Falling to Ash by K. Mahoney

Antho-Eternal KissI’m jumping on the bandwagon and starting to do little ‘reviewettes’ (as I’ve seen them called) on short stories found in anthologies. I’ll still review an entire anthology at one time, but only the ones with four or five stories. For those with bigger collections, I think this will be the best way to really showcase each individual story off and then maybe do one big review at the end over the entire collection.

I’m still thinking about this, but I’m starting this idea off with a review of Karen Mahoney’s Falling to Ash, which can be found in the The Eternal Kiss anthology, edited by Trisha Telep.

This is the first story I’ve read by Mahoney and I have to say I’m intrigued by her character Moth who is still in the early stages of life as a vampire.  She’s only been a vampire for 10 years and she’s still coming to terms with it.  She comes back to her hometown at the request of her sire/maker and to visit her mother’s memorial service.  During her visit, some ugly truths are revealed and Moth must learn to adapt or to deal.

Honestly, Falling to Ash is the perfect setup for a new YA series and I’m really eager to find out if there is going to be more of Moth later on.  The connection she has with her family is dyfunctional enough to be entertaining; her relationship with her sire/maker is vague enough that I get the feeling there’s more to that story and I would love to know what it is; and the introduction of a vampire hunter’s progeny, Jace, allows for a lot of teenage turmoil in the future.  Maybe I’m hoping and wishing there’ll be more of Moth and her friends later on, but isn’t that the point of a short story? To get you intrigued enough to pick up a full length novel?

Overall, for Karen Mahoney’s first publication, she scored big with me with Falling to Ash.  I’m just starting The Eternal Kiss anthology, but if all of the stories are as good as Mahoney’s, I have a feeling I’m going to enjoy this collection very much.

Other stories reviewed from The Eternal Kiss:
Shelter Island by Melissa de la Cruz
Sword Point by Maria Snyder
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
Undead Is Very in Right Now by Sarah Rees Brennan
Kat by Kelley Armstrong
The Thirteenth Step by Libby Bray
All Hallows by Rachel Caine
Wet Teeth by Cecil Castellucci
Other Boys by Cassandra Clare
Passing by Nancy Holder and Debbie Viguie
Ambition by Lili St. Crow
All Wounds by Dina James

Also reviewed by:
SciFiGuy
Baby Cat’s Book Critique
Everything to Do with Books
Read This!

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.

8 Comments

  1. I’ve read about half of the short stories in The Eternal Kiss, and Karen’s story is my favorite so far. Moth’s character has certainly captured my attention and I would love to read more about her. On Karen’s blog she states that she is trying to sell a full length story called BEAUTIFUL GHOSTS about Moth right now. I have my fingers crossed that the book gets picked up by a publisher.

  2. Wow, I am so happy with this lovely review – thank you very much for taking the time! :)

    And as Donna has already said above, I am hoping to sell a Moth novel sometime this year. *crosses fingers* Working title is indeed, BEAUTIFUL GHOSTS. There’s also another Moth story due for publication in a follow-up anthology in July/August 2010.

    Cheers,
    Karen

  3. I am glad to see you enjoyed this one- I love anthologies. I am sad to say I haven’t read this one. I’d like to read a little more into Karen’s story!

  4. I’ve been eyeing up this anthology for a while now, wondering whether I should buy it or not. Your review of Falling to Ash made me rethink. No doubt I’ll be buying it soon. ;)

  5. I’ve been eyeing up this anthology for a while now, wandering whether I should commit to buying it or not. You gave me the impulse I needed to, even though your other review for it was pretty bad. :)

  6. I’m reading this antholoogy at teh minute and I got to the end of this story and wanted more. I agree it’d be a great set up for a further story on Moth, especially how she came to be a vampire and her family life.
    About half way through ATM.

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