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A review by andra_mihaela_s
Gleanings by Neal Shusterman
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"For years humans lived in a perfect world controlled by scythes...Just Imagine the stories we don't know."
I must say I was very excited to read this collection! ^_^ And the fact that this is a collaboration with other authors...>...>...my intrigue only increased.
We have one poem (written by Joelle Shusterman) and 12 stories inside this amazing instalment.
I think that you'll enjoy reading this one even if you didn't like the the Toll...and dare I say it...even if you didn't finish the trilogy...>.>
Please don't come for me ^_^'.....What I meant is that, in this particular short stories collection, Neal Shusterman builds upon the foundation created already in the original Arc of a Scythe world; he expands on ideas and parts of the world we didn't explore following Citra and Rowan, and also...explained/ gave more information on certain characters, motifs and even offered the reader a glimpse on something they didn't know they needed!(certainly i didn't...>..>)
Let me tell you...it is very frustrating NOT to talk about each story individually, and only content with some vague paragraph in which I basically tell you to read this if the world fascinated you...
Alas..this is the life of a reader...:(((
CW: animal cruelty; different levels of cruelty between humans; violence; grief and suicidal thoughts;
Specifically when it comes to the actual content...not all stories were a hit for me, some were mind-blowing, some were great and fun, others interesting and offered a new perspective I didn't know I needed and the remaining were ok. :)
In order of what I liked best to least:
<b>A Martian Minute</b>....mind-blowning; talks about desire to escape ones life and choose for themselves; filled some undetected to me plot hole; it explains soooo much about this character; loved the nods to the future of these 2; I actually didn't figure it out until halfway through:)))...>..>
<b>A dark curtain rises</b>....mind-blowing; perspective I didn't know I needed; added info for a character that I loved :); talks about new beginnings ^_^
<b>A death of many colours</b>....great and fun!; talks about human nature and the stubbornness that is in our genes; discussion on the importance of beliefs for each human and how far we can take them;
<b>Perchance to glean</b>...great and fun!; discusses the thrill of the chase and how danger modifies our behaviour; loved this part due to it contributing greatly to the world-building! ^_^
<b>Cirri</b>...this one was interesting and invited to contemplation...the events described in here and the perspective especially were moving and well thought-out;
<b>A Mortal Canvas</b>...invoked reflection on art, life and what is precious to us; introspection on what it means to be mortal;
<b>The Persistence of Memory</b>...interesting and a great addition to world-building and view on different philosophies when it comes to scythes; really enjoyed the mood it set;
<b>Formidable</b>...talks about a major turning-point in the world's history through the decision of one young and impulsive scythe; a lovely surprise! I always wanted to know more about this event! ^^
<b>Meet Cute and Die</b> and <b>Never Work with Animals</b> wanted to transmit how flowed people and scythes are and how our past, strength and weaknesses influence the very foundation of our principles;
<b>Unsavory Row</b> added a lot to the world-building and I think was necessary to explain how the unsavories and the system around them work; really enjoyed to find out the secrets behind Apocalyte ^^
<b>Anastasia's Shadow</b> interesting and I think logical and necessary piece of information that takes place around the time between 2nd and 3rd book...I wanted more from this one in terms of ambition from the main character...but I understand why the author chose to portray the shadow as he did;
<b>The First Swing</b>...unfortunately, me and poems do not see eye to eye very often, and this one, although beautiful, got lost in the collection, being among such great stories.
Overall, I highly recommend you try this if you enjoyed the trilogy or if you're intrigued by the world! ^^
Enjoy
I must say I was very excited to read this collection! ^_^ And the fact that this is a collaboration with other authors...>...>...my intrigue only increased.
We have one poem (written by Joelle Shusterman) and 12 stories inside this amazing instalment.
I think that you'll enjoy reading this one even if you didn't like the the Toll...and dare I say it...even if you didn't finish the trilogy...>.>
Please don't come for me ^_^'.....What I meant is that, in this particular short stories collection, Neal Shusterman builds upon the foundation created already in the original Arc of a Scythe world; he expands on ideas and parts of the world we didn't explore following Citra and Rowan, and also...explained/ gave more information on certain characters, motifs and even offered the reader a glimpse on something they didn't know they needed!(certainly i didn't...>..>)
Let me tell you...it is very frustrating NOT to talk about each story individually, and only content with some vague paragraph in which I basically tell you to read this if the world fascinated you...
Alas..this is the life of a reader...:(((
CW: animal cruelty; different levels of cruelty between humans; violence; grief and suicidal thoughts;
Specifically when it comes to the actual content...not all stories were a hit for me, some were mind-blowing, some were great and fun, others interesting and offered a new perspective I didn't know I needed and the remaining were ok. :)
In order of what I liked best to least:
<b>A Martian Minute</b>....mind-blowning; talks about desire to escape ones life and choose for themselves; filled some undetected to me plot hole; it explains soooo much about this character; loved the nods to the future of these 2; I actually didn't figure it out until halfway through:)))...>..>
<b>A dark curtain rises</b>....mind-blowing; perspective I didn't know I needed; added info for a character that I loved :); talks about new beginnings ^_^
<b>A death of many colours</b>....great and fun!; talks about human nature and the stubbornness that is in our genes; discussion on the importance of beliefs for each human and how far we can take them;
<b>Perchance to glean</b>...great and fun!; discusses the thrill of the chase and how danger modifies our behaviour; loved this part due to it contributing greatly to the world-building! ^_^
<b>Cirri</b>...this one was interesting and invited to contemplation...the events described in here and the perspective especially were moving and well thought-out;
<b>A Mortal Canvas</b>...invoked reflection on art, life and what is precious to us; introspection on what it means to be mortal;
<b>The Persistence of Memory</b>...interesting and a great addition to world-building and view on different philosophies when it comes to scythes; really enjoyed the mood it set;
<b>Formidable</b>...talks about a major turning-point in the world's history through the decision of one young and impulsive scythe; a lovely surprise! I always wanted to know more about this event! ^^
<b>Meet Cute and Die</b> and <b>Never Work with Animals</b> wanted to transmit how flowed people and scythes are and how our past, strength and weaknesses influence the very foundation of our principles;
<b>Unsavory Row</b> added a lot to the world-building and I think was necessary to explain how the unsavories and the system around them work; really enjoyed to find out the secrets behind Apocalyte ^^
<b>Anastasia's Shadow</b> interesting and I think logical and necessary piece of information that takes place around the time between 2nd and 3rd book...I wanted more from this one in terms of ambition from the main character...but I understand why the author chose to portray the shadow as he did;
<b>The First Swing</b>...unfortunately, me and poems do not see eye to eye very often, and this one, although beautiful, got lost in the collection, being among such great stories.
Overall, I highly recommend you try this if you enjoyed the trilogy or if you're intrigued by the world! ^^
Enjoy
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Gaslighting