These Kindred Hearts by Shari B. Pennant
These Kindred Hearts: 17 Tales of Love and Magic is an absolutely delightful new anthology of short stories that span the tropes of the young adult romantasy genre. Edited by Shari B. Pennant, a bookseller and author committed to diversifying young adult fiction — and whose story Meet Me at World’s End is also a highlight of the collection — the anthology features a lineup of beautifully diverse stories that are sure to touch your heart.
Are you looking for a story with witches, merfolk, or demons? How about one set at the end of the world? A tale about a magical cat? Or perhaps a thrilling narrative featuring people who can read emotions, seeing them in a stunning array of colors in the world around them? These Kindred Hearts has it all, and more!
A Celebration of Love, Magic and Representation
I loved that there was such a wonderfully diverse cast of characters, relationships, and worlds across the different pieces in this anthology. This collection does a wonderful job at showcasing a range of beings — human and otherwise — that so many people can see themselves reflected in. It reminds us that no two loves are the same, and yet, no matter the circumstances, no matter the writer’s voice, no matter if our main characters are in a treehouse, the ocean, or the apocalypse, the love that permeates these pages is deep and moving. That unifying thread of how fragile it can be, how love must be nurtured and how it makes you feel when it goes right or when it goes wrong — across a wide range of perspectives — is the true magic. These Kindred Hearts reminds us of that magic, whether in a first kiss, a stolen glance or an affirmation of true love, and delivers a breathtaking journey from cover to cover.
There is a fantastic range of tropes and styles across the romance and fantasy genres within these pages, ensuring that there will be something for everyone. In one story, we might be snuggling up with a cozy fantasy plot, and in another, we’re racing through the streets of a sand-swept empire alongside the “chosen one” character. From heartwarming to heartstopping, each tale is packed with magical adventures (and misadventures!) that are sure to have you wishing there were even just one page more.
If you love an anthology filled with new and diverse voices, a wide range of fantastic worlds, lore and magic systems and all the YA romantasy joy you could wish for, then These Kindred Hearts: 17 Tales of Love and Magic is for you!
These Kindred Hearts includes stories by Alexene Farol Follmuth, Angela Montoya, Brent Lambert, Chelsea Padilla, Cheryl Isaacs, Jamar J. Perry, Jennifer Helen, Jill Tew, Kalynn Bayron, Kwame Mbalia, Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Nia Davenport, Nikki T. Grant, Shari B. Pennant, Sophie Li, Vanessa Montalban, and Zoraida Córdova.
About Shari B. Pennant:
Shari B. Pennant is a Jamaican-American author of Middle Grade, Young Adult and Adult fantasy, which means she spends a lot of time daydreaming in cafes. She loves to write about heroes of all ages saving the world, going on incredible adventures, and finding their inner power. She is the editor and a contributor of the Young Adult romantasy anthology, These Kindred Hearts, (from Zando.) Her short story “The Book Club” is featured in the Young Adult anthology Cool. Awkward. Black. (edited by Karen Strong, from Penguin Teen), which was selected as one of Bank Street’s Best Children’s Books of the Year. Shari lives in sunny South Florida, where she spends many days poolside with her sketchbook or beachside with her family.
