Enjoyable short stories.

What a lovely anthology! The collection of stories in Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions are amazing! Some of them were continuations of the authors' existing stories, while others are new creations. I especially loved Kelley Armstrong's entry because it featured our favorite characters, Simon, Tori, Derek and Chloe!! :D Claudia Gray's opening story was pretty good too, drawing us all in.

Let's Get this Undead Show on the Road, Things About Love and At The Late Night, Double Feature, Picture Show were all very, very good as well, but my favorite has to be Gargouille. It was beautiful, romantic and just.. sigh. I really, really wish this one can have a sequel or at least be turned into a full-length novel. :)

Some of them are great, some good, some only ok.

Actual Rating: 3.5.

I'll be reviewing each story individually below, and my rating was calculated by adding all the ratings I gave the stories (sixteen in all) and collecting the average. I will only include the plots of books I rated 1 and 5 stars.



Giovanni's Farewell by Claudia Gray (a Nom de Plume for Rachel Vincent).
What's paranormal? A Ghost and Psychic Twins; he reads minds, she sees ghosts.
Able to read as a stand-alone? Yes.
My opinion: It was short and a bit interesting, but the line where Ravenna phonetically imagines Giovanni's name really ruined it for me. That, and the weird spectrophilic fantasy going on.
Would recommend? Maybe: 2-stars.



Senic Route by Carrie Ryan.
What's paranormal? The Undead.
Able to read as a stand-alone? Yes, even though it is part of the canon Forest of Hands and Teeth series.
My opinion: I was hoping this story would be straight-up horror, but it was soon infected with the virulent idea that all YA lit has to include romance. However, Calvin ends up being a full-out traitor and nearly kills her, so that tore apart every last shred of what little they had together. It's my personal opinion that he's so upset to hear his brother say that murder doesn't mean anything, that he just gives up, willing to let Margie live because she's got a better moral compass. I also like to imagine that she's furious at him afterward and takes an apathetic Calvin prisoner once more just as a sort of living map. It makes me feel much better than the slight possibility that they did any of what they did out of “love”.
Would recommend? Yes: 4-stars.



Red Run by Kami Garcia.
What's paranormal? A Ghost.
Plot: Shortly following the anniversary of her brother's death on the haunted Red Run road, Edie accepts the help of her two friends, who insist that they are ghost hunters. Driving at night on the isolated road, Edie finds her ghost by nearly running him down, and accepts his plead when he asks for a life to the next town. Weary but not terrified, she confronts him and he claims that he is the spirit of a boy who was killed on the road, and he spends the afterlife trying to save those from the same fate he suffered: a brutal death at the hands of a paranoid drug manufacturer. The manufacturer appears shortly after and says that the ghost is lying to keep Edie close so her can kill her. Edie believes the man and opens the car door, right as he springs forward with a knife, willing to kill to keep what he does a secret. The ghost shakes him off and tells Edie to drive off, but Edie crushes the man in the process, killing him. Edie says she's sorry for not believing, and the ghost insists that it's fine, though he is reluctant to move on. He and Edie leave the scene of the crime, ready to hang out together.
Able to read as a stand-alone? Yes.
My opinion: I understand that Edie's brother died a sudden death, but that was a year ago, so why does she still act like it's only been a month? Am I that insensitive? The one good thing I can say is that this story did not include spectrophilia, like the last ghost story. However, it was VERY predictable and from the ghost's first line of dialogue (“I'm okay, if you're worried.”) I knew that he wasn't the malevolent force in this story. BORING. It was a read I wanted to get over with.
Would recommend? No: 1-star.



