Sunday, June 26, 2011

Zombies vs. Unicorns edited by Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier

No Spoilers.

Title:
Zombies vs. Unicorns
Author: (Editors) Holly Black and Justine Larbalestier
Year of Publication: 2010
Genre: Fantasy, Anthology
Pages: 415
First Line: "Since the dawn of time one question has dominated all others: Zombies or Unicorns?"
Summary: Which is better, the zombie or the unicorn?

Justine Larbalestier says that zombies are our own walking deaths. Funny, grim, and terrifying, they cannot be escaped. Unicorns are sparkly and pastel and fart rainbows.

Holly Black says that unicorns are healers, arbiters of justice, and, occasionally, majestic man-killers. Zombies drool and shed and probably carry diseases.

Some of today's finest writers have chosen their side, creating dazzling stories about both creatures. So read on, and decide for yourself: Are you Team Zombie or Team Unicorn?

Source: Back/Inside of book

Review: As I've done in the past, I will be reviewing this anthology story by story.

1. The Highest Justice by Garth Nix - Did not keep my attention at all.

2. Love Will Tear Us Apart by Alaya Dawn Johnson - Better than the first story but perhaps a bit more adult in content than necessary.

3. Purity Test by Naomi Novik - Humorous, and a little better than the previous two. Would have been better in novel length.

4. Bougainvillea by Carrie Ryan - Confusing.

5. A Thousand Flowers by Margo Lanagan - The beginning was great but it quickly became confusing and I lost interest.

6. The Children of the Revolution by Maureen Johnson - Probably my favorite in the anthology. This story was clear and interesting.

7. The Care and Feeding of Your Baby Killer Unicorn by Diana Peterfreund - I lost interest very quickly on this one.

8. Inoculata by Scott Westerfeld - Confusing, but had some interesting elements. Not up to par with the Uglies series.

9. Princess Prettypants by Meg Cabot - Almost as good as Johnson's. Funny and easy to follow.

10. Cold Hands by Cassandra Clare - A step below Cabot's. Different from Clare's usual stuff, but interesting and well planed.

11. The Third Virgin by Kathleen Duey - Intereting, if a bit long.

12. Prom Night by Libba Bray - Bray lost me on this one.

Side note -- the introductions to each story were fun, funny, and interesting.

Worst part: I wasn't a fan of most of the stories. I felt these authors were capable of better.

Best part: Johnson's story.

Grade: C-

Other Books by This Author: None together.


19 / 100 books. 19% done!

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