Vacations From Hell - Liburan Dari Neraka (2012) - Plot & Excerpts
I found this book because I wanted to try out my library's e-book lending, and this was the first thing that came up by authors I know that was actually available. This is a collection of short stories by five current YA authors, with Libba Bray and Cassandra Clare being the most famous of those included. After just reading another short story collection where I felt like the better-known authors had called it in, I was pleasantly surprised by the overall quality of the stories from everyone.Cruisin’ by Sarah Mlynowski - Cute, but probably my least favorite. I liked the twist ending (though it was easy to see coming), but until then the single-minded quest for a man was annoying.I Don’t Like Your Girlfriend by Claudia Gray - I really liked this one and it left me wanting to know more about the world and the main character. Would definitely try out other books by this writer.The Law of Suspects by Maureen Johnson - I liked the dynamic of the main character and her sister, but felt like the basic premise was a pretty standard horror-story trope. The Mirror House by Cassandra Clare - Naturally, Clare gives us a story with a forbidden-love twist. The immortal soul-sucker plotline was decent, but the uncomfortable family dynamics were cringe-inducingly realistic. Nowhere Is Safe by Libba Bray - Very good horror story with all the elements (Creepy village? Check. Teens who ignore all the warnings? Check) but put together in an original way. I also enjoyed how well realized the cast of characters was.All in all, I would say it's a nice little fluff collection worth a read if you enjoy any of these authors or just want something light, though not the sort of thing you'll find yourself giving a permanent place on your bookshelf. 5 short stories from 5 amazing writers. Vacation isn't always fun and giggles, but a nightmare in Hell. Cruisin by Sarah MlynowskiBest friend's Liz and Kristin go on a cruise ready to have fun filled memories, oh and to finally lose her virginity. That's right, Kristin wants to lose it and what a great opportunity to do it than on a boat sailing on the ocean for a weekend. But when they hear a spooky story from a girl name Hailey, whose there with her mother on vacation, about people suddenly disappearing on the cruise and are found drained of blood. Kristin not only has the scary notion of possible vampires on board on her head but she still needs to lose her virginity. A possible contender who she names "James Bond" catches her attention. But what if things aren't what they seem? What if the stories were true? I Don't Like Your Girlfriend by Claudia GrayCecily's family go to the beach every summer and reunite with old friends of her mom. Secret is, it's a Coven. Cecily and her mother are witches, and every female from her family and the "friends" of her mom as well. One of their rules, males aren't allowed to know their secrets. Cecily isn't looking forward to spending her summer, again, with her family and coven. Not because she doesn't like all the witchcraft, she's a good witch and loves to learn about her powers, but because Kathleen will be there. Her enemy! For years these two couldn't get it together and become friends, instead Kathleen would bully and embarrass Cecily in anyway possible. Cecily makes a list of what she wants to accomplish for the "vacation" one is to ignore Kathleen. Difficult to do when they arrive at the beach house, a handsome, thoughtful, funny, caring, and everything she would want in a soul mate will be spending the summer with them. Downfall, Scott is Kathleen's boyfriend, and it appears he's madly in love with her too. Cecily knows that something isn't right and she knows that Kathleen is behind it. The second most important rule in witchcraft is that using spells on others for their own pleasure is forbidden. Could Cecily turn on Kathleen, her enemy, to her coven and get Scott?The Law of Suspects by Maureen JohnsonIt's pretty much your average chain letters. You know, those annoying letters you get on your Facebook that says, "if you don't forward this to 10 people you will die." This story is a chain letter that attacks two sisters on their trip in France. Charlie and Mary-lou are waiting in a cabin in the countryside of France for their cousin to arrive. When it turns into days Charlie goes out to seek for the nearest village. She meets an older man name Henri, he asks her if she's seen his dog. Henri then tells a story, Charlie heads back to her cabin and tells her sister the story. Charlie doesn't think anything of it other than a creepy old man whose lost his dog, but a gentleman arrives and tells Charlie that the story is dangerous and that she if she doesn't do something she will her kill her sister and then kill herself. That's what the story does. Could she trust Gerald, a complete stranger, in living her sister to save her or is it a sick joke to her alone?The Mirror House by Cassandra ClareViolet's mother remarried and not only does she get a stepfather but a stepbrother too. Her mother wanting to get the family closer plans a trip to the Bahamas. Awkward is an understatement. How to do you act when you have to spend the whole weekend with a guy your crushing on and he just so happens to be your new stepbrother? When she begins to think that Evan feels the same way Mrs. Palmer, their neighbor, comes along and asks Evan to help her with her car. Evan struck on Mrs.Palmer's beauty her agrees. Violet begins to notice Evan's body change, he's becoming weaker, and her stepfather has become abusive to her mother. Confused as to what to do Violet gets help from their maid, Damaris, who tells her the Mrs. Palmer takes the strong and young boys and sucks on soul to stay young. Damaris tell Violet that Evan's under Mrs. Palmer's spell and their is no getting him back unless you give her something worth having.Nowhere is Safe by Libba Bray4 friends go backpacking and decide to head over a village that is known to be a land that worshiped the devil. Poe, Baz, John and Isabel arrive to the town and learn that it will be torn now soon and they meet a few of the town's residents. They learn that people in this town use to sacrificed their children to the devil for wealth. The friends are shock to learn all this from a girl their age whose their on vacation. Maureen grew up in that town and loves her people. The friends learn that there will a festival in a couple days and is known to be the greatest party known all over Europe. Exciting to have an experience most people only dream of, Poe sees a little girl in the woods, which is forbidden to enter, and learns that perhaps this ancient rituals aren't as old as they think. I enjoyed these short stories and it really creep me out! A great book to read during October. One thing I will say, COMPLETELY UNEXPECTED! EACH ONE!
What do You think about Vacations From Hell - Liburan Dari Neraka (2012)?
Barely even tolerable. I kept reading just to see how bad the stories could get.
—marcyricci
A very enjoyable read, short and easy to get through.
—deanna
enjoy the different story and storylines
—EmmyStewy
