The Curiosities: A Collection of Stories

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The Curiosities: A Collection of Stories

Author(s)

Maggie Stiefvater

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Tessa Gratton

Publisher

Carolrhoda Books

Genre(s)

Anthology

Age Range

14+

Release Date

August 01, 2012

ISBN

978-0761375272

Buy This Book

A vampire locked in a cage in the basement, for good luck. -Bad guys, clever girls, and the various reasons why the guys have to stop breathing. -A world where fires never go out (with references to vanilla ice cream).

These are but a few of the curiosities collected in this volume of short stories by three acclaimed practitioners of paranormal fiction.

ButThe Curiosities is more than the stories. Since 2008, Maggie Stiefvater, Tessa Gratton, and Brenna Yovanoff have posted more than 250 works of short fiction to their website merryfates.com. Their goal was simple: create a space for experimentation and improvisation in their writing--all in public and without a backspace key. In that spirit,The Curiosities includes the stories and each author's comments, critiques, and kudos in the margins. Think of it as a guided tour of the creative processes of three acclaimed authors.

So, are you curious now?

Editor reviews

2 reviews

A Delicious Magical Brew of Short Tales

August 14, 2012 (Updated: August 15, 2012)

Overall rating

5.0

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I'm a huge fan of the Merry Sisters of Fate: Maggie Stiefvater, Tessa Gratton, and Brenna Yovanoff. I purchased their first collection of short stories back in 2008 and was hooked. So when I heard another collection of their stories was coming out, I had to have it. I was bummed that the galleys weren't available at ALA but when Tessa twittered rumor that THE CURIOSITIES was out early, I rushed out and purchased it.

How can I say how much I love this book? I'm going to have to include a best anthology category to my top 2012 YA picks this year. And yes, this book will be in it.

Why? Oh my gosh, let's just say this book is pure genius. Not only is it filled with amazing short stories but it has notes/comments from the authors on the writing process.

I'm totally in love with all these writer's writing. Maggie uses words in such a way that's it's like eating the most delectable bowl of dark chocolate ice cream. You want to savor each word.

My favorite line of hers comes from her take on a King Arthur prompt:

...And love means more if it is hard to do.

Tessa Gratton's writing is filled with passion, kissing, and awesomeness.

My favorite story--and it was really hard to chose just one--has to be THE VAMPIRE BOX. This story haunted me and I was dying(no pun intended) on what happens next!

Brenna Yovanoff's stories are haunting. I can't believe I haven't read one of her novels. Well, I will remedy that real fast!

My favorite of hers has to be NEIGHBORS a haunting twist on the familiar ghost tale.

There's notes, comments throughout. For example they share their favorite words:

Tessa- Sloughing, ecstatic, wrought, viscera, effervescent
Brenna- Hemorrhage, ostensibly, psychosomatic, harmonica, flirtatious
Maggie- Hectic, noble, squiffy, piscatorial, longing

I love how all the Merry sisters can take a word and weave it into a short tale in such a way that makes it magical. Yes, this collection is pure magic. I love the unique twist. That's one thing I love about Andrew Karre's new imprint--it's not afraid to take chances and experiment.

I want more! A delicious magical brew of short tales. This is a must read for fans of dark paranormal shorts.

Good Points

1. Great collection of short stories by Merry Sisters of Fate
2. Maggie Stievater, Tessa Gratton, Brenna Yovanoff--Need I say more?
3. Pure genius
4. Unique twist on an anthology as this one shows notes/comments on the writing process

Kim Baccellia, Staff Reviewer Top 10 Reviewer 878 reviews

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User reviews

2 reviews

Overall rating

4.5

Plot

4.5(2)

Characters

4.0(1)

Writing Style

5.0(2)

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Interesting!

October 09, 2021

Overall rating

4.3

Plot

4.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

5.0

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4.5 Stars!
The Curiosities was a collection of short stories written by Maggie Stiefvater, Tessa Gratton and Brenna Yovanoff.
I really enjoyed reading it and liked the comments by the authors throughout the stories!

Fay Tannerr Top 50 Reviewer 243 reviews

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Great stories

December 16, 2012

Overall rating

5.0

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5.0

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5.0

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This book is filled with short stories from three brilliant authors. It includes notes from all three and doodles galore. If you like ANY of these authors, this is a must read!