I loved the short stories that I read in this book.

I found Jeri Smith-Ready's, Bridge, to be particularly wonderful. I loved how it was written in a musical stanza form as it is from Logan's POV. Although I am firmly Team Zachary, I couldn't help but feel for Logan. This a must read whether you are Team Zach or Team Logan because if you don't you'll surely be missing out.

The next novella that I read was short and very teaser-y and just in time for me to read the next book in the Soul Screamers series by Rachel Vincent,If I Die. This is from Sabine's POV and Ms. Vincent writes her in such a way that even though I very much dislike Sabine I don't HATE her. I can sympathize with her situation. I am very much looking forward to starting If I Die.

There are many more wonderful stories in this book and I am very much looking forward to reading them, but as I don't like to spoil myself while I'm still trying to catch up on various series, I will have to come back to this anthology.

I started this book years ago, but I read just a few stories and never got around to finishing it, probably because I just don't care much for short stories.

I finally read all the other stories, and overall this collection of stories was just okay. This book was a nice introduction to the writing styles of multiple authors, many whom I've never read before. However, I just wasn't interested in most of the stories. There were only two, maybe three, stories that I actually enjoyed.

I discovered that most of the stories were poorly developed, each using terminology from a world that was underdeveloped and barely described, making it hard for me, as the reader, to have a clear picture of what was happening. I think the biggest problem with short stories is that there is never enough world-building, character-building, and worthwhile plot development for the story to even begin to make sense before it ends. These problems, prevalent in this book, result in a story comprehensible only to those who already have an understanding of that particular world.

My favourite story from this anthology was "Skin Contact" by Kimberly Derting. Although shorter than most in this collection, it was descriptive in a way unlike the others, and it brought out emotions I don't usually feel while reading short stories. None of the other stories left a lasting impression upon my mind like this one did.

I would recommend this book for younger teen readers who enjoy paranormal stories.

I was really excited to see this at the library, and started reading it as soon as possible. Like usual, I skipped around instead of reading in order, and as usual I liked some stories more than others. I found the central concept (of travel/ diversions/ road trips) tenuous, at best. And, like much of fantasy writing in general, there were way too many obnoxiously snarky heroines who were headstrong and impulsive to the point of foolishness. Hard to root for. Also, just my own personal opinion, but there were too many stories set in Texas. no thanks. Overall, not a bad collection. But not a great one either.
Here's a breakdown by specific authors:
Claudia Grey: Giovanni's Farewell was a strange, bittersweet story about two inseparable, peculiar, globetrotting identical twins with supernatural abilities. I wasn't surprised by the twist, but even so I really enjoyed the story and would love to read more about Ravenna and Cairo.
Carrie Ryan: Ryan writing about zombies? No, surely not. How shocking. Consistent subject matter aside, this was a good story, at least with a slightly different setting than her other stories I've read. I liked and was rooting for the main characters.
Kami Garcia: a decent ghost/ murder/ revenge story. I thought that ending glossed over everything a little too much, both good and bad. Otherwise OK.
Jackson Pierce: a strange story about a gay college student and the super hot, but very logical, unemotional female jinn who guards him for awhile. I just don't think I really GOT the story.
Rachel Vincent: another story about banshees and Sabine and Nash (at least indirectly). I liked Sabine less in this story, as pretty much her whole motivation was her obsession with Nash and being with him again, regardless of whether he was happy with someone else or not. The banshees were interestingly creepy, but it didn't make up for the Bella-level romantic obsession.
Melissa Marr: This fairy story tied in with her Wicked Lovely universe was hands down the most boring story in this book, simply because NOTHING HAPPENED! Two characters really really really love each other, in case you're wondering, and they like spending time together. it's like being with a group of friends, and two of them won't quit doing baby talk and making out in front of everyone. Boring.
Kelley Armstrong: Another supernatural powers/ evil bio-genetics corporation story, that seems to be tied in with one of her series. The main character is one of those headstrong, snarky, slightly annoying YA fantasy heroines, and the story didn't really seem to go anywhere. Also, it was set in Texas.
Sarah Rees Brennan: my biggest gripe about the boy-band-with-a-vampire-member story was that the beginning was so similar to another story I'd read that I thought it was the same one, and almost skipped it. I'm thankful I didn't. I find the band mates interactions laugh out loud funny sometimes. Christian is tiresome sometimes, but you feel a little more sorry for him in this, and Bradley and Faye and the stoner (Chaz?) are still their fun, oddly likeable selves. Even the nervous band member grew on me this time. The road trip format of the story made for sort of jerky, disconnected reading, and the final element of the story was kind of lame, but the characters still win me over.
Jeri Ready-Smith: Verse/ poetry format is never my favorite, but this story was so well written I ended up really liking it, getting invested in the bittersweet ghost story, and wishing well for the family and new friend left behind. The mythology of the story is interesting too, and something about which I'm interested in reading more.
Kimberly Derting: Fairly engrossing story about a boy with premonitions and the girl he loves. I felt the story could have used more world building, explanations of why he has an FBI agent on speed dial, for example. I assume that it's part of a greater series that explains things more thoroughly. Otherwise it was interesting.
Allie Condie: I was really excited to see what she would write other than Matched. This was another futuristic dystopian story, but different from Matched. I still hate time travel, but this story about a girl determined to follow her father out of their dome life by any means necessary was creative, interesting, and ambiguously hopeful. Also, Elio was sweet.
Jessica Verday: the snarkiest of the snarky heroines of the book, in a story that tried too hard to be funny, with its defanged Rocky Horror Picture-loving vampires, and just ended up seeming cheesy. The demonic Frankenstein was creative, at least, and not totally silly. But overall not a win.
Margaret Stohl: The creepiness of the story and general unlikableness of the main characters made this story one of my least favorite. I suppose she captured a world and mentality well, but it creeped me out without anything positive to show for it.
Mary E Pearson: This re-imagining of gargouilles in an ancient European sort of setting was lyrical, sad, beautiful, and romantic. I loved the gargouilles concept, and the love that wouldn't die or be forgotten.
Jennifer Lynn Barnes: I think this was a story about angelic possession vs demonic possession, but I'm not awfully sure. It needed more explanation, and I'm guessing is related to a series. Nonetheless, the two sisters were interesting and likable, and the idea of "pulses" was new and creative.
Rachel Caine: Small town Texas settings always cancel out much of even good stories for me. The main character in this vampire story is well-written, and I want things to work out for him and his human girl, but neither that nor the blood vending machine and related conspiracy/ test was enough for me to really care or read the rest of the series.

