Sunday, October 9, 2011

Short Story Review No. 1 - Giovanni's Farewell

Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions


Giovanni's Farewell
Enthralled:  Paranormal Diversions
By:  Claudia Gray
Publisher: 
 HarperCollins - Sept. 2011

Pages:  464 Softcover (ARC)
Read:  Sept. 2011
Genre:  Fantasy Fiction, Young Adult, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Anthologies, Supernatural
Morbid Romantica Challenge 2011

By the Mad Scientist

First Line:  Before I was awake or aware, before my heart began to beat, Cairo was there.
Black Disaster Fairy's Take:

Anthologies do make me a bit weary.  Some short stories are amazing and then lets face it... some are just so lacking after enjoying a pile of books with huge long plot twists and handfuls of characters.  Let me just say that this story was a shocking start to this anthology.  


Ravenna and Cairo are twins who just happen to be extremely close.  They are on a class trip to the wondrous European city of Rome.  Instead of enjoying a bowl of pasta or a Italian soda Cairo has a rather unusual freak out & flips over the hotel mattress.


Huh... 


Being overseas is not the reason for Cairo's unsettling behavior.  This duo is well traveled and they have a unique background that makes me extremely jealous of them.  No worries it also made me love them even more!


The class is being entertained by a tour through one of the famous must see tourist spots, Catacombs of Saint Cecilia, when Ravenna meets a Italian boy, Giovanni. 


Now Italy is romantic but the obvious location of them being in a ancient cemetery I was waiting for something to happen.  I wasn't expecting for Ravenna to figure out she had a unique power. 


I do kind of enjoy it when characters think themselves CRAZY!
I looked up into the dark chambers above us and felt a shiver that had nothing to do with the cold.
 --- Page 15
PhotobucketThis is the first time I have read anything by Claudia Gray.  I enjoyed her small side note tidbits that gave the story something extra.


Overall, Giovanni's Farewell was short and cute.  A small inky package that wrapped up nicely.  However, I would love for her to turn this into a series.  The well traveled background of these twins is just the sort of thing I would enjoy!


*Received from BEA 2011.  This in no way has hindered my weird but honest review.*



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