Things About Love by Jackson Pearce.
What's paranormal? Djinn and Ifrit.
Plot: After accidentally stumbling upon the existence of Djinn three years ago, Lawrence has been plagued with a series of Djinn guards who journey from their world to watch over him. The latest in his series of guards, an Ifrit, is different from the rest: she asks questions, she seems interested in his life, and is generally more pleasant to be around. The Djinn named Juliet (she chose it herself from a classic tale of human love) is on a self-made quest: can Djinn fall in love with humans, or was it a one-time fluke? Juliet offers to help Lawrence find love if he helps her find it herself, but he imposes one rule: no magic. The two go to an art gallery together, with Juliet visible for the first time, as she tries to set Lawrence up with Jeffry. Unfortunately, Jeffery has a crush on her and kisses her, sending her fleeing and Lawrence crushed when he finds out. After Juliet returns and turns visible to only Lawrence once more, she explains what happened as they sit outside. The gallery's artist moves outside, looking for Lawrence, and Juliet can see in his eyes that he wants to get to know Lawrence better and is attracted to them. Juliet whispers a few of his wishes to Lawrence and the two hit it off. Juliet learns that love is more complex than she thought and is pleased with her research on the topic.
Able to read as a stand-alone? Yes.
My opinion: As soon as I saw that the story was told from two switching perspectives (Lawrence and Juliet), I groaned. I'm sorry I did, in a strange twist of luck. This story was so cheesy that it was adorable, and I love me a good story about Djinn. Juliet's naivety was endearing and I couldn't wait for her to learn a lesson or two about love really was. Bonus points for having GSM representation (Lawrence was gay), and not for following the traditional 'boy meets girl, they each look for something else but find each other' model that most of these stories have been following.
Would recommend? Yes: 5-stars (sometimes I love something super-cheesy, okay?)



Niederwald by Rachel Vincent.
What's paranormal? Mara, Banshee, Harpies, Hellion of Envy, and a Prophet.
Plot: Sabine, a mara, travels with the best friend of her ex's new girlfriend to Niederwald, Texas. There they meet up with some harpies and Sabine pays with a vial of envy to meet a young prophetess, who she asks whether she will ever be able to reclaim the love of her ex-boyfriend. The prophetess delivers her prophecies in the form of drawings, one that delivers the news that eventually, yes, her ex will break up with his current girlfriend. Sabine then searches the house for a treasured necklace she used last time as payment. She finds it, but is caught doing so, which leads to a fight between Sabine and the harpies. The human with Sabine, Emma, gets involved and is almost taken, but they fight off the harpies and leave. The two drive away with the necklace, the drawing for the prophecy, and the vial of envy.
Able to read as a stand-alone? Not recommended: part of the canon Soul Screamers series.
My opinion: This is part of a series, so I was really confused throughout most of the story. What are the abilities of all these creatures? What is Sabine's motivations? How does this all piece together? Combined with that Sabine's actions were driven by the loss of a boy *tear*, and suddenly this story is a dud for anyone who hasn't read the series.
Would recommend? No: 1-star.



Merely Mortal by Melissa Marr..
What's paranormal? Faeries (Winter Queen and Summer King)
Plot: The Winter Queen's significant other is none other than the Summer King, who has be turned mortal to save her. They go on a vacation.
Able to read as a stand-alone? Not recommended: part of the canon Wicked Lovely series.
My opinion: I've never read a single book in the Wicked Lovely series, so I have no idea who these characters are and why I should care for them. To me, the story was some faery whining about how her love was mortal and then they went on a vacation together. That's all.
Would recommend? No: 1-star.



Facing Facts by Kelley Armstrong.
What's paranormal? A Necromancer, Spellcasters, a Werewolf, and a Ghost.
Able to read as a stand-alone? Not recommended: part of the canon Darkest Powers series.
My opinion: The story was a great show of how Chloe has grown since the events of The Reckoning, mainly how she is unwilling to let people boss her around and make her afraid, whether they be living or dead. While this might not seem very important, any reader of the series can understand why it's sort of a big deal that Chloe's telling people no and refusing to be their pawn. I was not a fan of Chloe's relationship with Derek, and to be honest, found it a bit creepy...but I never was a fan of them together, so I didn't expect this story to change that.
To someone unfamiliar with the series: just skip this story. You won't know any of the characters, what they've experienced, and so on. It will just be a mess of asking what the hell is going on.
Would recommend? No: 2-stars (if you're not a fan, but I highly-recommended it if you're a fan of the series).



Let's Get This Undead Show on the Road by Sarah Rees Brennan.
What's paranormal? Vampires.
Able to read as a stand-alone? Yes.
My opinion: It was great to read a story free from any romance, and one that focused more on unbelonging. I'm not usually a fan of vampire novels, but I was sort of a sucker for this one. It had decent unintentional humor, and while it wasn't awful, it wasn't entirely memorable either.
Would recommend? Maybe: 3-stars.