As much as I may complain about some of these stories, I found some new authors I enjoyed and will check out further, and I'm sure I'll be reading the next short story collection Marr and Armstrong release.

Reviews also available at Once a Week or More

The theme for all the stories is a journey, from an actual road trip or an emotional evolution; each character goes through a situation where they must travel to change or discover something. There was a mix of tones to each story, and each had a paranormal skew (hence Paranormal Diversions). Some of the stories were also additions to the authors already established worlds, but others had brand new stories (some of which I want to be books!) Each story was great, but I did have some favorites!

I really enjoyed each story within this anthology! Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions contains amazing stories from Claudia Gray, Carrie Ryan, Kami Garcia, Jackson Pearce, Rachel Vincent, Melissa Marr, Kelley Armstrong, Sarah Rees Brennan, Jeri Smith-Ready, Kimberly Derting, ally Condie, Jessica Verday, Margaret Stohl, Mary Pearson, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, and Rachel Caine. Such awesome authors! And if you're wondering why it's all women, well that is because the idea for this book was born during the Smart Chicks tour!

"The Third Kind" by Jennifer Lynn Barnes was one of the best original stories in the book. Two sisters, Kissy and Jessi, travel to San Antonio, Texas on the say so of Kissy's "'pulse", a feeling she gets which forces her to travel places or do things. While traveling, Jessi and Kissy run into some trouble, and when they eventually make it to San Antonio they learn the truth about who they are. Sounds awesome, huh? I really love how Barnes created a world that captured me in so few pages. This could easily be a full length book, one which I would happily buy! The "'pulse'" or "impulse" that Kissy gets is something I haven't read before, and Barnes introduces a dangerous world with a slightly dark wit. Loved it!

"Let’s Get This Undead Show on the Road" by Sarah Rees Brennan is one of the funniest stories in the anthology. Shunned by his family, feared by a bandmate, and cut off from the vampire community, Chris is all alone. But that's okay because he's the only vampire in the most popular boy band in England. What could possibly go wrong? This story was awesome. The characters were hilarious, and so quirky. But the best part was the underlying message which the story contains: acceptance of yourself and that family is what you make it; two lessons we all should learn.

If you love paranormal adventures and some kick-ass authors then pick up Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions and enjoy!

Probably a 3.5 it started out amazing, I loved all of the stories until about half way. Then it started going downhill. Still the the majority of the stories I enjoys very much! My favourites would probably be Kelley Armstrong's, Facing Facts and Kimberly Derting's, Skin Contact. I will definitely be rereading the stories I liked:)

Full review can be read here.

A collection of sf/f stories. Generally these stories are at least solidly crafted, but all too many of them rely on the reader being already familiar with the characters. My favorites were probably "Scenic Route" and "Let's get this undead show on the road."

"Giovanni's Farewell," by Claudia Gray. A teenager is afraid her twin brother is going crazy--but then she sees a ghost, and her reality is shaken. I liked the relationship between the twins, but this story was very short and lightweight.

"Scenic Route," by Carrie Ryan. Margie tries desperately to keep her sister safe and innocent, but it's difficult when they're constantly on the run from zombies. Then another survivor turns up, and Margie has to choose between keeping safe and human contact. I really liked the relationship between the sisters, and

the revelation that Sally is able to kill for her family as well.

The POV goes from limited to Margie to encompass Calvin for a few paragraphs near the end, and it's a jarring misstep.

"Red Run," by Kami Garcia. Edie hunts the ghost who killed her brother. Nice low-grade spookiness!

