Summer Shorts - Fantasy Magazine: Catherynne M. Valente

Art by Laura Diehl.

Summer Shorts is weekly feature of short story/novella reviews, posted every weekend of July and August, 2011. Every week has a different theme - be it featuring a specific anthology, a particular genre, or a great author.

Last week I reviewed two stories from the special YA edition of Subterranean magazine, and this week I'm featuring another wonderful magazine... Fantasy Magazine, the sister publication to Lightspeed. Fantasy Magazine features some absolutely extraordinary authors and also has audio versions of their fiction available as podcasts. All the ones I've heard have been extremely well read, so if you are looking for some new audio fiction check out their itunes page!

The Wolves of Brooklyn by Catherynne M. Valente

(Available here - Valente is the author of The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making and other novels.)

Thoughts: The Wolves of Brooklyn is an extraordinary story... there was something about it that I both loved and hated. I'm not sure what it was exactly but, like everyone else in this story, it had something to do with the wolves.

Valente's tale is rather simple, in a way. One day, wolves turn up in Brooklyn. They don't talk or heal diseases, but neither are they your Yellowstone variety canid. They are huge, magical wolves that control the city and everyone in it. They are simultaneously loved and feared... because, yes, they do eat people on occasion. It's an extraordinary concept.

But the idea unnerved me. I love wolves and loathe stories that set them up as the villains. However, The Wolves of Brooklyn never really defines the wolves as good or evil... they just are. The wolves are a force of nature beyond everything else in the tale. It is unnerving and stunning all at once. And to have this amazing concept directed by such a talented writer... well, it completely transported me.

Bottom line? Valente delivers a true modern fairy tale. The Wolves of Brooklyn is a Grimm's Fairy tale set in a twenty-first century world: gorgeous, unnerving, and utterly realistic.

Favourite Quote:

I asked one of them once. She’d followed me home from the F train—what I mean is she’d been all the way down on the platform, and when I got off she trotted up after me and followed me—me, specifically. And I turned around in the snow, the fucking snow that never ends, and I yelled: Why? Why are you here? What are you doing? What do you want? I guess that sounds dumb, like a scene in a movie if this were happening in a movie and DiCaprio or whoever was having his big cathartic moment. But I wanted to know so badly. And she—I noticed it was a she. A bitch. She bent her head. God, they are so tall. So tall. Like statues. She bent her head and she licked my cheek. Like I was a baby. She did it just exactly like I was her puppy. Tender, kind. She pressed her forehead against mine and shut her eyes and then she ran off. Like it hadn’t even happened.

Summer Shorts: YA stories from Subterranean Magazine

Summer Shorts is weekly feature of short story/novella reviews, posted every Saturday of July and August, 2011. Every week has a different theme - be it featuring a specific anthology, a particular genre, or a great author.

Last week I reviewed one novella and one short story by one of my favourite authors: Patricia Briggs. This week I'm looking at stories from the special YA edition of Subterranean magazine...and to spice things up, I'm reviewing two stories in a single review.

Younger Women by Karen Joy Fowler and Valley of the Girls by Kelly Link

I read these two stories back-to-back, and my first instinct was "wow, I don't want to review either of these". Why? Because they both cut a little bit too deep. They both crossed over the line separating "wow, this is brilliant" to "this story diced my soul into pieces". And describing the latter? Really bloody difficult. But these stories are just so worth it, I had to persevere! 

So let's start with Younger Women by Karen Joy Fowler. I've read Karen's (only) literary fiction novel, The Jane Austen Book Club, and loved it. She's quite the renowned Science Fiction writer, but if you are a YA reader you might not have heard of her. So let me sum it up for you: Karen = genius. OK?

Younger Women is narrated by the mother of a 15-year-old girl... who is dating a 100+ year old vampire. What I loved and loathed about this story was the relationship between the daughter and the mother... in short, the daughter is horrible to her mum. She screams at her, swears at her, and just treats her like dirt. Her mother who loves her... it just struck a really painful chord with me.

