Tag Archives: Fairy tales

Tower of Thorns by Laura Greenwood

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Tower of Thorns
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: Grimm Academy #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Fairy tales, Retellings, Romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2020

Thoughts

Tower of Thorns had some pretty major Mother Gothel vibes to it, and because of this, I most definitely figured out who the culprit / bad guy in the story was. But, even though I 100% knew what was coming, I still loved going on the journey. Probably because it was still fun, still had a lot of emotion, and I loved how the story unfolded.

Rapunzel’s strength of self and forethought into how her prophecy might come true were beautiful things. I love that, although she wanted to trust her mother, she still decided to put things in place for just in case. I mean, the idea that she has this great strength of will and willingness to not let “fate” determine her future was beautiful. Particularly when there are so many retellings that have historically painted Rapunzel as a victim.

As much as I enjoyed Tower of Thorns, I really wanted to know more about Gavin’s prophecy. I mean, both of them have prophecies involving love. They both fall in love knowing that it will probably trigger their prophecies. You can understand how Rapunzel’s unfolded and what happened (plus, Greenwood brilliantly uses the more violent original of the fairy tale). But there is no hint about Gavin’s prophecy beyond the fact that he has one. And it is about being in love.

I really loved how Greenwood utilised the original Rapunzel fairy tale (which was slightly more violent and gruesome than Tangled). Which just means that I’m absolutely dying to jump into the rest of the series. I wonder if she will use the Grimm-style versions of the fairy tales, rather than the sweeter Disney ones… now onto Spindles and Spells, a Sleeping Beauty retelling.

<- More Laura GreenwoodSpindles and Spells ->

Image source: bol.

Bitches and Brawlers by Melanie Karsak

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Bitches and Brawlers
Author: Melanie Karsak
Series: Red Cape Society #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Retellings, Steampunk, Werewolves
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

Clemeny’s love triangle with Edwin and Lionheart gains a little traction in Bitches and Brawlers, plus, I love that it brings in a few more of the characters from Wolves and Daggers. Both the love triangle and other characters help to tie up some loose threads and drive Clemeny’s adventures and personal journey forwards. I love that Clemeny is able to visit with her old partner and her Grandmere takes a lot of the spotlight in this story. Then, there’s the fact that, although I really want Clemeny to end up with Lionheart, she’s leaning towards Edwin – something that just makes me want to dive into Howls and Hallows all that much quicker.

Alodie is a not-very-nice villain, one that it was incredibly easy to detest – I love the ending that she meets. Very much create by her own decisions and evil. Yet, as with everything in Bitches and Brawlers, her death throws everyone and everything into turmoil. Plus, I just really, really disliked her. I mean, she’s a power hungry bitch who won’t stop at anything to get what she wants. It’s always nice to have a villain who is totally detestable, and impossible to like. As much as I also love those that are slightly relatable, I also love when it is just all too easy to hate a character and wish nothing but the worst for them. Just like Alodie.

I can’t wait to start to understand more of Clemeny’s history – there have been so many teasers and hints throughout this series, and Karsak manages to tease out just a little bit more in Bitches and Brawlers. Little Red finds herself one step closer to who she truly is, and all those moments of (what I think are) supressed power feel like they’re soon going to come to fruition. A great little lead into Howls and Hallows. Or at least, it is to my mind, since I haven’t actually read Howls and Hallows yet…

Not only did I really enjoy cavorting through London with Clemeny and fighting crime, the secondary characters in this series, and Bitches and Brawlers in particular are fantastic. This is a steampunk world which is wonderfully multifaceted and gives you insights into so many different lives and individuals. Then, there’s the tie ins to the Steampunk Fairytales series that make me want to dive across to those books as well. So much to read, so little time!

<- Peppermint and PentaclesHowls and Hallows ->

Image source: Amazon

The Winter Ball by Laura Greenwood

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Winter Ball
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: Grimm Academy #18
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Fantasy, Retellings, Romance
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2023

Thoughts

I absolutely adored this take on The Twelve Dancing Princesses. As the first book I’ve read in the Grimm Academy series, I love how it set the tone for me and how this world is going to work. Rather than being a story of being punished for going against their fathers wishes, this is all about surviving a curse. It’s also a cute little romance that had me smiling and feeling calm as I turned that final page.

This story is all about Audrey starting at Grimm Academy, falling in love with a boy, fighting to beat her curse, and working on her relationship with her dad. The combination of all of these things meant that it was almost impossible to put down The Winter Ball and left me smiling throughout the entire read through. I was mostly just really intrigued how Audrey’s curse was going to manifest, and just how she was going to overcome the process of dancing herself (and her sisters) to death.

