Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Because You Love to Hate Me edited by Ameriie

Title: Because You Love to Hate Me: 13 Tales of Villainy
Edited by: Ameriie
Authors: Renee AhdiehSoman ChainaniSusan DennardSarah EnniMarissa MeyerCindy PonVictoria SchwabSamantha ShannonAdam SilveraAndrew SmithApril Genevieve TucholkeNicola YoonSasha AlsbergBenjamin AldersonWhitney AtkinsonTina BurkeCatriona FeeneyZoĆ« HerdtSamantha LaneSophia LeeRaeleen LemayRegan PerusseChristine RiccioSteph SinclairJesse GeorgeKat O'Keeffe
Publication Date: July 11, 2017
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Pages: 320
Source/format: Publisher//Hardcover

Rating: ☆☆☆1/2
Synopsis (from goodreads.com):

Leave it to the heroes to save the world--villains just want to rule the world.

In this unique YA anthology, thirteen acclaimed, bestselling authors team up with thirteen influential BookTubers to reimagine fairy tales from the oft-misunderstood villains' points of view.

These fractured, unconventional spins on classics like "Medusa," Sherlock Holmes, and "Jack and the Beanstalk" provide a behind-the-curtain look at villains' acts of vengeance, defiance, and rage--and the pain, heartbreak, and sorrow that spurned them on. No fairy tale will ever seem quite the same again!

M Y  T H O U G H T S

Because You Love to Hate Me is an anthology about 13 villains spanning from Medusa to Hades. Authors are paired up with booktubers, creating short stories about a villain prompted by their assigned booktuber. The anthology seemed promising but like most anthologies, stories vary in interest and rating. Some short stories I couldn't get through, while others I plowed through quickly. The ones that I enjoyed showed honesty and the characters are genuine in what they say and do. The words flowed well and the stories was decently paced.

I have always loved reading backstories of villains about how and why they become who they are today. There is a reason someone becomes a villain. People are not born villains. Usually something tragic happens in a person's past that turns them into a villain.

Some notable stories include "Jack", "Gwen and Art and Lance", "Sea Witch", "Beautiful Venom" and "Death Knell."

The Blood of Imuriv by Renee Ahdieh: 2/5

Jack by Ameriie: 4/5

Gwen and Art and Lance by Soman Chainani: 5/5

Shirley & Jim by Susan Dennard :3/5

The Blessing of Little Wants by Sarah Enni: 3/5

The Sea Witch by Marissa Meyer: 4/5

Beautiful Venom by Cindy Pon: 5/5

Death Knell by Victoria Schwab: 4/5

Marigold by Samantha Shannon: 3/5

You, You, It's All About You by Adam Silvera: 4/5

Julian Breaks Every Rule by Andrew Smith: 2/5

Indigo and Shade by April Genevieve Tucholke: 2/5

Sera by Nicola Yoon: 3.5/5

Because You Love to Hate Me will satisfy readers who want to read from the villain's point of view and those who idolize the contributing authors and/or booktubers.

6 comments:

  1. I agree with you that this one was uneven in quality. It was a real slog for me to read most of it. My favorites in the collection were far and away "Death Knell," "Gwen and Art and Lance," and "Venom."

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    1. I had high expectations for the book probably because it was hyped up so much.

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  2. Aw, that's a bit disappointing! I'll grab this at the library before deciding to buy a copy then. Thanks for the review!

    Cass @ Words on Paper

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    1. Yeah. Most anthologies usually have hits and misses for me. I hope you do enjoy some of the stories in Because You Love to Hate Me.

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  3. I've only read a couple of anthologies and they did have their ups and downs, but I love these authors so I'm crossing my fingers that I'll love it. Thanks for hosting! :)

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    1. Thank you for stopping by. I hope you enjoy the stories by the authors you love.

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