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nipomuki's review
5.0
I do have trouble buying eBooks for full prize, as I don't feel I actually own them. They do not have the same "worth" for me, however illogical or even unjust that may be, as a "real" book in ink and paper that I can put up on a shelf and lend to my friends and so on. I do buy eBooks, but mostly when they are on sale.
I bought this anthology for the full price (it is not a very expensive one, but still above what I usually spend) because of the Smart Bitches podcast. I liked the idea behind the anthology and wanted to support it. For "Sight unseen" five Romance writers were asked to write outside their usual sub-genre and without giving their names. So this is a Romance anthology with five novellas and five authors, but we do not know who wrote which. Later this year, I think in September, there will be a reveal, and readers will know if they guessed correctly. It sadly won't be much of a guessing game for me since I only know one of the authors.
I have finished all five novellas and was pleasantly surprised. Three were excellent, one I liked the idea but was not entirely satisfied with the execution, and one was well written but just not my thing at all.
Lost that feeling
This was the one where I was not entirely satisfied at the end. I liked the idea and some of the world building (it is a fantasy setting). But so many questions were not answered in the end. Maybe it needs a whole book so that it can all come together.
A clear view of you
I loved this from beginning to end. Perfectly executed complex story with complex characters in just one short novella. The idea behind it is so cool. I have been burned by the new age scene when I was young and could totally relate to the heroine. I would love to read more about her and her future adventures. Also I'd like to know how this relationship actually works out in real life. I have some questions on that. But those are new questions - they do not diminish my satisfaction with the ending of the novella. My guess is that this is the one by Sherry Thomas.
Free
Totally different, but equally lovely. I loved the heroine and the (accountant!) hero both SO MUCH. As it is a novella, the author had to decide where to cut and where to invest. And she did totally the right thing in putting it all into the relationship. It helped that they already knew each other very well, they just had to take it to the next level. I even liked the sexy times, which I often don't. The way they both fit (or don't) into the town was well done, too. The only thing that was not entirely fleshed out was the complexity of Wren's family. But I did feel all the feels, so it was really well done in the short space available.
Chariot of desire
This was something totally different. In an 80ies setting. With rock stars. I have read one or two books with rock stars as main characters before, but they were more glamorous. Fantasy stuff. This felt more real, and real is apparently not what I am looking for in my Romance. It did not entirely feel like a Romance to me, even though love and desire are center stage. The language was so evocative that it sometimes left me disgusted. So: the writing in this novella is very good. Just not what I am into.
The heart is a universe
Wonderful is the word. I have not read a lot of Romance in a sci-fi setting. But if it is like this I will! How did she fit all that world building into one novella? And the love story - it is romantic, tragic, very deep, full of surprises. I did not think there could be a fitting end to it, but she pulled it off. Except: I want more.
I bought this anthology for the full price (it is not a very expensive one, but still above what I usually spend) because of the Smart Bitches podcast. I liked the idea behind the anthology and wanted to support it. For "Sight unseen" five Romance writers were asked to write outside their usual sub-genre and without giving their names. So this is a Romance anthology with five novellas and five authors, but we do not know who wrote which. Later this year, I think in September, there will be a reveal, and readers will know if they guessed correctly. It sadly won't be much of a guessing game for me since I only know one of the authors.
I have finished all five novellas and was pleasantly surprised. Three were excellent, one I liked the idea but was not entirely satisfied with the execution, and one was well written but just not my thing at all.
Lost that feeling
This was the one where I was not entirely satisfied at the end. I liked the idea and some of the world building (it is a fantasy setting). But so many questions were not answered in the end. Maybe it needs a whole book so that it can all come together.
A clear view of you
I loved this from beginning to end. Perfectly executed complex story with complex characters in just one short novella. The idea behind it is so cool. I have been burned by the new age scene when I was young and could totally relate to the heroine. I would love to read more about her and her future adventures. Also I'd like to know how this relationship actually works out in real life. I have some questions on that. But those are new questions - they do not diminish my satisfaction with the ending of the novella. My guess is that this is the one by Sherry Thomas.
Free
Totally different, but equally lovely. I loved the heroine and the (accountant!) hero both SO MUCH. As it is a novella, the author had to decide where to cut and where to invest. And she did totally the right thing in putting it all into the relationship. It helped that they already knew each other very well, they just had to take it to the next level. I even liked the sexy times, which I often don't. The way they both fit (or don't) into the town was well done, too. The only thing that was not entirely fleshed out was the complexity of Wren's family. But I did feel all the feels, so it was really well done in the short space available.
Chariot of desire
This was something totally different. In an 80ies setting. With rock stars. I have read one or two books with rock stars as main characters before, but they were more glamorous. Fantasy stuff. This felt more real, and real is apparently not what I am looking for in my Romance. It did not entirely feel like a Romance to me, even though love and desire are center stage. The language was so evocative that it sometimes left me disgusted. So: the writing in this novella is very good. Just not what I am into.
