Scan barcode
rachaelbeau's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
This is a solid collection of short stories. I normally don't really like short story collections, but this one blew me away. The stories themselves were so varied that I decided to rate them individually instead of as a whole book.
The Dark 5 stars
This story opens the book with a sweet story of youth and summer. Camp friends, horses, a lake...it drips with nostalgia no matter what decade you grew up in. Andrea and Jessie were like any other 13 year old girls you might know who are "too cool" for the camp activities provided to them. They sneak out at night, which is very relatable, and visit horses or go swimming in the lake. This story turns from nostalgic summer vibes to predatory and frightening. The author is never explicit about what happened that night, but the vague notion of what could have happened, what very well did happen, is scary enough on its own. I think the ending of this one will lose some readers, but the vagueness solidified its rating for me.
Girlfriend on Mars 5 stars
Another 5 star story. This is the story that sold me on the book when I was first considering picking it up. I especially loved that it took place in Vancouver. It was VERY Vancouver, but I really liked that about it. What a way to leave your boyfriend, literally try to move to Mars. That feeling of his loss and her salvation follows through the entire story.
Tw for death by cancer
The Passage Bird 4 stars
I don't have a lot to say about this one. I interpreted this to be a story of a predator. An at risk teenage girl spends a lot of time, to the degree of potentially moving in with, an adult man. A friend of her father's, in fact. I liked it, but it was a little weird for me and I wished we had gone a little deeper or darker. It kind of felt like the author wanted to keep a dark story light.
TW discussions of the holocaust
Hard Currency 3.5 stars
I felt like this story has been done before, especially as I read The Tsar of Love and Techno earlier this year. I was left wanting more.
Last One to Leave 4.5 stars
What a stunning and sad story. I really enjoyed it, but the style didn't work for me. I found I kept missing things and having to reread the previous paragraph. But the story more than made up for it. I want a whole book of their story.
TW WW2/Holocaust depictions
I Am Optimus Prime 4 stars
This story had you waiting for the next shoe to drop. I was on edge the entire time. I really enjoyed it, but once again I wanted a little bit more from it.
TW alcoholism
Welcome to Paradise 4 stars
This story was nostalgic as well as uncomfortable, the entire time. I think most women will relate to these two girls, at least in their summertime boredom. Feelings of happiness, nostalgia, sadness, and frustration were woven in throughout the story. The vagueness got to me in this one, I wanted to know what happened and I wanted some solid answers.
TW vague reference to a pregnancy loss, potential sexual assault
Todd 3.5 stars
I fucking wept for a crow. This is all you need to know.
TW animal death, addiction
Flight 4 stars
If you don't like stories of at risk girls, avoid this one like the plague. I really enjoyed it. I liked the overlap of this story and the one before it, deepening the character of Eddie. It's a BLEAK story, though. I was particularly shaken that it took place in not just my city, but in my neighbourhood.
TW mention of self harm, addiction
The Ark 3 stars
This was my least favourite story. I related to the loss of faith and acting out, though. What the fuck was wrong with Toby?
TW pregnancy loss
Steve and Lauren: Three Stories 3.5 stars
I really loved how these wrapped up the book, and especially that last one got me.
TW cheating
The Dark 5 stars
This story opens the book with a sweet story of youth and summer. Camp friends, horses, a lake...it drips with nostalgia no matter what decade you grew up in. Andrea and Jessie were like any other 13 year old girls you might know who are "too cool" for the camp activities provided to them. They sneak out at night, which is very relatable, and visit horses or go swimming in the lake. This story turns from nostalgic summer vibes to predatory and frightening. The author is never explicit about what happened that night, but the vague notion of what could have happened, what very well did happen, is scary enough on its own. I think the ending of this one will lose some readers, but the vagueness solidified its rating for me.
Girlfriend on Mars 5 stars
Another 5 star story. This is the story that sold me on the book when I was first considering picking it up. I especially loved that it took place in Vancouver. It was VERY Vancouver, but I really liked that about it. What a way to leave your boyfriend, literally try to move to Mars. That feeling of his loss and her salvation follows through the entire story.
Tw for death by cancer
The Passage Bird 4 stars
I don't have a lot to say about this one. I interpreted this to be a story of a predator. An at risk teenage girl spends a lot of time, to the degree of potentially moving in with, an adult man. A friend of her father's, in fact. I liked it, but it was a little weird for me and I wished we had gone a little deeper or darker. It kind of felt like the author wanted to keep a dark story light.
TW discussions of the holocaust
Hard Currency 3.5 stars
I felt like this story has been done before, especially as I read The Tsar of Love and Techno earlier this year. I was left wanting more.
Last One to Leave 4.5 stars
What a stunning and sad story. I really enjoyed it, but the style didn't work for me. I found I kept missing things and having to reread the previous paragraph. But the story more than made up for it. I want a whole book of their story.
TW WW2/Holocaust depictions
I Am Optimus Prime 4 stars
This story had you waiting for the next shoe to drop. I was on edge the entire time. I really enjoyed it, but once again I wanted a little bit more from it.
TW alcoholism
Welcome to Paradise 4 stars
This story was nostalgic as well as uncomfortable, the entire time. I think most women will relate to these two girls, at least in their summertime boredom. Feelings of happiness, nostalgia, sadness, and frustration were woven in throughout the story. The vagueness got to me in this one, I wanted to know what happened and I wanted some solid answers.
TW vague reference to a pregnancy loss, potential sexual assault
Todd 3.5 stars
I fucking wept for a crow. This is all you need to know.
TW animal death, addiction
Flight 4 stars
If you don't like stories of at risk girls, avoid this one like the plague. I really enjoyed it. I liked the overlap of this story and the one before it, deepening the character of Eddie. It's a BLEAK story, though. I was particularly shaken that it took place in not just my city, but in my neighbourhood.
TW mention of self harm, addiction
The Ark 3 stars
This was my least favourite story. I related to the loss of faith and acting out, though. What the fuck was wrong with Toby?
TW pregnancy loss
Steve and Lauren: Three Stories 3.5 stars
I really loved how these wrapped up the book, and especially that last one got me.
TW cheating
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Moderate: Cancer, Alcoholism, Addiction, and Infidelity
Minor: Miscarriage, Sexual assault, and Self harm
More...