thatgirlwho_reads's review against another edition
3.0
Firstly, I'm so glad this anthology exists. It is so important that this book exists. However, it didn't quite meet my expectations which was a shame. I was a little confused why some of the pieces were included as they seemed to just happen to feature themes other than romance? As opposed to being inherently related to queerness and aromanticism which is what I wanted. Or perhaps this is a fault of my interpretations which I full accept could be the case. But I also felt let down by the quality of writing. Some were difficult to follow or just poorly written. Having said this, others felt much more in keeping with the theme, well written and enjoyable.
My top 5 were:
1) Avi Silva - "A Full Deck": so much fun, quirky, badass, fast paced, wonderfully queer characters, friendship-focused, strong setting, intriguing RPG concept.
2) Adriana C. Grigore - "Seams of Iron": beautifully written, fairy tale-esque, reminded me of The Six Swans but better, curses, witches, female friendship-focused.
3) Jeff Reynolds - "Fishing Over the Bones of a Dragon": stunning writing, beautiful imagery, Alice in Wonderland vibes, quiet but powerful, family-focused.
4) Morgan Swim - "The Aromantic Lovers" quirky, unique concept, hopeful, great analogy between scent and presenting identity.
5) Ian Mahler- "Discography": short but sweet, incredibly relatable, heartwrenching.
I would love to see more from these writers in particular and more aro books being published in future. Keep em coming because I'll keep reading them!!
My top 5 were:
1) Avi Silva - "A Full Deck": so much fun, quirky, badass, fast paced, wonderfully queer characters, friendship-focused, strong setting, intriguing RPG concept.
2) Adriana C. Grigore - "Seams of Iron": beautifully written, fairy tale-esque, reminded me of The Six Swans but better, curses, witches, female friendship-focused.
3) Jeff Reynolds - "Fishing Over the Bones of a Dragon": stunning writing, beautiful imagery, Alice in Wonderland vibes, quiet but powerful, family-focused.
4) Morgan Swim - "The Aromantic Lovers" quirky, unique concept, hopeful, great analogy between scent and presenting identity.
5) Ian Mahler- "Discography": short but sweet, incredibly relatable, heartwrenching.
I would love to see more from these writers in particular and more aro books being published in future. Keep em coming because I'll keep reading them!!
mia10's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
mabelngoo's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
stranger_reader's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
littlebookterror's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I did not have the highest expectations of this anthology but I still feel a little disappointed?
Most of the stories were fine. I did not find any new favourites, but I feel a little more assured I will pick up Avi Silver. I liked the focus on friendship, platonic bonds and family and some of the fantasy worlds were cool. Some of the authors can write well.
But to be entirely honest, some of these pieces read more like short stories with no romance instead of aromantic short stories. I've read and loved so many short stories that include no romances for the protagonists without ever implying they might be aromantic (or queer at all), it's not really a unique concept. So it's a little strange to me that I would find stories like that in here (for example, Fishing Over the Bones of the Dragon or Asteria III) that I would put into the former category. Maybe I did not pick up on the hints, maybe I am setting the bar too high but when it comes to themed anthologies, I do prefer them to be more overt. Cinder went all the way by explicitly stating the words asexual and aromantic but you can also do it in a more casual manner, like Moon Sisters. That is not to say these stories are not enjoyable, in fact, Fishing is very good – but not because I liked the aro rep.
The Aromatic Lovers by Morgan Swim | ★★★✩✩
Gotta say, this one still has me a bit confused even after I finished it. I like the world and how it explored gender expression and the general idea of how we are perceived by others but I struggled with some of the dialogue. Is Dario aro and Matroise is in love with him? Or is Matroise not in love with him which causes their anxiety? Kita's role also seemed off-place in this story.
Voices in the Air by Vida Cruz | ★★★✩✩
Again, liked the worldbuilding and the backstory of Saha and Tila. I would not say that there was too much going on, per se, but perhaps I would have wanted a bit more purpose for all the information that we get.