The heart is a universe
Wonderful is the word. I have not read a lot of Romance in a sci-fi setting. But if it is like this I will! How did she fit all that world building into one novella? And the love story - it is romantic, tragic, very deep, full of surprises. I did not think there could be a fitting end to it, but she pulled it off. Except: I want more.
nononanette's review
3.0
I enjoyed most of the stories very much. Just goes to show what a good writer can do in a short spoof time.
turophile's review
4.0
This anthology takes five authors and has them write a story in a genre they don’t usually tackle. The twist is that when it was released the authors’ names were not attached to their story. Most of the stories veered into paranormal or science fiction or western. I’m not fond of any of these, yet really enjoyed these stories. The authors all displayed their writing skills with well structured novellas. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it, especially the last story, the Heart is a Universe. Can’t wait to match the stories with authors.
llamareads's review
4.0
I picked this up mainly because I was curious about the premise, and I had to read an anthology for the Ripped Bodice Summer Read Along. I went in figuring that the stories would be interesting but probably not spectacular, since the authors would be writing outside their usual genre. However, I was pleasantly surprised.
Lost That Feeling - 3 stars. Enjoyable, but it felt like that scene in Toy Story 2 where Mrs. Potato Head packs a bunch of stuff inside Mr. Potato Head, until play dough comes spurting out all over. I liked all the pieces, the magic system, the amnesia plot line, even the characters (though the heroine bordered on "specialist of them all!!!!"), but it all felt like too much crammed into a short story. I'd love to see this as a book.
A Clear View of You - 4 stars. I'm a huge fan of paranormal romance, so of course I enjoyed this one, prickly heroine and all. I'd also like to see this one as a full-length book, but I felt like it worked as a short story.
Free - 4 stars. I think this is the most "normal" of the stories, since it's a contemporary. Also, super hot.
Chariot of Desire - 3 stars. I'm normally a fan of rock star romances, but something felt off about this one. I don't think I ever really understood the attraction the hero and heroine had for each other.
The Heart is a Universe - 5 stars. What a delightfully odd story. I was completely sucked in to this one, and while I found the ending somewhat unsatisfying, I definitely give it props for a wild ride.
Lost That Feeling - 3 stars. Enjoyable, but it felt like that scene in Toy Story 2 where Mrs. Potato Head packs a bunch of stuff inside Mr. Potato Head, until play dough comes spurting out all over. I liked all the pieces, the magic system, the amnesia plot line, even the characters (though the heroine bordered on "specialist of them all!!!!"), but it all felt like too much crammed into a short story. I'd love to see this as a book.
A Clear View of You - 4 stars. I'm a huge fan of paranormal romance, so of course I enjoyed this one, prickly heroine and all. I'd also like to see this one as a full-length book, but I felt like it worked as a short story.
Free - 4 stars. I think this is the most "normal" of the stories, since it's a contemporary. Also, super hot.
Chariot of Desire - 3 stars. I'm normally a fan of rock star romances, but something felt off about this one. I don't think I ever really understood the attraction the hero and heroine had for each other.
The Heart is a Universe - 5 stars. What a delightfully odd story. I was completely sucked in to this one, and while I found the ending somewhat unsatisfying, I definitely give it props for a wild ride.
heabookfreak's review
4.0
This is an experimental anthology; each author is writing in a genre new to her.
For me, two of the stories stand out as clear and lovely. The story flows, the relationships develop, there may not be a firm ending but I was never confused.
One was a little confusing but I would like to know more about the characters.
One was pretty clear, was not beautiful, I would like to know more, but it did resolve cleanly.
One was confusing and unresolved and I did not really care.
The anchor story, the final in the anthology "The Heart is a Universe" is the strongest, most empathetic, and beautifully written.
I recommend this anthology, I did in fact pay for the paperback edition AFTER I read the (free) ARC.
I might have paid a bit too much for the actual print version but paper, print, and time cost money so I do not regret it. The ebook is more affordable. The beauty and inspiration in the final story is worth the cost.
Although the stories are not not currently accredited they will be in about three months. Part of the fun is trying to figure out which author wrote which story.
For me, two of the stories stand out as clear and lovely. The story flows, the relationships develop, there may not be a firm ending but I was never confused.
One was a little confusing but I would like to know more about the characters.
One was pretty clear, was not beautiful, I would like to know more, but it did resolve cleanly.
One was confusing and unresolved and I did not really care.
The anchor story, the final in the anthology "The Heart is a Universe" is the strongest, most empathetic, and beautifully written.
I recommend this anthology, I did in fact pay for the paperback edition AFTER I read the (free) ARC.
I might have paid a bit too much for the actual print version but paper, print, and time cost money so I do not regret it. The ebook is more affordable. The beauty and inspiration in the final story is worth the cost.