Bridge by Jeri Smith-Ready.
What's paranormal? Ghosts and 'Shifters' (Those who can see ghosts)
Plot: After rising to fame, Logan dies in a celebration shortly after, overdosing on cocaine. He searches for anyone who can see him and is willing to let him talk to his brother. Krista accepts after Logan says that he's afraid his brother is going to kill himself. After finding him and Krista translating Logan's words, the two brothers eventually reach an understanding and mend their relationship.
Able to read as a stand-alone? Not recommended: part of the canon Shade series.
My opinion: It's boring to read stories about characters I don't care about. Plus it was in verse-form, which was weird.
Would recommend? No: 1-star.



Skin Contact by Kimberly Derting.
What's paranormal? Precognition.
Able to read as a stand-alone? Yes, even though it is part of the canon Body Finder series.
My opinion: It was an okay story, one of the first with a dark ending and no success. While it was a so-so story, the depiction of Sophie as your stereotypical emo-chick ruined it.
Would recommend? No: 2-stars.



Leaving by Ally Condie.
What's paranormal? References to Time Travel (wait, this is supposed to be paranormal, Condie)
Plot: After her father left several years ago, Sora has been dreaming of doing the same. She has been shamed by the others as an Untouchable, having gone beyond the walls of the Globe and exposing herself to the toxic outside. She was only an Untouchable for two weeks, but the stigma lives on. An outcast, she dreams of leaving, going back in time to a place called the Beautiful Time. She is nominated as a Star (essentially court royalty during prom) and has to go to her school for the nomination, where she dances with the Sun (prom king), Elio. She rushes away after the dance and returns to her home, where she tries to travel to the year 2011. Instead, she has an epiphany that leads her to see that the Beautiful People of times past were no different from the people in her life currently. She returns to her apartment and Elio's embrace.
Able to read as a stand-alone? Yes.
My opinion: Classic Condie: too many questions left hanging, ones that aren't intentionally left there. Does Condie know this story is supposed to be paranormal, not her excuse for science-fiction? Some other girl, Mia, has some powers and it is said that she would have been considered a witch in old times, but what can she do? It's never answered. Plus calling Sora an Untouchable leaves a bit of a bad taste in my mouth. Did you know that Untouchables are real in the Hindu caste system? Did you know that in remote parts of India, such system still is in place? That's right, Condie uses the same name as those placed in an unfair, debilitating system of hierarchy, as she does for when her little protagonist went out into the toxic wasteland and got cooties for a fortnight. Her character tried to escape her world through time travel and almost got to 2011, but her ridiculous little epiphany brought her right back to her apartment and in the arms of a HAWT, MYTEAREOUS BOI. Unclear idea of how the world works, an outsider girl, ridiculous plot that is somehow filed under 'sci-fi', and a boy who ends up being the most important part of the story: classic Condie.
Would recommend? Why would you even ask me that: 1-star.



At The Late Night, Double Feature, Picture Show by Jessica Verday.
What's paranormal? Vampires, Demons, Cannibal Girl Scouts, and Hunters (Yes, like Supernatural)
Able to read as a stand-alone? Yes.
My opinion: This seems like a story written by someone who has seen more than a few cheesy movies in their day. It's so over-the-top and ridiculous that you can't help but roll your eyes with Jane; I liked that Jane managed to kick-ass and accepted the spooky mansion with an irritated groan. Anyone who loves cheesy horror movies, or cheesy, bad movies in general will like this story.
Would recommend? Yes: 4-stars.



IV League by Margaret Stohl.
What's paranormal? Vampires
Plot: Two vampire siblings (?) use false IDs and transcripts in an effort to get into Ivy League schools. During her interview, Wren drinks from the admissions officer when told she won't be getting in, and then uses the computer to admit herself and her brother.
Able to read as a stand-alone? Yes.
My opinion: I think this story was about vampire siblings, but I can't be sure. It was boring and nothing really made much sense.
Would recommend? No: 1-star.



