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brendadiaz's review
4.0
This was one of the weirdest books I’ve ever read BUT it was definitely a good weird. I just had to keep reading and I’m so glad I did. Once I picked it up it was hard to put down. I need more books like this one.
This is a collection of short stories that a crow delivered based on the pizza toppings. Each story completely took me to a different world and had me 100% engaged and I could never guess how it was going to end. I think my top three favorites are “bedfellows”, “belligamy” (which had me confused at first, not gonna lie) and “The bright idea room”. Though they are all tied as my favorite short story, “Belligamy” had me thinking about it for days! I still randomly think about it and that’s how you know it was very well written.
I’m very much looking forward to read more from this author
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
This is a collection of short stories that a crow delivered based on the pizza toppings. Each story completely took me to a different world and had me 100% engaged and I could never guess how it was going to end. I think my top three favorites are “bedfellows”, “belligamy” (which had me confused at first, not gonna lie) and “The bright idea room”. Though they are all tied as my favorite short story, “Belligamy” had me thinking about it for days! I still randomly think about it and that’s how you know it was very well written.
I’m very much looking forward to read more from this author
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
discostell's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
3.75
dark and surreal short stories with a clever framing device.
I really enjoyed all of the stories but some of the writing, especially some of the dialogue felt cheesy (not an intentional pizza pun I swear) .
However, I think the book grew on me the more I read it and the premises of these stories were so fascinating.
I really enjoyed it, and thank you to the author for sending me a free copy!
I really enjoyed all of the stories but some of the writing, especially some of the dialogue felt cheesy (not an intentional pizza pun I swear) .
However, I think the book grew on me the more I read it and the premises of these stories were so fascinating.
I really enjoyed it, and thank you to the author for sending me a free copy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, and Body horror
Minor: Terminal illness
biolexicon's review
5.0
Do you ever catch someone daydreaming, ask them what they're thinking about, and they reply with the most enchanting story? A story that comes from that dreamy middle, not completely grounded in everyday life, but not too otherworldly either. That's this book.
This author found a way to collect stories from this hazy daydream space and penned 10 of them down for my enjoyment. Then found a way to tie it all together with the idea that crows are delivering those stories to me in exchange for pizza. While reading, I felt like I was being delivered the daydreams that daydreams dream.
Though it's hard to pick, I think my favorite story in this collection is Belligamy. It's a battle royale about secrets, lies, kids, wife swapping, and grass is always greener-ing. The way the story unfolded kept me engaged, there were several points of surprise and that surprise really propelled me towards the end.
I recommend this book when you're in a fanciful mood. You don't want a book to take you to Mars, but you want a little bit of the strangeness of Mars to come to you. Pages from the Pizza Crows is absolutely perfect for that.
This author found a way to collect stories from this hazy daydream space and penned 10 of them down for my enjoyment. Then found a way to tie it all together with the idea that crows are delivering those stories to me in exchange for pizza. While reading, I felt like I was being delivered the daydreams that daydreams dream.
Though it's hard to pick, I think my favorite story in this collection is Belligamy. It's a battle royale about secrets, lies, kids, wife swapping, and grass is always greener-ing. The way the story unfolded kept me engaged, there were several points of surprise and that surprise really propelled me towards the end.
I recommend this book when you're in a fanciful mood. You don't want a book to take you to Mars, but you want a little bit of the strangeness of Mars to come to you. Pages from the Pizza Crows is absolutely perfect for that.
veecaswell's review
4.0
I was fortunate enough to be sent a link to this book and able to give it a listen thanks to the author and I'm glad I got to give the book a chance.
From beginning to end this author introduces short stories that are surreal, but altogether cynically realistic as we delve into the worlds of incredibly human characters, no matter what the situation - especially situations with half horse/half unicorns, a particular story highlight of this book for me where we see those well formed, cynical characters this book provides.
I really appreciate the unique tales and bizarre situations these characters are led into, leading to tales I've never even thought of, this author's imagination ran wild in this collection and it sure is one crazy ride from story to story within this book, with people fighting over their spouses and trying to keep away from their also cursed ex's, this book is funny and dark in some of the most incredible ways.
A very odd but interesting collection, it is everything it sets out to be and more.
From beginning to end this author introduces short stories that are surreal, but altogether cynically realistic as we delve into the worlds of incredibly human characters, no matter what the situation - especially situations with half horse/half unicorns, a particular story highlight of this book for me where we see those well formed, cynical characters this book provides.
I really appreciate the unique tales and bizarre situations these characters are led into, leading to tales I've never even thought of, this author's imagination ran wild in this collection and it sure is one crazy ride from story to story within this book, with people fighting over their spouses and trying to keep away from their also cursed ex's, this book is funny and dark in some of the most incredible ways.
A very odd but interesting collection, it is everything it sets out to be and more.
freddie's review
3.0
An anthology-style collection of urban fantasy short stories held together by an interstitial narrative about a crow that brings stories (that we read) in exchange for pizzas. I love the metafictional feel that the pizza narrative frame gives, although I would've liked to have a little more development with the interstitial pizza story. The tone of the individual stories appears to go towards the direction of black comedy injected with some cosmic horror / irony - which I like.
Thanks to the author for giving me a free copy of the book!
Thanks to the author for giving me a free copy of the book!
kristianamr's review
4.0
Pages from the Pizza Crows is as abstract and weird as it is wonderful. Fiction’s synopsis suggests any reader is in for a bizarre read as each tale told is determined by the pizza type and toppings fed to the crow who visits the narrator each night.
