Enthralled (Review)

Title: Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions

Editors(s): Melissa Marr & Kelley Armstrong
Edition: Paperback, 464 pages

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: September 20, 2011

Source: Bought from Barnes and Noble

Buy: Amazon, Barnes & Noble

The Summary

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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.

(Goodreads)

My Opinion

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The theme for all the stories is a journey, from an actual road trip or an emotional evolution; each character goes through a situation where they must travel to change or discover something.  There was a mix of tones to each story, and each had a paranormal skew (hence Paranormal Diversions).  Some of the stories were also additions to the authors already established worlds, but others had brand new stories (some of which I want to be books!) Each story was great, but I did have some favorites!

I really enjoyed each story within this anthology!  Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions contains amazing stories from Claudia Gray, Carrie Ryan, Kami Garcia, Jackson Pearce, Rachel Vincent, Melissa Marr, Kelley Armstrong, Sarah Rees Brennan, Jeri Smith-Ready, Kimberly Derting, ally Condie, Jessica Verday, Margaret Stohl, Mary Pearson, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, and Rachel Caine.  Such awesome authors!  And if you're wondering why it's all women, well that is because the idea for this book was born during the Smart Chicks tour!  

"The Third Kind" by Jennifer Lynn Barnes was one of the best original stories in the book.  Two sisters, Kissy and Jessi, travel to San Antonio, Texas on the say so of Kissy's "'pulse", a feeling she gets which forces her to travel places or do things.  While traveling, Jessi and Kissy run into some trouble, and when they eventually make it to San Antonio they learn the truth about who they are.  Sounds awesome, huh?  I really love how Barnes created a world that captured me in so few pages.  This could easily be a full length book, one which I would happily buy!  The "'pulse'" or "impulse" that Kissy gets is something I haven't read before, and Barnes introduces a dangerous world with a slightly dark wit.  Loved it!

"Let’s Get This Undead Show on the Road" by Sarah Rees Brennan is one of the funniest stories in the anthology.  Shunned by his family, feared by a bandmate, and cut off from the vampire community, Chris is all alone.  But that's okay because he's the only vampire in the most popular boy band in England.  What could possibly go wrong?  This story was awesome.  The characters were hilarious, and so quirky.  But the best part was the underlying message which the story contains.  Acceptance of yourself and that family is what you make it, two lessons we all should learn.

If you love paranormal adventures and some kick-ass authors then pick up Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions and enjoy!  

Final Rating

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Book Cover: 4/5

Book Title: 5/5

Plot: 8.5/10

Characters: 8.5/10

Writing: 8.5/10

Ending: 8.5/10

Overall: 43/50: B

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