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59th out of 527 books
—
349 voters
Unlocked
by
Jaimey Grant (Goodreads Author),
Wendy Swore (Goodreads Author) , Rita Webb (Goodreads Author) , Paige Ray (Goodreads Author), Jeanne Voelker (Goodreads Author), K.G. Borland (Goodreads Author), Gwendolyn McIntyre (Goodreads Author), Katrina Monroe (Goodreads Author)
,
more…
I walk down a long, dark corridor filled with doors. Clutched in my hand is a ring of keys of various sizes and shapes and colors. Each key will open a door, some leading to new worlds, others hiding secrets better left forgotten, and still more holding dreams to be shared.
At the end of the hall stands a wooden chest with a golden latch. I fumble through my keys and inser...more
At the end of the hall stands a wooden chest with a golden latch. I fumble through my keys and inser...more
Paperback, 252 pages
Published
August 27th 2010
by CreateSpace
(first published August 2010)
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It is basically a book with a bunch of awesome short stories about keys. Some of the stories were pleasant, some were most exhilarating, and some were just plain creepy. Other then the stories gave great sparks of imagination and where good time consumers there isn’t much one can say about this book. I loved the all of them really, even the one with the husband and wife (even though it wasn’t YA the rest were). All of them had a similar message (well most of them): The key to knowledge is books...more
10 stories. 9 authors. A key to tie them all together.
Assassin's Keeper by Jaimey Grant
Sable kills to rid the world of the corrupted nobles of old London. Her keeper's job is to clean up her messes. I wished this story would go on forever. I'd love to see what happens next.
My favorite quote: "Sable hated it when a killing went too smoothly. It was like thumbing one’s nose at the devil, taunting him to do his worst."
Crop Circles by Wendy Swore
A teenage boy working on his uncle's farm finds himsel...more
Assassin's Keeper by Jaimey Grant
Sable kills to rid the world of the corrupted nobles of old London. Her keeper's job is to clean up her messes. I wished this story would go on forever. I'd love to see what happens next.
My favorite quote: "Sable hated it when a killing went too smoothly. It was like thumbing one’s nose at the devil, taunting him to do his worst."
Crop Circles by Wendy Swore
A teenage boy working on his uncle's farm finds himsel...more
Never review your own work... even if... No! Make that 'especially' if you don't want to be accused of having multiple personality disorder.
Besides... what do you say? I love my own writing? The best short story I've ever written?
Sounds silly, Yes?
Inside this anthology you'll find a collection of stories by a group of very talented writers, some of whom are already published, who are busy perfecting their craft.
We hope you'll enjoy reading the stories as much as we did creating them for your e...more
Besides... what do you say? I love my own writing? The best short story I've ever written?
Sounds silly, Yes?
Inside this anthology you'll find a collection of stories by a group of very talented writers, some of whom are already published, who are busy perfecting their craft.
We hope you'll enjoy reading the stories as much as we did creating them for your e...more
3 likes · like · see review
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I won a copy of this book and I gave it five stars because the stories are excellent. I have read McCaffrey and LeGuin's short stories and these are equally engaging. Sure I liked some stories better than others but that's what personal taste is all about. I found that I wanted two of the stories to be full length, so the 5 star rating. Thanks for the fun read- I did it in one straight shot.
The preface of Unlocked reads: “Each key will open a door, some leading to new worlds, others hiding secrets better left forgotten, and still holding dreams to be shared.” After reading this anthology, you’ll never think about your keys in the same way again!
In one of my surprise favorite stories, Assassin by Jaimey Grant, the main female character Sable wears a key around her neck as her only connection to her murdered parents. The story is about a trained killer, which doesn’t make for my typi...more
In one of my surprise favorite stories, Assassin by Jaimey Grant, the main female character Sable wears a key around her neck as her only connection to her murdered parents. The story is about a trained killer, which doesn’t make for my typi...more
Ten stories vary greatly from each other in genre and style of writing. Like with many anthologies I had my favorites and the ones that were obviously not "my cup of tea." Since the stories were not too long and it was obvious that all authors invested themselves and took great care and mastery to craft their pieces, I did not mind the ones I did not care for and enjoyed myself with the ones I clicked with. It was a great way for me to sample several new authors at once and to see if I wanted to...more
This is a great demonstration of how very different genres, styles of writing and approaches to similar topics can work together, share a common thread and entertain the reader -- and also teach or remind them that an open mind, the thirst for knowledge and the freedom to be oneself are the most important things in life.
