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ohtrisarahtops's review against another edition
4.0
Review can also be found here
Since this was a collection of short stories I'm just going to offer a brief opinion on each one, seeing how if I say too much it will ruin the stories for everyone else.
Gentlemen Send Phantoms by Laini Taylor 5/5
I think this was my second favorite story out of the whole book. It was just so, creepy but cute at the same time. Laini Taylor's writing is just magical and I kind of wish she would write a full length novel based on this story.
Burned Bright by Diana Peterfreund 3/5
This one was alright, the whole premise really creeped me out, and was a bit too religion based for me. But in general it was a good story and was well written.
The Angriest Man by Lisa McMann 1/5
This one was a big disappointment. I love Lisa McMann but this story was highly repetitive and just made absolutely no sense to me. I really wanted to like this one but I just couldn't
Out of the Blue by Meg Cabot 4/5
I really enjoyed this one. The whole story takes place being told through the perspective of different teenager's who were there when an alien landed. The whole time I was reading this I kept imagining that they were being interviewed by The Men in Black. This was a great story, especially if you're a big sci-fi fan.
One True Love by Malina Lo 2/5
This one was an okay story. It involves love between two people of the same gender, which I have no problem with, but it really wasn't for me. I'm not a big fan of the whole knight in shining armor even if it is a woman!
This is a Mortal Wound by Michael Grant 3/5
This one was creepy, students no longer have to go to school and learn their lessons anywhere they want by using a computer. The teacher in this one went a little too far and that kind of freaked me out a little. The story goes pretty quick and it is definitely interesting.
Misery by Heather Brewer 4/5
I really didn't get what was going on until after I thought about it and then once I understood the ending I realised that I absolutely loved this story. It was dark and hopeful at the same time.
The Mind is a Powerful Thing by Matt De La Pena 3/5
This one just shows that if you think about something too much you are pretty much inviting it to happen. It was an interesting read and would have made a pretty good full length novel.
The Chosen One by Saundra Mitchell 2/5
I'm not a big fan of the whole princess having to save the other princess because she's better than her and what not. It just doesn't work for me. The only thing I really liked about this one was the ending. It was written well but it just wasn't for me.
Improbable Futures by Kami Garcia 3/5
What would you do if you learned that your predictions, which you thought were fake were suddenly coming true? I really enjoyed this one, it was interesting and I really didn't see the ending coming.
Death for the Deathless by Margaret Stohl 5/5
This is another one of my favorites. It was so well written and I loved the spin on Nostradamus. The ending was a major surprise for me seeing how there were predictions throughout the whole story but I guess it really shows that some things aren't what they appear.
Fate by Simone Elkeles 2/5
I'm not really sure about this one. I don't see what it has to do with prophecy or prediction or even fate for that matter. It was a cute story but I just don't see how it fits.
The Killing Garden by Carrie Ryan 5/5
The whole premise for this one was just awesome. Carrie Ryan definitely knows how to write an interesting story that leaves you breathless with the twist in the end. Definitely check this one out!
Homecoming by Richelle Mead 5/5
This one was my favorite out of the whole collection. I was so glad to dive back into the world of Vampire Academy with Rose and Dimitri. It's funny how even when they're on vacation they still find themselves facing strigoi, but those too probably can't sit still for too long anyway. For fans of Vampire Academy this story is an absolute must.
Since this was a collection of short stories I'm just going to offer a brief opinion on each one, seeing how if I say too much it will ruin the stories for everyone else.
Gentlemen Send Phantoms by Laini Taylor 5/5
I think this was my second favorite story out of the whole book. It was just so, creepy but cute at the same time. Laini Taylor's writing is just magical and I kind of wish she would write a full length novel based on this story.
Burned Bright by Diana Peterfreund 3/5
This one was alright, the whole premise really creeped me out, and was a bit too religion based for me. But in general it was a good story and was well written.
