A Universe of Wishes – Dhonielle Clayton
Random House Children’s Books | Hardcover | December 8, 2020
The Gist
Think of the moment in Infinity War when Falcon calls Cap and says, “On your left,” and the portals open, and one by one all of Marvel rolls up to square off with Thanos. This is how it feels to read this anthology. Epic.
Read this if you like:
Works by Samira Ahmed, Jenni Balch, Libba Bray, Dhonielle Clayton, Zoraida Córdova, Tessa Gratton, Kwame Mbalia, Anna-Marie McLemore, Tochi Onyebuchi, Mark Oshiro, Natalie C. Parker, Rebecca Roanhorse, V. E. Schwab, Tara Sim, Nic Stone
Fairytale retellings, gladiator fights, space operas, magic
Epic fantasy worldbuilding
True love and banter
The Verdict: Read It!
A Universe of Wishes brings together a rockstar group of diverse authors who deliver a collection of short stories that is a testament to the beauty of pure imagination. These fifteen short stories are filled with magic, gladiators, space ships, monsters, true love, and an inclusive cast of characters of all races, gender identities, sexual orientations, classes, and cultures. Not only does this anthology give voice to individuals and communities who are criminally underrepresented in literature, but it’s also a fun, binge-worthy read. As one would expect from these award-winning authors, the writing is sharp and the worldbuilding is outstanding, which only makes it easier to dive into these worlds and become invested in the journeys these characters embark on. This is the kind of anthology that has the power to leave young readers saying, “I want to see more stories, heroes, and heroines like this,” and encourage them to come together to forge a more open-minded and tolerant world where diverse perspectives and voices are always welcomed, seen, and heard.
Favorite Stories
“The Coldest Spot in the Universe” by Samira Ahmed
“A Universe of Wishes” by Tara Sim
“Liberia” by Kwame Mbalia
