Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

This collection of thirteen tales (with twelve appearing in the galley and one to make its debut in the bound book), all original to this anthology, explores the notion of dark love through various lenses. Romantic love, of course, takes center stage, though familial and even self-love are examined as well. Though using a fairly traditional plot of girl meets boy and falls hard-core, "The Assassin's Apprentice" [End Page 97] by Michelle Zisk twists the expected by making the girl a vampire, the boy half-djinn, and their union impossible. Sarah Rees Brennan's much quirkier "The Spy Who Never Grew Up" takes a look at Peter Pan, who has cycled through generations of Wendy descendants as substitute mothers while retaining the same limited notion of love, which is finally challenged by the newest girl, who refuses to be used and discarded. While the authors may be familiar to young adult readers, they're a change from the usual anthology stalwarts, and while some return to familiar settings (Daniel Waters looks at the differently biotic teens from the Generation Dead series from a parental perspective), others seem to have used this opportunity to try on new voices. The stories themselves have varying lengths and tones, representing an impressive range of writing styles; it is likely that any fantasy reader will find at least one memorable story that speaks directly to his or her preferences. Readers may be drawn to the swoon-worthy kissing factor, but they will also find significant depth, nuance, and vulnerability in these storiess. A brief introduction and authors' biographies offer further reading suggestions and background information.