thank you to publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!
3.5 ★ OVERALL
umm.. i just don’t think anthologies are it for me 🥲
UNDEAD GHOUL MEET-CUTE by Kendare Blake
3 ★ - bland characters with a touching backstory, fun ghoul concept, cute but a little boring
A THOUSAND MORE by Chloe Gong
5 ★ - charming characters with genuine connection, interesting soulmate plot line, perfect pace
WHO WILL SAVE ME by Julian Winters
2.5 ★ - so much instalove, painfully cringey, but lovable characters
IN THE EYES OF ANGELS by Alexis Henderson
3 ★ - interesting take on angels, but was a little strange.. characters had zero personality
MY DEMON PRINCE CHARMING by Sandhya Menon
3 ★ - lighthearted story, questionable romance, naive mc, felt straight out of wattpad
KATRINE AND ROWAN'S EXIT INTERVIEW by Sarah Gailey
1.5 ★ - so confused. literally did not understand a single thing.
BRIDE-HEART by Marie Rutkoski
3.5 ★ - felt like a fever dream, no personality, a lot of plot holes, had an interesting, creepy twist
IF YOU GIVE AN ASURA A COOKIE by Akshaya Raman
4.5 ★ - cute romance, funny, and characters had depth and development
KISS THE BOY by Adib Khorram
2.5 ★ - nice enough characters, but they literally said "i love you" and promised to spend eternity together literally only TWO DAYS after they first met.
PIANO SONATA NO. 13 by Kalynn Bayron
4.5 ★ - an unexpectedly morbid, fascinating concept with a satisfying twist
ONCE UPON A TIME IN CHARLESTON by Melissa de la Cruz
4.5 ★ - beautiful writing, sweet romance, unique soulmate trope, vampires!!
PIERCE MY SOUL by Kat Cho
4.5 ★ - swoonworthy romance, had a well-developed, clear plot, and vampires!!
BANES AND BLESSINGS by Hafsah Faizal
3 ★ - characters had depth and development, lyrical writing, interesting mythology, just a little dull
BLOODY, LOVELY by Casey McQuiston
4 ★ - lovable characters, fun and unique plot involving Bloody Mary
LA BRUJA Y LA SIRENA by Anna-Marie McLemore
2 ★ - so confused. didn't understand what the plot was, who the characters were, what they were trying to do- literally no idea.
overall, a common theme was that everything felt a little forgettable and underdeveloped. some of the stories were really interesting and sweet, but most of them were kinda cringey and bland. however, i absolutely LOVED all the representation and diversity- it was so well done.