And then there is Valley of the Girls by Kelly Link. Kelly's book, Pretty Monsters, has gotten praise everywhere - but this is the first time I've ever read anything of hers. And let give you another "wow". 

You're going to have to read Valley of the Girls at least twice. Hell, I read it twice and I'm still not quite sure I got it. I'm not even sure how to describe it other than as a twisted, gritty, science fiction version of Gossip Girl. It starts rich teenagers who have the short end of the stick. They are just so removed from reality they are practically prisoners. And they way they behave as a consequence... well, it is rather like Lord of the Flies but with money. It's gorgeous, confusing, and scary - you'll love it.

Bottom line? Both Younger Women and Valley of the Girls will make you think (and, perhaps, give you a pit in the stomach from their sheer genius).

Summer Shorts - Patricia Briggs

Summer Shorts is weekly feature of short story/novella reviews, posted every Saturday of July and August, 2011. Every week has a different theme - be it featuring a specific anthology, a particular genre, or a great author.

Last week I reviewed two stories from the fantastic on-line science fiction magazine Lightspeed. This week, I'm reviewing two fantastic tales - one novella, one short story - by one of my favourite authors: Patricia Briggs.

If you don't know Ms. Briggs, you should remedy that immediately! She writes the fantastic Mercy Thompson series - which features werewolves, coyotes, the best vampires ever written, mechanics, trailers, and some scary, scary fey. Both of these stories are set in that verse.

Alpha and Omega by Patricia Briggs

(Novella featured in the On the Prowl anthology.)

Thoughts: So, I started reading Cry Wolf - the first novel in Briggs' series about Anna and Charles - and remembered that there was a story that came before the novel: Alpha and Omega. I put the book aside at page 50, and picked up Alpha and Omega. And now? Now I am trying to work out new ways to say "wow".

Patricia Briggs is an amazing writer. She writes stunning, character driven novels without having to go over-the-top with the style of her prose. This talent transcends into her short stories flawlessly. Alpha and Omega tells the story of the first meeting between werewolves Charles (Samuel's brother, if you read the Mercy Thompson series) and Anna. Anna has been the victim of her alpha and her Chicago pack, who changed her against her will, raped her and kept her at the edge of starvation. Needless to say, she is not in a good place when we meet her.

Knowing that, how on earth could Briggs consider throwing her into a relationship with Charles, whose wolf immediately chooses Anna to be his mate? Instant mating for an abuse victim? How is that supposed to feel realistic? Well, Briggs manages. Aiding her in the plot development are the jumps between different points of view. Unlike her Mercy novels, Alpha and Omega is told by both Anna and Charles - so we see how uncomfortable they both are with the new connection. Knowing that Charles is truly a stand-up wolf makes it easy to root for him.

Bottom line? While Alpha and Omega is the first installment in Briggs' Anna and Charles series, it wraps up well. There's no need to read Cry Wolf afterwards but I am certain you'll want to!

The Star of David by Patricia Briggs

(Short Story featured in the Wolfsbane and Mistletoe anthology.)

Thoughts: Oh, Ms. Briggs. I absolutely love you and wish you didn't have to eat or sleep so that you could spend dedicate more of your life to writing. *pines*

So, The Star of David. First off: it is (mostly) narrated by a man - a werewolf man. It's the first time I've ever read anything by Briggs not narrated by a woman and it wasn't until I'd finished that I realised that there might have been a difference. There isn't. Briggs rocks any gender. Second thing you should know: while it is set in the Mercy/Alpha and Omega verse, it stars all new characters. If you've never read any Briggs, you can read The Star of David and not worry about a thing.

There's a tonne of action, emotional drama, and character angst in The Star of David. It's a much shorter tale than Alpha and Omega - a real short story. And yet Briggs still manages to get more than enough in. I'd love to meet David again in one of her other novels (although I might have and just don't remember). He's a mercenary, sure, but he is also such a delicate puppy under all that fur.

