Shards and Ashes

These are very interesting and mostly well-written short stories. I enjoyed the one written by Veronica Roth (author of the Divergent series). I can remember reading an article about her recently that said she wasn't a good writer. I disagree. All of the authors featured in this short story book are good.

I absolutely love this book and wished it were much longer with many more stories. I am a Veronica Roth fan and now have become a fan of Kelley Armstrong as well as others because of this book. Excellently written by all the authors.

This was recommended by someone younger than myself who has not been able to read Harlan Ellison. I'm thinking she didn't read Ray Bradbury or Isaac Asimov, either. Pity. These stories are all written with female leads (not a problem) but with a heavy dose of the Twilight syndrome. Some try to insert romance into their story, and since it isn't integral to the plot, it kinda just hangs there. All in all, I was disappointed.

Bought this because of all the authors who wrote the short stories in it. Was not disappointed at all. Each story is unique and has an ending that isn't really an ending and makes you want to create your own.

Most of the stories were very good, but they were indeed short stories-very short! I prefer longer stories where you can meet the characters and develop the story through the author'.skill and your interpretation of the characters, the vocabulary, ans the settings he/she develops. In many cases in this book I felt as if speed was the predominant and desired feature.

Dystopian novels are my absolute favorite! These collection of short stories are amazing!! The best authors are in this collection and be prepared for a thrill ride.

I thought that the stories were intersting and nicely written. Ive always liked short stories. Im glad I made this purchase.

I tried to get into this but the connection was just not there. These are easy reads for a rainy day but I like to get trapped in my reading

Hearken by Veronica RothHearkeners can hear life songs or death songs, depending on what colour implant they choose - red or black.Branded by Kelley ArmstrongPeople live inside the Fortress for safety - outside are where the branded supernaturals live. They're deemed unfit for society - but some have created their own society.Necklace of Raindrops by Margaret StohlRaindrops are a form of currency, you collect them and you use them - however, once they are used up you have to "drop" to your death .... or do you?Dogsbody by Rachel CaineCorporate rules all, they make the decisions - life or death. Xavier works his way up to the man responsible for multiple deaths in his childhood to exact revenge.Pale Rider by Nancy HolderDana can find lost things and it turns out she'd involved in a war between fairies and goblins - she has to find some lost fairies.Corpse Eaters by Melissa MarrNidos are an alien race that have taken over the world by means of a religious cult. Harmony & Chris are in a group that are set to bring the Nidos down.Burn 3 by Kami GarciaThe sun has destroyed the world, everyone now lives in a dome for protection. But there are people kidnapping kids for their skin.Love is a Choice by Beth RevisThe Eldest rules all and has an heir to take over when he dies, when that heir starts to question the vitamins he's putting in the water, he has to disappear.Miasma by Carrie RyanA plague kills most of the population. Doctors invent monsters that can smell the plague - sufferers must be killed before it can spread.I enjoyed nearly all the stories in this book, with the exception of one. My favourites (by no surprise) are also by my favourite authors. Branded, Dogsbody, Hearken & Miasma were my four tops. I'd recommend this to any YA fans.

3.5 stars overall.Hearken by Veronica Roth - 4.5/5Branded by Kelley Armstrong - 4.5/5Necklace of Raindrops by Margaret Stohl - dnfDogsbody by Rachel Caine - 3.5/5Pale Rider by Nancy Holder - 3/5Corpse Eaters by Melissa Marr - 3.5/5Burn 3 by Kami Garcia - 3/5Love is a Choice by Beth Revis - 3.5/5Miasma by Carrie Ryan - dnfAll very different, most of them engaging and from a excellent collection of YA authors. The two stories I didn't fimish, I may read at a later date but at the moment didn't appeal to me. I'm sure there are plenty who will enjoy them.For me, the highlight is Kelley Armstrong's story, I just wish there could have been more!! She was the main draw for me with this anthology anyway, as one of my all time favourite authors, and this short 'Branded' didn't disappoint. Close second was Veronica Roth's excellent 'Hearken'. Hauntingly beautiful and dark, with a glimpse of hope.

I admit that I brought this book for one reason and one reason only, Kelley Armstrong. I thoroughly enjoyed her offering and, like other reviewers, would really like to see this continued as a full blown novel. I loved the kick ass ending to Dogsbody and Necklace of Raindrops but as for the other stories, I`m not so sure. Whilst I felt that I `should` feel Hearken was poignant, I actually came away thinking, what was the point? And I didn't like Pale Rider at all. I found the story muddled and rushed, and it was, by far, my least favourite but that is all a matter of my personal opinion, yours may be the complete opposite and this is not a book I would advise against buying, rather get it and give it a go.

The majority of the stories were good and it was useful to read other authors and get a feel for their work, but it was a shame that some of the short stories were not longer, there was so much potential to turn a few of these into a novel.I purchased this book as i am a great fan of Kelley Armstrongs and i was not dissapointed with her short story, i only wish it could have been longer, it definately could have been turned into a novel. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a new author in this genre, each having their own take on a dark future with a scattering of hope thrown in.

Fantastic as always