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jamieclark's review
4.0
Wow. This was incredible. I read this a few weeks after reading Kidder's previous collection [b:Little Birds|41216866|Little Birds a collection of short stories|Hannah Lee Kidder|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1534621245l/41216866._SY75_.jpg|64414801] and was blown away at the growth Kidder displayed between these two collections. Starlight really feels like the fully realized version of what Kidder was trying to accomplish in Little Birds, to me. The continual dipping in and out of fantasy/horror elements really added to the atmosphere of these tense tragic stories in a big way. The reader is never really sure of whether the story is one of fantasy or not -- and sometimes the more 'real' stories were that much more chilling than the fantasy ones. We fear both what we do not understand and what we do. Beautiful collection, highly recommended, but certainly not for the faint of heart. Again, check the trigger warnings on this one if need be, as there are plenty.
4.5.
4.5.
catherynreads's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
The first story slapped, the swamp witch one was stellar, white rabbit was amazing. A few fell flat for me, but overall I really liked it.
thebookiemonster's review against another edition
5.0
I am in awe
I've read Little Birds before, and I thought that that was gonna be my favourite of the two. I was wrong.
Kidder's writing was always amazing, always good, but theres something about this one. Something awesome about it. The stories are spooky, and do have some elements of horror like ghosts and such, but Starlight is a suckerpunch the heart. Usually I'm stone cold about my feelings toward characters, but I'm dying inside. I can feel my heart shrivelling up, breaking. It's a pain I havent felt since my grandfathers passing.
Every story I read I was like "this ones my favourite," until I reached Passing Ghosts, the final story, and my god. It's Kidder's best work so far. If she can top that one in her next collection I will surely not be able to bear the pain. I still want to cry, the only reason I'm not is that I'm sureounded by people. Its haunting. I wanna say more but I'm still heaving from getting the wind knocked out of me, so if I find more to say I'll edit this review.
I've read Little Birds before, and I thought that that was gonna be my favourite of the two. I was wrong.
Kidder's writing was always amazing, always good, but theres something about this one. Something awesome about it. The stories are spooky, and do have some elements of horror like ghosts and such, but Starlight is a suckerpunch the heart. Usually I'm stone cold about my feelings toward characters, but I'm dying inside. I can feel my heart shrivelling up, breaking. It's a pain I havent felt since my grandfathers passing.
Every story I read I was like "this ones my favourite," until I reached Passing Ghosts, the final story, and my god. It's Kidder's best work so far. If she can top that one in her next collection I will surely not be able to bear the pain. I still want to cry, the only reason I'm not is that I'm sureounded by people. Its haunting. I wanna say more but I'm still heaving from getting the wind knocked out of me, so if I find more to say I'll edit this review.
sky_jumper's review
5.0
(I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review)
Starlight does for the "spooky" genre what Little Birds did for the contemporary genre: it turns it on its head in the most creative, poignant way. Each story is eerie in its own way, taking you on miniature journeys through unsettling worlds. This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys stories of the supernatural or any lover of all things creepy.
Starlight does for the "spooky" genre what Little Birds did for the contemporary genre: it turns it on its head in the most creative, poignant way. Each story is eerie in its own way, taking you on miniature journeys through unsettling worlds. This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys stories of the supernatural or any lover of all things creepy.
wilde_reader's review
4.0
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
***PLEASE look at the end of this review for a list of trigger/content warnings for each story that needs them! Keep yourselves safe while reading***
Hannah Lee Kidder is truly a master of the written word. It's so clear how much care has gone into crafting each of these stories, and that's something wonderful to see and to experience while reading.
While of course some stories stood out to me more than others ("Sliced," "The Swamp Witch," "Margrove," "Home," and "Passing Ghosts" were my personal favorites, the ones that made my skin crawl, my mouth drop, and had me hanging onto the edge of my seat), all of these stories were beautiful in their own ways. I will definitely be revisiting this book, and it's so refreshing to see such a wonderfully written collection of speculative short stories and flash fictions, a style of writing which, I feel, is so dominated by more contemporary stories. I loved Little Birds, but I hope Kidder releases more stories like these in the future. Anything of hers, though, I eagerly await.