Bottom line? Another brilliant tale by Patricia Briggs. Her werewolf series is an absolute gem - short stories included!

Next week... stories from the special YA edition of Subterranean Magazine!

Summer Shorts - Lightspeed Stories: Carrie Vaughn and Kat Howard

Welcome to Summer Shorts, a summer feature of short story/novella reviews, posted every Saturday of July and August, 2011. I am going to try to have a different theme every week - be it featuring a specific anthology, a particular genre, or a great author.

 Last week I reviewed two stories from the infamous anthology Zombies vs. Unicorns, but this week I'm reviewing stories from the fantastic on-line science fiction magazine Lightspeed.

One of the really cool things that Lightspeed offers is a podcast version of their stories.  In other words, audio-stories!  I am not an audiobook fan, but I loved being able to listen to these tales.  They are very well read and really made the stories even more enjoyable.

Amaryllis by Carrie Vaughn

(Standalone science fiction tale that can be read or heard here.)

Thoughts: Amaryllis is simply stunning.  It is everything you could possibly want from a science fiction tale.  It deals with new governments, new ways of thinking, and in this case, new ways of considering the environment.  Amaryllis is set in a world where moderation is key; one where the world had suffered enough from our desire to expand.  And while the control mechanisms placed on people seem outrageous to 21st century eyes, they aren't evil.  In fact, they are purely meant to help.

In terms of characters, Vaughn more than delivers.  The story is narrated by the captain of the Amaryllis ship, a woman who has suffered her whole life because of the thoughtlessness of her mother.  She's strong yet terrified of the establishment... I really grew to care for her, which is more than I can say for a lot of narrators!  The rest of the Amaryllis crew were equally as endearing - especially the sweet, innocent Nina who starts off seeming rather childish but grew on me before the end.

Amaryllis is one of four finalists for Best Short Story in the 2011 Hugo Awards.  Congrats to Vaughn - it is fantastic to see such a deserving story get some official recognition!

Bottom line? Amaryllis is a striking story set in a realistic, somewhat-heart-wrenching universe.  Adoration will ensue. 

Sweet Sixteen by Kat Howard

(Standalone science fiction tale that can be read or heard here.)

Thoughts: I can't say I was over-the-moon about Sweet Sixteen, but it was fairly enjoyable.  The story is set in a world where girls are divided into Tiffanys and Rosalinds and Elizabeths, and given all the characteristics that go along with those names.  Literally given those characteristics, injected with new DNA to make them the ideal Rosalind.

I liked the premise, but I wasn't too keen on the main character.  She was the type of teenager I loathe -whiny and self-centred.  I couldn't see past her to fully sympathise with her situation.  Had Sweet Sixteen been narrated by a different girl, one not so easy to dislike, I might have loved this story.  Alas, we'll never know.

Bottom line?  Kat Howard delivers an interesting universe narrated by a loathsome teenager.  Good but not great.

Check out Lightspeed Magazine for more great science fiction stories - and don't forget to subscribe!

Summer Shorts - Zombies vs. Unicorns

Welcome to Summer Shorts, a summer feature of short story/novella reviews, posted every Saturday of July and August, 2011. I am going to try to have a different theme every week - be it featuring a specific anthology, a particular genre, or a great author.

 Last week I reviewed some great Kelley Armstrong stories, and this week I've read and reviewed two stories from the infamous anthology Zombies vs. Unicorns.

The Highest Justice by Garth Nix

(standalone story featured in Zombies vs. Unicorns)

Thoughts: I feel as though I got the "wrong" thing out of The Highest Justice.  Nix was probably aiming to impress upon the reader how unicorns represent a higher, well, justice. Their purity of form being the physical manifestation of righteousness - dispensing out justice even when it is rather gruesome.  I have no idea where he was going with his zombie so, needless to say,  I didn't get it.