Gargouille by Mary E. Pearson.
What's paranormal? Gargoyles.
Plot: Giselle, a former gargoyle, has had her wings cut from her body and is thrown into a cart by a greedy peddler. It is intended that she will be sold to a local duke for a large sum, and she struggles as she begins to forget her past, a curse of losing her former majesty. She longs for her love, Étienne, but she realizes that he will be forced to forget her to protect the rest of her clan. But when the peddler stops in a village to woo the locals with his tale of great danger, Étienne appears, masquerading as a human. He has to leave her again, shortly after she forgets who he is. She is sold to the duke, who sees no value in her for another more than a servant girl, and she accepts her duties in his garden. Later, the peddler returns to sell another gargoyle to the duke, who buys the man as a stable boy and tells the peddler to leave. The stable boy initially does not recognize Giselle, but she finds him familiar when she brings him some herbs to help him heal his wounds. As she walks away, she calls him by his gargoyle name.
Able to read as a stand-alone? Yes.
My opinion: I found this story very reminiscent of a medieval love tale, sort of like Bisclavret and the like. I liked the use of gargoyles, referred to 'angels of the night' several times in the story, and found the love story positively adorable, the best done in the entire anthology. If you enjoy stories of courtly love with a hint of mythology, this is a good tale to pick up.
Would recommend? Yes: 5-stars.



The Third Kind by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.
What's paranormal? Angels.
Able to read as a stand-alone? Yes.
My opinion: Initially, I thought this story was going to be about aliens, what with 'The Third Kind' as the title, but I quickly realized that wasn't the case. I was not disappointed, however, except for when Jess ran into the man in San Antonio and Kissy's eyes turned back to their normal color and I got worried that the important mission was to make Jess meet her soul mate or something, but that wasn't the case. I'm pleased with how Barnes took on angels, unlike so many other authors do, and if she ever releases a full-length novel or another short story about what happens in the Mojave, I'd read that story in a minute.
Would recommend? Yes: 4-stars.



Automatic by Rachel Caine.
What's paranormal? Vampires.
Plot: Mike, a vampire, tries blood from a new vending machine as part of a demonstration in front of other vampires. Afterward, while walking with his goth girlfriend, Eve, he realizes that he is intoxicated by the blood he drank and runs wild in the town before he is brought under control. He wakes in a cell and goes through detox (not shown) before Eve is let in. Realizing he is no longer lusting for blood like mad, he is let go. The machine is vandalized and removed.
Able to read as a stand-alone? Not recommended: part of the canon Morganville Vampires series.
My opinion: I don't read the series, and this story doesn't make me want to start. Why should I care about some vampire named Mike and his human, goth girlfriend? Boring.
Would recommend? No: 1-star.


updated from a version posted April 22nd, 2014

I loved getting back into the worlds of some of my favorite series.

For some reason the stories were just too weird. I was glad the were all super short.

~Erika

See my full review here: http://bookmarkedreadsreviews.blogspot.com/2012/06/enthralled-paranormal-diversions-edited.html

This is going to be a long review.

I love anthologies and I don't. It has to do with the fact that those stories are short and sweet. It is commitment free, however short stories can also be poor written and aprupt.

Lets see how this one does. Enthralled is centered on the theme of "journeying". It does not necessarily mean an actual journey or road-trip for every story. It could mean a journey within one's self to change or realization. I wondered how varying this theme could be without using the typical journey as a base.

Oddly, I enjoyed the first few stories but the ones at the back did not do it for me.

Giovanni's Farewell by Claudia Gray
4/5 stars

I have not read much from this author. I read the first two of the Evernight books years ago and as I recall now they were not all that special.

This started on a most interesting premise of a brother sister bond and supernatural powers. Coupled with unique names lime "Cairo" and "Ravenna". I felt that it was short but ended nicely.

Spoiler

Okay the kissing the ghost part was corny.

I understood Ravenna feelings for wanting to fit in with everyone honestly though.

Scenic Route by Carrie Ryan
4/5 stars

I read another one of Carrie's short stories from another anthologies Shard and Ashes. It was pretty good.

Yay! dystopian! my fave!

I am in love with the genre. However I felt like this did not have as much fleshing out of the world as I would have liked. Another sibling bond which I found myself liking in such a short span. The action came fast and I did not agree with the ending.

Spoiler

Mainly because I think Margie agreed to accept Calvin after everything that happened.

how old fashion and matronly does that name sound?

