indi72547's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
4.0
Being someone who fully believes that sharing grief and sorrow is the best, if not even only, way to help the soul to heal, I was looking forward to this anthology immensely.
Sometimes you need a break from your sorrows, and escapism and distraction is the way to go. Other days diving in the deep end, touching the bottom and just letting go is what is needed.
This book is for those later days. When you want to look the sadness in the eye, embrace it as a part of you, have a good cleansing cry and feel like you lost a boulder of emotional weight once you're done and come back to the surface.
Obviously, with topics as highly emotional as these, not every story will work for every reader. I'll try to say a little bit about all of these, in the book's order. Overall most stories were 4-5 star reads for me, which is a great balance for an anthology!
LULLABY - K.S. VILLOSO
I liked the twisted idea of this story, that took me a while to figure out what was even happening. A fascinating idea, but one that doesn't resonate with actual life experience with me personally (thankfully!), so this didn't leave as big of a mark on me.
SKIES ON FIRE-SONYA M. BLACK
I loved this so much. The different perspective of not just losing "someone", but losing parts of yourself, your life, your health. It was written in a really gripping way, and I especially adore how it very clearly states "This is not gonna change", while still giving you some sort of hope, as you can only move onward and try to adjust as best as you can. I felt this in my bones.
A MATTER OF TRUST - ANGELA BOORD
Boord I believe, is a word wizard. She writes books that sound like the opposite of my cup of tea, and then make me fall in love with them. This worked in Fortune's Fool, where she somehow managed to hook *me* of all people on a slow burn romance, and she did it again here. Using a character slate that I normally abhor, and making me care. How? I do not know. But feel it, I did!
A RECURRENCE OF JASMINE - LEVI JACOBS
I instantly cared about the main character, and was intrigued by the world and mystery in it. What does it really mean to be alive, and what makes life worth living in the end? Two very different perspectives clashing, which hopefully will make things better for everyone involved.
TWICE-DOMESTICATED DRAGONS - INTISAR KHANANI
I loved the topics and the hard truths in here, especially as they are so important right now. I definitely enjoyed the perspective I don't have much direct exposure to! For me the leap from funny gnomes to heart wrenching problems was a bit too big, but others might love it all the more for this exact blend.
THE WITCH IN THE WOODS - QUENBY OLSON
A fascinating tale about mothers and daughters, sacrifice, love and loneliness. I really enjoyed it, though it didn't manage to grip me as much as some of the others.
THIEF - VIRGINIA MCCLAIN
This didn't hurt, no it made me calm. Why? Because it felt so much like my own experience. A few glimpses, a few moments might not actually make a difference for the world, but it might be the tiny difference that manages to allow you to get to grips with what is happening. The one moment that turns something you just can't understand into a fact you can start to live around. This might not touch others nearly as much, but it was the one that mirrored my experiences so closely, it felt like it was written for me.
THICKER THAN WATER - CAROL A. PARK
I really loved to see how hate can be bred in those who did not hate before. How demonising someone can be the thing that actually turns someone to go down the wrong path. The balance of perspectives in here definitely put it's hooks in me all the way. I don't think I'd have enjoyed it as much if I hadn't read a book in the main series before though, which gave me a lot more insight into the world than this short story did.
DEATH IN THE UNCANNY VALLEY-M.L. WANG
I liked the sibling relationships in here, and how not everything went the way I expected. Seeing how differently people react to a hard loss, and how they struggle on their own to adjust, when maybe trying to stand together might be the way to ease the pain.
SUMMER SOULS - CLAYTON SNYDER
This was one of the stories that didn't resonate so well written me. I liked the world building and the main character, but I don't think I really "got" the deeper meaning behind this one.
RELIQUARY OF THE DAMNED RACHEL EMMA SHAW
The thought of my emotions and mental scars being visible to everyone is really scary to me. While I'm happy to share my mental health problems with people I know, or who have similar problems, I still like to look "strong" to total strangers. So I found this concept both immediately gripping and creepy. I think it would make life much easier if people could just see someone isn't fine on the inside. But weakness also means vulnerability, and this started a good thought process about it all for me...