I greatly enjoyed reading all of the stories, even though some were very different from what I normally read. They were all well told -- sorry, shown ;) -- and had something uniq...more
I greatly enjoyed reading all of the stories, even though some were very different from what I normally read. They were all well told -- sorry, shown ;) -- and had something uniq...more
4 likes · like · see review
My feelings about this book vary just as the stories in this book vary. There were some stories I really liked, some I didn't like so well and some that were just okay. Such a mixed bag of ideas here. It's my understanding that this book is labeled as YA, which is such a broad age range. (15-25) For the most part, I agree.
Assassin's Keeper was the first story in the book and honestly, the most shocking. I didn't like it and I would never recommend it as reading material for younger readers. (18+...more
Assassin's Keeper was the first story in the book and honestly, the most shocking. I didn't like it and I would never recommend it as reading material for younger readers. (18+...more
3 likes · like · see review
it was great! all of the stories were well writen and i really liked it.
2 likes · like · see review
The assasin's keeper kept me on my toes all the time. It was awesome. I liked how it included the pain and sorrow of love.
Crop Circles was amazing. It made me laugh until I sounded like a dying car engine.
The Symboite was kinda weird but very exciting science fiction.
Where they belong was a weird story through and through.
Survival was better than the last one but not by much.
Unlocking william was about everyday like stuff.
Shoshanna was brilliant and awesome.
The Key to a Good education was good a...more
Crop Circles was amazing. It made me laugh until I sounded like a dying car engine.
The Symboite was kinda weird but very exciting science fiction.
Where they belong was a weird story through and through.
Survival was better than the last one but not by much.
Unlocking william was about everyday like stuff.
Shoshanna was brilliant and awesome.
The Key to a Good education was good a...more
3 likes · like · see review
My favourite were "Crop Circles", "Symbiote", "Survival", and "Unlocking William" because I liked both the plots and the sense of completion they had. Overall I liked reading this collection of stories and I would be very glad if the stories where later developed into full-length novels.
Most of the stories were great considering they were so short and free. I have to say those the last first story, the first story, and the one about the alori were by far my favorites. All the others were cute and I was happy to read them to pass the time. However, when one my favorite 3 ended I was left a bit saddened.. looking for a small epilogue just to have one more page on each. Especially the first story....why oh why did you end so?! I won't lie two of the stories weren't my preferred wr...more
"Unlocked" is the combined effort of various authors, and it is apparent in the book itself. The book is an amalgamation of emotions, it ranges from the inspiring to the grotesque and creepy - but all of the stories are actually quite interesting. Although not all stories may be likable by one person, the fact that this book offers so many unique stories, in so many unique voices, that all tie into a single theme makes this book well worth the read. It offers variety, it offers imagination, it o...more
An interesting anthology of short stories all containing a connection to a ¨key¨! Although I enjoyed some stories and writing styles more than others, I did enjoy the different interpretations of the key motif. My favorite stories - and ones I think I would use with students - were ¨Crop Circles¨, ¨Symbiote¨, ¨Survival¨, and ¨Shoshanna¨.
In a secondary classroom, it would be fun to use these stories in collaborative reading and writing projects. Small groups could each be assigned a different st...more
In a secondary classroom, it would be fun to use these stories in collaborative reading and writing projects. Small groups could each be assigned a different st...more
Okay, first let me explain my involvement with this project and then I'll get into my review. I watched these writers bust their asses on this project, from conception to publication. I offered my input when they were ironing out some kinks and witnessed their kickass marketing and enthusiasm. If every writer went into projects as this group of authors did, the number of exceptional books on the shelvs would skyrocket.
Now, my rating. I couldn't give this anthology five stars. Actually, my first...more
Now, my rating. I couldn't give this anthology five stars. Actually, my first...more
I wavered between rating this anthology four or five stars. As with most anthologies, it is uneven. I liked some stories better than others. At the end of the day, I went with the higher rating because my preferences were based more on genre than writing style; I tend not to read YA urban fantasy, for example (with a few notable exceptions like Charles de Lint).
My favorites were Assassin's Keeper and Crop Circles, but all of them were well-done, using the "key" theme in different and sometimes u...more
My favorites were Assassin's Keeper and Crop Circles, but all of them were well-done, using the "key" theme in different and sometimes u...more
5 likes · like · see review
I won this book through the Goodreads First-Reads giveaway program so, a big "Thank You" to Goodreads and the publisher for this book.