My biggest criticism is tied to one story in particular - "White Rabbit." While I did enjoy the story, it didn't feel like there was much of a different take on the vampire folklore/genre, and, to me, it ended very abruptly. I would've loved to see more of these characters. Because of this, it took my rating down to four stars (though it's really more of a 4.5/5. Come on Goodreads, get it together, let us give half ratings). Everything else was so well-crafted and interesting, so this story was the biggest let-down for me.
I'm very excited to get my physical copy in October, and again, thank you so much for the chance to review this beautiful collection before it's released to the world.
TRIGGER/CONTENT WARNINGS:
Sliced - Blood/gore
The Swamp Witch - Blood/gore, mutilation, cannibalism (discussed, does not take place)
Warm - Blood, sexual assault
Margrove - Parental abuse (physical, verbal, mental, emotional), implied self-harm, poor treatment of mental illness, blood/gore
Bruising - Mistreatment by police (not police brutality), implied sexual assault
Home - Implied parental abuse
Starlit Shadows - Parental abuse (physical, verbal, mental, emotional), death of a child, childbirth, alcoholism
White Rabbit - Sexual harassment/assault, blood
Passing Ghosts - Abusive relationships (physical, verbal), pregnancy, alcoholism, parental abuse (verbal, emotional)
**If there are any that I missed or got wrong, please let me know and I will gladly add/fix them!
***PLEASE look at the end of this review for a list of trigger/content warnings for each story that needs them! Keep yourselves safe while reading***
Hannah Lee Kidder is truly a master of the written word. It's so clear how much care has gone into crafting each of these stories, and that's something wonderful to see and to experience while reading.
While of course some stories stood out to me more than others ("Sliced," "The Swamp Witch," "Margrove," "Home," and "Passing Ghosts" were my personal favorites, the ones that made my skin crawl, my mouth drop, and had me hanging onto the edge of my seat), all of these stories were beautiful in their own ways. I will definitely be revisiting this book, and it's so refreshing to see such a wonderfully written collection of speculative short stories and flash fictions, a style of writing which, I feel, is so dominated by more contemporary stories. I loved Little Birds, but I hope Kidder releases more stories like these in the future. Anything of hers, though, I eagerly await.
My biggest criticism is tied to one story in particular - "White Rabbit." While I did enjoy the story, it didn't feel like there was much of a different take on the vampire folklore/genre, and, to me, it ended very abruptly. I would've loved to see more of these characters. Because of this, it took my rating down to four stars (though it's really more of a 4.5/5. Come on Goodreads, get it together, let us give half ratings). Everything else was so well-crafted and interesting, so this story was the biggest let-down for me.
I'm very excited to get my physical copy in October, and again, thank you so much for the chance to review this beautiful collection before it's released to the world.
TRIGGER/CONTENT WARNINGS:
Sliced - Blood/gore
The Swamp Witch - Blood/gore, mutilation, cannibalism (discussed, does not take place)
Warm - Blood, sexual assault
Margrove - Parental abuse (physical, verbal, mental, emotional), implied self-harm, poor treatment of mental illness, blood/gore
Bruising - Mistreatment by police (not police brutality), implied sexual assault
Home - Implied parental abuse
Starlit Shadows - Parental abuse (physical, verbal, mental, emotional), death of a child, childbirth, alcoholism
White Rabbit - Sexual harassment/assault, blood
Passing Ghosts - Abusive relationships (physical, verbal), pregnancy, alcoholism, parental abuse (verbal, emotional)
**If there are any that I missed or got wrong, please let me know and I will gladly add/fix them!
whatever1441's review
5.0
I was given an ARC for an honest review.
I loved every story in this book. I don't know much about short stories but I know this was amazing.
