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lizzycatslibrary's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book, although I feel I may have enjoyed it more had I not over hyped it by reading everyone elses reviews. There were some stories that were slow and a select few that I thought were absolutely excellent! I think it is worth the read just because it is an interesting book. It is a selection that might be really interesting to discuss in a teen book group, keeping in mind that many of the themes in here are death, the supernatural and unknown, and sex. Overall, an interesting read.
dmfw's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? No
4.5
A great collection of short stories with more depth to them than you might imagine
jenhurst's review against another edition
4.0
This is a short story collection that is kind of horror, kind of fantasy and kind of new weird.
One story is about a boy digging up is girlfriend, another is about a magical faerie handbag, another is about libraries.
I've read her adult short story collections (Magic for Beginners and Get into Trouble), and loved them. This is my first time reading her YA collection and she had 3 stories from the adult ones in this one. This collection is just as weird and fun as the adult ones. Kelly Link is also the only short story author that I've read where all the stories in the novel and consider all 4 stars. They are all of equal qualities. So good. I'm always impressed that the stories feel so complete and feel the perfect length. Usually I wish short stories were longer and they tend to feel like fragments of stories for me.
This is perfect for Halloween or if you are in the mood for something creepy but don't want something too scary. It's very atmospheric and there's some good humour that's almost absurbic.
4/5 stats.
I recommend this to people who like short stories and the new weird genre. Or just someone who wants a creepy story that isn't too scary. Kelly Link is a fun writer and I don't think she gets enough love!
One story is about a boy digging up is girlfriend, another is about a magical faerie handbag, another is about libraries.
I've read her adult short story collections (Magic for Beginners and Get into Trouble), and loved them. This is my first time reading her YA collection and she had 3 stories from the adult ones in this one. This collection is just as weird and fun as the adult ones. Kelly Link is also the only short story author that I've read where all the stories in the novel and consider all 4 stars. They are all of equal qualities. So good. I'm always impressed that the stories feel so complete and feel the perfect length. Usually I wish short stories were longer and they tend to feel like fragments of stories for me.
This is perfect for Halloween or if you are in the mood for something creepy but don't want something too scary. It's very atmospheric and there's some good humour that's almost absurbic.
4/5 stats.
I recommend this to people who like short stories and the new weird genre. Or just someone who wants a creepy story that isn't too scary. Kelly Link is a fun writer and I don't think she gets enough love!
midici's review against another edition
4.0
This was a sweet and sad short story about a girl who's grandmother Zofia has a magic handbag. Despite being so short there's a lot happening: disappearing and reappearing villages, haunted dogs, Houdini's expulsion, and an ongoing quest through the Garment District.
I read a copy of this story in Apex Magazine: http://www.apex-magazine.com/the-faery-handbag/
I read a copy of this story in Apex Magazine: http://www.apex-magazine.com/the-faery-handbag/
aggiecoll's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
5.0
gabalodon's review against another edition
4.0
Very weird, creepy stories. Good read for October. I thought most of the MCs were annoying, but only when I was kind of supposed to, I think. Side characters tended to be much more interesting. Each story is told in a very discretized fashion, sometimes jumping between characters, or a frame tale, or between timelines, but in a very succinct fast-paced way. Each story had some sort of twist, and sometimes you could see the twists coming and sometimes it was too weird to even begin to guess. I love the small details she worked into each story - very savory.
elleinadarat's review against another edition
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I enjoyed this a lot! All of the stories were very different, but also sort of flowed together nicely? It’s hard to explain. But I enjoyed it a lot. I think my favorite story was the one with the boy named Onion.
crazyylizard's review against another edition
The stories each had interesting premises but weren't engaging.
aholeistodig's review against another edition
5.0
Ack, I adore Link so much. Her stories are kinda like that dream you had the other night: sort of hilarious and sort of scary, and often both. The Specialist's Hat is still one of my favorite short stories ever.