Moon Sisters by Camilla Quinn | ★★★★✩
This was lovely! We get two werewolf pack members coming together when one of them has been recently dumped by their ex. There a little bits of worldbuilding but the main focus is on their platonic relationship and building Summer back up.
Cinder by Jennifer Lee Rossman | ★★★★✩
A fun ride with great characters. I really loved the comment about how abuse and magic can both change you.
Not Quite True Love by Syl Woo | ★★✩✩✩
This read like a good essay that was formatted badly. Not the kind of poetry I feel drawn to.
Dracanmōt Council of Human Study Report Compiled by Usander Greystart by A.Z. Louise | ★★★✩✩
A solid take on the “foreigner learns how human” story if not very memorable.
Spacegirl and the Martian by Cora Ruskin | ★★✩✩✩
I am just not much a superhero girl but the twin's relationship was a nice touch.
Would You Like Charms With That? by E.H. Timms | ★★★✩✩
Sharing information and hope.
In the Summer a Banana Tree by Thomas Leonard Shaw | ★★✩✩✩
I am unsure why this was included? A very short poem about a deseaced pet.
Remembering the Farm by Thomas Leonard Shaw | ★★✩✩✩
A poem about longing?
Fishing Over the Bones of the Dragon by Jeff Reynolds | ★★★★✩
A quiet story about a father and his kid bonding after a tragic experience. I really liked how the emotions spilled over from the memories into the present timeline in an understated way.
Asteria III by Marjorie King | ★★✩✩✩
This writing style just wasn't for me and I found the AI more creepy than endearing. The humor felt forced and the story is a pretty average space journey.
A Full Deck by Avi Silver | ★★★★✩
This was a fun time! The lore was expertly weaved into the conversation and the action moved quickly.
Half A Heart by Ren Oliveira | ★★★✩✩
Enjoyed the ephemeral atmosphere combined with the 2nd person POV.
Shift by Mika Standard | ★★★✩✩
Sad to say that made this werewolf story kind of boring? There is so potentional there for heavy emotions but this more of a breeze.
Discography by Ian Mahler | ★★★★✩
another short poem but I actually liked this one. Poignant.
Seams of Iron by Adriana C. Grigore | ★★★✩✩
I loved this curse and how it all unraveled.
Not to Die by Rosiee Thor | ★★★✩✩
Interesting but I felt it was missing something.
Busy Little Bees by Polenth Blake | ★★✩✩✩
This one just has me confused.
Most of the stories were fine. I did not find any new favourites, but I feel a little more assured I will pick up Avi Silver. I liked the focus on friendship, platonic bonds and family and some of the fantasy worlds were cool. Some of the authors can write well.
But to be entirely honest, some of these pieces read more like short stories with no romance instead of aromantic short stories. I've read and loved so many short stories that include no romances for the protagonists without ever implying they might be aromantic (or queer at all), it's not really a unique concept. So it's a little strange to me that I would find stories like that in here (for example, Fishing Over the Bones of the Dragon or Asteria III) that I would put into the former category. Maybe I did not pick up on the hints, maybe I am setting the bar too high but when it comes to themed anthologies, I do prefer them to be more overt. Cinder went all the way by explicitly stating the words asexual and aromantic but you can also do it in a more casual manner, like Moon Sisters. That is not to say these stories are not enjoyable, in fact, Fishing is very good – but not because I liked the aro rep.
The Aromatic Lovers by Morgan Swim | ★★★✩✩
Gotta say, this one still has me a bit confused even after I finished it. I like the world and how it explored gender expression and the general idea of how we are perceived by others but I struggled with some of the dialogue. Is Dario aro and Matroise is in love with him? Or is Matroise not in love with him which causes their anxiety? Kita's role also seemed off-place in this story.
Voices in the Air by Vida Cruz | ★★★✩✩
Again, liked the worldbuilding and the backstory of Saha and Tila. I would not say that there was too much going on, per se, but perhaps I would have wanted a bit more purpose for all the information that we get.
