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A review by rbdeschamp
Something Like Stories: Volume Two by Jay Bell
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Something Like Stories are quickly becoming my favorites of the series. Getting individual glimpses of life from the different characters Bell has created only deepens the richness and beauty of the small world these characters exist within. There are several wonderful short stories that highlight moments from our favorite couples, but three stories really spoke to me.
The opening story, "Something Like Infinity," was a super cute and fun story focusing on peripheral characters. Ross, a substitute Spanish teacher, and Richard, an ambitious officer, team up to find the student responsible for the string of many small fires in the community. This unlikely duo has great chemistry, and Ross really shines here as someone concerned about the well-being of his students, even if it means losing the opportunity to pursue a meaningful relationship. The timeline for this story in the Something Like... universe is also just very illuminating when you understand how it connects to the bigger picture.
The next story, "Something Like Cake," provided a fascinating encounter between Caesar and Marcello. Caesar has always been a mysterious sort of character for me, as he is significant in many of the mainline stories. I'm honestly shocked we never got a book focused on him and his experiences. Nonetheless, I found myself smiling through most of this story and the conversation had by Caesar and Marcello. Two kindred spirits, both at wildly different points in their life, but able to enjoy each others company and come away with something. Marcello is a top tier character, and easily one of my favorites I've ever read. This one was just a lot of fun, and you get some insights on Caesar that we otherwise probably would never have experienced.
Finally, the heartbreaker, "Something Like Samson." I was not ready for this. I did not expect to be so emotional reliving events through the perspective of a cat. This story was beautiful, painting the perfect picture of how happy and hard life can be and how it does not just effect one being at time. Samson has a delightfully funny voice and understanding of the world. It was perfect. Everything from his littermates to Chinchilla, I did not want it to end. Having been such an ever-present part of the Ben/Jace chronicles, I never really thought of how this point of view would come across, yet, it was the most honest and loving depiction of all these characters. A truly touching story and a sublime way of telling it.
The opening story, "Something Like Infinity," was a super cute and fun story focusing on peripheral characters. Ross, a substitute Spanish teacher, and Richard, an ambitious officer, team up to find the student responsible for the string of many small fires in the community. This unlikely duo has great chemistry, and Ross really shines here as someone concerned about the well-being of his students, even if it means losing the opportunity to pursue a meaningful relationship. The timeline for this story in the Something Like... universe is also just very illuminating when you understand how it connects to the bigger picture.
The next story, "Something Like Cake," provided a fascinating encounter between Caesar and Marcello. Caesar has always been a mysterious sort of character for me, as he is significant in many of the mainline stories. I'm honestly shocked we never got a book focused on him and his experiences. Nonetheless, I found myself smiling through most of this story and the conversation had by Caesar and Marcello. Two kindred spirits, both at wildly different points in their life, but able to enjoy each others company and come away with something. Marcello is a top tier character, and easily one of my favorites I've ever read. This one was just a lot of fun, and you get some insights on Caesar that we otherwise probably would never have experienced.
Finally, the heartbreaker, "Something Like Samson." I was not ready for this. I did not expect to be so emotional reliving events through the perspective of a cat. This story was beautiful, painting the perfect picture of how happy and hard life can be and how it does not just effect one being at time. Samson has a delightfully funny voice and understanding of the world. It was perfect. Everything from his littermates to Chinchilla, I did not want it to end. Having been such an ever-present part of the Ben/Jace chronicles, I never really thought of how this point of view would come across, yet, it was the most honest and loving depiction of all these characters. A truly touching story and a sublime way of telling it.