My only experience with short stories was last summer when I read twenty of them for my AP English class and a few of these stories have that feel. They are well written and could be used an AP class for analysis.
As I read, I was able to understand the themes and the characterization that pulled me into each story. Not once did I falter with misunderstanding.
This is a good place to start if you are going to start reading again after a long break.
I loved every story in this book. I don't know much about short stories but I know this was amazing.
My only experience with short stories was last summer when I read twenty of them for my AP English class and a few of these stories have that feel. They are well written and could be used an AP class for analysis.
As I read, I was able to understand the themes and the characterization that pulled me into each story. Not once did I falter with misunderstanding.
This is a good place to start if you are going to start reading again after a long break.
nspinelli's review against another edition
5.0
A fantastic spooky read
Hannah Lee Kidder is absolutely the master of written word. It's so exciting to see such a wonderfully written collection of spooky fiction. There is such a care to detail that is refreshing to read.
I loved every story in this book. My favorites were “Margrove” and “Passing Ghosts.” I felt every second of their lives. The unexpected twists and turns blew me away.
This was the first spooky story I have read in a very long time and it was beyond worth it.
The darkness in the tone does a book good. Anything of hers, I enthusiastically await.
Hannah Lee Kidder is absolutely the master of written word. It's so exciting to see such a wonderfully written collection of spooky fiction. There is such a care to detail that is refreshing to read.
I loved every story in this book. My favorites were “Margrove” and “Passing Ghosts.” I felt every second of their lives. The unexpected twists and turns blew me away.
This was the first spooky story I have read in a very long time and it was beyond worth it.
The darkness in the tone does a book good. Anything of hers, I enthusiastically await.
rosiewoodward's review
5.0
LOVED LOVED LOVED Starlight. Curled up and read the whole thing on Halloween eve and enjoyed myself so much! Favourites are Starlit Shadows and Passing Ghosts, but loved them all- each one is so imaginative and compelling and feels like a little gem. Please write more things!
brookeisbusyreading's review
5.0
Once again, Hannah has appealed to the part of my soul that revels in deliciously dark stories! Starlight reminds me of the Goosebumps books I read as a kid, although with more mature themes like Stephen King’s novels, and it has a clear style that doesn’t shy away from wanting to make you squirm.
My heart pounded with every story, sometimes with sympathy and sometimes with thrilling excitement. Each story kept me thoroughly engaged and turning pages until I reached the end, wanting to immediately start reading it again!
I absolutely loved Little Birds and now I love Starlight, dare I say more???
Hannah’s style is something that’s unique to any book I’ve read before and I’m completely hooked on her work!
My heart pounded with every story, sometimes with sympathy and sometimes with thrilling excitement. Each story kept me thoroughly engaged and turning pages until I reached the end, wanting to immediately start reading it again!
I absolutely loved Little Birds and now I love Starlight, dare I say more???
Hannah’s style is something that’s unique to any book I’ve read before and I’m completely hooked on her work!
sheriffbenji's review
5.0
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.)
Hannah Lee Kidder balances frightening scenes with genuine human moments to create a page-turning, gut-wrenching status quo that keeps you locked in from page one. There's a lot more experimentation with genre here than in Little Birds, but the overall themes keep the pieces cohesive, and playing with genre allows HLK to flex her writing muscles and show off her skills. Overall, this collection is well-rounded and packed with fantastic stories that I keep coming back to over and over (my favorites were Passing Ghosts and Starlit Shadows!).
Hannah Lee Kidder balances frightening scenes with genuine human moments to create a page-turning, gut-wrenching status quo that keeps you locked in from page one. There's a lot more experimentation with genre here than in Little Birds, but the overall themes keep the pieces cohesive, and playing with genre allows HLK to flex her writing muscles and show off her skills. Overall, this collection is well-rounded and packed with fantastic stories that I keep coming back to over and over (my favorites were Passing Ghosts and Starlit Shadows!).