Moon Sisters by Camilla Quinn | ★★★★✩
This was lovely! We get two werewolf pack members coming together when one of them has been recently dumped by their ex. There a little bits of worldbuilding but the main focus is on their platonic relationship and building Summer back up.
Cinder by Jennifer Lee Rossman | ★★★★✩
A fun ride with great characters. I really loved the comment about how abuse and magic can both change you.
Not Quite True Love by Syl Woo | ★★✩✩✩
This read like a good essay that was formatted badly. Not the kind of poetry I feel drawn to.
Dracanmōt Council of Human Study Report Compiled by Usander Greystart by A.Z. Louise | ★★★✩✩
A solid take on the “foreigner learns how human” story if not very memorable.
Spacegirl and the Martian by Cora Ruskin | ★★✩✩✩
I am just not much a superhero girl but the twin's relationship was a nice touch.
Would You Like Charms With That? by E.H. Timms | ★★★✩✩
Sharing information and hope.
In the Summer a Banana Tree by Thomas Leonard Shaw | ★★✩✩✩
I am unsure why this was included? A very short poem about a deseaced pet.
Remembering the Farm by Thomas Leonard Shaw | ★★✩✩✩
A poem about longing?
Fishing Over the Bones of the Dragon by Jeff Reynolds | ★★★★✩
A quiet story about a father and his kid bonding after a tragic experience. I really liked how the emotions spilled over from the memories into the present timeline in an understated way.
Asteria III by Marjorie King | ★★✩✩✩
This writing style just wasn't for me and I found the AI more creepy than endearing. The humor felt forced and the story is a pretty average space journey.
A Full Deck by Avi Silver | ★★★★✩
This was a fun time! The lore was expertly weaved into the conversation and the action moved quickly.
Half A Heart by Ren Oliveira | ★★★✩✩
Enjoyed the ephemeral atmosphere combined with the 2nd person POV.
Shift by Mika Standard | ★★★✩✩
Sad to say that made this werewolf story kind of boring? There is so potentional there for heavy emotions but this more of a breeze.
Discography by Ian Mahler | ★★★★✩
another short poem but I actually liked this one. Poignant.
Seams of Iron by Adriana C. Grigore | ★★★✩✩
I loved this curse and how it all unraveled.
Not to Die by Rosiee Thor | ★★★✩✩
Interesting but I felt it was missing something.
Busy Little Bees by Polenth Blake | ★★✩✩✩
This one just has me confused.
ratatouille1312's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.5
- the aromatic lovers (morgan swim) - 4 stars
- voices in the air (vida cruz) - 4 stars
- moon sisters (camilla quinn) - 5 stars
- cinder (jennifer lee rossmann) - 4.5 stars
- not quite true love (syl woo) - 4.5 stars
- dracanmōt council of human study report compiled by usander greystart (a.z. louise) - 4 stars
- spacegirl and the martian (cora ruskin) - 3 stars
- would you like charms with that? (e.h. timms - 3 stars
- in the summer a banana tree (thomas shaw leonard) - 4 stars
- remembering the farm (thomas shaw leonard) - 3 stars
- fishing over the bones of the dragon (jeff reynolds) - 5 stars
- asteria III (majorie king) - 5 stars
- a full deck (avi silver) - 5 stars
- half a heart (ren oliviera) - 3 stars
- shift (mika stanard) - 5 stars
- discography (ian mahler) - 5 stars
- seams of iron (adriana c. grigore) - 5 stars
- not to die (rosiee thor) - 4 stars
- busy little bees (polenth blake) - 4 stars
puttingwingsonwords's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-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? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Death
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
zoe2000's review against another edition
2.0
2.5
How to rate an anthology? There were some stories I absolutely adored, some that were mediocre, and some that I didn't care for - that's just how it is.
How to rate an anthology? There were some stories I absolutely adored, some that were mediocre, and some that I didn't care for - that's just how it is.
anniereads221's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Dementia, Violence, Murder, Injury/injury detail, Grief, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Vomit, Torture, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, Gore, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse