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outsmartyourshelf's review
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.25
I pretty much picked this one due to the cover & the holiday/magic crossover theme. If you're looking for half a dozen short stories which bring a touch of whimsy to the holiday period, look somewhere else. The six stories here are rather weird:
Solstice Flames by Jennifer Laslie - arguably the best story, this one sees a teenager facing execution for being a witch in modern-day Massachusetts. 2.5/5
A Midwinter Manifestation by Sammi Cox - Maeve's boyfriend died recently but he's still around in ghost form, but this interesting opening is jettisoned for the havoc wreaked by an imp conjured by a novice witch. 2/5
The Witch’s Shoes by Sidonia Rose - one night stand between a witch & a wizard leads to more. 1/5
Molly by Brittany White - can't even remember what this one was about. 1/5
Holiday Dreams by K. Laslie - dead twin helps live twin get life back on track. 2/5
The Witch’s Brew by Heather Marie Adkins - I speedread this one as I was fed up with the book. 2/5
Overall rating as I wasn't impressed with most of these & the holiday theme was flimsy at best. I must stop reading short story compilations as I rarely like them.
Solstice Flames by Jennifer Laslie - arguably the best story, this one sees a teenager facing execution for being a witch in modern-day Massachusetts. 2.5/5
A Midwinter Manifestation by Sammi Cox - Maeve's boyfriend died recently but he's still around in ghost form, but this interesting opening is jettisoned for the havoc wreaked by an imp conjured by a novice witch. 2/5
The Witch’s Shoes by Sidonia Rose - one night stand between a witch & a wizard leads to more. 1/5
Molly by Brittany White - can't even remember what this one was about. 1/5
Holiday Dreams by K. Laslie - dead twin helps live twin get life back on track. 2/5
The Witch’s Brew by Heather Marie Adkins - I speedread this one as I was fed up with the book. 2/5
Overall rating as I wasn't impressed with most of these & the holiday theme was flimsy at best. I must stop reading short story compilations as I rarely like them.
kitvaria_sarene's review
2.0
I don't think I was the target audience for this. There was plenty of insta love (some I found really creepy, not romantic), insta friendships, insta trust, and basically everything felt artificially forced, not like a smooth transition.
A good short story manages to add the character development in just a few paragraphs, but here it just didn't feel right.
People who like paranormal romance, and are looking for something easy to read might have a way better reaction to this than I did. I sadly only only liked one of the stories in here (Witches Brew), didn't especially like the rest and one I was hard pressed to even finish...
A good short story manages to add the character development in just a few paragraphs, but here it just didn't feel right.
People who like paranormal romance, and are looking for something easy to read might have a way better reaction to this than I did. I sadly only only liked one of the stories in here (Witches Brew), didn't especially like the rest and one I was hard pressed to even finish...
srivalli's review
4.0
Love the cute stories about different witches and faeries.
I wish some stories were longer. There is something in reading about the magic that makes the heart go la-la-la. (lol)
I wish some stories were longer. There is something in reading about the magic that makes the heart go la-la-la. (lol)
xatanika's review
5.0
I am not a big fan of anthologies, but I one-clicked because Sidonia Rose has a story in it. Also, let's be honest it is free on kindle. I really enjoyed the stories. Sidonia Rose's story sucked me in and I had to sneak read it at work. I would love to read more about Arwen and Brogan and the magic shoes. Definitely a story worth diving into and Brogan is HOT!! You just can't go wrong with this anthology.
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