Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Love is shown in many variations throughout this variously inclusive astrology-themed anthology edited by davis, Montgomery, and White, who also contribute. The volume features stories from 13 authors--one for each star sign--including Emery Lee, Mark Oshiro, Karuna Riazi, and more. Lily Anderson's "Anchor Point," in which a rivals-to-lovers trope ensnares two snarky archery-loving teens, and Roselle Lim's "The Taste of a Kiss," a humorous take on romance that chronicles a teenage food blogger's first love (Korean fried chicken), provide fresh takes on classic narratives. Meanwhile, davis's "ruler and killer," in which a young witch competes in a tournament for the hand of a vampiric noble, offers a fantastical complement to the anthology's contemporary tales. Readers searching beyond conventional romance will enjoy Alexandra Villasante's "Mucho, Mucho Amor," which emphasizes familial affection, and Eric Smith's "The South Street Challenge," a love letter to Philadelphia. From coffee shop meet-cutes to murder as an act of devotion, these stories celebrate myriad forms of love across genres, ensuring that readers across intersections--and star signs--see themselves in the skies. Ages 13--up. Agent: Jim McCarthy, Dystel, Goderich & Bourret. (May)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 8 Up--Running the spectrum from vampires who meddle in competitions to witches who adopt bookstores, from cousins who could be twins playing a dangerous game of hidden identities to astrology obsessed skateboarders, this collection of inclusive tales has something for everyone. Loosely connected by the theme of one story for each sign of the zodiac, the collection showcases a fantastic variety of characters in a rainbow of identities, backgrounds, interests, and abilities. At times the themes of the stories feel a bit too eclectic, not hanging together as a whole in a meaningful way.The volume also suffers from a disparity in quality of both writing and editing among the stories. While there are some true gems from the more established writers on the roster, among them the pieces by Roselle Lim, Tehlor Kay Mejia, Karuna Riazi, and Mark Oshiro, they only serve to underscore the inexperience of some of the other contributors. VERDICT A neat premise, and the draw of such an inclusive list of authors make this collection a good fit for libraries looking to bulk up their representation. Purchase where the book's contributors have a fan base.--Chrystopher Lytal
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
Thirteen YA authors craft romance stories around the star signs. Within astrology, each planet plays a different role in our lives: Venus is responsible for our idealization of love and romance. Each entry begins with a list of the characteristics for a particular astrological sign when in Venus. While the settings and characters' identities influence each story, the respective star sign's traits shape how the romance unfolds. In Byron Graves' (Ojibwe) Virgo story "Sometimes in September," Waabooz is a typical Virgo in his practicality, refusing to act on his crush on Lexi until his stay at the group home for addiction on the rez is completed. This volume celebrates love across the spectrum of sexuality and gender expression. In some stories, the love interest is nonbinary, as in davis' "ruler and killer" and "Alternative Combustion" by Kiana Nguyen. Familiar romance tropes make an appearance, for example, friends turning into something more in "The Taste of a Kiss" by Roselle Lim and "The South Street Challenge" by Eric Smith, as well as enemies to lovers in "Anchor Point" by Lily Anderson. The supernatural features in stories like "L(Train)inimal" by Karuna Riazi and "The Cure for Heartbreak" by Emery Lee. There is a little something for everyone in this fun, romantic anthology in which a variety of characters, genres, and relationships combine to create a volume that shines. A unifying theme brings together a delightfully diverse collection of love stories. (Romance anthology. 14-18) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
