Caitlin’s Reviews > Songs of Love and Death: All-Original Tales of Star-Crossed Love > Status Update

A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows by Diana Galbaldon: This short story was definitely one of the better ones, even if I didn't know some of the characters referenced here. It almost makes me want to check out Outlander, but with how long it is and with such mixed reviews, I probably won't lol.

Man in the Mirror by Yasmine Galenorn: Yet another story started off okay, but I was underwhelmed by the conclusion. I wasn't really sure why the dead husband truly mattered. Like why was he also here if he wasn't trying to escape? Couldn't he just be dead and the reason she gets the house? Why was Galen surprised that the mirror swap happened when he initially was trying to use Laurel as his ticket to freedom? Meh.

Kaskia by Peter S. Beagle: Certainly unique, but not particularly engaging. Didn't really feel like it met the prompt, the writing was just okay.

Under/Above the Water by Tanith Lee: Definitely one of the more unique and beautifully written stories in the collection. I will say the story itself is a little odd-- they are star crossed lovers indeed. It seems that they find each other across time after losing a version of the other, but when do go at the end? The story is poetic, if a bit muddled for my liking. Still, I'd be curious to check out Lee's work.

The Demon Dancer by Mary Jo Putney: I was really enjoying this one until the body switcheroo with Lady Bethany and the succubus who looked like a young Bethany. IDK that just felt so ridiculous. I guess I keep forgetting the main through line for this collection, and then I'm bamboozled by the lust at the end. Ugh.

Courting Trouble by Linnea Sinclair: This is another sci-fi adventure that wasn't bad, but had a hard time balancing the world-building and the page count. Not much to comment on otherwise.

His Wolf by Lisa Tuttle: This was different and I quite liked it. It worked well as a short story, didn't feel like there were a lot of details missing or like it was a preview of something else. I would be interested in checking out some of Tuttle's other writing.

You, and You Alone by Jacqueline Carey: This story is the only reason I bought this book. I quite enjoyed it, although the nature of a short story means that I would have loved a longer version. (But I guess that's what Phédre's books are for.) I don't know how satisfying this story would be for those who haven't read Carey's work before this, but it's worth the read if you're a fan.

After the Blood by Marjorie M. Liu: This was interesting, but I found the story a little muddled at times. It was more post-apocalyptic than star-crossed lovers, but I did like how the wife and husband characters felt real and like they had a history with one another. I didn't fully understand the vampiric creatures and the growing forest, but I did enjoy the writing here.

The Thing About Cassandra by Neil Gaiman: I thought about giving this a fair shake, despite my initial reaction to seeing his name, but it opens with a bachelor party in the Red Light District and the groom handcuffed to a bed about to be shaved by a prostitute. I will not deal with this grotesque little criminal's writing any longer. I am officially freeing myself from NG, whose writing I never quite liked.