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axel_p's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Bride-Heart by Marie Rutkoski
Katrine and Rowan's Exit Interview by Sarah Gailey
Who Will Save Me by Julian Winters
Undead Ghoul Meet-Cute by Kendare Blake
Bloody, Lovely by Casey McQuiston
A Thousand More by Chloe Gong
Once Upon a Time in Charleston by Melissa de la Cruz
Kiss the Boy by Adib Khorram
Banes and Blessings by Hafsah Faizal
If You Give an Asura a Cookie by Akshaya Raman
In the Eyes of Angels by Alexis Henderson
Piano Sonata No. 13 by Kalynn Bayron
Pierce My Soul by Kat Cho
My Demon Prince Charming by Sandhya Menon
La Bruja y la Sirena by Anne-Marie McLemore
Minor: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, War, and Injury/Injury detail
foreverinastory's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I meant to read this one a while ago, but I slacked! Since this has already been released I listened to the audiobook. I really enjoyed this collection of stories about monsters and other supernatural/paranormal creatures. I loved Patrice's other anthology A Phoenix First Must Burn and was so excited to see another one. I do wish this one had a story by her!
This anthology is a mix of BIPOC and queer (sometimes both) authors/characters. I definitely enjoyed the queer stories better, though I did highly enjoyed Akshaya Raman's story about the asuras! My favorite stories were Who Will Save Me by Julian Winters, Bloody Lovely by Casey McQuiston (which features a trans MC), Kiss the Boy by Adib Khorram, Piano Sonata No. 13 by Kalynn Bayron, Bride-Heart by Marie Rutkoski, and A Thousand More by Chloe Gong.
The only story I actively disliked was Hafsah Faizal's. The MC is a boy and it was very the prince saves a damsel energy which I'm not here for. I think the world needs more girl monsters and more girl monsters who love being monsters. So this story was a no for me.
I loved so many of these characters and stories. I definitely recommend this anthology.
CWs: Blood, death, gore, abuse, violence, cursing, past addiction mention, death of parent, murder, gaslighting.
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
emily_mh's review
4.0
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Gaslighting
Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Body horror, Cancer, Child abuse, Drug use, Gore, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicide, Terminal illness, Transphobia, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Stalking, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation
Minor: loss of a loved one, epidemic, mention of foster care, explosion, self injury, menstruation, divorce, drought, childbirthsapphicbloom's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship