The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

Continuing with The Eternal Kiss anthology, edited by Trisha Telep, I just finished the fourth story, The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black.  This was my first story ever by Holly Black and I have to say I like. The idea behind Coldtown is interesting and I love how it ends.

The basic idea is that there was a virus that turned a bunch of people into vampires.  If a person is infected, they’ll survive the virus as long as they don’t ingest blood within 88 days.  Why that number, I’m not sure, but that’s three months of the bloodlust that someone would have to live through if they didn’t want to be a vampire.  Mathilda happens to be that person and she’s found that alcohol does keep the bloodlust down, but its hard to get since she’s a minor.  Her life takes a spin when she finds out that her ex-boyfriend and a friend head to Coldtown looking for her.  Mathilda faces some harsh realities, but from it, we’re given a great plot and interesting characters that really sell the story.

The characters within The Coldest Girl in Coldtown are not as two-dimensional as a lot of short stories tend to have.  Instead, we’re given a great setup for a new series, one I would definitely want to read, that involves characters we’re either going to pity or rejoice in.  There’s a society that is hinted at, but not really developed too fully since we never really take part in it.  In addition, there’s a chance for a romance, but we’re left wondering about it.

The ending is what really sold me on it though.  Mathilda ends up doing something that’s going to be a wicked ride and I would love to see the trial she sets up for herself.  Seriously, Holly Black if you read this, I would love to see more of Coldtown and Mathilda.

Overall, The Coldest Girl in Coldtown was a great story and another fascinating addition to the The Eternal Kiss anthology.

Other stories reviewed from The Eternal Kiss:
Falling to Ash by Karen Mahoney
Shelter Island by Melissa de la Cruz
Sword Point by Maria Snyder
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
Killing Time Reading

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.

5 Comments

  1. I have the anthology on a wish list and thanks for the review, makes me want to push for it on the to buy list if only to find out about this new angle on vampirism!

    jackie b central texas

  2. I hadn’t heard of this author. The story sounds interesting. That’s why I like anthologies – you get a little taste of a bunch of new authors.

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