Although the stories are not not currently accredited they will be in about three months. Part of the fun is trying to figure out which author wrote which story.
adelebuck's review
3.0
Sight Unseen is an ambitious, exciting project. Five well-known romance authors with established reputations and readers (who also have established expectations of their work) each write a novella that stretches them outside their comfort zone, or into a new subgenre.
The trick is, that for three months after the anthology's official release, all the novellas' author names are a secret. Think you know a particular author (or all of them) so well that you can pick their work out of a line-up even if their name isn't on it? Good luck.
Overall, this was one of the better anthologies I've ever read. I don't read a lot of them, because I find that they are frequently populated with stories that would have been better served if they had been allowed to stretch and breathe into at least a category-length romance. That was certainly true of three out of the five. However, the quality of the writing and the ideas in the stories made this collection much more enjoyable.
"Lost that Feeling," a fantasy romance with an interesting take on the amnesia trope, had wonderful world-building. I found the bond between the hero and heroine to be tenuous, though. And the ending was rushed. This was a romance that didn't feel like a romance until the last few paragraphs.
"A Clear View of You" is another fantasy - urban fantasy this time. There was almost too much packed in here. Mother/daughter relationships, learning about the existence of fae, bonds with nature...too much story in too little space. The romance was interwoven more organically into this story, however.
"Free" was my hands-down favorite out of all of these stories. Set in a small town, with a heroine who was a believable small-town tough girl heroine (I grew up in a small town and I've known girls like Wren). A hero who is the accountant to a biker gang (no lie - sounds like crack, but no. It just works). Just enough story to fill the space (and the only explicit one in the bunch)
"Chariot of Desire" - it took me a bit of time to figure out when this was set - the story ends up telling you (early to mid 80's). It features a band that made it big in the 70's with cock rock, but is now playing smaller gigs and trying to find its way now that the lead singer has found God (or a cult) and won't sing those old songs again. A friends-to-lovers tale about him and his drummer, this was another one that could have used a bit more space. Not even necessarily a full short novel. But the ending felt rushed.
"The Heart is a Universe" is a science fiction love story with a 16 day expiration date. I won't spoil it, but this was the one that I liked second best. Like "Free" it actually fit the space it was allotted. It's the only one I even have a guess about the author based on the ambitious puzzle-like quality of the conceit. I won't spoil the story itself, because its fascinating to see it play out, but I think this might be the Sherry Thomas novella.
Despite my criticisms of anthologies in general and this one specifically, I enjoyed it and would recommend it, especially to people who are interested in sampling a bunch of sub-genres in a small package.
I received an Advance Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.
The trick is, that for three months after the anthology's official release, all the novellas' author names are a secret. Think you know a particular author (or all of them) so well that you can pick their work out of a line-up even if their name isn't on it? Good luck.
Overall, this was one of the better anthologies I've ever read. I don't read a lot of them, because I find that they are frequently populated with stories that would have been better served if they had been allowed to stretch and breathe into at least a category-length romance. That was certainly true of three out of the five. However, the quality of the writing and the ideas in the stories made this collection much more enjoyable.
"Lost that Feeling," a fantasy romance with an interesting take on the amnesia trope, had wonderful world-building. I found the bond between the hero and heroine to be tenuous, though. And the ending was rushed. This was a romance that didn't feel like a romance until the last few paragraphs.
"A Clear View of You" is another fantasy - urban fantasy this time. There was almost too much packed in here. Mother/daughter relationships, learning about the existence of fae, bonds with nature...too much story in too little space. The romance was interwoven more organically into this story, however.
"Free" was my hands-down favorite out of all of these stories. Set in a small town, with a heroine who was a believable small-town tough girl heroine (I grew up in a small town and I've known girls like Wren). A hero who is the accountant to a biker gang (no lie - sounds like crack, but no. It just works). Just enough story to fill the space (and the only explicit one in the bunch)
"Chariot of Desire" - it took me a bit of time to figure out when this was set - the story ends up telling you (early to mid 80's). It features a band that made it big in the 70's with cock rock, but is now playing smaller gigs and trying to find its way now that the lead singer has found God (or a cult) and won't sing those old songs again. A friends-to-lovers tale about him and his drummer, this was another one that could have used a bit more space. Not even necessarily a full short novel. But the ending felt rushed.
"The Heart is a Universe" is a science fiction love story with a 16 day expiration date. I won't spoil it, but this was the one that I liked second best. Like "Free" it actually fit the space it was allotted. It's the only one I even have a guess about the author based on the ambitious puzzle-like quality of the conceit. I won't spoil the story itself, because its fascinating to see it play out, but I think this might be the Sherry Thomas novella.
Despite my criticisms of anthologies in general and this one specifically, I enjoyed it and would recommend it, especially to people who are interested in sampling a bunch of sub-genres in a small package.
I received an Advance Readers Copy in exchange for an honest review.
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