Review Detail

Engaging collection of diverse short stories told in free verse. I'm a huge fan of Kip Wilson, the editor of this captivating anthology. The theme is love, and each author does a great job showing their take with stories with strong, diverse protagonists. Love isn't just romantic, but is shown in different ways.

Some of my favorites:

All For Annie by Robin Gow. How a group of circus players in the late 1800s comes together after the death of the ring master. But mostly it's the story of Annie, the bearded lady, and the sweet romance between her and a fellow player.

We are the Briar-by Laura Ruby. This is a twist on the Cinderella tale.

Love-Bomb by Mariama J. Lockington. Where a teen gains the strength to leave her overpowering mother. This one shows the complexity of the love/hate relationship between a mother and her daughter. In this case, the mother's mental illness-I'm thinking bipolar-is overwhelming at times.

The First, and the Last, and All the In-Betweens by Jasmine Warga is a love story of the family pet dog and the protagonist's bittersweet memories of all the joy they had together. This one resonated with me so much with my fond memories of my boxer dog.

And finally, there is The Bridegroom's Oak, in which a young girl is at the crossroads of a possible relationship with someone and the fear of losing a close relationship with a friend.

There's stories set in Mesoamerica with two rival princes; a teen who tries to get back at ex-friends by being the anti-Cupid; the love of a teen for his beloved grandmother; and much more.

Beautifully written, diverse short stories show that love comes in many different forms. There's sure to be a tale to appeal to all.