Scan barcode
A review by petrichor_pages
A Thousand Beginnings and Endings by Elsie Chapman, Ellen Oh
5.0
This is a collection of 15 short stories representing various Asian cultures. Told by some of my favourite authors - the tales include everything from mythological figures to folk tales. The collection features a wide variety of stories that will make you believe in love or rip your heart out. You know that this will be an absolutely spellbinding book as soon as you get a look at that gorgeous cover.
The best parts? At the end of each of the stories was an author explanation about the inspiration for the story, which was amazing to read. Also, most, if not all, of the stories are #ownvoices.
Forbidden Fruit (Roshani Chokshi): Roshani Chokshi is an absolute favourite of mine. Her story of Maria Malking did not disappoint. I just love the way that she writes. If you like her Star-Touched Queen books, definitely read this one. (5/5)
Olivia's Table (Alyssa Wong): This is the story that I most want to see made into a full length book. It had a bit of a western feel and I have a soft spot for westerns with ghosts. (5/5)
Steel Skin (Lori M. Lee): I liked what this story tried to do, and liked the deviation the author made from the myth, but certain portions felt a bit rushed, probably due to the length limitations. I still really enjoyed it! (3/5)
Still Star-Crossed (Sona Charaipotra): I liked the story. It was interesting to see a sci-fi take on a traditional folk tale. (4/5)
The Counting of Vermillion Beads (Aliette De Bodard): The pacing of this one seemed a bit odd to me. I liked the concept but I had trouble staying focused on this one. (3/5)
The Land Of The Morning Calm (E. C. Myers): I love this one! A combo of a litrpg and a traditional tale. It would be interesting to see a full length novel of this one too. I feel like I'd just love to dive into the world of LMC.(5/5)
A Smile (Aisha Saeed): This one was lovely. I haven't read anything by Aisha Saeed, but I will be sure to look for her books in the future. (4/5)
Girls Who Twirl And Other Dangers (Preeti Chhibber): I found the cutting between the modern story and the myth a little off-putting. I also had trouble with the pacing of this one. It was a pretty story though. (3/5)
Nothing Into All (Renee Ahdieh): Renee Ahdieh is my bae. This was perfect. (5/5)
Spear Carrier (Rahul Kanakia): I just couldn't get into it. It may have been the incredibly informal narration, or that we are thrown into the action without any explanation, but it wasn't for me. (2/5)
Code of Honor (Melissa de la Cruz): This was was a bit predictable for me, but overall I liked it. (3/5)
Bullet, Butterfly (Elsie Chapman): I liked this story, but I just needed more from it. It was probably a limitation of the page length but I would have liked to see more of the world and the other characters.(4/5)
Daughter of the Sun (Shveta Thakrar): This one was pretty cute. (4/5)
The Crimson Cloak (Cindy Pon): I really need to read one of Cindy Pon's books. This one was written beautifully and I loved it. (5/5)
Eyes Like Candlelight (Julie Kagawa): Kitsune are amazing. Julie has a book, Shadow of the Fox, coming out soon about a kitsune, so I was a bit worried this would be too similar. I was happy to see that the tone was completely different. (5/5) (less)
The best parts? At the end of each of the stories was an author explanation about the inspiration for the story, which was amazing to read. Also, most, if not all, of the stories are #ownvoices.
Forbidden Fruit (Roshani Chokshi): Roshani Chokshi is an absolute favourite of mine. Her story of Maria Malking did not disappoint. I just love the way that she writes. If you like her Star-Touched Queen books, definitely read this one. (5/5)
Olivia's Table (Alyssa Wong): This is the story that I most want to see made into a full length book. It had a bit of a western feel and I have a soft spot for westerns with ghosts. (5/5)
Steel Skin (Lori M. Lee): I liked what this story tried to do, and liked the deviation the author made from the myth, but certain portions felt a bit rushed, probably due to the length limitations. I still really enjoyed it! (3/5)
Still Star-Crossed (Sona Charaipotra): I liked the story. It was interesting to see a sci-fi take on a traditional folk tale. (4/5)
The Counting of Vermillion Beads (Aliette De Bodard): The pacing of this one seemed a bit odd to me. I liked the concept but I had trouble staying focused on this one. (3/5)
The Land Of The Morning Calm (E. C. Myers): I love this one! A combo of a litrpg and a traditional tale. It would be interesting to see a full length novel of this one too. I feel like I'd just love to dive into the world of LMC.(5/5)
A Smile (Aisha Saeed): This one was lovely. I haven't read anything by Aisha Saeed, but I will be sure to look for her books in the future. (4/5)
Girls Who Twirl And Other Dangers (Preeti Chhibber): I found the cutting between the modern story and the myth a little off-putting. I also had trouble with the pacing of this one. It was a pretty story though. (3/5)
Nothing Into All (Renee Ahdieh): Renee Ahdieh is my bae. This was perfect. (5/5)
Spear Carrier (Rahul Kanakia): I just couldn't get into it. It may have been the incredibly informal narration, or that we are thrown into the action without any explanation, but it wasn't for me. (2/5)
Code of Honor (Melissa de la Cruz): This was was a bit predictable for me, but overall I liked it. (3/5)
Bullet, Butterfly (Elsie Chapman): I liked this story, but I just needed more from it. It was probably a limitation of the page length but I would have liked to see more of the world and the other characters.(4/5)
Daughter of the Sun (Shveta Thakrar): This one was pretty cute. (4/5)
The Crimson Cloak (Cindy Pon): I really need to read one of Cindy Pon's books. This one was written beautifully and I loved it. (5/5)
Eyes Like Candlelight (Julie Kagawa): Kitsune are amazing. Julie has a book, Shadow of the Fox, coming out soon about a kitsune, so I was a bit worried this would be too similar. I was happy to see that the tone was completely different. (5/5) (less)