THE QUIET-MADOLYN ROGERS
Another story I could really fall into. The quiet and calm that comes when it was all too much, and you just kind of shut down. Just function. It helps you keep going, but it also keeps you away from actual life. This felt so real and was written so compellingly, I lived it. (Wanted to say loved it, but this autocorrect typo is actually quite correct as well.)
THE PAPERWEIGHT WATCH-KRYSTLE MATAR
This hurt. In a good way, coming full circle to my intro. Nose dive to the ground, leave the emotional baggage on the ocean floor, salt the water even more, but come back up lighter.
This story about the loss of not just your family, but also your anchor, your safety, and in a way your home sucker punched me. The audio narration for this was also top notch and made it even more raw. I felt this so much, all the stages is grief, and the relief when you finally find some acceptance, despite the pain. So hard to read, but so good to have read it.
Sometimes you need a break from your sorrows, and escapism and distraction is the way to go. Other days diving in the deep end, touching the bottom and just letting go is what is needed.
This book is for those later days. When you want to look the sadness in the eye, embrace it as a part of you, have a good cleansing cry and feel like you lost a boulder of emotional weight once you're done and come back to the surface.
Obviously, with topics as highly emotional as these, not every story will work for every reader. I'll try to say a little bit about all of these, in the book's order. Overall most stories were 4-5 star reads for me, which is a great balance for an anthology!
LULLABY - K.S. VILLOSO
I liked the twisted idea of this story, that took me a while to figure out what was even happening. A fascinating idea, but one that doesn't resonate with actual life experience with me personally (thankfully!), so this didn't leave as big of a mark on me.
SKIES ON FIRE-SONYA M. BLACK
I loved this so much. The different perspective of not just losing "someone", but losing parts of yourself, your life, your health. It was written in a really gripping way, and I especially adore how it very clearly states "This is not gonna change", while still giving you some sort of hope, as you can only move onward and try to adjust as best as you can. I felt this in my bones.
A MATTER OF TRUST - ANGELA BOORD
Boord I believe, is a word wizard. She writes books that sound like the opposite of my cup of tea, and then make me fall in love with them. This worked in Fortune's Fool, where she somehow managed to hook *me* of all people on a slow burn romance, and she did it again here. Using a character slate that I normally abhor, and making me care. How? I do not know. But feel it, I did!
A RECURRENCE OF JASMINE - LEVI JACOBS
I instantly cared about the main character, and was intrigued by the world and mystery in it. What does it really mean to be alive, and what makes life worth living in the end? Two very different perspectives clashing, which hopefully will make things better for everyone involved.
TWICE-DOMESTICATED DRAGONS - INTISAR KHANANI
I loved the topics and the hard truths in here, especially as they are so important right now. I definitely enjoyed the perspective I don't have much direct exposure to! For me the leap from funny gnomes to heart wrenching problems was a bit too big, but others might love it all the more for this exact blend.
THE WITCH IN THE WOODS - QUENBY OLSON
A fascinating tale about mothers and daughters, sacrifice, love and loneliness. I really enjoyed it, though it didn't manage to grip me as much as some of the others.
THIEF - VIRGINIA MCCLAIN
This didn't hurt, no it made me calm. Why? Because it felt so much like my own experience. A few glimpses, a few moments might not actually make a difference for the world, but it might be the tiny difference that manages to allow you to get to grips with what is happening. The one moment that turns something you just can't understand into a fact you can start to live around. This might not touch others nearly as much, but it was the one that mirrored my experiences so closely, it felt like it was written for me.
THICKER THAN WATER - CAROL A. PARK
I really loved to see how hate can be bred in those who did not hate before. How demonising someone can be the thing that actually turns someone to go down the wrong path. The balance of perspectives in here definitely put it's hooks in me all the way. I don't think I'd have enjoyed it as much if I hadn't read a book in the main series before though, which gave me a lot more insight into the world than this short story did.
DEATH IN THE UNCANNY VALLEY-M.L. WANG
I liked the sibling relationships in here, and how not everything went the way I expected. Seeing how differently people react to a hard loss, and how they struggle on their own to adjust, when maybe trying to stand together might be the way to ease the pain.
