Tag Archives: Teeth

Why Light? by Tanith Lee

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for teeth ellen datlow terri windling book cover

Title: Why Light?
Author: Tanith Lee
In: Teeth: Vampire Tales (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Harper
Year: 2011

Thoughts

Why Light? is the short story that rounds out the Teeth collection. And it was kind of a nice way to end out this anthology if vampire stories. It was surprisingly sweet and cute. Not even remotely what I expected from the author and / or the start of the story.

I really like the idea of ‘sun kissed’ vampires and ‘healing’ vampires. It was a little less gothic and aggressive than I was expecting, which was kind of a nice change of pace. Plus, the idea of these two vampire types joining together was kind of fantastic. I’d read more about this in the future.

Although this story didn’t actually end with a ‘happy ending’, there were lots of hints to it. Because I’m an optimist and a romantic, I choose to believe that there was a happily ever after in the books for these two… even if they’re both taking a huge leap of faith and trust into the unknown.

<- My GenerationTroll’s Eye View ->

Image source: HarperCollins

Slice of Life by Lucius Shepard

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for teeth ellen datlow terri windling book cover

Title: Slice of Life
Author: Lucius Shepard
In: Teeth: Vampire Tales (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Harper
Year: 2011

Thoughts

This short story jumps around a little bit in timeliness and apace, but it gives this constant sense of a life without hope. Its kind of depressing and sad to read at times. But also enjoyable – who needs happy stories ALL the time?

I like that the ending of this tale is open and full of potential for a future. It might be a bit vague as to which / what future is likely to be chosen, there is still something on the horizon for the lead character.

Louise / Ellen is definitely a character who is going to sink or swim on her own. The way she is able to stand on her own feet and manipulate others makes me think that there’s going to be a lucrative future for her. But still… there is a naivety to her actions that makes me want to know how she goes on her own…

<- The Perfect Dinner PartyMy Generation ->

Image source: HarperCollins

The Perfect Dinner Party by Cassandra Clare & Holly Black

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
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Title: The Perfect Dinner Party
Author: Cassandra Clare & Holly Black
In: Teeth: Vampire Tales (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Horror, Vampires
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Harper
Year: 2011

Thoughts

This is one of the few short stories in the Teeth collection that I’ve put on my horror shelf. Because it is way, way creepier and disturbed than I was expecting. I mean, the narrator voice is downright messed up, and the fact that it’s all coming from the body of a little girl? Disturbed. And yet, I loved it.

I think part of what made this story so creepy is that it is literally a list of rules to make the ‘perfect’ dinner party. It starts off kind of archaic, but understandable. Then, the sinister undertones become more and more obvious. I mean, you know that it’s about a vampire because of the collection its in. But the obvious brain washing and dated etiquette starts to make it a little more… uncomfortable.

It’s kind of easy to like Charles throughout this story. Probably because he is shown through the lens of a doting sister. And, he’s not quite creepy. But the sister? The narrator? Damn is she terrifying, I mean, it would be scary being turned at 14. But I just had these porcelain doll kind of vibes the whole way through this. I get shivers up my spine just thinking about it.

<- HistorySlice of Life ->

Image source: HarperCollins

My Generation by Emma Bull

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
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Title: My Generation
Author: Emma Bull
In: Teeth: Vampire Tales (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Poetry, Vampires
Pace: Slow
Format: Poem
Publisher: Harper
Year: 2011

Thoughts

I’m always up to read a good poem. Mostly because they have so many layers and interpretations. It doesn’t matter how often I read a poem, depending on my mood, the weather, etc. I get something else out of the words that I didn’t find before.

The main words that came to me when reading this poem was curfews and darkness. There was something almost gothic and restrictive about the prose. I loved the mystery that it added to my reading.

Then there was the theme of constantly moving and hiding. Constantly learning new things. And always having to shift about. I can’t imagine being immortal and this constant shifting and darkness just reinforced that idea.