Fiction’s premise is excellent and immersive. From the very beginning you buy into the belief this short story collection was furnished by a crow with a taste for pizza. As the narrator experiments with crusts, toppings and pizza joints, the stories fluctuate between narrative voice and style, theme and how abstract they are. The eclectism of this collection is to be applauded and admired. Fiction showcases an excellent talent for storytelling and harnesses multiple genres in the process. Some stories are bizarre, others are hilarious and many are sinister and reflective of the human condition.
Due to the narrator’s pizza experimentation, the stories also improve as the collection progresses, as the narrator learns the crow’s mechanics and tastes. The way Fiction frames their own progression as a writer is clever. It also meant the pace at which I devoured (pardon the pun) this book increased as the storytelling was elevated in fluidity and style. The last few, “Lethe”, “The Bright Idea Room” and “Satan’s Spies” were particular favourites of mine. Earlier stories showcased how narration is refined and re-defined, such as “Bedfellows” versus “Belligamy” and “The Red Constellation”; the latter two offering a sinister exploration of society, its dangers and human nature’s response.
Fiction’s approach is fascinating and unique but undoubtedly the collection may be for an acquired taste; abstract stories are not for everyone but I promise most in the collection are visceral and thought-provoking tales.
Pages from the Pizza Crows is certainly worth a read - I encourage you to take the plunge into the weird and the wonderful.
Fiction’s premise is excellent and immersive. From the very beginning you buy into the belief this short story collection was furnished by a crow with a taste for pizza. As the narrator experiments with crusts, toppings and pizza joints, the stories fluctuate between narrative voice and style, theme and how abstract they are. The eclectism of this collection is to be applauded and admired. Fiction showcases an excellent talent for storytelling and harnesses multiple genres in the process. Some stories are bizarre, others are hilarious and many are sinister and reflective of the human condition.
Due to the narrator’s pizza experimentation, the stories also improve as the collection progresses, as the narrator learns the crow’s mechanics and tastes. The way Fiction frames their own progression as a writer is clever. It also meant the pace at which I devoured (pardon the pun) this book increased as the storytelling was elevated in fluidity and style. The last few, “Lethe”, “The Bright Idea Room” and “Satan’s Spies” were particular favourites of mine. Earlier stories showcased how narration is refined and re-defined, such as “Bedfellows” versus “Belligamy” and “The Red Constellation”; the latter two offering a sinister exploration of society, its dangers and human nature’s response.
Fiction’s approach is fascinating and unique but undoubtedly the collection may be for an acquired taste; abstract stories are not for everyone but I promise most in the collection are visceral and thought-provoking tales.
Pages from the Pizza Crows is certainly worth a read - I encourage you to take the plunge into the weird and the wonderful.
prophit718's review
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
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? N/A
4.25
ijustkindalikebooks's review
4.0
I was fortunate enough to be sent a link to this book and able to give it a listen thanks to the author and I'm glad I got to give the book a chance.
From beginning to end this author introduces short stories that are surreal, but altogether cynically realistic as we delve into the worlds of incredibly human characters, no matter what the situation - especially situations with half horse/half unicorns, a particular story highlight of this book for me where we see those well formed, cynical characters this book provides.
I really appreciate the unique tales and bizarre situations these characters are led into, leading to tales I've never even thought of, this author's imagination ran wild in this collection and it sure is one crazy ride from story to story within this book, with people fighting over their spouses and trying to keep away from their also cursed ex's, this book is funny and dark in some of the most incredible ways.
A very odd but interesting collection, it is everything it sets out to be and more.
From beginning to end this author introduces short stories that are surreal, but altogether cynically realistic as we delve into the worlds of incredibly human characters, no matter what the situation - especially situations with half horse/half unicorns, a particular story highlight of this book for me where we see those well formed, cynical characters this book provides.
I really appreciate the unique tales and bizarre situations these characters are led into, leading to tales I've never even thought of, this author's imagination ran wild in this collection and it sure is one crazy ride from story to story within this book, with people fighting over their spouses and trying to keep away from their also cursed ex's, this book is funny and dark in some of the most incredible ways.
A very odd but interesting collection, it is everything it sets out to be and more.
booksthatburn's review
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
5.0
*I received a free review copy in exchange for an honest review of this book.
Pages from the Pizza Crows is a collection with a framing device so good and weird that I'd be hard pressed to say whether the frame or the stories inside were my favorite. There are several that I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
I want more stories like this, ones which are unafraid to have endings that aren’t always great for the protagonists but also aren’t trying to be cruel. Not to say that they never turn out well, but they don’t turn out in a way anyone would ask for beforehand. They don’t rely on twists, precisely, but most of them have a line or two in the last page which reframes or expands the narrative without taking away anything from the story. An excellent read, one that I think will stay with me.
Pages from the Pizza Crows is a collection with a framing device so good and weird that I'd be hard pressed to say whether the frame or the stories inside were my favorite. There are several that I’ll be thinking about for a long time.
I want more stories like this, ones which are unafraid to have endings that aren’t always great for the protagonists but also aren’t trying to be cruel. Not to say that they never turn out well, but they don’t turn out in a way anyone would ask for beforehand. They don’t rely on twists, precisely, but most of them have a line or two in the last page which reframes or expands the narrative without taking away anything from the story. An excellent read, one that I think will stay with me.
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