Stand-Alone Sunday Review: Shards and Ashes edited by Kelley Armstrong and Melissa Marr

Publisher - HarperCollins
Publication Date - February 13th 2013
Paperback - 384 pages
Genre - Young Adult (collection)

Source - Received from publisher for review

Rating - 4 out of 5: I really like it.

Reviewed by - Maddie

Book Info - Gripping original stories of dystopian worlds from nine New York Times bestselling authors, edited by Melissa Marr and Kelley Armstrong.

The world is gone, destroyed by human, ecological, or supernatural causes. Survivors dodge chemical warfare and cruel gods; they travel the reaches of space and inhabit underground caverns. Their enemies are disease, corrupt corporations, and one another; their resources are few, and their courage is tested.

Powerful original dystopian tales from nine bestselling authors offer bleak insight, prophetic visions, and precious glimmers of light among the shards and ashes of a ruined world

My Thoughts - The stories inside this collection could all be made into epic movies with shiny sets and action heroes, and I would pay ridiculously expensive cinema ticket prices and deal with the annoying popcorn vendors, just to see them. As I read each story I was imagining a set design, a cast list and, of course the soundtracks. They were all surprisingly detailed for short stories which might only be 40 pages long. They could also span millions of years or miles in such a short amount of time.

One of my favourites was Branded by Kelley Armstrong. It was the first time I had read any of her work and I am hooked. This book has actually introduced me to loads of new authors like Rachel Caine, Carrie Ryan and Nancy Holder. 

Any teenage reader who has walked into a book shop in the last year would have seen Beth Revis's name (author of the Across the Universe series) but like me, they may have not had the chance to read her books. Well I did have the chance, I was just too lazy.... But after reading her short story Love is a Choice from this collection, not only have I read a massive spoiler, I have finally started her books.

If you are new to young adult and you want to discover some of the most exciting authors from the genre, read this book. If you are like and me and you were growing tired of YA books then try reading Shards and Ashes. Now I can't wait to start reading the forgotten pile of books next to my bed.

The one problem with a collection of dystopian short stories, is you need a break between all of the gloominess. Apocalypse after apocalypse can be tiring. Oh, and I hate the cover but I am just picky. I would give this book four out of five stars.