostly because Lila is a secondary character who pops up in many of the stories throughout this anthology. Gifting needed pastries and helping people to take a step forwards in their lives. So it was really nice that she got her own story.

I love how calm and accepting of Gael is and how they begin to form a relationship built on the present, not the past. I loved reading about Lila’s acceptance of Gael’s identity and reality, and that she honestly doesn’t even blink at that fact. I always love reading stories about building friendships and being true to oneself. Plus, Lila is so quiet, that it’s nice that she’s finding her own friendships.

Lila’s ability to communicate through her food and cooking is kind of adorable. And that, even if she’s not able to actually articulate her feelings, she is able to show her love through food. Ultimately, it’s this communication through food that really lets her and Gael connect. This was such a cute short story of acceptance and caring. One that was just filled with hope for a close relationship and a bright future.

<- Side WorkHungry Hearts ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Frog Chauffeur by Garry Kilworth

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Frog Chauffeur
Author: Garry Kilworth
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Retellings
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 1999

Thoughts

This was an interesting twist on the Princess and the Frog, but on a more original version when the frog was transformed due to trauma, not a kiss. I kind of like this intense and violent version more. And then, there’s the whole idea that what genetic legacy did the Frog leave behind? Did he leave a whole heap of little, twisted tadpoles who could also be transformed at any given moment?

The Frog Chauffeur had a bit of a sad ending, one that definitely echoed the feeling of fairy tales, but a bittersweet one all the same. I thought the entire time throughout this story that there would be a lot of darkness at some point that would make me slightly uncomfortable and horrified. Instead, it was a sad ending, one that plucked at the heart strings and made me feel kind of… nostalgic for lack of a better term.

I love that driving has that same eerie and enjoyable feeling of swimming – and that missing the water makes the Frog enjoy driving through the trees. I can just picture the dappled green coming through the windshield on a nice, spring afternoon. And it brings peace.

<- The Sea HagThe Dybbuk in the Bottle ->

Image source: Wikipedia

The Justified by Ann Leckie

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Justified
Author: Ann Leckie
In: The Mythic Dream (Dominik Parisien & Navah Wolfe)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Mythology, Retellings
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I absolutely adored this short story, and now I really want to read the original myth that this was based upon. It was kind of dark and twisty, it was fun. And I love that, at the end, it was ultimately about justice and recognising that the powers that be might not actually be as ‘good’ as they think they are.

This short story was all about how the all-powerful and leaders still need to be answerable to justice and others. And that, even if they started off good, sometimes beings can become power hungry and do the unforgivable. Luckily, there is good in this story that doesn’t want power – and decides to question authority to find equality amongst all.

I love that at the end of this, it is the Hand of the leader who is also their downfall. Rather than being the mindless murderer of the past, they are able to take charge of their own life and actions, and find a new way forward. Ultimately, this story ends on hope and optimism for a fairer and brighter future.

<- Phantoms of the MidwayFisher-Bird ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster

The Dybbuk in the Bottle by Russell William Asplund

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Dybbuk in the Bottle
Author: Russell William Asplund
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Historical fantasy, Retellings
Pace: Slow, Medium, Fast
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 1999

Thoughts

This was an interesting twist on the traditional (or in my case often read) story of outsmarting a demon. Or at least, I found that there was enough of a surprise in it that I found it intriguing and different.

I love that at the end of this story, the farmer is finally able to recognise how wonderful and rewarding farming truly is. Rather than wanting to perform miracles, he is finally able to see the miracles rhat make up a part of everyday life.

This was my first story with a hero Rabbi. I can’t say that they are a religious figure who feature much in my reading. But I most definitely enjoyed it and wouldn’t be opposed to reading more such stories.

<- The Frog ChauffeurThe Shell Box ->

Image source: Wikipedia

A Bountiful Film by S.K. Ali

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: A Bountiful Film
Author: S.K. Ali
In: Hungry Hearts (Caroline Tung Richmond & Elsie Chapman)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Food
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I love that this is a short story all about making a film for a film competition. The whole time, it is about new beginnings, changing where you are and, finding a way to show who you are through film. As someone who is not even remotely creative in the videographic sense, I found the process of creating a film to be absolutely fascinating. And, then there’s the ever present food intertwined throughout this story.

I really enjoyed getting to know Hungry Hearst Row through the lens of a mystery. The Hungry Hearts anthology has explored this area through many different genres, but this is the first and only mystery within the collection. I loved trying to unravel the different threads throughout and predict just how the mystery ended. I did not get it right in any way, shape or form, but it was still an interesting journey.

I love that, ultimately this was a short story with happy endings all round. It was a sweet and easy read, one that I thoroughly enjoyed and I’m intrigued to see what else S.K. Ali writes. All in all, I seriously enjoyed this and want to read more stories like this.

<- BloomSide Work ->

Image source: Goodreads