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The City Between #11
Between Friends: A City Between Compilation
What happened to the tie frog? What is the best way of disposing of vampiric watermelon? Exactly how do you get rid of goblins in the spare room?
Friends and foes, Between and Behind—all the little pieces and curiosities that make up Pet’s new world—are here to be seen and delighted in, and put on the shelf beside books 1-10.
Featuring Cloudy with a Chance of Dropbears, All the Different Shades of Blue, and every other Short Thing formerly found on the WR(ite) Blog, along with previously unpublished novelettes and three new, never-before-seen short stories, this compilation completes the main City Between series.
Friends and foes, Between and Behind—all the little pieces and curiosities that make up Pet’s new world—are here to be seen and delighted in, and put on the shelf beside books 1-10.
Featuring Cloudy with a Chance of Dropbears, All the Different Shades of Blue, and every other Short Thing formerly found on the WR(ite) Blog, along with previously unpublished novelettes and three new, never-before-seen short stories, this compilation completes the main City Between series.
217 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 5, 2022
44 people are currently reading
150 people want to read
About the author
W.R. Gingell
46 books1,080 followersW.R. Gingell is a Tasmanian author of urban fantasy, fairy-tale retellings, and madcap science fiction who doesn’t seem to be able to write a book without a body suddenly turning up. She solemnly swears that all such bodies are strictly fictional in nature.
W.R. spends her time reading, drinking a truly ridiculous amount of tea, and slouching in front of the fire to write. Like Peter Pan, she never really grew up, and is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I don't tend to friend anyone unless they're a personal friend or someone from my close author circle. I have a limited social battery which needs constant care. If you want to keep up with my reading/writing, you can absolutely follow me here or on pretty much any social media site.
W.R. spends her time reading, drinking a truly ridiculous amount of tea, and slouching in front of the fire to write. Like Peter Pan, she never really grew up, and is still occasionally to be found climbing trees.
GOODREADS FRIEND POLICY: I don't tend to friend anyone unless they're a personal friend or someone from my close author circle. I have a limited social battery which needs constant care. If you want to keep up with my reading/writing, you can absolutely follow me here or on pretty much any social media site.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
December 5, 2022
i am LIVING for those last two stories.
legit cannot stop smiling
legit cannot stop smiling
December 17, 2022
"he'll kill you one day, too"
already elmo on fire dot gif for Luca and Viv, cannot wait to hear more about this serial killer bounty hunter and his normie secretary
already elmo on fire dot gif for Luca and Viv, cannot wait to hear more about this serial killer bounty hunter and his normie secretary
December 14, 2022
While I had read most of the stories in this collection already, it was fun to revisit them, now that I know what all the set up and foreshadowing was pointing to.
But the real gems of this collection are the all new stories at the end that give a glimpse of what comes after. After all the pain and turmoil of the last few books in the series, those short stories were a balm that gave me the ending I wanted for these beloved characters and hinted at the upcoming new series!
But the real gems of this collection are the all new stories at the end that give a glimpse of what comes after. After all the pain and turmoil of the last few books in the series, those short stories were a balm that gave me the ending I wanted for these beloved characters and hinted at the upcoming new series!
February 15, 2023
I FINALLY FINISHED (I read this alongside the entire series) AND I WAS NOT PREPARED FOR PINS AND NEEDLES AND ZERO RESPONSIBILITIES. I WAS NOT. SOMEBODY WARN ME NEXT TIME. 😭😭🥹🥹💕💕
Ughhh. Such an amazing companion to the Between series. I just want to re-read everything all over again 😭😭💕💕
Ughhh. Such an amazing companion to the Between series. I just want to re-read everything all over again 😭😭💕💕
December 6, 2022
i love these characters SO MUCH it HURTS. the last two stories in particular have me foaming at the mouth with feels and heart-eyes emojis but they're all Excellent and now i need to reread the series because I MISS EVERYONE
(also julia is valid in literally everything she says or does in her entire story, we stan a normie queen who just wants to take her exams)
(also julia is valid in literally everything she says or does in her entire story, we stan a normie queen who just wants to take her exams)
December 28, 2022
I loved this collection so much!
I'm slightly freaking out about certain parts of it (the future stuff) and loooving the Zero/Palomena chemistry.
Also loved the use of the word "defenestration".
