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amaldae's review
2.0
(April 17th, 2016)
2,5*
A novel condensed into a short story.
There's a good story in here, the main characters are both symphatetic and likeable - but ultimately it lacks depth and believability. The setting (supposedly some kind of alt-1950s with magic) doesn't come to life and the central relationship develops literally in the course of two days.
I am an admirer of short-form writing, but not sure it works in this case.
There are things I liked - the author has an eye for tender little details that almost makes up for the lack of actual relationship development; I appreciate the fact that one of the MCs is unable to speak (at least vocally); the prose itself is fairly competent and conveys a certain kind of emotion quite well... but ultimately, it's just not enough to make up for the wasted potential. I feel this might be a case of an author liking their characters too much to bother trying to convince the reader, least of all a nitpicky one such as me.
So, the story remains rushed, straightforward, and somewhat confusing (especially transitioning form one scene to the next - I often had to re-read passages before realizing the characters had moved). There is little real conflict, and the stakes don't feel particulary high even when the MCs are fleeing for their lives, because the resolution is often so easy; there is not one but several instances where the girls are seconds away from being caught and unable to use their supernatural powers, before remembering that they literally have a bag full of pre-made spells just for situations like the ones they find themselves in. Problem: solved, reader: disappointed. Please make me care more. Please also don't expect me to believe that people recover from years of torture and re-conditioning as soon as they have someone holding their hand. (No, really.)
Please tell the story, not the outline.
I also wish the setting itself had been fleshed out more. I have no idea what sort of magic is used, save for the fact that it really comes in handy at times. More than that, though, there is not a lot to mark this as an alt-historical tale at all. Girls wear dresses, disabled and otherwise 'different' people are seen as lesser than, there's a mention of WWII - what's so different from our times?
Not much. Especially the ending feels out of place, and I quote: "Emma twiddled her fingers. At last she typed, 'I have something to tell you.---I like you a lot, as in romantic like. Wanting to date you and make out.'"
You said this is the 1950s? Yeah, I'm not sure I believe girl/girl relationships were no big deal. Also,.
Not sure at all.
I'm left hoping there will eventually be a full-length novel set in this world. And for readers looking for a shorter piece with almost exactly the same starting point, I thought Angel Martinez did a much better job engaging the reader emotionally in [b:Prisoner 374215|18005142|Prisoner 374215|Angel Martinez|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1370184157s/18005142.jpg|25269810] (although it's M/M). This one is... just sweet.
2,5*
A novel condensed into a short story.
There's a good story in here, the main characters are both symphatetic and likeable - but ultimately it lacks depth and believability. The setting (supposedly some kind of alt-1950s with magic) doesn't come to life and the central relationship develops literally in the course of two days.
I am an admirer of short-form writing, but not sure it works in this case.
There are things I liked - the author has an eye for tender little details that almost makes up for the lack of actual relationship development; I appreciate the fact that one of the MCs is unable to speak (at least vocally); the prose itself is fairly competent and conveys a certain kind of emotion quite well... but ultimately, it's just not enough to make up for the wasted potential. I feel this might be a case of an author liking their characters too much to bother trying to convince the reader, least of all a nitpicky one such as me.
So, the story remains rushed, straightforward, and somewhat confusing (especially transitioning form one scene to the next - I often had to re-read passages before realizing the characters had moved). There is little real conflict, and the stakes don't feel particulary high even when the MCs are fleeing for their lives, because the resolution is often so easy; there is not one but several instances where the girls are seconds away from being caught and unable to use their supernatural powers, before remembering that they literally have a bag full of pre-made spells just for situations like the ones they find themselves in. Problem: solved, reader: disappointed. Please make me care more. Please also don't expect me to believe that people recover from years of torture and re-conditioning as soon as they have someone holding their hand. (No, really.)
Please tell the story, not the outline.
I also wish the setting itself had been fleshed out more. I have no idea what sort of magic is used, save for the fact that it really comes in handy at times. More than that, though, there is not a lot to mark this as an alt-historical tale at all. Girls wear dresses, disabled and otherwise 'different' people are seen as lesser than, there's a mention of WWII - what's so different from our times?
Not much. Especially the ending feels out of place, and I quote: "Emma twiddled her fingers. At last she typed, 'I have something to tell you.---I like you a lot, as in romantic like. Wanting to date you and make out.'"
You said this is the 1950s? Yeah, I'm not sure I believe girl/girl relationships were no big deal. Also,
Spoiler
I'm pretty sure portable speech-generating devices such as the one Emma gets to use weren't manufactured, let alone readily available, until decades laterNot sure at all.
I'm left hoping there will eventually be a full-length novel set in this world. And for readers looking for a shorter piece with almost exactly the same starting point, I thought Angel Martinez did a much better job engaging the reader emotionally in [b:Prisoner 374215|18005142|Prisoner 374215|Angel Martinez|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1370184157s/18005142.jpg|25269810] (although it's M/M). This one is... just sweet.
hummusnchill's review
3.0
The subject matter was interesting, teens with powers rounded up and experimented on in a dystopian 1950's universe, but so much of this book was left unanswered. It would have been fantastic fleshed out into a full length story, but there was not enough substance.
mousegoddess's review
4.0
I kind of randomly received an ARC. there's your disclaimer. Also, I'm writing this on my phone so it's not gonna be super long.
I enjoyed so much about this. I found the world building intriguing, the villains villainous, and the girls *incoherent fangirl noises*. I think the thing that I liked best is that the balance of power between our girls was so well balanced. So often in stories across the genres the imbalance of power in relationships is just...accepted. I really dug that difference in the story. I definitely recommend it and I want to ask the author when I can expect more from this world.
I enjoyed so much about this. I found the world building intriguing, the villains villainous, and the girls *incoherent fangirl noises*. I think the thing that I liked best is that the balance of power between our girls was so well balanced. So often in stories across the genres the imbalance of power in relationships is just...accepted. I really dug that difference in the story. I definitely recommend it and I want to ask the author when I can expect more from this world.
claudiearseneault's review
4.0
I am a big sucker for evil scientists and characters finding love/companionship while imprisoned and experimented upon (not a surprise to anyone who's read my book). AND I love Kayla Bashe's writing, so when I heard she now had a f/f take on this trope? Let's just say I was thrilled.
SCREAMING DOWN SPLITSVILLE didn't disappoint. I can't be properly eloquent tonight, but I had fun from beginning to end, want to send endless cuddles Emma's way, and am infinitely glad Flip is there for that. And while the book as a whole is a nice ride, the climax in particular is a piece of pure, intense writing. Loved it.
If anything, this novella's main problem is its shortness. Don't get me wrong, I love the short, sweet, and intense stories Bashe constantly puts out, but darn would I have loved to have *more* of this particular one.
SCREAMING DOWN SPLITSVILLE didn't disappoint. I can't be properly eloquent tonight, but I had fun from beginning to end, want to send endless cuddles Emma's way, and am infinitely glad Flip is there for that. And while the book as a whole is a nice ride, the climax in particular is a piece of pure, intense writing. Loved it.
If anything, this novella's main problem is its shortness. Don't get me wrong, I love the short, sweet, and intense stories Bashe constantly puts out, but darn would I have loved to have *more* of this particular one.
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