Rating is higher because what little Margie described about the world made me fascinated. Surprisingly I just learnt that this story is set in the same world as The Forest of Hands and Teeth series.

Red Run by Kami Garcia
3.5/5 stars

I heard of this story before but not the premise. I liked the setting. It was not as deep as it seemed even though the themes are rather dark. But interesting enough and well written.

Things About Love by Jackson Pearce
3.5/5 stars

My fave author for fairy-tale retellings! This is a novella from one of her books. The concept was good as the world building is already fleshed out in the main book. The genie world did seem interesting but the name was not really special. I liked Lawrence and Juliet. Honestly I thought they would get together but I was far from right haha happy to be wrong as it made the story more interesting.

Niederwald by Rachel Vincent
3.5/5 stars

I was a little on the fence because of the MC in this story. At the starts she seemed kick ass and looked it too but as the story progressed. My perception of her changed. This whole story about her dragging a girl who has no idea what is going on while she risks her skin to ask the oracle whether she will get back with the guy she is obsesses with? Not cool. At all.

This is a novella from Soul Screamers and I have never read one book from the series. Safe to say Sabine is not happy that Kaylee and Nash are together. Get over yourself! What was interesting is what Syrie sees. However not interesting enough for me to want to delve into the 6, 7 books in the series.

Merely Mortal by Melissa Marr
3/5 stars

This is a novella is from Wicked Lovely. I read the first four books a few years ago. I remembered being intrigued by the dark world of faeries. I would think this story come after the fourth book, Radiant Shadows.

Keenan has to deal with being a mortal when he has spent centuries being a faery prince. He is forever in love with Donia the winter queen. They decide to have a short trip to the mountains, just the two of them to spend some quality time without their guards and royal handlers.

I did not like this. Yes, the premise was certainly romantic but all Keenan did was worry, all Donia did was worry and overthink alot. Keenan would reassure her that everything would be okay and she would distract herself with making out and having sex with Keenan.

Seriously, the number of the times that happened in the course of the story was nearly 80%

The only thing I liked about Donia is how sensible she is while she was in her role as queen NOT girlfriend of Keenan. Girlfriend sounds too plain for what Keenan makes her out to be. Ugh it is all "she is my everything, she is so beautiful, I want to be with her forever" kind of thought, on repeat. Then there was the video that went viral. That was actually quite funny.

Not the best novella from a highly acclaimed series.

Facing Facts by Kelley Armstrong
3.5/5 stars

This is from a series I actually enjoyed! The Darkest Powers was paranormal and it is a light type of read. Some might not enjoy it though. This is where Tori finds out who her real father and half brother is. Chloe is in a awkward situation because she did not tell Tori about it even though she knew. Things gets complicated when Diane Enright causes trouble in her ghost form.

Lets Get This Undead Show On The Road by Sarah Rees Brennan
2.5/5 stars

This has no female MC and it is about a famous boy band with a vampire as one of their members. The personalities of the other three guys were certainly unique to say the least *cough*Bradley*cough* however this did deal with how Christian felt being a vampire. The vampire lore was loose and not as well done. Not to mention this was also boring.

Bridge by Jeri Smith-Ready
2.5/5 stars

I was really annoyed with how the was written and printed like a song lyrics. Along with the fact that I had no idea what was going on until a few pages in. This is the story of a boy who died and is a ghost. He is trying to communicate with his brother as there is no closure to their relationship. There is tension there.

He searches for a Post Shifter. Someone who can see ghosts and pass messages. It was interesting but I could not connect with the story. It was boring and MC has mildly inappropriate thoughts about the Post Shifter. Who cares about that, but anyway it is to be expected because he is a guy. It had nothing to do with the story as well.

Apparently this continues in a full novel. No thanks.

Skin Contact by Kimberly Derting
2.5/5 stars

This began rather mysteriously. Rafe is walking on a road in the middle of the desert, alone, in the middle of the night. He has premonitions in his dreams that have a tendency to come true. His current dream has led him here. He is dreading what he will find. While he walks, there are glimpses into his past where it shows Sophie, the girl he loves moving away to take care of her mother. This story felt like it was just a chapter taken from a novel. Not in plagiarism terms but more like the reader is thrown into the story at the beginning and then at the end, left hanging.

