Goodreads Book Description: Gripping original
stories of dystopian worlds from nine New York Times bestselling
authors, edited by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong.The world is gone, destroyed by human, ecological, or supernatural causes. Survivors dodge chemical warfare and cruel gods; they travel the reaches of space and inhabit underground caverns. Their enemies are disease, corrupt corporations, and one another; their resources are few, and their courage is tested.
Powerful original dystopian tales from nine bestselling authors offer bleak insight, prophetic visions, and precious glimmers of light among the shards and ashes of a ruined world.
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
My Review:
Shards and Ashes is a collection of dystopian YA short stories, edited by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong. It's an interesting set of stories-- both from the perspective of just their content, and also, from the perspective of how authors who normally write full length novels try their hand at a shorter form.
There is varying success. All of the stories have interesting slants on the dystopian world, but some struggle at a backstory in such little space like Veronica Roth in the first story Hearken. It's beautifully written, but the dystopian world is explained away as a place where random people drop bombs for no apparent reason. Branded by Kelley Armstrong, is a unique take on a paranormal type of dystopian, and probably does the best at a complete story with twists in a small space. Dogsbody by Rachel Caine may have been my favorite-- both in scope, story, and characterization. Beth Revis told a story in her Across the Universe world, which I enjoyed because I love her trilogy, but I feel that those who have not read them may not appreciate it as much. The rest of the stories are entertaining, but also not particularly memorable.
Overall, I think this was definitely a worthwhile read with some terrific stories from great authors.
And now... for my loyal blog followers, you guys get to enter this great giveaway early!!!
For this giveaway, I'm going to give away a different sort of prize that I've never done before. It's going to be a huge mega swag pack with various swag from different indie authors but also including: The Host: the movie buttons, Swag from J. Armentrout, signed bookmark from Fiona Paul, signed bookmark from J. Meyers, and a copy of the above Shards and Ashes from my shelves. Because of shipping costs, this prize will be available US only. Sorry INT friends! No worries, more INT giveaways coming up soon!!!
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Anthologies are fun! I think they're awesome because you get different mini stories from your favorite authors. :D
ReplyDeleteYes, I love to read Anthologies. I think it's great when you have your favorite authors' stories together in one book.
ReplyDeleteI love reading anthologies! there's something about short stories, novels are good, but sometimes reading short stories can help you break that reading fatigue esp when it comes to series.
ReplyDeleteDepends. Some anthologies leave you wanting and there's nothing worse than wanting more story and being left with nothing!
ReplyDeleteI do enjoy Anthologies for their diversity.
ReplyDeleteYeah! I love reading stories from all different people!
ReplyDeletemestith at gmail dot com
This is Becky Gardner and I do love to read Anthologies, because it is like having your cake and eat it to when you get to read stories from multiple great authors in one book.
ReplyDeleteI do like anthologies! This is one I still keep meaning to buy too!
ReplyDeleteI like anything by Veronica Roth! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to the anthology.
ReplyDeleteI like anthologies since you get a variety of writing styles. It mixes things up without having to pick up a new book.
ReplyDeleteI really do like anthologies a lot. Sometimes I will pick up an anthology and find an author that I hadn't read before so I will investigate and pick up one of their books and just love it.
ReplyDeleteI do sometimes like anthologies! It gives a variety of writing types. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI do like anthologies, I've found a lot of new to me authors by purchasing one of my must have authors and found I liked the other authors in the book too.
ReplyDeleteI like anthologies but also depends on the collection.
ReplyDeleteI like anthologies because it makes me feel accomplished, like I'm reading more books than I really am lol
ReplyDeleteI don't often buy anthologies but I love to read them. Most help me discover awesome authors I've never heard of and offer great stories from authors I already know :)
ReplyDeleteI love reading anthologies.
ReplyDeleteYes. I always find new authors in them!
ReplyDelete-Amber
goodblinknpark(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
I enjoy them because I feel like I get more bang for my buck. I get to see a lot of different authors and enjoy their stories.
ReplyDeleteI do! Like Enthralled. And Defy the Dark. And Spring Fever. I think they add to the story, and they're not like novellas, where you have to pay even more to get just ONE!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the giveaway!
It depends on how well the stories are written, but yes, I find that they can be enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteLOVE Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong!!!
ReplyDeleteSUPER EXCITED
Love anthologies. I have a bunch. I like them because you get a little bit of everything. Sometimes it is sad though because you want the short story or whatever it is to be longer, but it is not
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, yes!!! Mainly because I write and read a lot of short stories, but you know, I love reading novels too. The only bad thing is that when you read the last word and you go like: NOOO!!!! I WANT MORE!!! Yeah...
ReplyDelete