Reviews

Monstrous Affections: An Anthology of Beastly Tales by Kelly Link

m0ribund's review against another edition

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adventurous dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

cluckingbell's review against another edition

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3.0

I received a copy for free through GoodReads' First Reads.

The value of an anthology for me is an opportunity to try out a bunch of different authors and see what sticks. Of the fifteen included here, about four I would consider seeking out in the future and only a couple I might take pains to avoid.

That said, I am not a young adult, nor do I parent one, so I feel ill-suited to reviewing this particular anthology on the basis of intended audience. There are some intriguing stories in this collection, and some relatively banal ones. Most that failed to excite me could still provide an interesting basis for discussion with or among teenagers, so this book could serve as a manageably portioned means of opening a dialogue with the young person in your life or helping them to think critically about what they read.

geldauran's review against another edition

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2.0

More misses than hits for me. My favorites were "Moriabe's Children," "The Diabolist," "Wings in the Morning," and "A Small Wild Magic."

gabbyfaw's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

pilaaar's review against another edition

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5.0

fue la cosa más tierna del mundo leer desde el pov de luke

yvesdot's review against another edition

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5.0

This collection of monster-focused short stories for teens stands out as a diversely-populated world of monster family, monster friends, monster enemies, and, yes, some very compelling monster lovers. 15 authors plumb the depths of otherworldly symbolism for real poignancy and emotion, sure to pluck all the varied feelings from your heart.

xgraveyard_babyx's review against another edition

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dark medium-paced

4.5

mickey_june's review against another edition

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4.0

What I liked about this anthology was that there was a variety of types of monsters and stories. Instead of every story being about a teen's love with a vampire. This anthology includes the kraken, aliens, demon schools, and black magic. Of the fifteen stories, I felt that about half deserved four or five stars. My least favorites include "Old Souls" by Cassandra Clare. This story was predictable and unremarkable, but written well enough to still deserve three stars itself. One of my favorites was "Son of Abyss" by Nik Houser. Despite it's short length, it contained many themes and character development. Because of this, it was just as satisfying a good novel.

samiism's review against another edition

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2.0

2 stars because it truly was only "it was ok".

The first three tales I could stomach. Slow, not too action-packed, but like I said in a progress update, lacking a concrete resolution. Cliffhangers. Most of them ended with me thinking, "And then what?"

Then the stories got progressively meh.

emmascc's review against another edition

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4.0

Okay I admit I'm mostly here for Sarah Rees Brennan's story because Luke and Elliot... Now that In Other Lands has been released, Luke's POV ruins me more