Reviews

You Glow in the Dark by Liliana Colanzi

kalin_grace's review against another edition

challenging emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

livlamentloathe's review against another edition

dark reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Some stories, like the eponymous ‘You Glow in the Dark,’ were deeply haunting. But others, I didn’t feel like I had a full grasp on. I think in part, it was due to m lack of context within the ethnography of the stories. Like there were pieces of the story dependent on me knowing something about this culture but it went right over my head. I lack a deep understanding of Latin America. 

Overall, it was good! Otherworldly stories that walk the line of fantasy, sci-fi, horror, and realistic/historical fiction.

blaze_o_glory's review against another edition

challenging dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

You Glow in the Dark is collection of stories that have great eerie, anti capitalist vibes… And not a whole lot else.

lilianaj's review against another edition

fast-paced

5.0

kegilman's review against another edition

dark reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

rayofmcfreakinsunshine's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

medievaljuliana's review against another edition

Filing this under "I should've read more about it before jumping in to adjust my expectations" and "it intrigues me but I'm not sure how much it moves me." Colanzi is much more of a speculative fiction than a horror author (at least here), which is something I would have realized if I had perused a little bit more. Or perhaps I just should not have jumped in with expectations? I hardly ever do, so I'm not sure why I did it here. And maybe it's because I don't have a mental catalogue of speculative fiction to consult as easily, but the collection left me wanting more, in general. My favorite moments were the creepiest and strangest, even if it didn't exactly veer into the supernatural or preternatural.

I would highly suggest for fans of Fever Dream (https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/73446116-a1b2-4628-915d-6d8875336940).

Highlights: The Cave, The Debt, The Greenest Eyes. 

midnightcomets's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This was such an interesting piece of reading that I accidentally found in a book cafe and started. I don't know how I feel about all the stories, but all of them definitely left something lodged in me, perhaps something dangerous and radioactive. If you're into sci fi, I highly recommend reading this! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Cancer, and Religious bigotry

Moderate: Incest, Racism, Drug use, Sexual content, Body horror, Gore, and Pregnancy

slink's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

daughterofatom's review against another edition

dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A lovely anthology that feels like following the thread of a dream across space and time, interconnected by shared ideas and places