And while his unicorn idea is a great one, I can't say it carried me through this particular tale.  No matter how many invisible, violent unicorns appeared - nor how many flesh-eating members of the royal family tried to take a bite out of people - my overwhelming impression of the plot was one of "meh".

So what did I "get" out of The Highest Justice?  2,000 words of pure, unadulterated fantasy - complete with kings guards, royal betrayals and quite a bit of horseback riding.  Coming straight out of reading The Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, I'd been wondering what high fantasy YA novelists were out there... apparently I need to start reading some Nix!

Bottom line? A refreshing bit of high fantasy - Garth Nix may be worth further investigation.

Favourite quotes:

Jess drew her sword and kicked her palfrey into a lurching charge. She caught the surviving bandit just before he managed to slip between two thorny bushes, and landed a solid blow on his head with the back of the blade. She hadn’t meant to be merciful, but the sword had turned in her sweaty grasp.

Purity Test by Naomi Novik

(standalone story featured in Zombies vs. Unicorns)

Thoughts: Oh my goodness, this was brilliant! Naomi Novik really needs to set up shop and teach other YA writers how to deliver a short story, because Purity Test?  It had everything I could possibly want from a tale!

First off, it was funny as hell. I was reminded of Shrek, only with unicorns instead of donkeys and, er, more awesomeness. If I had highlighted all the quotes I wanted to share, the entire story would have been life jacket-yellow.  As such, I managed to restrain myself:

“Where did you come from, anyway? Like, Fairyland or something?” The unicorn turned its head and gave her a blue-eyed glare. “Yes. Fairyland,” it said, dripping sarcasm. “Fairyland, where the fairies and the unicorns play, and never is heard a discouraging—”
-
The unicorn brightened, which Alison had to admit was something to see. “Are you a lesbian? I’m pretty sure that doesn’t count toward virginity.”

Don't you just want to read it right now? I sure would have after that!

Second reason for Purity Test's awesomeness? Pacing and editing. Introducing new characters, a new universe and describing the plot? It's a hard thing to do in only a few thousand words. A lot of novelists, quite frankly, can't do it. It doesn't make them bad writers, just bad story short writers. Naomi Novik, it turns out, is both a fantastic novelist AND an amazing short story writer. She throws us straight into the plot, a provides 3D characters and a hysterical universe to enjoy.  I was left wanting another story, but not a continuation of the one I'd just read.  Per-fect.

Bottom line? Novik had be at the first sentence and kept me enthralled until the very last line. Zombies vs. Unicorns is worth buying just for this story!

Summer Shorts - Kelley Armstrong!

If only every beach had a library...

Welcome to Summer Shorts, a summer feature of short story/novella reviews, posted every Saturday of July and August, 2011. I am going to try to have a different theme every week - be it featuring a specific anthology, a particular genre, or a great author.

 Last week I reviewed a few tales from the Mammoth Book of PNR, and this week I'll be reviewing some YA stories by one of my favourite authors... Kelley Armstrong!

The following stories are all available online (free!) and are set in Kelley's Otherworld/Darkest Powers verse.  If you haven't read her Darkest Powers series yet, a) run out and buy it b) these might not be quite as meaningful to you.

Kat by Kelley Armstrong

(Read it here! Set in the Darkest Powers verse, following the story of another Edison Group subject.) 

Thoughts: Kat is the story of another Edison group experiment, Katiana, and one of her (many) encounters with Edison group minions. I really liked Kat - she reminded me of Maya from The Gathering, and for a while in the story I actually thought she might be her long lost sister. She's tough and could no doubt kick my ass. She won't back away from a fight and, if the circumstances require it, she'll run straight into one. The story is only 20 pages long, but I would have been happy to have read an entire book in her POV.