SUMMER SOULS - CLAYTON SNYDER
This was one of the stories that didn't resonate so well written me. I liked the world building and the main character, but I don't think I really "got" the deeper meaning behind this one.
RELIQUARY OF THE DAMNED RACHEL EMMA SHAW
The thought of my emotions and mental scars being visible to everyone is really scary to me. While I'm happy to share my mental health problems with people I know, or who have similar problems, I still like to look "strong" to total strangers. So I found this concept both immediately gripping and creepy. I think it would make life much easier if people could just see someone isn't fine on the inside. But weakness also means vulnerability, and this started a good thought process about it all for me...
THE QUIET-MADOLYN ROGERS
Another story I could really fall into. The quiet and calm that comes when it was all too much, and you just kind of shut down. Just function. It helps you keep going, but it also keeps you away from actual life. This felt so real and was written so compellingly, I lived it. (Wanted to say loved it, but this autocorrect typo is actually quite correct as well.)
THE PAPERWEIGHT WATCH-KRYSTLE MATAR
This hurt. In a good way, coming full circle to my intro. Nose dive to the ground, leave the emotional baggage on the ocean floor, salt the water even more, but come back up lighter.
This story about the loss of not just your family, but also your anchor, your safety, and in a way your home sucker punched me. The audio narration for this was also top notch and made it even more raw. I felt this so much, all the stages is grief, and the relief when you finally find some acceptance, despite the pain. So hard to read, but so good to have read it.
jay_bubblez's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
This anthology is gorgeous, cover to cover. Some stories moved me, some hurt me, others looked into my heart and said 'I see you and I understand'. I was crying before the foreword was even over. But TAoS isn't just about tears or sadness, it really is a book about hope and moving forward. Many of the stories end with an acknowledgement of pain or a step towards moving past the pain into a new chapter, but the anthology does not once state that there is only one valid way to grieve. It explores many different facets of grief and many different responses and healing journeys. There are 13 stories in all that vary in pace, tone, content, and to an extent, quality. Not every story enthralled me if I'm honest, but most did. There is a comprehensive content warning page near the front which lists warnings for each individual story. Each one was set in a different world contrary to what the map at the front initially led me to believe, and most of these worlds are sci-fi or fantasy settings that the authors have other longer works within. My favourite of the 13 stories were The Paperweight Watch (K. Matar), The Quiet (M. Rogers), Thief (V. McClain), and A Matter of Trust (A. Boord).
Overall this is a fantastic addition to anyone's bookshelf and facilitates the exploration of the works or a range of talented and diverse authors. Every issue is handled with care and TAoS truly does live up to its intended purpose as a vessel through which to say; "I may not know what you are feeling, but I know grief."
Overall this is a fantastic addition to anyone's bookshelf and facilitates the exploration of the works or a range of talented and diverse authors. Every issue is handled with care and TAoS truly does live up to its intended purpose as a vessel through which to say; "I may not know what you are feeling, but I know grief."
afuzzybird's review against another edition
3.0
As with many short story anthologies, I found some stories more engaging than others.
selinadragonair's review against another edition
4.0
Hardly a book made me cry before the story even started, reading the Editor's Note.
However, it's such a strong message, I don't want to hold it back:
"I might not know what you are feeling. But I know grief." (Sarah Chorn)
As with every anthology, some stories impress you with its beautiful prose, others with an interesting take or perspective; some hit close to home and others you can hardly connect to. That's ok.
If I had to name three favorites, it'd be "Death in the Uncanny Valley" by M.L. Wang (I love everything she writes), "The Paperweight Watch" by Krystle Matar and "Skies on Fire" by Sonya M. Black.
However, it's such a strong message, I don't want to hold it back:
"I might not know what you are feeling. But I know grief." (Sarah Chorn)
As with every anthology, some stories impress you with its beautiful prose, others with an interesting take or perspective; some hit close to home and others you can hardly connect to. That's ok.
If I had to name three favorites, it'd be "Death in the Uncanny Valley" by M.L. Wang (I love everything she writes), "The Paperweight Watch" by Krystle Matar and "Skies on Fire" by Sonya M. Black.
macbean221b's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
sazzle_sara's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0