4 STARS | Cornered: 14 Stories of Bullying and Defiance

Title: Cornered: 14 Stories of Bullying and Defiance
Authors: Kirsten Miller, Mayra Lazara Dole, Matthue Roth, Sheba Karim, Kate Ellison, Jennifer Brown, Brendan Halpin, Jamie Adoff, Elizabeth Miles, David Yoo, James Lecesne, Josh Berk, Lish McBride, Zetta Elliott
Editor: Rhoda Belleza
Age Group: Young Adult
Genres: Anthologies, Contemporary, Bullying, Paranormal
Elements: Shapeshifters, Ghosts, Necromancers
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Format: Paperback
ISBN-13: 978-0762444281
Published: July 3rd, 2012
Source: Running Press
Rating: 4/5 STARS
Purchase: Kindle | Paperback

How will you survive the day?

Fearful breaths, racing hearts, uncontrollable emotions--both bullies and the bullied live life on a razor's edge. While school can be an endless cycle of whispers and rumors, and home everything but a safe haven, the stream of emails, texts, and tweets has absolutely no bounds. What does it take to come out on the other side?

Fourteen brutally honest YA voices explore the humiliation and urgency between predator and prey. With unique perspectives and hints at hope for the future, these stories speak for the boy sitting next to you in class, the girl whose locker is above yours, or perhaps even for the deepest, darkest corners of your true self.

Bullying has been a HUGE topic the past few years, and no matter how we try to stop it, bullying seems to worsen as time goes by. There always seems to be someone who thinks they are better than someone else, and that they can do whatever they want to those they view beneath them. Though it's near impossible to rid ourselves of bullying forever, and though it may be difficult, there is the hope that those who are being victimized will find the strength to overcome and rise above their bullies.

Cornered: 14 Stories of Bullying and Defiance shows us both sides: the bully and the bullied. We see how some have found strength from being bullied and try to help others in the same position. We see how nationality, sexuality, religion, social standing and other factors can determine which side of the spectrum you're on. Some get stronger, some just can't take anymore, and some become the bully after being bullied themselves. The stories in this anthology are as enlightening as they are disturbing. I definitely think this is a collection of stories every young adult should read.

Some Favorite Stories:

Nemesis by Kirsten Miller
Everyone's Nice by David Yoo
Defense Mechanisms by Elizabeth Miles
Like Kicking a Fence by Kate Ellison
We Should Get Jerseys 'Cause We Make a Good Team by Lish McBride


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2012 to my book blogs, Zodiac Book Reviews and A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books.

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4 STARS | Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions

Title: Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions
Authors: Kelley Armstrong, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Sarah Rees Brennan, Rachel Caine, Ally Condie, Kimberly Derting, Kami Garcia, Claudia Gray, Melissa Marr, Jackson Pearce, Mary E. Pearson, Carrie Ryan, Jeri Smith-Ready, Margaret Stohl, Jessica Verday, Rachel Vincent
Editors: Melissa Marr, Kelley Armstrong
Age Group: Young Adult
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Anthologies, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Elements: Psychic Abilities, Ghosts, Zombies, Genies, Harpies, Fae, Werewolves, Necromancers, Witches, Sorcerers, Vampires, Cannibals, Demons, Angels
Publisher: HarperCollins
Format: Paperback
ISBN-13: 978-0062015785
Published: September 20th, 2011
Source: Library
Rating: ★★★★

A journey may take hundreds of miles, or it may cover the distance between duty and desire.

Sixteen of today’s hottest writers of paranormal tales weave stories on a common theme of journeying. Authors such as Kelley Armstrong, Rachel Caine, and Melissa Marr return to the beloved worlds of their bestselling series, while others, like Claudia Gray, Kami Garcia, and Margaret Stohl, create new land-scapes and characters. But whether they’re writing about vampires, faeries, angels, or other magical beings, each author explores the strength and resilience of the human heart.

Suspenseful, funny, or romantic, the stories in Enthralled will leave you moved.

Every story in Enthralled, as the summary states, takes the characters and readers on a journey of some kind. Whether it's a journey of survival, love, hope, forgiveness, or any number of other things; every story, some more than others, will leave it's mark.

I really enjoyed reading the stories like "Niederwald" by Rachel Vincent and "Facing Facts" by Kelley Armstrong that return to the worlds of their bestselling series. We get to see what happens with our favorite (or least favorite) characters outside of the main plot.

There are a few of the stories that left more of an impact on me than others. Sarah Rees Brennan's "Let's Get This Undead Show on the Road" shows that even those you're not close to at first can become family once all the barriers are removed. Jeri Smith-Ready's "Bridge" shows us the healing power of forgiveness. Ally Condie's "Leaving" shows that even one person who's willing to reach out to you can change everything. And Mary E. Pearson's "Gargouille" shows that nothing can stand in the way of love. These four stories stayed with me even as I went on to read the next story.

With moments of happiness, sadness, anger, guilt, heartbreak, and loneliness, this anthology is an emotional journey any fan of paranormal YA shouldn't miss out on.


Disclaimer: This review was originally posted in 2012 to my book review blog, Zodiac Book Reviews.

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