Each unicorn story represented the unicorn in a different way some unicorns were killers, others healers, some "rainbow-farting unicorns". Even though they were all either about zombies or unicorns, they all showed the different aspects of the two topics. Stories: I really enjoyed reading all of the stories - some more than others - but overall they were pretty good and convincing. They didn't even discuss the story or why they'd chosen that particular author. DItto for the zombies with unexplained emotions etc.The author's banter introducing each tale was just tedious filler without any redeeming merit. Lots of darker unicorns - very few had the full nobility aspect to them, which I think was probably deliberate, but doesn't really work unless you do have something to contrast it with. A few slightly interesting takes on the unicorn's powers but again nothing particularly noteworthy.
None of them were particularly brilliant. But I think that may be an artifact of the authors chosen, because I know that Stephen Donaldon's unicorn short story beats any of these as a tale. In terms of the actual stories published then the zombies win, they are generally better stories than any of the unicron submissions. The rational is that Holly and Justine find one or the other 'easier' or 'better' to write about as parallels for the human condition, and have persuaded a collection of authors to submit short stories for consideration. Not a brilliant collection of short stories featuring zombies and unicorns. This is a great way to dip your toe into both zombie and unicorn infested waters as well as introducing yourself to some very intriguing authors. I had a lot of fun reading this book and the dialogue between Holly and Justine before each story only added to my pleasure. My top favorites were Princess Prettypants by Meg Cabot, Bougainvillea by Carrie Ryan, Inoculata by Scott Westerfeld and the hilarious send-up Children of the Revolution by Maureen Johnson. Some of these unicorns were truly ass-kicking monsters!As in all short story collections, some of the stories appealed to me more than others. The winner? The reader, of course.I went into this a firm Team Zombie member as I have an aversion to the sweet, sparkly mythical unicorns that seem to litter little girls dreams, and although overall I probably preferred more of the zombie tales, let me tell you, in most cases the unicorns in this book were far from the sickly sweet, rainbow farting ones that I was expecting. This is a head on battle, alternating creature stories in an all out bid to take top honors. The stories are by well known writers from the fantasy genre, Libba Bray, Naomi Novik and Garth Nix, just to mention a few. Unicorns is a showdown between two mythical creatures as hosted by Justine Larbalestier and Holly Black and meant to assist the reader in determining whether they are on Team Zombie or Team Unicorn.
0 kommentar(er)
