Anthology Review: The Eternal Kiss (Part 3)

Title: The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire
Edited by: Trisha Telep
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: 07/28/09
Summary:

Supernatural forces and desires come alive in these thirteen vampire tales. Like love, the adventures are never safe and hungers never die. And chances are taken. If you are seduced by the mystery of the heart, beating for a destiny unknown, you will helplessly follow the characters' in this collection - longing for one to call their own.

Title: Wet Teeth
Author: Cecil Castellucci
Rating: 1.5 Stars
I found this story quite lackluster. Although I wanted to like the characters there was absolutely no development. And the plot seemed almost non-existant. When I finished the last paragraph, I was stuck wondering exactly what the point was since there didn't seem to be a conflict and resolution.

Title: Other Boys
Author: Cassandra Clare
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Although it was a quick read (it felt much shorter than it actually was), the crazy twist at the end was amazing. I wish we could've gotten a little more information about the characters, but it wasn't a complete necessity.

Title: Passing
Author: Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
Rating: 3.5 Stars
This story involved a war between humans and vampires, seeming to span the globe. Student of the Universidad were studying/training to become vampire hunters. I really like the twists and turns of this story, but I wish there had been a little more description during the fighting. It seemed like the specifics of the combat were kind of glossed over.

Title: Ambition
Author: Lili St. Crow
Rating: 3 Stars
I liked the mystery of Johnny and thought main character (I don't think her name was mentioned) was very likeable. But the ending of this story left me completely confused. I'm not entirely sure what actually happens at the end, but everything leading up to it was a good story.

Title: All Wounds
Author: Kina James
Rating: 4 Stars
First Becca gets into detention, then she finds out that creatures like healers and vampires and hellhounds exist. In one afternoon, her whole world is turned upside-down. I liked all of the information given about the paranormal creatures in this story's world. I just wish we could've learned why Becca was in detention, since it was alluded to a couple times.

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own enjoyment.

Anthology Review: The Eternal Kiss (Part 2)

Title: The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire
Edited by: Trisha Telep
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: 07/28/09
Summary:

Supernatural forces and desires come alive in these thirteen vampire tales. Like love, the adventures are never safe and hungers never die. And chances are taken. If you are seduced by the mystery of the heart, beating for a destiny unknown, you will helplessly follow the characters' in this collection - longing for one to call their own.

Title: Undead is Very Hot Right Now
Author: Sarah Rees Brennan
Rating: 3.5 Stars
The idea of using vampires as a gimick to make a band popular is kinda lame, but definitely silly. I liked how Christian just wanted to be normal. The other members of the band were kind of annoying though. I liked this story, but the ending was a bit lackluster for me.

Title: Kat
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Rating: 4 Stars
I loved how this story vaguely tied into Armstrong's YA Darkest Powers series without having many spoilers. I liked the relationship between Kat and Marguerite, I just wish there had been a touch more background. I feel like I didn't get to know them as well as I would've liked.

Title: The Thirteenth Step
Author: Libba Bray
Rating: 2 Stars
For thirty pages, it didn't feel like much happened in this story. There was a little too much filler and not enough action. The characters came across flat, and the relationships were either non-existant or not quite believeable.

Title: All Hallows
Author: Rachel Caine
Rating: 4.5 Stars
I enjoyed how this story tied into the Morganville Vampire series. Although I was confused about a couple characters (because I've only read books #1-3), there were no spoilers. I also liked that the story was from Eve's point of view because she's always been my favorite.

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own enjoyment.

Anthology Review: The Eternal Kiss (Part 1)

Title: The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire
Edited by: Trisha Telep
Genre: Young Adult
Release Date: 07/28/09
Summary:

Supernatural forces and desires come alive in these thirteen vampire tales. Like love, the adventures are never safe and hungers never die. And chances are taken. If you are seduced by the mystery of the heart, beating for a destiny unknown, you will helplessly follow the characters' in this collection - longing for one to call their own.

Title: Falling to Ash
Author: Karen Mahoney
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Moth was a very likeable character. Although she gets herself into trouble, she was resourceful enough to get herself out of the situation. Her relationship with her family is in shambles, and I hope to see more of Moth in the future to see if they work things out.

Title: Shelter Island
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
Rating: 1 Star
This story was very short, only sixteen pages, and it didn't really seem to be much of a story. Although Dylan, a character from her Blue Bloods series is in the story, it could've been anyone visiting Hannah at night. This story seemed like something the author put together in a couple hours to fulfill an obligation.

Title: Sword Point
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Rating: 3 Stars
I really liked the way fencing, martial arts, and vampires mixed in this story. I just wished we could've seen more of the fencing and not just be told that Ava was practicing. Ava was a strong and likeable character, but I find myself wanting to know more about Jarett, the martial arts instructor next door to the fencing studio.

Title: The Coldest Girl in Coldtown
Author: Holly Black
Rating: 4 Stars
Although some parts of the story passed by in a blur, it was a very engaging read. I enjoyed that Matilda was trying to fight off the change through the use of alcohol, while most people were dying to be turned into vampires.

Disclosure: I bought this book for my own enjoyment.