I went back and forth rating this one either 3 or 4 stars. I thought Symbiote was great and could make a really good full novel. A couple of the other stories were almost too short though. I know that they're short stories but they were so short I had a hard time feeling vested in the them.
All in all though, Unlocked is a good collection of short stories and a ver...more
I went back and forth rating this one either 3 or 4 stars. I thought Symbiote was great and could make a really good full novel. A couple of the other stories were almost too short though. I know that they're short stories but they were so short I had a hard time feeling vested in the them.
All in all though, Unlocked is a good collection of short stories and a ver...more
Available August 13th, 2010, my short story, Crop Circles, is part of this FREE download. This collection of short stories is appropriate for YA readers but entertaining enough for adults too.
Humor, Regency, Fantasy, Horror,Coming of Age... Each of the 10 stories offers it's own spin on the key theme that binds them all. Check it out!
Humor, Regency, Fantasy, Horror,Coming of Age... Each of the 10 stories offers it's own spin on the key theme that binds them all. Check it out!
Jul 07, 2010
Paige
rated it
5 of 5 stars
· (Review from the author)
Shelves:
books-read-as-an-adult,
my-fave-books
I wrote a story for this book. I admire all of the other authors in this book. I am thankful to know each and every one of them, at least online. I loved how the editing process went. Oh yeah, how could I not give this 5 stars, other than for the simple reason that this book rocked!!! Read it!
I stumbled across this book and was immediately caught by the concept. All these short stories involve a key, and have all been written by authors I have never heard of. All of them have managed to deliver something that is definitely worth the read.
I planned to read one story a day, but some of these gave me sleeping issues and made me reluctant to continue. I am glad to have persevered, though, because enjoyed I the last few stories more than the others. This isn't the kind of book that I wou...more
I planned to read one story a day, but some of these gave me sleeping issues and made me reluctant to continue. I am glad to have persevered, though, because enjoyed I the last few stories more than the others. This isn't the kind of book that I wou...more
A few short stories centered around 'keys'.
My favorites:
* Where They Belong
* Symbiote
* Shoshanna
* The Bookseller
My favorites:
* Where They Belong
* Symbiote
* Shoshanna
* The Bookseller
I thoroughly enjoyed all of these stories. They were all well-written and captivating. I look forward to reading more of what these writers have to offer.
4 likes · like · see review
Oct 28, 2010
Sarah
added it
This book was pretty amazing i loved pretty much all the parts!! iff i had to read a book for my whole life, i would pick this one!!
An interesting idea but definitely uneven. Some of the stories are much better done than others.
Sep 02, 2010
S.M. Carrière
rated it
5 of 5 stars
· (Review from the author)
Shelves:
i-wrote-or-co-wrote
I have a story in this book, so I can't rightly review it. I do want to say, however, that the authors who participated are extremely talented. I respect them very much, and I think we've pulled together a solid and entertaining anthology.
2 likes · like · see review
Aug 17, 2010
Sella Thorne
marked it as to-read
Paige Ray has a story in this book! Ayee! I must read it!
3 likes · like · see review
Interesting mix of short stories. Good quick read.
free e-book and by one of my favorites <3 it!
1 like · like · see review
Very uneven selection, and the ebook was dreadfully in need of editing. However, some of the stories were quite memorable. My favorites were Unlocking William, The Assassin's Keeper, and Symbiote.
Jan 18, 2013
Wendy
added it
the book as a lot of little stories it wasn't that much of my type of book but it was good.
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Blogs and sites:
Author blog: Into the Mind of Jaimey Grant
Book reviews blog: Romance, Old School
Author bio:
I was born in Michigan in 1979, the fourth of five children. Childhood passed in a blur of humid summers and freezing, snowy winters.
I started writing after devouring hundreds of traditional Regency romances. I used to believe it took some kind of genius to write a book. Knowing I was not a...more
More about Jaimey Grant...
Author blog: Into the Mind of Jaimey Grant
Book reviews blog: Romance, Old School
Author bio:
I was born in Michigan in 1979, the fourth of five children. Childhood passed in a blur of humid summers and freezing, snowy winters.
I started writing after devouring hundreds of traditional Regency romances. I used to believe it took some kind of genius to write a book. Knowing I was not a...more
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“But for your eyes. Green as spring grass, and sparkling like dew in the morning sun.”
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