Hello Gemmies! I am so excited to participate in the Blog Tour for Foreshadow by Emily X.R. Pan and Nova Ren Suma. This book was different than my normal YA anthology reads. It is more of an experience into the writing craft. I enjoyed it immensely and have a new appreciation for writers and their work. I recommend Foreshadow to all readers whether you are an aspiring writer or not. Here is my review. I hope you enjoy it, thanks for joining me on the tour!
Synopsis
Genre: Young Adult, Anthology, Short Stories, Fiction, Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: Algonquin Young Readers
Publishing Date: October 20, 2020
Thirteen Short Stories from Bold New YA Voices & Writing Advice from YA Icons
Created by New York Times bestselling authors Emily X. R. Pan and Nova Ren Suma, Foreshadow is so much more than a short story collection. A trove of unforgettable fiction makes up the beating heart of this book, and the accompanying essays offer an ode to young adult literature, as well as practical advice to writers.
Featured in print for the first time, the thirteen stories anthologized here were originally released via the buzzed-about online platform Foreshadow. Ranging from contemporary romance to mind-bending fantasy, the Foreshadow stories showcase underrepresented voices and highlight the beauty and power of YA fiction. Each piece is selected and introduced by a YA luminary, among them Gayle Forman, Laurie Halse Anderson, Jason Reynolds, and Sabaa Tahir.
What makes these memorable stories tick? What sparked them? How do authors build a world or refine a voice or weave in that deliciously creepy atmosphere to bring their writing to the next level? Addressing these questions and many more are essays and discussions on craft and process by Nova Ren Suma and Emily X. R. Pan.
This unique compilation reveals and celebrates the magic of reading and writing for young adults.
Review
Foreshadow is a new contemporary collection of YA short stories. This anthology felt like a breath of fresh air. It is a unique premise from other collections where it's really geared towards aspiring writers and lovers of the YA genre. I feel the YA genre is often underrated and overlooked just because the main protagonists are younger in age. Foreshadow does a wonderful job of shedding light on some new talent and the beauty of YA. Each story includes prompts about a specific writing technique that are thought provoking and intended to help writers with their story telling. The short story format is also wonderful where it gives the reader a diverse offering of topics and writing styles. There is a little something for everyone to enjoy! I'm not a writer but this doesn't detract from the reading experience that is Foreshadow. If I was a writer I would definitely appreciate having this tool in my hands.
Each of the thirteen stories in Foreshadow is written by a new voice in the YA world. I am so happy these talented writers received this opportunity to showcase their talent because Foreshadow is full of well written character driven stories. The protagonists range from complex, dynamic, relatable, damaged, to down right funny. There are themes of friendship, mother/daughter relationships, betrayal, sisterhood, love, revenge, dealing with grief, bravery, sacrifice, and the courage to live your truth. With each story you get insights into the plot and writing process from the author. This is such a personal touch and really enhanced the reading experience to me. And as a cherry on top you also get a little essay written by the editors Emily and Nova. These extra touches really made me appreciate the art of writing and the heart and soul authors put into their work.
There are a lot of notable stories in the collection. But If I had to pick one favorite, it would have to be Sweetmeats by Linda Cheng. This tale really stood out for me and stayed with me long after I finished it. It is super creepy, scary, and just freaking fantastic! So atmospheric and perfect for spooky season! Probably the most unique modern day retelling of the Hansel and Gretel fairytale I have ever read. I would absolutely love to read a full length novel based on these characters.
If you are an aspiring writer, appreciate the craft of writing, love YA, or just love short stories in general, go read this book! This gem published by Algonquin Young Readers is available for purchase from all major booksellers. I give Foreshadow 4 out of 5 gems. I cannot wait to see more anthologies like this one! Happy Reading!