<- Slice of LifeWhy Light? ->

Image source: HarperCollins

History by Ellen Kushner

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for teeth ellen datlow terri windling book cover

Title: History
Author: Ellen Kushner
In: Teeth: Vampire Tales (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Harper
Year: 2011

Thoughts

There are a lot of books on my shelves that have some kind of age gap. But, the age gap in this story is definitely a whole lot bigger. Probably because it’s between a college girl and a vampire. So that kind of makes sense. I’ve read a lot of fantasy books that feature this kind of age gap. But, for some reason, in this short story, that just felt slightly… wrong.

I think part of the reason that the age gap and relationship in this story felt wrong was that it felt kind of like the girl was being used. She definitely had feelings for the older vampire, but he didn’t seem to have them for her. It was an interesting story, but I definitely felt bad for the young girl. She even seemed to be aware of the fact that she was just being used to pass the time / decades…

There is so much history that must be seen by an immortal. I too would want to ask a thousand questions. So being constantly told “I forget” would drive me absolutely bonkers. I mean, seriously? So much knowledge, and no chance of having ANY of it shared? Even reading this drove me a little bit nuts…

<- TransitionThe Perfect Dinner Party ->

Image source: HarperCollins

Teeth edited by Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling

Book Review, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for teeth ellen datlow terri windling book cover

Title: Teeth: Vampire Tales
Author: Ellen Datlow, Terri Windling, Genevieve Valentine, Steve Berman, Christopher Barzak, Neil Gaiman, Delia Sherman, Garth Nix, Suzy McKee Charnas, Kaaron Warren, Cecil Castellucci, Jeffrey Ford, Nathan Ballingrud, Kathe Koja, Catherynne M. Valente, Melissa Marr, Ellen Kushner, Cassandra Clare, Holly Black, Lucius Shepard, Emma Bull & Tanith Lee
In: Teeth: Vampire Tales (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Short story collections, Vampires
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology, eBook
Publisher: Harper
Year: 2011

Thoughts

This is one of those collections that I’ve stopped and started multiple times. Because sometimes that’s what I do with a short story collection. And yet, I have enjoyed reading it almost every step of the way. There’s always something fun and interesting about a collection edited by Ellen Datlow.

Vampire stories are one of those things that I’m very much on the fence about. I mean, I often enjoy them. But because of the naughties, they became something that was slightly overdone. Probably one of the reasons this book came in and out of my shelves so much – I enjoyed it but didn’t want to overdo it either.

The stories in this run the gambit of vampire characterisation. Some are classical. Some are romantic. Some are just a little bit bizarre. But every story was fun and worth reading again.

<- The PumaThings to Know About Being Dead ->

Image source: HarperCollins

Vampire Weather by Garth Nix

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

To Hold the BridgeTitle: Vampire Weather
Author: Garth Nix
In: To Hold the Bridge (Garth Nix) & Teeth (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Australian authors, Dark fantasy, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Hot Key Books
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Come down to my house.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

We all hate going out in bad weather, but for Amos, it’s far, far, far worse.

Thoughts

This story might have only been 20 pages, but it is certainly a cute, slightly twisted story that I am going to think about for a long while. There is nothing like a short story that is going to stick with you to finish off the night. And, Vampire Weather is definitely one such story.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, but, as a general, I don’t enjoy vampire stories. They tend to make a creature that is traditionally seen as a villain as a fluffy, cuddly, romantic human with a slight disease. Luckily, Vampire Weather doesn’t do this in the slightest. The entire story is based around the premise that vampires are evil predators that can’t be allowed to triumph. From Amos’ secluded existence, to Tangerine’s cheerful vaccination, every single act is conducted to keep vampires away from one’s lifeblood.

Amos’ ignorance, caused by his seclusion and his sense of betrayal at the conclusion of this story are a great way to show that ignorance isn’t always bliss. After all, sometimes, being ignorant and naïve is exactly what gets you in trouble in vampire weather…

<- To Hold the Bridge Collection Review Strange Fishing in the Western Highlands Review ->
Image source: Goodreads