Dark and sharp stories with lovely teeth. This is a collection threaded together with darkly lustrous threads. There's a surreal, nightmarish/dreamlike tilt to the world in Lima's stories that is deeply appealing.

Wonderfully bizarre from beginning to end. Very interesting use of meta-commentary and an inception-type story structure. Haunting and illuminating in equal measure that will be unforgettable.

The story about a writer who sleeps with the devil and writes stories for him throughout her life after seeing him again and again. The writer met the devil at a Halloween party in 1999... and she slept with him. It was only once but after that she sees him over and over again throughout her life. She's a writer and she spends the rest of her life writing stories for him. She writes little standalone stories that are all interconnected in the novel and the story itself is a blend of things. It's definitely a unique structure and it feels surreal. The story discusses the immigration experience and weaves surrealism and fantasy into modern life. It's an interesting story and has a unique feel to it.

*Thanks Netgalley and Tor Publishing Group, Tor Books for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

This was an interesting collection of inter-connected stories. I'm not sure I completely vibed with the stories but I think that this would be a good pick for a book club.

Thank you NetGalley for a free e-galley of this book in exchange for an honest review.

"Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil" by Ananda Lima is a mesmerizing and surreal fiction debut that blends elements of the fantastical with the poignant realities of the Brazilian-American immigrant experience. This collection of stories, described as strange, intimate, haunted, and hungry, takes readers on a journey through surreal landscapes in the United States and Brazil, offering a unique and imaginative exploration of ambition, fear, longing, and belonging.

Lima's storytelling is both captivating and thought-provoking. The narrative begins with a writer who sleeps with the devil at a Halloween party in 1999 and continues to encounter him throughout her life, writing stories that straddle the line between the impossible and the true. Each story in the collection is a standalone piece, yet they collectively weave a tapestry that speaks to the broader themes of identity, storytelling, and the concept of home.

The stories are filled with rich, surreal imagery, such as bite-size Americans in vending machines and ghosts of the living. Lima's writing style is evocative and lyrical, drawing the reader into each unique world she creates. The exploration of modern Brazilian-American immigrant experiences is handled with sensitivity and depth, adding layers of meaning to the fantastical elements.

However, readers who prefer more traditional narrative structures may find the collection's surreal and fragmented style challenging. The blending of fantasy with real-life experiences requires a willingness to embrace the unconventional and the abstract.

Content warnings for themes of surrealism, immigrant experiences, and encounters with the devil are appropriate. "Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil" will appeal most to readers who enjoy experimental and imaginative fiction, especially fans of authors like Carmen Maria Machado and V. E. Schwab.

In conclusion, "Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil" by Ananda Lima is a stunning literary debut that offers a fresh and innovative voice in the realm of speculative fiction. Its blend of surrealism, deep emotional resonance, and exploration of identity make it a compelling read for those seeking fiction that pushes boundaries and challenges conventions.