"Things about Love," by Jackson Pearce. Seems to be a short story follow-up to another story. In that one, a djinn and a human girl fell in love; in this, a djinn researcher tags along behind the girl's bff to discover what "love" is. I did not like the way the POV switches every couple paragraphs, but the story was fine.

"Niederwald," Rachel Vincent. A monster seeks an audience with the oracle to discover whether she ever gets her ex boyfriend back. It's clearly part of a larger story, so it isn't that compelling, but I did like the descriptions of the harpies and their caged oracle.

"Merely Mortal," by Melissa Marr. Two characters from some previously-written story talk about stuff that makes no sense because I haven't read the other work in this 'verse. Not well written, either.

"Facing Facts," by Kelley Armstrong. A continuation of a story about genetically modified magic users on the run from the Cabal that made them. A necromancer faces her feelings about using an undead enemy as a lethal tool. I quite like the characters and Armstrong includes some solid development of the necromancer's ethical position, but if I hadn't read the earlier work this wouldn't have worked for me.

"Let's Get This Undead Show on the Road," by Sarah Rees Brennan. A new vampire is part of a boy band, and hijinks ensue. Quite funny, with a few moments of melancholy or sweet connection.

"Bridge," by Jeri Smith-Ready. A ghost tries to stop his brother from committing suicide. Told in free verse, I presume because the narrator wrote songs, but it adds absolutely nothing to the story. For such heavy subject matter, this doesn't leave much of an impression.

"Skin Contact," by Kimberly Derting. Troubling story about a boy who can sense the past through objects he touches. I'd like to read more about him.

"Leaving," by Ally Condie. In the future, a girl tries to decide what part of the past to travel to.

Eventually she realizes that fleeing her present won't solve anything.

I liked it.

"At the late night, double-feature, picture show" by Jessica Verday. A young Hunter is out to make a name for herself, but instead of a simple goblin takedown, she gets involved in a cannibalistic Girl Scout Troop, high-kicking vampires, and a resurrectionist. Loopy but not actually funny.

"Ivy League," by Ivy Stohl. A young vampire tries to get in to Harvard. Funny and sad, with a really great narrative voice.

"Gargoille," by Mary E Pearson. When a gargoyle loses their wings, they lose their memories as well.

After Giselle is captured and parted from her wings, she makes a new life for herself. Months later, another former gargoyle joins the Duke's court--her former lover let himself get captured so they could be together again, though neither knows why they're drawn to each other.

The writing isn't great, but the basic plot is good.

"The Third Kind," by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. Jess is used to her sister having fits and dragging her along on strange missions. This particular quest is stranger than usual, though, and eventually Jess learns that it isn't her sister who has to be protected--it's her. This felt like a great beginning to a cool story, but it cuts off right when it gets truly interesting.

"Automatic," by Rachel Caine. A new vampire tries out the new blood vending machines. Somehow, the automation of it makes him even closer to his bestial side.

This review is only for "Facing Facts" by [author: Kelley Armstrong]. I'd like to read the other stories at some point, but they're not why I bought the book. :) I loved having more Chloe and Derek to read! I didn't realize exactly how much I missed them. It makes me all the more excited for them to meet up with Maya and Daniel in [book: The Rising]!

Even though this was a short story, it still had an engaging plot and just enough romance to tease. As always, [author: Kelley Armstrong] has created an interesting story with strong characters that draws you in and doesn't let go until the last line!

So, I can't really give this a rating since I only read 2 of the stories inside. I read the one by Kimberly Derting which was about her character Rafe and was disappointed; I was really hoping for a Rafe/Violet story going in. I also read the Kelley Armstrong short story which was kind of cool, but kind of whatever. I won't be reading books like this in the future. Not to say it was bad, it just really isn't for my tastes and liking.

Short Story: Niederwald by Rachel Vincent - Set between My Soul to Steal and If I Die,

I read this short story for the Soul Screamers Reading Challenge. The story follows a road trip back from a cultural fair that Emma and Sabine had to go on for extra credit for school. However, the only reason Sabine went was to make a stop on the way back - at Niederwald. She wants to talk to Syrie, an oracle that lives at Niederwald, guarded by a group of harpies.

I LOVED this short story. Why? Because Sabine is the narrator and I love her! It's great to get inside her head a little and to be reminded that she's not all bad, and she does care for those other than herself and Nash.

I'm so glad I waited until after reading If I Die to read it, because I know Sabine's visit to Niederwald would have put ideas into my head and ruined some of the surprises in If I Die - at least it would have for me. I wouldn't want to make guesses on what happens in a book by the short story set before it. However, It's still cool to know now what happened with Sabine in this story and how it relates to If I Die - sorry, I'm trying not to spoil this story or If I Die.

It was great to read about the Harpies and Syrie too. Harpies seem really creepy, and I think they'd be a great cause for conflict in a full length novel, some how. Syrie, it would be good to find out more about her too. I don't know if she's human or not. I'd like to know more about her story.

Over all a very cool and intriguing short story, and it will be cool to see if the events of this story come up again in future books.

Review of the anthology as a whole to come soon.

From Once Upon a Bookcase - YA book blog