The Angriest Man by Lisa McMann 1/5
This one was a big disappointment. I love Lisa McMann but this story was highly repetitive and just made absolutely no sense to me. I really wanted to like this one but I just couldn't
Out of the Blue by Meg Cabot 4/5
I really enjoyed this one. The whole story takes place being told through the perspective of different teenager's who were there when an alien landed. The whole time I was reading this I kept imagining that they were being interviewed by The Men in Black. This was a great story, especially if you're a big sci-fi fan.
One True Love by Malina Lo 2/5
This one was an okay story. It involves love between two people of the same gender, which I have no problem with, but it really wasn't for me. I'm not a big fan of the whole knight in shining armor even if it is a woman!
This is a Mortal Wound by Michael Grant 3/5
This one was creepy, students no longer have to go to school and learn their lessons anywhere they want by using a computer. The teacher in this one went a little too far and that kind of freaked me out a little. The story goes pretty quick and it is definitely interesting.
Misery by Heather Brewer 4/5
I really didn't get what was going on until after I thought about it and then once I understood the ending I realised that I absolutely loved this story. It was dark and hopeful at the same time.
The Mind is a Powerful Thing by Matt De La Pena 3/5
This one just shows that if you think about something too much you are pretty much inviting it to happen. It was an interesting read and would have made a pretty good full length novel.
The Chosen One by Saundra Mitchell 2/5
I'm not a big fan of the whole princess having to save the other princess because she's better than her and what not. It just doesn't work for me. The only thing I really liked about this one was the ending. It was written well but it just wasn't for me.
Improbable Futures by Kami Garcia 3/5
What would you do if you learned that your predictions, which you thought were fake were suddenly coming true? I really enjoyed this one, it was interesting and I really didn't see the ending coming.
Death for the Deathless by Margaret Stohl 5/5
This is another one of my favorites. It was so well written and I loved the spin on Nostradamus. The ending was a major surprise for me seeing how there were predictions throughout the whole story but I guess it really shows that some things aren't what they appear.
Fate by Simone Elkeles 2/5
I'm not really sure about this one. I don't see what it has to do with prophecy or prediction or even fate for that matter. It was a cute story but I just don't see how it fits.
The Killing Garden by Carrie Ryan 5/5
The whole premise for this one was just awesome. Carrie Ryan definitely knows how to write an interesting story that leaves you breathless with the twist in the end. Definitely check this one out!
Homecoming by Richelle Mead 5/5
This one was my favorite out of the whole collection. I was so glad to dive back into the world of Vampire Academy with Rose and Dimitri. It's funny how even when they're on vacation they still find themselves facing strigoi, but those too probably can't sit still for too long anyway. For fans of Vampire Academy this story is an absolute must.
laura_mayfair's review against another edition
3.0
A mixed bag of stories. I wouldn't pay full price for this one but worth picking up if you catch it on sale.
thebriary's review against another edition
2.0
Decent in-flight read but I felt that the majority of the stories barely fit the theme.
