Title: Estella Saves the Village
Author: Theodora Goss
In: Queen Victoria’s Book of Spells (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Gaslamp, Retellings
Dates read: 6th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tor
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Pip was leaning on his elbow, looking down at me.

Estella has noticed dark patches appearing on all of the people in her quaint, Victorian village. When she discovers the cause, she realises that she may be the only one who is able to save the people she loves.

Victorian literature is filled with some seriously unhappy endings. So it was really nice to read a short story that gives many of these not-so-happily-ever-afters a much better ending. One that was a quaint village, a nice living and no drama, murder or mayhem. I think that it’s something we’ve all wanted to do when we’re reading one of those not so happy classics…

The power of words is intense, unforgettable and something that I (very obviously) am obsessed with. It turns out that Theodora Goss feels the same… this is all about how the power of words and the imagination can create a whole new reality. And how a loss of memory can start to destroy such perfect worlds. Ones that are full of happiness, hope and happily ever afters.

The saviour of the village isn’t the creator – and I liked this message that anyone can save their village if they just put their minds to it. That we can create our own happily ever afters with the power of positive thinking.

<- Their Monstrous Minds Review

Ruby Slippers, Golden Tears Review ->

Image source: Amazon