Zombies vs Unicorns, an Anthology (2010)

zombies vs unicorns
holly black, justine larbalastier, editors

read: august 2010

So, as you should know by now, I'm not really a huge fan of short story collections, as I'm not really a fan of short stories. however, a lot of my favorite YA authors have chosen this year to be part of anthologies (Diana Peterfreund, Claudia Gray, I'm looking at you!), i have found myself reading more of them.

Which makes them a little hard to review - having so many different stories and authors.

However, I think this is the best collection I've read in a long time. First of all, you have zombies, which usually means the end of the world, which of course I love. And then you have killer unicorns, which thanks to Ms. Peterfreud, are the coolest things ever.

I remain fully on Team Unicorn, though Scott Westerfeld's zombie story, and Carrie Ryan (come on, she like re-invented zombies) as well as Garth Nix's (truly creepy - wait, that might have been a unicorn story too) were stand-outs on the zombie side.

But when you have a baby unicorn in a cardboard box in a garage who you know is a man-eating monster, another unicorn named (I kid you not) PRINCESS PRETTYPANTS who actually FARTS RAINBOWS, is there really a chance? Meg Cabot, I love you too.

Plus it was edited quite well, though I think Justine did a much better job defending zombies than Holly did with unicorns. But that's probably just because unicorns haven't always been scary, while zombies have. Going against the grain!

Conclusion: enough stories that I don't think you should miss to read it.

(Winners: Diana Peterfreund, Meg Cabot, Garth Nix, Scott Westerfeld, Carrie Ryan. Major winners.)

Vacations from Hell (2009)

vacations from hell
libba bray, editor (5 short stories)
read: july 2009

recommendation: use your local library!


This is hard to review and rate because it's a collection of stories by different authors. In other words, an anthology. (Smart, self.) I should also mention upfront that I have never been the biggest fan of short stories.

So without further ado, the stories, individually rated:

#1 by Sarah Mlynowski - It wasn't bad, it wasn't great. Not particularly memorable for any reason - humor, angst, twists, etc. It felt kind of predictable and more two-dimensional that I like, but again, it's a short story. (4.5/10)

#2 by Claudia Gray - I want to read more more more. This is what I want short stories to do - either have me fulfilled at the end, or with an ending that leaves a multitude of possibilities, allowing the reader to create their own stories with the characters. Definitely liked this one, and I heard it inspired a new series - which I am already anticipating! (9/10)

#3 by Maureen Johnson - She gets points for the ending, but really? That's what you came up with Maureen? I have to admit I expected more. Usually she's so creative and funny while still maintaining some semblance of reality (disclaimer: Devilish is my least favorite of her books, and I went to an all-girls Catholic school with nuns!). This reminded me why I have a hard time with short stories - it felt like filler, and kind of frivolous. (5/10)

#4 by Cassandra Clare - Of course there's sibling love! ;) However, I really did not like this one at all - the set up, the ending, the premise, blech. I didn't buy it for a second, and thought it was over-wrought and trying too hard. Though I do like the fact that the main character ended up as strong as I hoped. (3.5/10)

#5 by Libba Bray - I found this story not immediately accessible, and kind of hard to get into - I think it would have been better in second person POV, if that makes any sense. The story asked for an immediacy with the reader that I think second person would have provided. Already the narrator talks directly to the reader through the concept of filming a youtube video, but it's not quite smooth. However, I liked the sense of unease, superstitions, etc. It was unsettling, which was refreshing in this collection! (7/10)

Do with that what you will!