Supernatural July: HarperTeen's "Hell" Anthologies

HarperTeen has a set of cool anthologies, composed of short stories by famous YA paranormal authors like Scott Westerfeld, Cassandra Clare, Libba Bray, and Stephenie Meyer, out that are really cool, not just because the stories rock, but because every time you buy one, a portion of the proceeds go to charity! Now, that's awesome! Here they are:

Vacations from Hell by Libba Bray, Maureen Jonhson, Cassandra Clare, Claudia Gray, Sarah Mlynowski

In HarperTeen's latest "Hell" anthology, bestselling authors have created five smart, mysterious, and downright creepy stories. Vampires stalk a cruise ship in Sarah Mlynowski's Cruisin', and two young witches get tangled in a powerful spell in I Don't Like Your Girlfriend by Claudia Gray. The Law of Suspects by Maureen Johnson is an intense story about a powerful myth, and Cassandra Clare will make you think twice about island hospitality in The Mirror House. Finally, Libba Bray wraps up the anthology with Nowhere is Safe, a freaky story about a secluded village in Europe with some frightening old traditions.

Vacations from Hell is an absorbing and quick read, and the stories within are surprising, scary, and don't always end very happily. Only one seems to feel as if it would have benefitted from being turned into a novel, but it isn't very bothersome. This is a great read for those reluctant readers who find it challenging to get into a good book; the short stories are every bit as entertaining at 50 pages as a full length novel. The stories are as diverse as their authors, and they're all the perfect length for a travel read...or if you are easily scared, perhaps not...

Love is Hell by Scott Westerfeld, Justine Larbalestier, Gabrielle Zevin, Laurie Faria Stolarz, Melissa Marr

From determined ghosts to otherworldly love interests, Love is Hell contains a selection of romantic, chilling, and gripping short stories from some of the best Young Adult paranormal writers.

The stories are just as varied and diverse as the collection of writers; Laurie Faria Stolarz relates to readers a modern tale of a haunting while Scott Westerfeld offers readers a glimpse into a futuristic "perfect world" and two teens that unwittingly learn a thing or two about perfection. Justine Larbalestier's story is centered on a complicated relationship that struggles to defy all odds, and Gabrielle Zevin's story is a complex mix of reality and fantasy that cleverly twists readers' minds. Melissa Marr wraps the anthology up with her seaside tale of trust, patience, and love.

Dreamy, suspenseful, (sometimes) heartbreaking, and even satirical at times, Love is Hell is full of fun, quick reads that will engage any paranormal fan.

Prom Nights From Hell by Meg Cabot, Michele Jaffe, Stephenie Meyer, Lauren Myracle, and Kim Harrison

In this exciting collection, bestselling authors Meg Cabot (How to Be Popular), Kim Harrison (A Fistful of Charms), Michele Jaffe (Bad Kitty), Stephenie Meyer (Twilight), and Lauren Myracle (ttyl) take bad prom nights to a whole new level—a paranormally bad level. Wardrobe malfunctions and two left feet don't hold a candle to discovering your date is the Grim Reaper—and he isn't here to tell you how hot you look.

From angels fighting demons to a creepy take on getting what you wish for, these five stories will entertain better than any DJ in a bad tux. No corsage or limo rental necessary. Just good, scary fun.