Review: Kisses from Hell

Kisses from Hell Anthology

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Release Date: August 24, 2010
Publisher: HarperTeen
Age Group: Young Adult
Source: Library Check-Out
Overall Rating: Sud-Kissed
About the Book:

Truly, Madly, Undead-ly

This irresistible collection features stories of love amid vampires by five of today's hottest authors—Kristin Cast (Tempted), Richelle Mead (Vampire Academy), Alyson Noël (Evermore), Kelley Armstrong (The Summoning), and Francesca Lia Block (Pretty Dead).

From a fugitive vampire forced to trust a boy who might work for the group bent on destroying her to the legendary romance of two immortals whose love compels them to risk everything, this heart-pounding collection brings new meaning to the words "love you forever." Whether you're into romances that are dark and moody or light and fun, these stories will quench that insatiable thirst for enchanting tales of the beautiful undead.

"Sunshine" by Richelle Mead

I think it's important to begin by saying that I'm deeply in love with Richelle Mead. She is the woman who created one of my utmost favorite vampire series (Vampire Academy). So, of course, when I realized what her short story was going to be about, I *squeed* with unprecedented excitement and total fangirlish delight! "Sunshine" is the love story of Eric Dragomir and Rhea Daniels, Vasilissa or Lissa's parents. And even though they are a presence in the VA series, they aren't major characters. Reading their love story was like crack-candy to a crazed Under The Age of Twelve-year-old. It made Lissa's loss that much more pungent and poignant to remember. Still, the story is sweet and heartwarming, full of sexy thrills and a touch of danger. "Sunshine" is just another reason to love Richelle Mead!

"Bring Me to Life" by Alyson Noel

I'm not entirely positive, but I may be destined to dislike anything written by Alyson Noel. While "Bring Me to Life" is a well-written story, I couldn't mesh with it. The story just felt so familiar, wasn't something new to add to the table, which made it a let-down following Mead's glorious work. There are no striking characteristics about the MC or the romantic lead (well, other than the fact that's he hot). It seemed as if she tried too hard to put a unique twist on a classic vampire story. "Bring Me to Life" is a decent take, but I wasn't moved by it.

"Above" by Kristin Cast

I would love to hate Kristin Cast for writing this story. But despite the bittersweet closing, I just can't drum up hatred toward her. The truth is, the writing style was so new to me and I was purely amazed by her words and the way she strung them together. I'd honestly never read anything like it! The story itself, I learned, is breathtakingly beautiful and so heartwarming, even as it sets the reader up for a wrenching curtain-close. Out of all the stories in this book, "Above" is the one I remember with the most clarity. Even if all the other stories sucked, I'd buy this book just for this particular mini tale. Probably my favorite in the whole thing.

"Hunting Kat" by Kelley Armstrong

So I just very recently discovered the awesomesauceness that is Kelley Armstrong. I'd been hearing up and down the blogosphere about how incredible her Darkest Powers trilogy is for some time now. I'm happy to report, that I'm now among those bloggers who can't stop squealing or sighing dreamily whenever contact is made with anyone of the books or mentions of the characters. DEREK. So, of course, I was eager to read more of the same variety from this magnificent author. And I would love to know, is Kat part of her new series? If someone could answer me this, you'd make me a very happy book blogger. As always, Armstrong has superb storytelling skills and impressed me the whole way, as she shot me in the face with the action and lurking danger. "Hunting Kat" is fast-paced, sweet in the romantic glimpses, and entertaining as hell (hehe).

"Lilith" by Francesca Lia Block

I admit, I was interested in "Lilith" even as it confused the sugar honey out of me. The strangeness of it piqued my curiosity, but once I was done I didn't know what to take away from the story. It starts out with a concept I could get into, but ultimately left me utterly bewildered. I enjoyed it for it's different-ness but it didn't strike me as  a favorite.

Those delightful moments during your bubble bath, with a book companion in one hand and a glass of chocolate milk in the other, are the best way to describe the luxurious feelings that Sud-Kissed books create. These books can sometimes be even more rereadable than Special Shelf books... (My Rating System In-Depth)