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A review by hannahmae91
Stray by Elissa Sussman
3.0
This book was pretty good. Not great, but pretty good. Felt as though the magic = puberty/sexuality thing was a little hamfisted at times (example: magic turns the sheets blood red overnight) but it's a good enough way to ease younger readers into themes or whatever. It does give me a perfect excuse for an Archer gif, though, so I can't really complain.
On a more analytical note, I'd like to point out that this book reads as an extension/retelling of "The Wild Heart" by [a:Ann Bishop|1512682|Ann Bishop|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], a short story published in one of the [a:Ellen Datlow|46138|Ellen Datlow|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1309669102p2/46138.jpg] fairy tale anthologies. Godmothers even have their "loving hearts" pulled out of their chests in as direct nod as you can get while changing the language. This isn't a complaint, exactly. That particular story is perhaps my favorite. However, comparisons are unavoidable between the two and, perhaps by abandoning the shorter format, this loses some of the visceral emotion Bishop evokes.
I will admit that there were two twists which surprised me more than I would expect from a YA novel these days.
In all, I probably won't be reading future installments but I don't regret reading this.
On a more analytical note, I'd like to point out that this book reads as an extension/retelling of "The Wild Heart" by [a:Ann Bishop|1512682|Ann Bishop|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png], a short story published in one of the [a:Ellen Datlow|46138|Ellen Datlow|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1309669102p2/46138.jpg] fairy tale anthologies. Godmothers even have their "loving hearts" pulled out of their chests in as direct nod as you can get while changing the language. This isn't a complaint, exactly. That particular story is perhaps my favorite. However, comparisons are unavoidable between the two and, perhaps by abandoning the shorter format, this loses some of the visceral emotion Bishop evokes.
I will admit that there were two twists which surprised me more than I would expect from a YA novel these days.
Spoiler
I especially appreciate the surprise lesbian plot and hope it is expanded upon in later novels.In all, I probably won't be reading future installments but I don't regret reading this.