Three Sides of a Heart

October 9, 2017
More than a dozen YA writers take swings at the classic love triangle in this 16-story anthology edited by Parker (Beware the Wild), which features an array of genres and settings. Katie Cotugno kicks off the collection with a poignant story about a newly out lesbian pining for her brother’s longtime best friend. In Rae Carson’s tense “Omega Ship,” the last three teens in the universe—only one of whom is a girl—consider how to continue the human race. Julie Murphy’s funny-sexy “Lessons for Beginners” is a highlight: her heroine’s moneymaking enterprise as a kissing instructor (aka the “Kisser Fixer”) gets personal when she falls for one half of a couple she is coaching. Renée Ahdieh turns in a seductive escapist tryst in Buenos Aires, and Justina Ireland offers a fierce tentative romance set in the zombie-riddled post–Civil War era of her forthcoming Dread Nation. Offerings from Brandy Colbert, Alaya Dawn Johnson, Garth Nix, Veronica Roth, Sabaa Tahir, and others bring additional romantic entanglements to a volume that has something for readers of all genders and orientations. Ages 14–up. Agent: Sarah Davies, Greenhouse Literary

Starred review from October 1, 2017

Gr 9 Up-In Justina Ireland's alternative history story "Dread South," conversations about sexuality, racism, and the legacies of chattel slavery in the United States are deftly woven into a tale of zombies. In Rae Carson's contribution to this engaging short story collection, Earth has been destroyed by an asteroid. The futuristic tale leaves three teens alone on a foreign planet, where the sole female survivor makes a startling decision regarding the continuation of the human race. Vampires, residents of Mars, and high school students with supernatural powers all make appearances. More realistic contemporary entries include a college freshman deciding between two lovers; troubled young adults living in the midst of drugs and partying in Las Vegas; and two Oklahoma friends offering clandestine kissing classes. The authors use unique strategies for weaving together sexuality and relationships in their love triangle-themed prose. Some follow the classic romance format while others conjure up ancient wisdom of goddesses or infuse their characters with powers beyond their human capabilities. The depiction of various identities and romantic choices make this collection an inclusive, relevant one that is likely to foster acceptance among high school readers. VERDICT A recommended selection for libraries serving teens interested in short stories.-Karin Greenberg, Queens College, NY

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2017
Some may think the time of the love triangle has gone by, but a contingent of young-adult authors has teamed up to reimagine the trope.Sixteen short stories in a grab bag of genres set out to "challenge and interrogate" classic love triangles. Standouts include the triangle among a girl, a boy, and a city in Brenna Yovanoff's "Vega"; Rae Carson's "Omega Ship," which follows every last-of-humanity sci-fi trope up until a gratifyingly feminist twist; and Justina Ireland's zombie story, "Dread South," about a white girl who falls for the black girl charged with protecting her in an alternate 1876. The collection has a relatively diverse cast of characters throughout: half the pieces feature protagonists of color, and nearly as many represent lesbian, gay, bisexual, or polyamorous teens. Numerous stories forgo the stale "which person should I choose?" narrative. Few include physical intimacy beyond kissing. Overall, though a few contributions suffer from confusing setups or overstuffed plots, most are skillfully crafted. Not every story is game-changing, but even readers who think they dislike love triangles will find something to enjoy here. (Short stories. 14-adult)

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