I was slightly depressed I was coming to end of my time with the characters in this series, when this was announced... And now we get a NEW SERIES?! Again I say, Gingell is a genius.
I'm slightly freaking out about certain parts of it (the future stuff) and loooving the Zero/Palomena chemistry.
Also loved the use of the word "defenestration".
I was slightly depressed I was coming to end of my time with the characters in this series, when this was announced... And now we get a NEW SERIES?! Again I say, Gingell is a genius.
December 11, 2022
4 stars // read December 2022
The wrap-up that the series needed.
The wrap-up that the series needed.
October 31, 2023
this was PERFECT everything's PERFECT my heart is so FULL 💕
April 30, 2023
I loved the last two stories the best. Yay! Now o cannot wait to start reading Athelas’s story!!!
December 4, 2023
Happiness is
October 1, 2025
Somehow, the light had begun to come regardless. Perhaps it had been there all along, just waiting for the darkness to be taken away.
Within this collection, you’ll encounter:
• A tie frog
• Some very loaded emails
• Tentacles
• Dirty hockey sticks
• A computer embellished with bluebells and mushrooms
• Shape-changing tea urns
• Dropbears in the trees
• More consumption of tea and coffee
• Pins and needles that’ll prick your heart in the best possible way
• All the bonus scenes and tie-ins you could wish for as a wrapup for the City Between series
It’s a wonderful way to bid farewell to the main storyline of Pet and her psychos, and look forward to the next visit.
🪡 heads-up for violence, gore, mentions of sadism, and fae magic 🪡
December 19, 2025
I had previously read Cloudy with a Chance of Dropbears and All the Different Shades of Blue, so I didn't re-read those yet. There were a number of fun stories in here and stories like Pins and Needles and Zero Responsibility that absolutely were necessary to read to fill in the last sappy almost-holes left after reading the second series. I'm very happy... and will keep daydreaming about this as a TV show. XD
Read
January 8, 2023I loved this collection! It was so great being back in this world with these wonderfully weird characters. I didn't realize how much I had missed them. I'd read a couple of these stories before, but most of them were new to me. There were even a few stories that take place after the last book in the series! And, oh my goodness, they made me so happy! This collection is a must for any fan of the series.
February 8, 2025
Absolutely delightful
Many of these short stories have been available elsewhere in the past with less editing, but I'm more than happy to read them again. The new stories were, predictably, also wonderful. There are a few new names that I definitely NEED to read more of. And I might have emitted a few gleeful squeaks while consuming this collection at speed. No regrets.
Many of these short stories have been available elsewhere in the past with less editing, but I'm more than happy to read them again. The new stories were, predictably, also wonderful. There are a few new names that I definitely NEED to read more of. And I might have emitted a few gleeful squeaks while consuming this collection at speed. No regrets.
December 9, 2022
Content:
Language: None. Unless there is some Aussie slang in there that I'm unaware of.
Violence: low end moderate. This has less graphic gore than the main series, just a lot of dropbears and vampiric melons.
Sexual: None. It's all pretty platonic, hugs, etc.
I admit to skipping over the two big stories that were previously published in favor of getting to the ones I hadn't read before.
1: Training the Pet: Cute short piece that made me snicker from Zero's POV. Zero cottoned on quicker than I thought.
2: Pet vs. Vampire: Another cute little bit from Jin Yeong's POV during the events of book 3 in the series.
3. Widdershins to Deiseil: Tuatu's POV on when Pet got stuck between Floors. Poor Tuatu, hehehe.
4. Zero Sum Game: A short from Athelas, in which it was fun to see his perspective on things.
5. Cloudy with a Chance of Dropbears: The longer previously published short in which we meet 541, our favorite number loving leprechaun. I love this story.
6. North by Tuatu: Another Tuatu POV, which frankly, I need more of. He's the only sane one in the group I swear, and it's fun to read his thoughts on how crazy everyone around him is. Also, North. He and North are adorable.
7. All the Different Shades of Blue: This is from Marazul's POV and another longer story that was previously published. I'm not sure who was more irritated my Zul, me or JinYeong.
8. Ties that Bind: An Athelas POV, which I found very enjoyable, as it is Athelas vs. Tie Frog. Guess who wins?
9. Watermelon in the Moonlight: This is the only one in the group that is a sort of parallell universe sort of short? It was written before the events of book 8 were known, so it's a bit of an outlier, but still hilariously fun. It's told from the next door neighbor, Julia's, perspective on her very odd neighbors...was that really blood under the fence?