emrodav's review against another edition
4.0
1) “Gentlemen Send Phantoms”: One of the best short stories I’ve ever read. It was just long enough, developed despite its length. I enjoyed every second of it and would read a 100k word novel set in this world. Laini Taylor just has such an amazing way with words. 5/5
2) "Burned Bight”: This story was disappointing. There was just too much to touch on for the story to be so short. We’re left wondering about Sam and his feelings for Bright, and what she’s going to do after the “rapture.” 2/5
3) “The Angriest Man”: This story had a crazy amount of potential. The opening vignette was especially good. The story was a little too confusing and rushed for me to enjoy it thoroughly, but I would kill to read a longer story based on this. 3/5
4) “Out of the Blue”: I’m not usually a fan of aliens, but I actually really liked this story. The format of interviews was really well done, and there was just enough humor and romance to balance out the sci-fi. 5/5
5) “One True Love”: This was a sweet little love story. I thought the fantasy elements were a little overdone (especially the names), but I enjoyed the rest of it, especially when Essylt found her new family. 4/5
6) “This Is a Mortal Wound”: I didn’t enjoy this story at all. I think it was supposed to be a humorous attack on modern technology and learning, but I just thought it was annoying. It just didn’t seem to fit into the collection at all. 1/5
7) “Misery”: I really liked the premise for this story. I was definitely intrigued, but I think the story could’ve benefited from a few more pages of exposition and conclusion. 3.5/5
8) “The Mind Is a Powerful Thing”: This story also was pretty interesting. It was actually pretty creepy in the beginning, but that didn’t continue throughout the story I definitely think it would’ve been better with the creepy tone that was established at the beginning. The ending was kind of dumb and not worth the build-up. 3/5
9) “The Chosen One”: This is a good classic fairytale. There was the princess, her rescuer, quests, etc. It was a well-formed story that was just the right length. Highly recommended. 5/5
10) “Improbable Futures”: I really liked this story. The fortune teller aspect was really interesting—though the racist bits were a bit much. If the character is Roma, the last thing she should be portrayed as is another fortune teller. If she’s just a fortune teller, don’t call her a gypsy. If that bit of cultural misunderstanding were cleared up, I’d definitely want to read more set in this world. 4/5
11) “Death for the Deathless”: Like some of the other stories, this is one I’d kill to read a full novel of! Bring together vampires, Paris, and angsty love and I’m hooked. 5/5
12) “Fate”: This is a cute little love story. It doesn’t really seem to fit into the theme of foretold as much as the others (at least until you get to pretty much the last page), but it’s still really good. 5/5
13) “The Killing Garden”: I’ve already said this a few times, but this story would make an excellent full-length novel! The idea of the Gardener is just so unique and creepy. I loved it. 5/5
14) “Homecoming”: This story was okay. Maybe I just need a break from the world of VA for a while, but I didn’t really care for this story. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t anything special. 3/5
2) "Burned Bight”: This story was disappointing. There was just too much to touch on for the story to be so short. We’re left wondering about Sam and his feelings for Bright, and what she’s going to do after the “rapture.” 2/5
3) “The Angriest Man”: This story had a crazy amount of potential. The opening vignette was especially good. The story was a little too confusing and rushed for me to enjoy it thoroughly, but I would kill to read a longer story based on this. 3/5
4) “Out of the Blue”: I’m not usually a fan of aliens, but I actually really liked this story. The format of interviews was really well done, and there was just enough humor and romance to balance out the sci-fi. 5/5
5) “One True Love”: This was a sweet little love story. I thought the fantasy elements were a little overdone (especially the names), but I enjoyed the rest of it, especially when Essylt found her new family. 4/5
6) “This Is a Mortal Wound”: I didn’t enjoy this story at all. I think it was supposed to be a humorous attack on modern technology and learning, but I just thought it was annoying. It just didn’t seem to fit into the collection at all. 1/5
7) “Misery”: I really liked the premise for this story. I was definitely intrigued, but I think the story could’ve benefited from a few more pages of exposition and conclusion. 3.5/5
8) “The Mind Is a Powerful Thing”: This story also was pretty interesting. It was actually pretty creepy in the beginning, but that didn’t continue throughout the story I definitely think it would’ve been better with the creepy tone that was established at the beginning. The ending was kind of dumb and not worth the build-up. 3/5
9) “The Chosen One”: This is a good classic fairytale. There was the princess, her rescuer, quests, etc. It was a well-formed story that was just the right length. Highly recommended. 5/5
10) “Improbable Futures”: I really liked this story. The fortune teller aspect was really interesting—though the racist bits were a bit much. If the character is Roma, the last thing she should be portrayed as is another fortune teller. If she’s just a fortune teller, don’t call her a gypsy. If that bit of cultural misunderstanding were cleared up, I’d definitely want to read more set in this world. 4/5
11) “Death for the Deathless”: Like some of the other stories, this is one I’d kill to read a full novel of! Bring together vampires, Paris, and angsty love and I’m hooked. 5/5
12) “Fate”: This is a cute little love story. It doesn’t really seem to fit into the theme of foretold as much as the others (at least until you get to pretty much the last page), but it’s still really good. 5/5
13) “The Killing Garden”: I’ve already said this a few times, but this story would make an excellent full-length novel! The idea of the Gardener is just so unique and creepy. I loved it. 5/5
14) “Homecoming”: This story was okay. Maybe I just need a break from the world of VA for a while, but I didn’t really care for this story. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t anything special. 3/5
drez80's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars for Homecoming by Richelle Mead, the only story from this book that I will read.
