books_and_keys's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
pearlc's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
linguana's review against another edition
5.0
rosie_reads_7's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
kyirrin's review against another edition
5.0
"The Bone Swans of Amandale" is, I think, my absolute favorite short story. I love everything about it - the narrator, the writing, the fairytale-ish premise...and I won't list literally everything. Although "The Big Bah-Ha" was extremely weird and creepy and sweet, the other stories didn't stand out for me. Despite that, the book was worth it just for the titular piece.
pollincowbell's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
fictionalhannah's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
3.75
This was a great collection, I feel like each story was very unique, although some of them started to drag halfway through. If I were to read this collection again, I would take breaks between the stories and not try to read them consecutively as if it were a novel.
markcummings's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.75
snowbenton's review against another edition
4.0
I liked all of these but the Rumpelstiltskin retelling is my favorite.
thomcat's review against another edition
4.0
The first story didn't work for me, and I almost abandoned this collection. Very glad that I didn't, because the middle three stories were worth the price of admission. The last was also a bit rough, but murderous clowns in the land of the dead? Sure, why not!
Author C.S.E. Cooney has written numerous short stories and poems, and to date two collections. A novel is apparently in the works. Her mentor - this collection is introduced by him - is Gene Wolfe, who recently passed away. Cooney is apparently also a narrator of audio books and short stories.
Back to this collection, a solid 3.5 stars. The Bone Swans of Amandale is worth the price of admission. In future, I'd like to read more from this author, and for that matter another book or two from Gene Wolfe.
Author C.S.E. Cooney has written numerous short stories and poems, and to date two collections. A novel is apparently in the works. Her mentor - this collection is introduced by him - is Gene Wolfe, who recently passed away. Cooney is apparently also a narrator of audio books and short stories.
Back to this collection, a solid 3.5 stars. The Bone Swans of Amandale is worth the price of admission. In future, I'd like to read more from this author, and for that matter another book or two from Gene Wolfe.