10. Hockey Sticks at Midnight: From young girl Georgina's POV, we see just where Pet keeps knicking her weapons when everything goes sideways.
11. Talking Shop: The first of the stories to take place after the end of the series, so rather exciting. It's from a guy named Derrick's POV. I was rather impressed and flabergasted that (huge spoiler) We get introduced to what I've discovered are two characters belonging to one of the spin off series coming up in the next year or so! I'm pretty excited to see more of them because they leapt off the page and got me really curious! (Wendee is the best at unforgettable characters!)
12. Pins and Needles: This story is from little girl Marli's POV and I can't really review this without spoilers, so read the following if you don't mind ruining the fun with the mother of all spoilers not only for this story but the series as a whole:
13. Zero Responsibility: Another from Zero's POV, and it was so sweet and awesome. Zero the iceberg is starting to thaw. And Palomena is a big reason why. They have the slowest slow-burn ever though. She needs a trophy for the most patient character of all time.
All in all, a lovely little stepping stone to whet my appetite for the spin off series coming up soon!
Language: None. Unless there is some Aussie slang in there that I'm unaware of.
Violence: low end moderate. This has less graphic gore than the main series, just a lot of dropbears and vampiric melons.
Sexual: None. It's all pretty platonic, hugs, etc.
I admit to skipping over the two big stories that were previously published in favor of getting to the ones I hadn't read before.
1: Training the Pet: Cute short piece that made me snicker from Zero's POV. Zero cottoned on quicker than I thought.
2: Pet vs. Vampire: Another cute little bit from Jin Yeong's POV during the events of book 3 in the series.
3. Widdershins to Deiseil: Tuatu's POV on when Pet got stuck between Floors. Poor Tuatu, hehehe.
4. Zero Sum Game: A short from Athelas, in which it was fun to see his perspective on things.
5. Cloudy with a Chance of Dropbears: The longer previously published short in which we meet 541, our favorite number loving leprechaun. I love this story.
6. North by Tuatu: Another Tuatu POV, which frankly, I need more of. He's the only sane one in the group I swear, and it's fun to read his thoughts on how crazy everyone around him is. Also, North. He and North are adorable.
7. All the Different Shades of Blue: This is from Marazul's POV and another longer story that was previously published. I'm not sure who was more irritated my Zul, me or JinYeong.
8. Ties that Bind: An Athelas POV, which I found very enjoyable, as it is Athelas vs. Tie Frog. Guess who wins?
9. Watermelon in the Moonlight: This is the only one in the group that is a sort of parallell universe sort of short? It was written before the events of book 8 were known, so it's a bit of an outlier, but still hilariously fun. It's told from the next door neighbor, Julia's, perspective on her very odd neighbors...was that really blood under the fence?
10. Hockey Sticks at Midnight: From young girl Georgina's POV, we see just where Pet keeps knicking her weapons when everything goes sideways.
11. Talking Shop: The first of the stories to take place after the end of the series, so rather exciting. It's from a guy named Derrick's POV. I was rather impressed and flabergasted that (huge spoiler) We get introduced to what I've discovered are two characters belonging to one of the spin off series coming up in the next year or so! I'm pretty excited to see more of them because they leapt off the page and got me really curious! (Wendee is the best at unforgettable characters!)
12. Pins and Needles: This story is from little girl Marli's POV and I can't really review this without spoilers, so read the following if you don't mind ruining the fun with the mother of all spoilers not only for this story but the series as a whole:
13. Zero Responsibility: Another from Zero's POV, and it was so sweet and awesome. Zero the iceberg is starting to thaw. And Palomena is a big reason why. They have the slowest slow-burn ever though. She needs a trophy for the most patient character of all time.
All in all, a lovely little stepping stone to whet my appetite for the spin off series coming up soon!
January 21, 2024
4 Stars for the whole book.
"Training the Pet"
3 Stars
I was a little confused who's POV this was at first. And by the time I realized it was Zero's the story was over.
"Pet vs Vampire"
4 Stars
"Widdershins to Deiseil"
4 Stars
"Zero Sum Game"
4 Stars
The last three stories were interesting because we get to see them in a different POV than Pet's. But I don't feel like they really added much to the overall story.