It was surprising that Rafe was introduced in Desires of the Dead. One of Kimberly Derting's books. The feeling like this is just a chapter from a bigger story makes sense now. But I am not interested.

Leaving By Allie Condie
3/5 stars

I admit I am rather biased to Allie Condie because I really enjoyed the Matched series. The short story is centered in a Dystopian world where people live in spheres, cubes and pyramids because the outside environment is deemed not liveable. Sora has been shunned by her classmates at school ever since her father disappeared. How does this relate?

I liked the concept of the world and the Heavens Dance in a cool young person way. Then there is Elios, whom she has a fond childhood memory with and is nice to her. Yeah yeah like I have not read it before. The idea of the Beautiful People confused me. Why is Sora so caught up on them? The story raises too many questions about them and gives no answers. Are these people healers, or celebs that people admired and therefore deem unearthly or something else entirely?

Not to mention the ending.

At The Late Night, Double Feature, Picture Show by Jessica Verday
3/5 stars

I do not really like long titles but I understand the irony to it lol

Through the story the MC's name is mentioned once. She is from a family of monster hunters and she has always felt left out because she is not really good at it. She hatches a harebrained plan to catch some monsters by herself. I liked that this world was filled with all kinds of paranormal beings from carnivore girl scouts, vampires to resurrectionists. Who are people possessed by demons who force them to cut off body parts of others to try and make a perfect body. I did not know that.

The tone of the story is light hearted and the vampires in this story are not fierce at all. I like that they are in drag and going to the showing of The Rocky Horror Show. But it holds the plot well for a short story.

IV League by Maragret Stohl
3/5 stars

I perk up when I see this author's name because of Beautiful Creatures but then it takes a few moments for me to realize this is the same author who wrote "The Icons" and my bubble burst. The story started out okay. Wren, a vampire goes on a college tour with her best friend Hopper. The dialogue and writing was boring but it got exciting toward the end, right at the end. By then, it was a waste.

Gargouille by Mary E.Pearson
4/5 stars

I thought the pronunciation to this was similar to "gargoyle" however it not.

This is probably one of the only stories not set in modern day. The world building was fascinating and I liked the writing. Yes, the love story is cliche and I wanted to smack Giselle for revealing herself so carelessly. For those who dislike the notion of young people claiming forever love, turn away!

The ending is rather open and it cuts off right where you want to know what happened. Did she remember or not?

The Third Kind by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
3/5 stars

I kinda guessed that this would be an alien themed story and at the beginning it did seem that way but I was wrong.

Spoiler

Angels who would have guessed? Not the best writing, it did not pull me in and the revelations of what was actually going on was revealed so late. I did not like the ending.

Honestly, more than 70% of the story felt pointless.

Automatic by Rachel Caine
3.5/5 stars

This is from her Morganville Vampires series.

It centers on Michael, a vampire and Eve, his human girlfriend. He is chosen to introduce the new blood in can vending machine to the vampires of the town and they are all skeptical. I did not know that Michael was still coming to terms with himself being a vampire hence his big reaction to the canned blood. I liked that Eve was so unique with her goth image. I loved Eve's utter support for Michael and her guts. Aww!

Overall this anthology had lots of choices, I enjoyed it but some stories I did not. It is to be expected.

You should pick this one up if you are a fan of paranormal series because there are plenty of continuing short stories. Rachel Caine, Kelley Armstrong, and Melissa Marr add onto their respective series. I especially appreciate Kelley Armstrong's addition to Chloe's life from The Darkest Powers trilogy. I had to run to the library and pick up Jackson Pearces' novel As You Wish because the continuing story from the anthology (Things About Love) was that good!

There are some great standalone's, like Gargouille by Mary E. Pearson. Gargouille are winged humans that live in the mountains in secret. When Gisille is kidnapped and dewinged her love goes to extreme measures to be with her. Red Run by Kami Garcia is a ghost story with revenge on the mind.

I throughly enjoyed this anthology but I was also familiar with most of the series the short stories are based on. I am not sure how people who are unfamiliar with them will enjoy it. I know I was slightly confused with Melissa Marr's Merely Mortal. I never read her series so I was not familiar with the characters back stories and missed many of the inside jokes. However, this is a great anthology for paranormal fans!