The stories by Cassie Clare and Libba Bray were the best. Clare's story was the best at getting me lost in the story, meaning I couldn't put it down once I started that story. I really love the setting she created. Bray's story demanded attention from the start and was interesting all the way through. Not only was it suspenseful, but the topics the characters talked about, esp over dinner, was interesting. I was impressed by the ending of Cruisin'--I didn't see it coming. The other stories were okay, but I wasn't really impressed with them as I was the stories I mentioned. Overall, I'd say this book was somewhat enjoyable, but I'd recommended getting it from a library instead of buying it. Pretty good collections of 5 short stories that vary in paranormal content from witchcraft and vampires to something of an urban legend (which was my favorite).Cruisin’ by Sarah Mlynowski – 3.5 StarsPretty cute, light story of young gal-pals cruisin’, in more ways than one: taking a vacation cruise and “cruising” for young men. Liz is the outgoing one and Kristen is looking to experience her “first time.” Story was a bit predictable, but I enjoyed the writing style and humor.I Don’t Like Your Girlfriend by Claudia Gray – 2.5 StarsCecily is dreading her family’s beach vacation and being stuck with her nemesis for another summer. But these annual reunions are important to her mother and the coven of witches she’s known since college. When they arrive and Cecily meets a perfectly-perfect guy, she thinks this summer might not be so bad after all … until she learns that Mr. Seems-so-perfect-for-me is the boyfriend of her nemesis. Pretty good writing, but the story fell a bit short for me. Not bad, overall.The Law Of Suspects by Maureen Johnson – 4 StarsTwo sisters vacationing in a fairly secluded French countryside, bored to tears, until an odd local starts babbling about the local history and the French Revolution. VERY interesting story with a twist-ending … just the way I like it. Enjoyed the writing style too.The Mirror House by Cassandra Clare – 2.5 StarsViolet is on a Jamaican vacation with her mom, her new jerk-of-a-stepfather and new stepbrother, Evan, who she really likes. I mean “likes-likes.” But the beautiful and mysterious Mrs. Palmer is taking Evan’s attentions and he seems different some how. Not bad. The writing was fine but the story fell short in a couple places for me. I just couldn’t “picture” parts of the author’s descriptions. (Keeping vague, no spoilers.) Good ending, even though I predicted it.Nowhere Is Safe by Libba Bray – 3 StarsThree guys and a girl, backpacking in Eastern Europe. Sounds like a joke … but it’s not. Short on funds, these teenagers seek an adventure by veering off to visit a small town, listed in the brochure as “Town of the Damned”. Sounds like fun. Enjoyed the writing and the story was certainly pack-full of drama. A tiny bit of brief gore was fine, but I’m not sure I cared for the big “reveal”, the point where the reader finds out what all the drama is about. Could’ve been a bit simpler, just my opinion.
What do You think about Vacations From Hell (2009)?
My favorites one were Cruisin' by Sarah Mlynowski and Nowhere Is Safe by Libba Bray.
—ickle_oj
More like 2½. Some stories were far better than others but overall it was okay.
—iseeyou
Quick read.... fun, but seemed weird large print.. Hmmm
—karla_char
I am just not a fan of these compilation books....
—Erin