"Cloudy with a Chance of Dropbears"
5 Stars
I really enjoyed this one. It's referred to a lot in the series, so much so that I kinda wished I picked it up after reading book 5. Really liked getting to met Five.
"North by Tuatu"
5 Stars
This one was worth it. The series kinda shows us a relationship building between the two and I really wanted to see more of it, and this story does just that.
"All the Different Shades of Blue"
5 Stars
I read this one awhile ago after I subscribed to W.R. Gingell's newsletter. But I honestly really enjoyed it. 'Zul is a fun character.
"Ties that Bind"
5 Stars
I loved this scene in book 7 and I still love it after reading it in Athelas POV. It gives him just dad vibes. XD
"Watermelon in the Moonlight"
4.5 Stars
Technically not canon, but still a really fun story with an interesting concept.
"Hockey Sticks at Midnight"
4 Stars
Okay though, while I never really thought about it, I'm glad that I now know what happens to the stuff that Pet makes into weapons and if people got their stuff back.
"Talking Shop"
4.5 Stars
The shop! *Teary eyes*
"Pins and Needles"
5 Stars
This is honestly the best epilogue and closure that we all needed.
"Zero Responsibility"
4 Stars
It was fun to see where Zero went after the events of the series.
"Training the Pet"
3 Stars
I was a little confused who's POV this was at first. And by the time I realized it was Zero's the story was over.
"Pet vs Vampire"
4 Stars
"Widdershins to Deiseil"
4 Stars
"Zero Sum Game"
4 Stars
The last three stories were interesting because we get to see them in a different POV than Pet's. But I don't feel like they really added much to the overall story.
"Cloudy with a Chance of Dropbears"
5 Stars
I really enjoyed this one. It's referred to a lot in the series, so much so that I kinda wished I picked it up after reading book 5. Really liked getting to met Five.
"North by Tuatu"
5 Stars
This one was worth it. The series kinda shows us a relationship building between the two and I really wanted to see more of it, and this story does just that.
"All the Different Shades of Blue"
5 Stars
I read this one awhile ago after I subscribed to W.R. Gingell's newsletter. But I honestly really enjoyed it. 'Zul is a fun character.
"Ties that Bind"
5 Stars
I loved this scene in book 7 and I still love it after reading it in Athelas POV. It gives him just dad vibes. XD
"Watermelon in the Moonlight"
4.5 Stars
Technically not canon, but still a really fun story with an interesting concept.
"Hockey Sticks at Midnight"
4 Stars
Okay though, while I never really thought about it, I'm glad that I now know what happens to the stuff that Pet makes into weapons and if people got their stuff back.
"Talking Shop"
4.5 Stars
The shop! *Teary eyes*
"Pins and Needles"
5 Stars
This is honestly the best epilogue and closure that we all needed.
"Zero Responsibility"
4 Stars
It was fun to see where Zero went after the events of the series.
March 13, 2024
Some of the short stories are not as polished as the others, but they are all fun glimpses of life Between (or at least with our favorite Pet and her found family). Most of the short stories can be found on Gingell's blog and the two novellas can be bought individually, but several of the stories are exclusive to this book and well worth the price of admission. My favorite, unarguably, was the penultimate, for many, many reasons. But the brightest reason was tiny and warm and spunky. I love Marli so much and I need more of her.
December 5, 2022
All of the crumbs, custard, and sprinkles collected on one plate
Happy to have the short stories in one place with the new ones. I really enjoyed the sneak peaks at Pet's future. All are well written and highly enjoyable. It's nice to see old friends popping into new environments
Happy to have the short stories in one place with the new ones. I really enjoyed the sneak peaks at Pet's future. All are well written and highly enjoyable. It's nice to see old friends popping into new environments
July 3, 2025
I'm glad I bought it for Cloudy with a Chance of Dropbears and All the Shades of Blue -- which kinda feel like must-read in the series to know where 'Zul and 541 come from. Some of the others are cute. I like learning more about Pet & the Vampire's life post-succesion battle. Plus the little insights into the next series? Very nice.
December 7, 2022
PINS AND NEEDLES
What more do I need to say?
Ok I’ll say more. I reread the whole series earlier this fall and was left aching for MORE. This book was the perfect balm for my yearning. The stories that take place during the series were fun, but the final three stories in this compilation, which occur after the events of book 10, were absolutely healing. THANK YOU WENDEE for gifting this to us.
What more do I need to say?
