Some Books Ago: The Vespertine by Saundra Mitchell

Some Books Ago is a shout out to all those books published some years ago. I don't want you to forget them!

The Vespertine is not the kind of book I read, but I fell in love with Saundra Mitchell's writing when I read a short story she wrote for an anthology. I'm not fan of historical romance, but this book was beautiful! and the writing was as perfect as the short story that made me want to read it. I never read The Springsweet, the sequel, because it was narrated by a different character and I didn't like her. 
However, I do hope that if you haven't read this book, you add it to your TBR pile now!
Check it out! 

It was published on March 7th 2011 by Harcourt Children's Books

 

GoodReads/ Amazon/ TBD

Summary:

It’s the summer of 1889, and Amelia van den Broek is new to Baltimore and eager to take in all the pleasures the city has to offer. But her gaiety is interrupted by disturbing, dreamlike visions she has only at sunset—visions that offer glimpses of the future. 
Soon, friends and strangers alike call on Amelia to hear her prophecies. However, a forbidden romance with Nathaniel, an artist, threatens the new life Amelia is building in Baltimore. This enigmatic young man is keeping secrets of his own—still, Amelia finds herself irrepressibly drawn to him.
When one of her darkest visions comes to pass, Amelia’s world is thrown into chaos. And those around her begin to wonder if she’s not the seer of dark portents, but the cause. 

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ARC Review: Grim Anthology

GRIM

Authors: Ellen Hopkins, Amanda Hocking, Julie Kagawa, Claudia Gray, Rachel Hawkins, Kimberly Derting, Myra McEntire, Malinda Lo, Sarah Rees-Brennan, Jackson Pearce, Christine Johnson, Jeri Smith Ready, Shaun David Hutchinson, Saundra Mitchell, Sonia Gensler, Tessa Gratton, Jon Skrovon.

Pages: 480

Average rating: 4 stars

Source: eARC provided by Harlequin Teen

Order it: Amazon/ B&N/ TBD

Summary:

Inspired by classic fairy tales, but with a dark and sinister twist, Grim contains short stories from some of the best voices in young adult literature today.

I am a huge fan of anthologies, that’s why when I read about Grim I was so excited to read it.

Anthologies are my chance to read short stories and different kind of topic that I haven’t read from my favorite authors.

However, most of authors of Grim where still unknown for me, and I’ll be looking forward to them after reading their stories.

Grim was a dark collection of fairy tales. I enjoyed most of them, but I didn’t like the fact that almost all stories felt incomplete and the endings were rushed or too open.

Some were straight re-telling, though I can say that only about the tales I already read.

Some other had a dark twist that made the story beautiful and unique.

Each story was different and that’s why I’ll try to say a little about each of them.

The Key by Rachel Hawkins (Bluebeard)

4 stars

This is the first story in the anthology, but the last one I read. It was a good is topic, but has an open ending. It felt like a prequel, though, I’d really like to read a whole book about Lana and Skye.

Figment by Jeri Smith-Ready (Puss in Boots)

4 stars

I’m a huge fan of Jeri Smith-Ready that’s why this was the first story I read. I this, Puss in boots is a lucky charm. It was about music (one of my favorite topics), I liked the writing and main character. I found it good, and it had a solid ending. Good, but forgettable.

The Twelfth Girl by Malinda Lo (12 Dancing Princesses)

3 stars

It was good but not memorable. I liked it, but didn’t love it. The setting was good, and so the plot.

The Raven Princess by Jon Skovron (The Raven)

5 stars

I’ve read this is an exact re-telling, but since I haven’t read the original one, I loved it. The writing was additive, the story was magical and the characters well developed.

It wasn’t dark; this was a real fairy tale. And yet, I loved it.

Thinner Than Water by Saundra Mitchell (Donkeyskin)

5 stars

This story was disturbing, dark and twisted. And to be completely honest, this was my favorite.

It deals with a hard and mature topic, but the main character and the writing was simply amazing.

Before the Rose Bloomed by Ellen Hopkins (The Snow Queen)

2.5

Well, I didn’t like the story and I didn’t like the writing style. It was hard to read, this was probably my least favorite.

Beast/Beast by Tessa Gratton (Beauty and the Beast)

4 stars

This one was good. I liked the writing, even though it wasn’t really different from the original.

The Brothers Piggett by Julie Kagawa (The Three Little Pigs)

5 stars
This was one of those few with a perfect ending. Julie Kagawa did it again. This re-telling was dark and twisted. I loved the Brothers Piggett, and of course, the wolf!

Untethered by Sonia Gensler (The Shroud)

3.5 stars

Since I don’t know the original story I didn’t find this remarkable. The ending was a bit shocking and unexpected, but except that, it was just plain good.

Better by Shaun David Hutchinson (The Pied Piper)

4.5 stars

This is one of the two sci-fi. Loved the writing and since I don’t know the original I loved the plot. This story was sad and tragic. The ending was phenomenal!

Light it Up by Kimberly Derting (Hansel & Gretel)

3.5 stars

A modern version of Hansel and Gretel… good, it felt like a contemporary story, with a good ending.

Sharper Than a Serpent's Tongue by Christine Johnson (Diamonds and Toads)

4 stars

I love the original story! This one was well done, adapted to the modern world. The writing was good, but… the ending was too open.

A Real Boy by Claudia Gray (Pinocchio)

5 stars

The second sci-fi. This is sad, and complex. For some reason this was the last story I read (I’m not a huge fan of Pinocchio). It was the perfect closure for me. A real boy was… wow! Incredible!

Skin Trade by Myra McEntire (The Robber Bridegrom)

3 stars

Don’t know the original story, but I love Myra McEntire, that’s why this story was the most disappointing. It was disturbing and dark? Yes. But again, a “too open” ending and it was too short.

Beauty and the Chad by Sarah Rees Brennan (Beauty and the Beast)

5 stars

Even though I had a hard time figuring out the setting, and I don’t appreciate a Beast saying “Dude”

This tale was fresh and funny. I laughed out loud with the amazing ending. It was hilarious!

The Pink by Amanda Hocking (The Carnation)

5 stars

Again I don’t know the original. I loved this one, though. A great ending (I feel sorry for the villain). Cute characters and cute love story.

Sell Out by Jackson Pearce (Snow White)

5 stars.

Snow White from a male POV. The adaptation and modern setting was amazing. I adored this one!

The writing, the characters and the ending.

It was a great, great ending to the anthology. 

***Thanks to Harlequin Teen for the chance to read this eARC*** 

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