This is a big 5 stars from me for several reasons.
First to address the elephant in the room; the writing style! The story is told from the perspectiThis is a big 5 stars from me for several reasons.
First to address the elephant in the room; the writing style! The story is told from the perspective of little 4 year old Mella, which Angel van Atta has chosen to do in an authentic style with the thought process of a little child, but also with an immature language which is further impaired by some speech impairment, which can be caused by the isolation she has grown up in or just a regular speech impairment many people struggle with or it might be both, it's not important why. This author choice will undoubtedly result in some putting the book(s) aside again, because it is very different to read and obviously not as easy to read, as a story written with a perfect language. But what I think is important to have in mind, that it is extremely difficult to write anything from the POV of a 4yo child. I have read plenty stories trying to give an authentic representative behavior and language of kids of all ages, and honestly most authors fails, even when it's not from the child's POV. Angel van Atta rocks it! This is probably the best writing in that matter I have read, compared with especially stories with the same trope, and she manages to keep the flow and continuity from the first of Mella's stories In the Tall Trees.
The story itself follows Mella's continuing journey in life, which isn't as easy and obstacle-free as she deserved, but Mella is a fantastic little butterfly; she's the dandelion who are able to crack through the cement and bloom.
As this is the second story of Mella I can only recommend readers to read In the Tall Trees before reading this one.
I hope we will hear more to Mella as the years are passing by, but for now I have the feeling she needs to have some privacy. And no this is not an excuse for me to have a break from her, this is a sign of how much alive Mella feels to me, and she has secured a spot in my heart ...more
You'll never be safe on the Highway, and if didn't knew this already these three stories will show you can't run, and you can't hide, because every teYou'll never be safe on the Highway, and if didn't knew this already these three stories will show you can't run, and you can't hide, because every terrible creature will come your way from don't-give-a-fuck-cryptics to demons, vampires, and even high tech going rouge.
My advice; stay home! And for goodness sake read this collection of awesomeness! ...more
Don't we all know the situation, when you lose your heart to a hungry cat, and the second you feed it, more shows up, and before you know it, you are Don't we all know the situation, when you lose your heart to a hungry cat, and the second you feed it, more shows up, and before you know it, you are infested with an ancient entity of lust for blood and havoc?
Cats by Brian Berry - or Becker Against Evil would be appropriate to call it - was a blast. Beginning somewhat rather calmly quickly taking a turn for the worse riding a typhoon of madness and chaos fueled by Berry's poetic 80s small town language with slang you didn't knew you missed (or simply didn't knew at all) in all the appropriate places.
I recommend this sweet story to everyone who doesn't have a a trigger in life. If you do have triggers, they'll probably be part of the story....more
I just realized today (28th of September 2023), that I have forgotten to write my full review! I'm so sorry, bThis was an interesting and funny read!
I just realized today (28th of September 2023), that I have forgotten to write my full review! I'm so sorry, because not only was it promised as I received ARC, but also because the story deserves it, it was such a fun and entertaining read!
At first I felt the email correspondence seemed a bit forced and outdated these days of sms, WhatsApp, Skype, Discord, and tons of other direct message services. But I honestly have no clue if emails are still a common non-formal communication choice. Furthermore it quickly begins to make sense with the emails, as the story more or less is the beginning of an apocalypse and the issue with overseas communication is handled in the storyline.
I never spoil content, but embrace yourself for a no-fucks-given experiment of a collaborative between two authors, who apparently didn't plan the plot up front before writing in turns from their own character. I will definitely call it a success, and though it can be improved here and there, it's such an entertaining experience to read, I don't really care! And I'm sure they (the authors) will grow with their hopefully continuing cooperation). I did feel sometimes the story felt a bit like it wasn't sure itself where it was heading, but in all honesty, I'm not sure if that's more because I KNEW in beforehand it's written by 2 authors in turns. It's always easier to see stuff, when you know it's there. But as the characters don't know shit about what's going on either, it actually fits well with the plot.
There are plenty of controversial subjects being touched lightly (or I'm just desensitized to controversy). In the end it leaves me with a desire for more closure. I'm personally not the biggest fan of not getting the explanation in the end (looking a bit unamused at Justin Boote and the third story in Northgate trilogy ...more
I don't know how to write the review the story deserves without spoilers. But I can say for sure, I enjoyed it. It's short and the pace is fast, it haI don't know how to write the review the story deserves without spoilers. But I can say for sure, I enjoyed it. It's short and the pace is fast, it has it's nasty bit, but also heart. I wouldn't have minded it being longer, though the length suits it fine as well.
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