All Out is an anthology of historical fiction stories told from the point of view of queer characters. As a concept, I loved it, but the execution could have been better.Before starting with the reviews of the individual stories, I want to say two things I didn't like about the anthology as a whole.There was only one story set outside the US and Europe, and all European stories were - with one exception - set in Northwestern Europe. I don't know, as someone who is not American, I think this felt...

I was put on this earth to be gay and to read this anthology

This was a blessing to read. This is a historical literature short story collection, showcasing LGBTQIAP+ characters. And all of the authors that contributed to this collection are LGBTQIAP+ and that is something that I don’t even have words for. I am forever thankful that Saundra Mitchell curated this, that Harlequin published this, and that kids and teens everywhere are going to be able to pick this up and know that they are never alone and that they have never been alone, throughout history.

Reading this anthology was such a cathartic experience. Getting to read a whole book full of short stories telling the experience of queer teens? In historical fiction, where a lot of people believe diversity can’t exist? It meant so much. I love reading about queer characters, of course, but there was something so validating about this anthology, especially since it was historical fiction. Even though I hate historical fiction. Overall, the stories were really, really good. I’m actually not muc...

His heart had been a boy’s heart, throwing itself against his rib cage with each set of white gloves for mass.→ Roja – Anna-Marie McLemore ★★★★★ ←What a killer of a beginning to this collection. Anna-Marie writes so beautifully, and this little magical realism story will be sure to please anyone who enjoys her novels. It follows a young woman with a curse of poisonous rage, seeking to free her lover from the local police before he is executed as a prisoner of war. It is so lovely, and lyrical, a...

Special thanks to Tabi for bringing this to my attention! You're the best, girlie! <3Now, typically anthologies aren't my thing. The only reason I admittedly picked this up was because I was promised a wonderful Robin Hood retelling in Elliot Wake's Every Shade of Red. ...And I have to say that Wake delivered on that promise. A transgender Robin Hood is such an interesting concept! :D“If I must lie to the world to be true to my heart, then I'll lie. I'll cheat, I'll steal and I'll do it with a s...

why does it always take me 200 years to read an anthology not matter how much i like itanyway, there were so many sapphic storiesill probably write something more later

*3.5*This is a collection of short stories about queer teens. It was really interesting and fun to read, and also a good way to discover new authors. One of my favourites was definitely Burnt Umber by Mackenzie Lee. Let me tell you, if she wants to write an entire novel about two gay painters in Amsterdam, just know I will buy that book without a second thought. It was so cute and so well done, I really wish there was a novel all about these two lovely painters. Another favourite was The infe...

how I rate anthologies: in-depth thoughts about each story first, then my thoughts on the anthology as a whole Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore: 5 starsWhat a brilliant way to start this anthology. The only story set in a non-Western country, Roja is the story of a romance between a Latina girl and a trans boy. Anna-Marie McLemore is one of my favorite authors of all-time, and this story just emphasized that. The romance in this story was EPIC, and I love how McLemore always incorporates cultural

JKASHFDGDSAJDH SO MANY SAPPHIC GIRLS THIS MADE ME SO HAPPYthe finest of the bundle:● the dresser & the chambermaid by robin talley (aka the CUTEST short story on this planet)● MARY AND SUSANNA AAAAAH● BARNABY HALFORD!!!● the fucking king walking in on mary & susanna kissing AND SAYING HE'S SORRY HE DISTURBED THEM● ngl I laughed so hard at this part “He said—” Susanna choked “—he said, ‘Right then, girls. Carry on.’”Mary lost her composure all over again, collapsing against Susanna in a heap. T...

♦ Video Review ♦This anthology was everything I wanted and more. I'm gonna reread so many of these stories again and again and I can't wait for this to be out in the world. I'm sure y'all will love it!While my average rating is way below 5 stars, I just love this concept and the overall way it was done so it deserves every star it can get. It was just incredible to read so many HAPPY QUEER STORIES all in one place. My favourite by far was the story by Elliot Wake but I also really loved Anna...

holy shitan anthology??? written by LGBTQIA+ authors? with LGBTQIA+ characters in it?hah let's be honest this has been on my wishlist for a concept for years so let's see 'em slay it

3.5/5. I love the idea behind this collection (queer YA authors give voice to fictional queer teens throughout history) and I enjoyed jumping between different historical periods within this collection (ranging all the way from the Middle Ages to 1999). However, lots of stories weren't particularly memorable to me personally and some I didn't like at all. My favourite stories were Burnt Umber by Mackenzi Lee, The Inferno & The Butterfly by Shaun David Hutchinson and The Dresser and the Chamberma...

“That is the secret to survival. Teach fear to those who taught you to be afraid.” This was another book on my most-anticipated books for 2018 list. Did it live up to it? Well let's let's get right into it. I was so excited to hear that this anthology was being made. A historical fiction anthology with all LGBTQIA+ own voice rep - plus all the stories have LGBTQIA+ rep PLUS lots of other diversity, am I dreaming? Thank you 2018 for coming far enough where we can have a treasure like

All Out: The No Longer Secret Stories of Queer Teens Throughout the Ages is spectacular anthology! Easiest 5 stars I've given this year so far. Highest praise to Saundra Mitchell for editing the anthology! The book turned out to be a kaleidoscope of diverse stories about queer teens, different in mood or genre, but all filled with power, hope and finally acknowledgement that we've been here all along, look at us.Memorable and beautiful stories of queer teens by queer authors.Stats about the anth...

For those of you who don't know, I have been anticipating this book since the very first Publisher's Weekly announcement almost two years ago. Since that time, I have read more books by more of these authors, worked shortly for the agency that represents many of them, and generally fallen into a rabbit hole of anticipation that I can't believe I've finally pulled myself out of. It has been a long journey. And now I'm thrilled to talk more about each of these stories and my overall thoughts on th...

Actual rating: 3.882352941176 Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore - 4 starsEl Bajio, Mexico, 1870I really enjoyed this one!!! I found the writing to be a bit simple, at times, but it was also threaded through with vocabulary that added to the whole atmosphere of the 19th century. I absolutely loved Emili and all that she stood for, and Leon was just so adorable. What romance we got to see between the two of them was really satisfying, and that ending was great!! Representation: latinx girl, transgender

Rosa was a summer girl, and I was a winter girl, but that fall we made magic. You know, back when I was in my early teens, I once heard this old guy say “there weren’t all these queers around when I was younger”. Oh, but there were, sir. And long long before that, too. All Out is a great fictional companion to last year's Queer, There and Everywhere. While the latter works to uncover the real queer - gay, bi, trans, genderqueer, nonconforming, intersex, asexual - people who have been erased t

Listen, I’ve been anticipating this anthology for months now, but this was so much better than I expected - I want to put this down as my favorite YA anthology I have ever read, and the ratings support that. Of the seventeen stories in this book, I gave nine five stars [holy shit], three four stars, three three stars, and only two two stars, for my highest rating ever - an average rating of 4.12. This is a true anthology. All other anthologies can leave.Okay, so what is this book? All Out is a c...

In 2019 we all deserve and get our happy endings and boy did this deliver. Thank you for coming to my TED talk.