As for the style of the story - well, it felt like it was straight out of the Darkest Powers novels. Lots and lots of action, a whole bunch of running-for-their-lives, and the occasional bit of snappy dialogue. While I can't say that I was blown away by it all, I certainly did enjoy the tale. I'm hoping Kat is a lead-up to a fuller story or, perhaps, her inclusion into some of Kelley's other YA novels.

Favourite Quote:

As I strode into the alley, the driver leapt out, raising his gun.
“I come in peace,” I said, lifting my fingers in a V.
He paused, half out of the van, his broad face screwing up in confusion.
I raised my hands. “See? No pistol. No switchblade. Not even a ray gun.”

Bottom line? Kat is an action-packed tale with the same feel as Kelley's Darkest Powers series.  But even if you haven't read her trilogy, you'll enjoy it!

Divided by Kelley Armstrong

(Read it here! Darkest Powers Story set between The Summoning and The Awakening.)

Thoughts: Spoilers for the DP trilogy! Divided follows Derek and Simon after they are separated from Chloe at the end of The Summoning.  Divided is the second short story I've read from Derek's POV (Dangerous, I read and loved last year), and I can now officially say that he is the best narrator ever. Love this guy.

While - of course - it was fantastic to revisit my beloved DP characters, Divided did more than just that.  It added to the canon of the trilogy.  Kelley gives us more details about Chloe's mother's death (that was a real shocker), some insight into how Derek started to take more notice of Chloe, and how he felt about "using" her to get Simon to go on the run; and even some insight into how much Simon was honest-to-God pining after Chloe (see the quote, friggin' adorable and yet so sad).

Favourite Quote:

"I do. I mean sure, I've liked a lot of girls and you probably think this is just the same thing. But it's not. I like being with her. Hanging out with her. Talking to her. Getting to know her. Not that I didn't want to get to know the other girls, but I really want to this time. I'm not just asking questions to make conversation. She's different and she's interesting, and she doesn't know she is and that's . . ." He glanced back at me. "I'm glad you two seem to get along." He grinned. "A nice change."

Bottom line? If you love the Darkest Powers trilogy, you'll love Divided. It's a story I hadn't even known I'd wanted, and I am so glad it's been told.

FYI - If you're looking for some more great Darkest Powers stories, Kelley had completed three that are available here.  She's currently in the middle of another story set post-The Reckoning, which you can follow on the Darkest Powers blog.  Oh, and apparently the Enthralled anthology (edited by Melissa Marr) coming out in September is also going to be post-The Reckoning, set 2-3 weeks after the end of the book and told from Chloe's POV.  Needless to say that that news got the book onto my wishlist!

Next week... Zombies vs. Unicorns!

Summer Shorts - Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance: Jeaniene Frost and Jean Johnson

Welcome to the first Summer Shorts post for 2011!  I decided to revive this little feature, reviewing two short stories every Saturday of July and August, 2011.  I am going to try to feature different authors or anthologies every week, and this week I'm staring with... The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance

Pack by Jeaniene Frost

(Author of the Night Huntress Series - Goodreads) 

Thoughts: I was not at all a fan of Jeaniene's Night Huntress series - I know lots of people think it is the best thing since sliced bread, but all I could see when I open the pages was "Buffy Fanfiction" in bright, flashing letters. But I thought perhaps with different characters, I might might learn to enjoy her writing. And I am pleased to say that I did!

Pack isn't exactly fantastic. It's a short story written in as though it were a novel... rather like a mini-novella. That kind of style really does not work when you only have a couple thousand words to get through. And yet, in spite of the style, Jeannie still managed to create interesting 3D characters, a solid universe, and an almost believable were-romance.

Almost believable, you ask? Well, keep in mind this is a short story - a short story that takes place in "real time". So the were-romance does descend into the pits of the "we are mates and you are mine, growl" trope. But when that comes from a rather-sexy werewolf? I don't really mind.

