Book Review : Love Is Hell by Various Authors

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Love Is Hell by Melissa Marr, Scott Westerfeld, Justine Larbalestier, Gabrielle Zevin, Laurie Faria Stolarz

Product Details

  • Reading level: Young Adult
  • Paperback: 272 pages
  • Publisher: HarperTeen (November 25, 2008)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0061443042
  • ISBN-13: 978-0061443046
  • Available on: Amazon Barnes & Noble

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Sure, love is hell. But it's totally worth it.

In these supernatural stories by five of today's hottest writers—Melissa Marr (Wicked Lovely), Scott Westerfeld (Specials), Justine Larbalestier (Magic or Madness), Gabrielle Zevin (Elsewhere), and Laurie Faria Stolarz (Blue is for Nightmares)—love may be twisted and turned around, but it's more potent than ever on its quest to conquer all.

From two students who let the power of attraction guide them to break the hard-and-fast rules of their world to the girl who falls hard for a good-looking ghost with a score to settle, the clever, quirky characters in this exciting collection will break your heart, then leave you believing in love more than ever.

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Note: This book consists of 5 individual short stories. I will review them one by one.

Sleeping with the Spirit by Laurie Faria Stolarz

I started off with this story, feeling very excited. I had read Stolarz's Deadly Little Secret not long ago and loved it to pieces. But I found Sleeping with the Spirit boring and predictable. This is definitely not one of Stolarz's best works.

2 out of 5

Stupid Perfect World by Scott Westerfeld

This one was even worse. I never really finished it. While most people has a liking for this particular story, I found myself confused and clueless about the whole thing. Sorry, Scott, I really love your Uglies series but Stupid Perfect World is not for me!

2 out of 5

Thinner Than Water by Justine Larbalestier

Unexpectedly, I found myself enjoying this story more than the previous two. Thinner Than Water is downright beautiful, bone-chilling and treacherous. Well done, Larbalestier!

4.500

Fan Fictions by Gabrielle Zevin

Fan Fictions somehow reminds me of a short story written by Anthony Horowitz in The Complete Horowitz Horror. It's called The Hitchhiker. Does that title ring a bell? I was surprised by how this author (whose name I've never heard before) weaves this eerily twisted story perfectly, sending readers away feeling shocked and awed at the end. Kudos to Gabrielle Zevin!

4.500

Love Struck by Melissa Marr

I enjoyed this story. It was really sweet and charming. Filled with Celtic myths of Selkies (mythological shapeshifting creatures - often in the form of seals - that lives in the sea) and a decent amount of teen romance, this story is going to make you smile.

4.000


Overall Rating: 3.685 - 3.5 stars

2 creative remarks:

ngzwei said...

wow...sounds interesting...this book...i've heard and saw it before but never bother to look into it...can i borrow??

Aik said...

Of course! :)