Review: Loved it!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 12 13, 2012
E-book copy provided by the authorAlthough a copy was provided by the author, it was not expected that I read it and review it. However, as it's fairly short, I managed to fit it in.Can I say how much I enjoyed this book? Of course I can. I've read 'Under the Desert Moon' a YA novel by this, I believe, talented author, a story I very much enjoyed. However, I'm sticking my neck out here (hoping it's not chopped off) by saying that THESE type of stories are what I think is, or should be, Ms. Meade's niche. Every single one of them had that 'magic' touch... that awesome moment when you read a particular piece/line in the story that gives you goosebumps. And, every single one was as inventive and as good as the other. An absolute delight.It's not often I manage to read something on the dark-ish side, but when I do, I'm absolutely enthralled by these type of stories. I'm no axe murderer, but my love of horror movies has followed suit with books, be they dark thrillers, horror or ghost stories. As far as 'The Awakening and Other Stories' is concerned, I'd finish one story, give it an hour or two, before I read the next one. I needed a clear head for what was to come next. These stories may be short, but what the author manages to do in each one really blew me away. So much so, it felt like I'd read a whole book in each story. How is that even possible? They're all cohesive, and conclusive. Quite an achievement as far as I'm concerned.Although I loved every single one, and there are eight, I obviously have my favourites. So, I'll do a short mention on each, and then I'll tell you.Ghost Story - Two friends, Jessica and Michelle are walking home with Jess's gran. Talk turns to the haunted house and the man who jumped. Everyone is curious as to why he did it. The girls, although warned by Jess's grandma to leave it alone paid no heed and return to investigate. What transpires between Jessica and the ghost is not so much eerie as it lovely and sad. The story came full circle with closure on Jessica's part.The Awakening - Sabrina, who is apparently lost in a dream - another girl's dream - comes to realise that this isn't a dream at all. She wakes up somewhere she never expected to. There's a vast difference between dreams and reality. Scary!!End of the Line - Just amazing. This one delves into depression, something I know first hand about, and one that chilled me to the bone. The 'Death Train'? Absolutely brilliant idea. WOW. I'm still thinking about this story, and its concept. Really? Loved it. This one alone gets five stars!Milsa Loris - This city has seen too much tragedy and death, but an old witch by the name of Noraleen, decides that she must - before her time is up - save those she loves most; Milsa Loris's King, Queen, their only daughter, and those who've returned. She chooses to do this on the night where once a year festivities for this gathering take place. She needs to stop or halt something, but what?The Old Vampire - Hailey was always a dreamer, from as young as she could remember. She dreamt about being the object of either monsters, vampires, ghosts - even demons or wicked sorcerer's. Throughout her life and in her dreams, she was sixteen forever. How does the saying go? Be careful what you wish for...The Knocking - Alison is looking after her grandad, Paddy, who is riddled with arthritis among other things, basically driving her insane. He can't hear properly, seems to be spaced out most of the time and is living in his own world. Then, came the knocking. Alison, astounded and quite rattled, wants to know how often this has been happening. Suffice it to say that at some point in our lives, someone will come knocking for us, too.The Boy on the Beach - Kate, sixteen, is on holiday with her father. Not too pleased about this event, because at this age kids believe they are too old to go on vacation with their parents. Really, there are better things they could be doing. So, gran used to dabble in tea leaf reading, left her a book before her passing and Kate decides to try make her own Ouija board. Why not? She just hopes she speaks to the right people. She does. She's also forewarned, but doesn't follow the 'forewarned, forearmed' and well, this is the outcome.Snowglobes - Calvin works at his cabin, which he rents, six days a week. He has a passion for snowglobes of all different kinds, with each depicting something different. A young couple arrive for a stay; a couple who have been having a bit of a relationship set-back. Calvin can't bear to see young love end. As far as he's concerned, he believes that this couple is worth saving, so he sets about making this happen. You'll never guess how.I know I've only touched on one or two things in each, but as they are short stories, I can't elaborate any further. If I did, I'd spoil them, and this isn't something I want to do.As for my favourites, they are: Snowglobes in fourth, The Awakening in third, Ghost Story in second and End of the Line in first. A whole book could be written on 'End of the Line'.Emma, I have to give you props for this one. Please, please write more in this genre!! If you are looking for something to curl up with for an hour, or a day, give this book a try. It's one I've thoroughly enjoyed reading this year.