Bottom line? Not bad at all. Worth the 20 minutes it will take you to read it.

How to Date a Superhero by Jean Johnson

(Author of the Sons of Destiny Series - Goodreads)

Thoughts: Wow, this story was terrible. The writing was depressingly amateur, the characters less-than-one dimensional and the plot non-existent. This is most certainly not a case of me disliking a story for its content - because there wasn't really a story for me to dislike. And in a way, that is far far worse.

So, what exactly was the problem? Well, first off, the plot was rather stupid: spandex-wearing superheroes are "out" and are minor celebrities in their own right. There's only so far a girl can suspend her disbelief... certainly not far enough to understand why people would wear spandex if they didn't need to.

Then there was the pacing - or lack thereof. The story starts with a meeting that takes up about half the word count and is - in the end - utterly pointless. It felt like the first chapter of a tedious novel; I honestly would have stopped reading if it hadn't been a short story. And finally, there was the "romance" angle - in which the two characters simply tell each other, "oh dear, I do rather fancy you", and then live happily ever after. What. The. Hell.

Bottom line? Just... don't.

Next week... Kelley Armstrong!

Summer Shorts - Ode to Edvard Munch by Caitlin R. Kiernan

Summer Shorts is a weekly feature on Dead Book Darling, reviewing great short stories every Saturday through July-August 2010.

Ode to Edvard Munch by Caitlin R. Kiernan
Caitlin’s Website / Goodreads / Librarything

Rating: 5 stars
Featured in: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance

Thoughts: Ode to Edvard Munch is an elegant, literary story.  It may be only 10 pages long, but it felt epic.  Breathtaking, heartbreaking and all sorts of things I can barely describe.  Beautiful.  Terrifying.  Horrific. 

Kiernan is one the most artistic writers I have ever read.  She reminded me of one of my favourite authors, literary fiction writer Javier Marias – and that is certainly not a compliment a dole out lightly.  I’ve re-read this story a few times since I first picked it up, and each time I notice something new to swoon over.

All I can do is give you a sample of her style.  I spent most of this story drawing hearts around passages – here’s one of my favourites:

“This was the hall of my mother,” she says. And now I see the corpses, heaped high between the smoky braziers. They are nude, or they are half-dressed, or they’ve been torn apart so completely or are now so badly decomposed that it is difficult to tell whether they’re clothed or not. Some are men and others are women and not a few children. I can smell them even through the incense, and I might cover my nose and mouth. I might begin to gag. I might take a step back towards the stairs leading up to the long corridor and the bloodless desert night beyond. And she blinks at me like a hungry, watchful owl.

“I cannot expect you to understand,” she says.

I cannot explain or describe the plot of this story – if I tried I would only belittle its content.  I can tell you that it is narrated by a male pianist and features a female vampire who sits on benches in central park.  We never learn their names, and we certainly never see their relationship progress to anything I would call a “romance" – but with Kiernan, there’s no need.  They will remained etched in your memory because of it.



Bottom line?  Quite possibly the most beautiful piece of UF I have ever read.  Caitlin R. Kiernan has just jumped to the top of my MUST WORSHIP list.

Summer Shorts - Dangerous (Darkest Powers) by Kelley Armstrong

Summer Shorts is a weekly feature on Dead Book Darling, reviewing great short stories every Saturday through July-August 2010.

Dangerous (Darkest Powers Story) by Kelley Armstrong

Rating: 4.5 stars

Free online story! Click here to read the story on Kelley Armstrong's website.

Thoughts: This brilliant Darkest Powers story tells us how Derek and Simon got to Lyle House. Considering Derek is insanely smart, I had been wondering how he managed to get himself and his brother locked up. Armstrong does a fantastic job explaining the circumstances. It's rather tragic and rather wonderful - and, best of all, it's in Derek's POV.

Oh, Derek. *sighs* *gets misty eyed* Ahem.

