Pretty Monsters - Kelly Link

I read relatively few short story books. Of those I read I tend to select anthologies, pick out the ones by authors I know I like, read one or two more and then re shelve it. Books of short stories from a single author are therefore even more unusual in my collection, consisting bascically of Neil Gaiman, Clive Barker and Neil Gaiman. Pretty Monsters was a break with tradition.

I picked it up for two reasons, the sensible one is that several authors whose work i adore had recommended her to me. The second reason which I know many of you will concurr with was that the cover was just so damn pretty.

As I understand it (and do correct me if i'm wrong) this is Link's third anthology of short stories and her first for YA readers. Her previous outings have earned her a number of prizes and awards,

It's a selection of fairly creepy and weird tales, with an underlying wit and charm. This is not a book of happy endings and reassuring resolutions. These tales leave the possibiities open for far darker things to happen after. I can't tell you much more than that about the stories themselves without giving away their secrets, which would be a great shame. I have my favourites, you will have yours and no doubt we will differ on some of them but it's a tight collection and delivered tension and delight in equal measure.

I'd recommend the collection to readers of all ages and it would sit well alongside short stories by Neil Gaiman and Chris Priestly.