Ok I’ll say more. I reread the whole series earlier this fall and was left aching for MORE. This book was the perfect balm for my yearning. The stories that take place during the series were fun, but the final three stories in this compilation, which occur after the events of book 10, were absolutely healing. THANK YOU WENDEE for gifting this to us.
February 15, 2023
So many fantastic stories in this collection--and I loved getting glimpses of new characters and stories to come! *wipes away happy tears*
September 21, 2025
❤️❤️❤️
December 19, 2022
Happy Between-y feels. (Even the dedication made me feel things!) It’s nice to splash around in the worlds between with Pet and the rest. There’s quite a few stories in here I’d already read, though it’s nice to have the author’s note of where they’re supposed to go (especially gratifying for the ones that don’t properly fit anywhere hehe).
The new stories are absolutely delightful! I love them so much. These characters are just the best and no one will ever convince me otherwise.
Two of the new stories are, in a way, teasers for the two spin-off series, and you blokes, they’re going to be great.
Tea pairing: Lavender earl grey, of course, the official tea of this series
The new stories are absolutely delightful! I love them so much. These characters are just the best and no one will ever convince me otherwise.
Two of the new stories are, in a way, teasers for the two spin-off series, and you blokes, they’re going to be great.
Tea pairing: Lavender earl grey, of course, the official tea of this series
September 14, 2023
Thoroughly enjoyable series and I learned things too!
This may be the first series I’ve ever read that takes place in Tasmania, so there was much about locations I could pick up and learning local slang emphasized the “otherness” depicted in Between and Behind. The storyline was beautifully written with unexpected but believable twists and turns. The author deftly juggled complex character storylines that teased but did not telegraph too soon the secrets each character had, which allows the reader to experience some genuine surprises.
This may be the first series I’ve ever read that takes place in Tasmania, so there was much about locations I could pick up and learning local slang emphasized the “otherness” depicted in Between and Behind. The storyline was beautifully written with unexpected but believable twists and turns. The author deftly juggled complex character storylines that teased but did not telegraph too soon the secrets each character had, which allows the reader to experience some genuine surprises.
January 17, 2023
Some rewritten passages from the main books (or scenes between books) from different perspectives, a couple of short stories I've read before that were relevant to the main plot and... most importantly... a couple of stories set after Between Kings.
They were all pretty light and fun, and most importantly fed my excitement about the upcoming The Worlds Behind.
Make sure you read Between Kings before the last stories in this book!
They were all pretty light and fun, and most importantly fed my excitement about the upcoming The Worlds Behind.
Make sure you read Between Kings before the last stories in this book!
April 22, 2023
Old and New
Some of these stories we've read before and some are brand new. All are welcome. Except for Talking Shop (for me, others seem to love it) which left me slightly cross-eyed and feeling like I missed a step somewhere. Not an unusual reaction to Miss Gingell's stories! They can be read alone but are much more satisfactory if one has read the first ten stories. Highly recommended.
Some of these stories we've read before and some are brand new. All are welcome. Except for Talking Shop (for me, others seem to love it) which left me slightly cross-eyed and feeling like I missed a step somewhere. Not an unusual reaction to Miss Gingell's stories! They can be read alone but are much more satisfactory if one has read the first ten stories. Highly recommended.
December 22, 2022
I really enjoyed these little stories. A few I had already read, a few retold scenes from the main series from different characters' POVs, a few take place "between" other books in the series, and a few come after and give us a glimpse of the characters' lives in the future. All are great! Anyone who has read the rest of The City Between will definitely want to read Between Friends!
January 7, 2023
Oh my goodness! I'd already read several of the short stories when they were up on the blog, but they're just as good as I remember them. Also, more shorts from various perspectives, some of which are very sneaky. I squealed several times, as well as started crying when
May 6, 2023
I really do enjoy compilations of vignettes from a beloved series, and this one is so fun. After rereading the whole City Between series and the first Athelas spin-off, the last two epilogue stories in particular were immensely satisfying. Especially "Pins and Needles!" Everything about it was *chef's kiss* delightful.
July 3, 2025
3.5 stars - Forget the first half of the book, it was just a regurgitation of parts of the series! Begin with "Ties That Bind" so that you actually read something new! The second half is so much better with new stuff, like the vampire watermelon and we find out what happened to the tie frog! I enjoyed the story with Luca and Viv from The Shattered World!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews