Reviews

Never Have I Ever by Isabel Yap

honnari_hannya's review against another edition

3.0

An ultimately "good but not great" collection of short stories. I enjoyed the inclusion of a folk mythology that isn’t Western or East Asian, since I do find that publishing has largely written off those cultures as not very appealing or commercial. But sometimes it is stylistically lackluster—the stories are pretty straightforward, and some hold your hand through the metaphor of the monster as a symbol for the social outcast. The stories I enjoyed best are the ones that had no monsters at all, since it didn't feel like Yap was hammering in the metaphor too hard there; particularly the one about the veggies and fruit that grow on the houses as a one-a-year miracle.

binnybeenreading's review

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

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

3.0

so. this book took me an eternity to read and most of the stories were kinda meh to me. overall when i averaged all my ratings it came to 3 stars. that being said, there were some gems such as Asphalt, River, Mother, Child; Hurricane Heels (We Go Down Dancing); and especially A Canticle for Lost Girls.

meecespieces's review

challenging dark emotional fast-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault

rouge_red's review against another edition

2.75

The stories ranged from ok to good, nothing terrible but neither were there any that stood out to me. I think they lacked a certain "oomph" to them. Compared to the Sarah Pinkster collection I also just read from this publisher (Dutton), I liked her writing and imagination much more. I do appreciate seeing the bits of folklore from the Philippines in here. Completely competent, but no wow factor.

fbzcab's review

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

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

xandrade's review

dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

I looooved this collection so much. I almost dropped it during the first story because it was a bit gorey but I'm glad I stuck with it. Really made me want to explore more Filipino mythology. 

Isabel Yap really captured some quintessential elements of woman and girlhood in this collection. 

gabalodon's review against another edition

5.0

This was so incredible. Such a range of stories. So much weirdness and excellent rage. My favorites were "A Spell for Foolish Hearts" (SOOOO CUTE), "Asphalt, River, Mother, Child" (soooo yikes), "Hurricane Heels (We Go Down Dancing)" (where is this movie??), and "How to Swallow the Moon" (a dragon fairy tale??? Yes please).

But I am deeply regretting reading the last two before bed.

heartlinear's review

4.25

it's hard to rate short stories because even if i don't feel for some the way i do for others i still want to give the 5 solely for being part of the same collection. the yearning. isabel yap what a debut.

nadias_littlelibrary's review

dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

whatsmacksaid's review

5.0

Huge range of stories, from romantic and sweet to ferocious and dark, but they're all great.