misssophiereads's review against another edition
4.0
I only got this to read Laini Taylor's short story "Gentlemen send Phantoms" (which was whimsical and delightful), but I was pleasantly surprised by the rest of the stories in this collection. While not all of them entirely hit the mark, I had a good time with these different interpretations of the concept of prophecies across different genres.
lamom77's review against another edition
4.0
It was a bit of the much desired epilogue, but also not quite was I was expecting. Still great to get more, hopefully these stories will continue to come.
Merged review:
Loved the Laini Taylor story - Dreamcake and the Richelle Mead Vampires Diaries "epilogue"
Merged review:
Loved the Laini Taylor story - Dreamcake and the Richelle Mead Vampires Diaries "epilogue"
ellyrarg's review against another edition
3.0
Some were so good, some were proper awful. I wrote notes for some of them:
Gentleman send phantoms - laini taylor
Ah, this. It’s a lovely sweet piece of whimsy and love, and stubborn girls and climbing trees and cake (!) and happy endings.
Burned Bright - Diana Peterfreund
Wow, that was grim. So so so grim. But also, a kind of interesting look at what it might be like in one of those cults… but also, you kind of only want to look at it with a side eye. That ending, though. So grim.
The Angriest Men - Lisa McMann
If I thought the last one was grim, this was worse. I guess it’s the exploration of ‘bad to the bone’, and destined to be bad. But he wasn’t really bad, and growling doesn’t make you bad. I found it hard to believe he was bad, in which case, it feels like 18 years to only go lie on a grave and die seems like a waste. This was a weird one.
Out of the blue - Meg Cabot
Lol. I mean, we’re they destined for greatness? Was that ruined by the slug man? This one was a bit out there, but I enjoyed the report style delivery.
One true love - Malinda Lo
This was very fairytale esque, but is essentially the story of Oedipus and Larius recast, fueled by a romance plot line. It was fine, I didn’t love it, but it wasn’t awful.
The chosen one - Saundra Mitchell
That was beautiful. I loved it, the best kind of fairy tale.
Gentleman send phantoms - laini taylor
Ah, this. It’s a lovely sweet piece of whimsy and love, and stubborn girls and climbing trees and cake (!) and happy endings.
Burned Bright - Diana Peterfreund
Wow, that was grim. So so so grim. But also, a kind of interesting look at what it might be like in one of those cults… but also, you kind of only want to look at it with a side eye. That ending, though. So grim.
The Angriest Men - Lisa McMann
If I thought the last one was grim, this was worse. I guess it’s the exploration of ‘bad to the bone’, and destined to be bad. But he wasn’t really bad, and growling doesn’t make you bad. I found it hard to believe he was bad, in which case, it feels like 18 years to only go lie on a grave and die seems like a waste. This was a weird one.
Out of the blue - Meg Cabot
Lol. I mean, we’re they destined for greatness? Was that ruined by the slug man? This one was a bit out there, but I enjoyed the report style delivery.
One true love - Malinda Lo
This was very fairytale esque, but is essentially the story of Oedipus and Larius recast, fueled by a romance plot line. It was fine, I didn’t love it, but it wasn’t awful.
The chosen one - Saundra Mitchell
That was beautiful. I loved it, the best kind of fairy tale.