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pewterwolf's review
5.0
Review taken from The Pewter Wolf. Book was gifted by UK publisher, Stripes, in exchange for an honest review/reaction
PROUD is an anthology of stories, poetry and illustrations from the top LGBTQIA+ authors, illustartors and fresh talent, each giving their own reaction to the theme of Pride.
There isn’t much else I can say. So, thoughts on this are thus…
I loved this collection. I knew I would, but it surprised me how much I loved and enjoyed the collection. Even the stories I didn’t particularly enjoy compared to others made me go “This is great!”. Plus, an anthology like this isn’t going to be please everyone with every story so I knew that as I was going in, but it was a surprise the level of talent was so high!
I would love to talk about each story and poem individually but I think I just want to give a few stories a shout out as I loved them and want you guys to know about them: “Penguins” by Simon James Green (because I love his writing), “Almost Certain” by Tanya Byrne (I love how this story tackled anxiety and demetria) and the four stories from the fresh talent whose stories were from an open call out : “On the Run” by Kay Staples, “The Phoenix’s Fault” by Cynthia So, “I Hate Darcy Pemberley” by Kameron White and “The Other Team” by Michael Lee Richardson. Each of these could be turned into novels and would be great reading (I especially think The Other Team would work great as a novel as the characters were messy and complex social/private lives and I would read this messiness up!)
I do feel like I need to point one niggle out, which isn’t a negative but as someone who doesn’t read contemporary fiction often, I noticed this. But, out of this collection, all bar one story were contemporary and while this isn’t a problem, it would have been nice to have more variety in genres - fantasy, sci-fi, historical, spy thriller, crime.
But, barring that, I loved this collection and can’t wait to force this into people’s hands.
PROUD is an anthology of stories, poetry and illustrations from the top LGBTQIA+ authors, illustartors and fresh talent, each giving their own reaction to the theme of Pride.
There isn’t much else I can say. So, thoughts on this are thus…
I loved this collection. I knew I would, but it surprised me how much I loved and enjoyed the collection. Even the stories I didn’t particularly enjoy compared to others made me go “This is great!”. Plus, an anthology like this isn’t going to be please everyone with every story so I knew that as I was going in, but it was a surprise the level of talent was so high!
I would love to talk about each story and poem individually but I think I just want to give a few stories a shout out as I loved them and want you guys to know about them: “Penguins” by Simon James Green (because I love his writing), “Almost Certain” by Tanya Byrne (I love how this story tackled anxiety and demetria) and the four stories from the fresh talent whose stories were from an open call out : “On the Run” by Kay Staples, “The Phoenix’s Fault” by Cynthia So, “I Hate Darcy Pemberley” by Kameron White and “The Other Team” by Michael Lee Richardson. Each of these could be turned into novels and would be great reading (I especially think The Other Team would work great as a novel as the characters were messy and complex social/private lives and I would read this messiness up!)
I do feel like I need to point one niggle out, which isn’t a negative but as someone who doesn’t read contemporary fiction often, I noticed this. But, out of this collection, all bar one story were contemporary and while this isn’t a problem, it would have been nice to have more variety in genres - fantasy, sci-fi, historical, spy thriller, crime.
But, barring that, I loved this collection and can’t wait to force this into people’s hands.
piperkitty's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Thanks to PrideBookTours and LittleTigerUk for my 5th Anniversary copy of Proud.
Firstly what a bright and attractive cover is this. This Anthology deals with many different topics that those of the LGBTQIA+ community have to go through. I enjoyed reading these different stories and poems . I adore the penguin story it was so sweet and impactful. I adore the artworks throughout this book they were very well done and cute. I loved the expression and exploration of music and the impact that has upon the community.
Firstly what a bright and attractive cover is this. This Anthology deals with many different topics that those of the LGBTQIA+ community have to go through. I enjoyed reading these different stories and poems . I adore the penguin story it was so sweet and impactful. I adore the artworks throughout this book they were very well done and cute. I loved the expression and exploration of music and the impact that has upon the community.
river24's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
If we live in stories, it means we live in the real world too.
Overall Rating: 3.75/5
Dive Bar by Caroline Bird: 4.5
Penguins by Simon James Green: 4.25
On the Run by Kay Staples: 4
The Phoenix's Fault by Cynthia So: 4.25
Azrah and Abigail by Freja Nicole Woolf: 3.5 (New to the 5th anniversary edition!)
As the Philadelphia Queer Youth Choir Sings Katy Perry's 'Firework'... by David Levithan: 2.75
Almost Certain by Tanya Byrne: 4
The Other Team by Michael Lee Richardson: 3.25
I Hate Darcy Pemberley by Karen Lawler: 3.25
The Courage of Dragons by Fox Benwell: 4
The Instructor by Jess Vallance: 4
Love Poems to the City by Moïra Fowley: 4.5
How to Come Out As Gay by Dean Atta: 3
Thank you Pride Book Tours for sending me a copy of the book.
Overall Rating: 3.75/5
Dive Bar by Caroline Bird: 4.5
Penguins by Simon James Green: 4.25
On the Run by Kay Staples: 4
The Phoenix's Fault by Cynthia So: 4.25
Azrah and Abigail by Freja Nicole Woolf: 3.5 (New to the 5th anniversary edition!)
As the Philadelphia Queer Youth Choir Sings Katy Perry's 'Firework'... by David Levithan: 2.75
Almost Certain by Tanya Byrne: 4
The Other Team by Michael Lee Richardson: 3.25
I Hate Darcy Pemberley by Karen Lawler: 3.25
The Courage of Dragons by Fox Benwell: 4
The Instructor by Jess Vallance: 4
Love Poems to the City by Moïra Fowley: 4.5
How to Come Out As Gay by Dean Atta: 3
Thank you Pride Book Tours for sending me a copy of the book.
jessicaoreads67's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I really loved this anthology. I loved the mixture of poems, stories and art. I read this within a couple of hours, it was that hooking and fast paced. It was moving, funny, joyous, real and important all in one. A perfect read for anyone who is part of the lgbtqia+ community or allies. Well done to all the writers and artists for creating this beautiful book.
starkva's review
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this compilation of short stories. My highlights included the two trans stories, the Chinese 'fairytale', and a cutesy coming-of-age story about learning to drive to impress a girl. The book itself is also really beautiful!
eponine20's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
alongreader's review
4.0
It's possibly my own fault: my expectations were *so* high with this book. And it is really good. Just not as completely fantastically best thing ever as I was expecting. And to be fair, what book could hit that mark?
This is very good, a collection of stories and art celebrating various combinations of gay, bi, trans and probably others I'm forgetting. My favourite story was The Instructor; it had a lovely touch of humour that I really enjoyed. I think this'll sell well, and it definitely deserves to.
This is very good, a collection of stories and art celebrating various combinations of gay, bi, trans and probably others I'm forgetting. My favourite story was The Instructor; it had a lovely touch of humour that I really enjoyed. I think this'll sell well, and it definitely deserves to.
nickabockaglory's review
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I loved this book. What an inclusive, inspiring and affirming selection of stories. This seems like it would be so important and meaningful for anybody queer but particularly for queer teens. I'm so excited for young people (or any people) to find themselves shown in these pages. Something that is far too rare.