Anyhow, this story is a hundred pages of epic brotherly love. Honestly - Derek and Simon could give the Winchesters (Supernatural TV) a run for their money. They had such fabulous interplay between them - both trying to protect each other (usually Derek was the only successful one) whilst bantering non-stop. It is fabulous.

Now, I expected to love Derek in this - and trust me, I did - but what I wasn't expecting was Simon. Oh, Simon. He desperately wants to keep his brother with him, and tries so damn hard to make Derek admit to what he wants. Not that he succeeds - Derek is as stubborn as a mule. But while I understood the extent of Derek's love for Simon from the DP trilogy, in Dangerous we see just how much Simon loves his brother back: an awful lot.

Bottom line? You absolutely must read this. Although, even though it is set before The Summoning - make sure you read that first. It will make the experience 100x better.

Kelley Armstrong is currently writing another online short story in Derek's POV set between The Summoning and The Awakening. It is called Divided and is currently a WIP. Check her blog to see for regular updates!

Summer Shorts - Kiss and Tell by Michele Jaffe

Summer Shorts is a weekly feature on Dead Book Darling, reviewing great short stories every Saturday through July-August 2010.  I've been reading quite a few fabulous anthologies lately, and I want to share the love!

Kiss and Tell by Michele Jaffe

Michele's site / Goodreads / Librarything

Find it in: Prom Nights From Hell Anthology

Genre: Young Adult

Rating: 3 stars

Thoughts: Kiss and Tell was adorable but rather clunky. Miranda is a gifted 18-year-old with troubled past and a rather odd love of self-help book (How to Get - And Kiss! - Your Guy played a rather large part in the plot).

The book alternated between rather giggly fun, and some Pretty Serious Stuff. And even though I enjoyed it, I honestly don't know what this story is about. Miranda saves a rather bizarre "fourteen"-year-old and then sets up a date with a guy she has been crushing on (who we see bizarrely little of, btw)... and that's all I know for sure. There is - supposedly - quite a big reveal about Miranda's powers and family... but I really just didn't get it. Nothing was properly explained and the story didn't really get wrapped up.

There were some rather interesting secondary characters in the tale, including Miranda's lesbian BFF and a kiss-a-holic fourteen-year-old (who I could have done without, but she did have some rather funny moments).

Bottom line? Fun but unfinished. If you skip it, you're not missing much - but if you read it, expect a few fun laughs. I think Jaffe might be better novel-length fiction.

Summer Shorts - The Exterminator's Daughter by Meg Cabot

Summer Shorts is a weekly feature on Dead Book Darling, reviewing great short stories every Saturday through July-August 2010.  I've been reading quite a few fabulous anthologies lately, and I want to share the love!

The Exterminator's Daughter 
by Meg Cabot
Meg Cabot / Goodreads / Librarything

Find it in: Prom Nights From Hell Anthology

Rating: 4 stars

Thoughts:  I'll admit it - I used to think Cabot was a writer for 12-year-old girls with learning disabilities.  Harsh, I know.  But hey, I come to you reformed!

The Exterminator's Daughter was fun, fun, fun!  The 50-page story kicks off when a stupid-but-sweet teenage girl is seduced by a rather evil vampire.  Her BFF Mary (a.k.a. the Exterminator's Daughter) just so happens to be a kick-ass vamp killer.  Helping her swoop in to save the day is the awesome-and-totally normal Adam, and, oh yeah, they get to go to prom.

It is super funny, with a touch of rather adorable romance.  But Cabot took the story one step further, writing some pretty well-rounded characters.  Mary isn't just charging to the rescue for the hell of it: she has suffered a pretty devastating personal loss and is on a pretty un-funny quest for revenge.  It's all rather tragic, but it made me connect with Mary about so much more than I would think possible in so few pages!

Bottom line?   Cabot is certainly on my YA radar now - anyone who can leave me smiling and wishing for a sequel deserves to be read ASAP!