The Strength Inside

by Melissa Marr

Sisters Chastity and Alison must have privacy. As Bori - creatures of the wild - it has been difficult to "mainstream," but leaving their mountainous nests for a life in a regular human neighborhood has become essential for survival. However, the sisters cannot completely abandon a life outdoors because their siblings (the "littles") are still feral creatures. Chastity and Alison's perfect solution? Build a fence for the children to satisfy their alfresco needs, while protecting the neighbors from their ferocious behaviors. If only the neighborhood Architectural Review Board president would approve their structural additions! The sisters have tried the appropriate human channels with little success - now, it's time to try their luck, Bori style...

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Short Stories, Young Adult, Ebooks, Young Adult Fantasy

75 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 7, 2012

About the author

Melissa Marr writes fiction for adults, teens, and children. Her books have been translated into 28 languages and been bestsellers in the US (NY Times, LA Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal) as well as overseas. Wicked Lovely, her debut novel, was an instant New York Times bestseller and evolved into an internationally bestselling multi-book series with a myriad of accolades.

In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).

An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.

If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.

Reviews

[Carolyn F. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this as part of Home Improvement: Undead Edition

Sisters and the children they take care of are trying to improve their home and use unconventional (or should I say ancient) methods to do so. Strange story.

[Megan (ReadingRover) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting short story. I liked the idea of the Bori.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say I am bias Melissa Marr is my favorite author and I haven't read a thing by her that I didn't like... This was no different... I found it adorable in a odd way lol I do have to say I was sad that it ended so soon, I wanted more... As always Melissa has intrigued my mind...

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Hitchcock meets Poe meets Marr. Creepy, but a fun, entertaining read.

[Naoms · Rating 1 out of 5]

Literally no idea what this was about.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite story from Home Improvement - Undead Edition

I have it on audible, too (would like the regular ebook)

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay, it was about a woman and her sister who had bought a new house, and they have two like (adopted?) younger siblings. They want to put up a fence to keep the two 'littles' inside, but the person in charge of the community 'architectural review board' (Justine) won't let them. So, basically they get some paranormal builder round, who builds a new wall with Justine inside it. Nice. Not even sure that would have solved their problem anyway, there's always someone to take over 🤷🏻‍♀️

[J.A. Ironside · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts off sweet and funny with very non-human residents experiencing difficulties with their neighbours over a fence. Ends as darkly comedic. Short and fun.

[Joe Pranaitis · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Strength Inside by Melissa Marr is a very interesting short story which deals with a subspecies of humans known as Blori who are the living embodiment of wild kinds raised by wolves or other animals, they are immortal but this story would've been better had it been a full blown novella where the characters could be really fleshed out but I will say this it was a good read even though the only version now available is an audio version but it was still worth reading.

[Estelore · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was deliciously eerie and a wonderful finish (in terms of the order I read them) to the Wicked Lovely extended story universe. Short, clever, and exquisitely pointed and well-paced, this comes with my high recommendation.

[Penny Ramirez · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5, but I rounded up because it's Marr. Interesting story of the struggle of a shifter race trying to assimilate. Bit of a nice twist at the end!

[Tegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cool. I love this idea behind the story. and cool twist. again as any Melissa Marr Novella too short. But I'll take what I can get.

[Andalee Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be a good plot for a suspense/horror movie..... The ending weirded me out quite a bit.....

[GateGypsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

a nice little stand-alone

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted more but that is with all good books

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wanted to see these characters again in a novel. Is there still hope? :)

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

interest to read great storyline