The Eternal Kiss by Trisha Telep (Editor)

Do you love vampires but aren't sure where to go from here? Perhaps you've just read the Twilight series everyone's talking about but don't know what else is out there. Maybe you've always been a die-hard vampire fan and aren't sure which of the contemporary fantasy authors fit your taste.

Editor Trisha Telep has brought together the perfect collection of short stories just for you. The Eternal Kiss is a compilation of thirteen vampire tales straight from the minds of some of the most prolific new writers of the paranormal genre. Each author, whether previously published or unpublished, delivers their own brand of storytelling in a new and exciting way so that readers are guaranteed to come away with ideas for their reading 'wishlists'.

From hunky boyband vamps to schools for hunters and healers, this anthology has something for everyone. As a relative newcomer to teen fantasy authors myself, I was keen to see which stories would appeal to me the most and whose books I'd be hunting down next.

Having already come across the works of Kelley Armstrong, and Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguié, I wasn't left disappointed with the gems they provided. Armstrong's Kat is a wonderful introduction into the kind of fast-paced, supernatural worlds that fill her stories. It's written as though it's a preface to a novel, providing readers with only a teaser of what they could be missing out on.

Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguié's Passing is the debut short story collaboration for the authors of the Wicked series. Proving that they're not just a one series duo, Passing begins as what may seem like a paranormal spin on Romeo and Juliet but is, in fact, so much more.

Cassandra Clare and Libba Bray verify why they've become household names in recent years with some of the most original tales from the collection. Bray's Thirteenth Step seems more like a novella than a novel, telling the story of how one lonely girl comes to discover what really goes on during twelve-step rehabilitation programmes. And Clare's Other Boys is perhaps the most surprising out of the set with a story that begins like any other teenage romance but quickly jabs at our expectations with a jaw-dropping sharp twist before the tale is concluded.

Perhaps my favourite find was Holly Black. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown has all the dark elements that first attracted me to the vampire genre ten years ago. Though Black's characters are still young, naive, and searching for romance and connections in the wrong places, the underlying struggle of the protagonist, as she faces the ultimate 'change' from dead to undead, is what gives it its edge.

It wouldn't be right to forget mentioning newcomer writers Dina James and Karen Mahoney. James is another author with a prequel-like story that introduces new and exciting elements of healers, seers, and supernatural wars to an old genre. Mahoney's Falling to Ash is the first story in the collection and sets the tone perfectly with her straight-into-action narrative and sympathetic 'villains'. Together, James and Mahoney create thrilling examples of what they're capable of and are sure to gain a strong fan base from this who will eagerly await their debut novels.

I could go on and on about all fourteen writers but, instead, I'll leave you with a bit of mystery – something every vampire tale needs. Whether you like the idea of being sweetly courted by the pale, handsome new boy at school, or much prefer a more action-filled story where supernatural creatures overlap, this collection is perfect for you. Even those looking to dip in and out of a quick fantasy world will not be disappointed.

Every writer proudly displays their talent in a wide range of adventures suited for everyone. I can't stress how much every fantasy/supernatural fan needs to get their hands on a copy of this. Even if you think you know what kind of stories you like, you're guaranteed to come away with a taste of a writer you want more from. It simply is a marvellous collection and a complete must-read. Each story succeeds at pulling you in and leaving you wanting more.

Thank you to the publishers for sending a copy to The Bookbag.

If you find that there are definite stories to your taste in this collection, you might like to try Ironside: A Modern Faery's Tale by Holly Black, City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan, or anything by Rachel Caine.

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You can read more book reviews or buy The Eternal Kiss by Trisha Telep (Editor) at Amazon.co.uk Amazon currently charges £2.99 for standard delivery for orders under £20, over which delivery is free.
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