I’m not going to lie, I thought throughout The Winter Ball that Audrey’s dad would end up having some redeeming reason or communication to explain why he doesn’t immediately make her heir. He doesn’t. Honestly, the man is kind of annoying and truly sucky. A fair bit of the interpersonal build up is for Audrey to meet her father face to face and discuss the curse. Not one moment of that ends up happening, and his disjoint from his daughters becomes clear – kind of like the father in the original fairy tale.

Eugene is an interesting love interest for Audrey. He is loyal and supportive, willing to help her with her curse from the very beginning. They also build their relationship in that really organic university / college / academy way – by having a class together and getting to know one another. Ultimately, this story is just the very first blossoms of a romance, and I look forward to them being a more established couple and cameo in later stories within the series.

<- Princess of PeasDance of Daggers ->

Image source: Kobo

Peppermint and Pentacles by Melanie Karsak

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Peppermint and Pentacles
Author: Melanie Karsak
Series: Red Cape Society #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Fairy tales, Retellings, Steampunk, Werewolves
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I read the first chapter of this story, and then kind of put it aside – reading on Kindle Unlimited is a little bit more clunky for me. However, once I got the chance, I read this story from cover to cover. However, even in the interim, I really wanted to dive back into this story. I mean, a Christmas, steampunk red riding hood was always going to pull me in. It also builds beautifully on the stirrings of feelings in Clemeny in Alphas and Airships. I loved seeing how her feelings evolve and she begins to get used to the new status quo within the Red Cape Society.

One of my all-time favourite things about Peppermint and Pentacles is the fact that the Christmas spin on the adventures of Clemeny is Krampus. I have been absolutely fascinated by the idea and practices of Krampus since my Austrian penpal introduced me to how her village celebrates this. And this was my first ever story that features this. I honestly couldn’t get enough of the darker twist on a Christmas story. Just the kind of tale that I tend to like.

Clemeny and Edwin (Agent Hunter) spend the entirety of this story moving closer to one another. There are still frequent mentions of Sir Richard throughout, and I feel like this is going to be a bit of a future love triangle. I wonder if they are going to work out in the next books in this series. I also loved getting to spend more time with Grand-mere. It was nice to have the characters that surround Clemeny fleshed out a bit. Characters that support her brilliantly, but also make me want to dive right into these books again and again.

There is so much about this series that I’m absolutely loving. And having a Christmas-story featuring Krampus into the mix just makes it all that much better. I can’t wait to read more and more and more of Karsak’s writing. Plus, with every book, there is more world building of the darker, more mystical side of these steampunk retellings.

<- Alphas and AirshipsBitches and Brawlers ->

Image source: Amazon

Arabian Phoenix by India Edghill

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Arabian Phoenix
Author: India Edghill
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Retellings
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 1999

Thoughts

Arabian Phoenix is a freaking awesome short story and retelling of Arabian nights! I absolutely loved every moment of it and was so disappointed when it was over. This was a bit of a modern take on an old classic, one in which there really aren’t any bad guys. Just tradition and those who want to change tradition and move into the future. If they’re brave enough to try and grasp the world with both hands.

I love that, rather than evidence of the death of each of the Kings’ wives, they just disappear. At first it seems creepy and as though there is some kind of large secret that no one is going to like. When it’s revealed / figured out, everything works beautifully and makes me smile. Rather the idea of death and mayhem is perpetuated by gossip and bad vibes.

At the conclusion of this story, it really felt like the King was trying to build up his own army of strong, educated women. I love that I could entirely see this working – well educated, loyal women, leading the charge towards change. The fact that this one might be special just made me want more about this tiny kingdom!

<- You Wandered Off Like a Foolish Child to Break Your Heart and MineToad-Rich ->

Image source: Wikipedia

Alphas and Airships by Melanie Karsak

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Alphas and Airships
Author: Melanie Karsak
Series: Red Cape Society #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Retellings, Steampunk, Werewolves
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

You know that a book is absolutely brilliant when you want to keep going back to pick it up. Only to realise that you’ve actually already finished it. And then you get that wonderfully irritating book hangover feeling. The one that makes you reluctant to pick up another book because it probably won’t quite measure up. And then it takes forever to find one that can quite draw you in again. Alphas and Airships was one such book.

Clemeny is a great and very relatable character and I love how driven she is for justice. Alphas and Airships sets up the idea of a bit of a love triangle for her. And also talks about some of the repercussions and change which Wolves and Daggers bought to her life. I wasn’t sure if I spent more of this book wanting to know about the new relationships which Clemeny was forming. Or whether she was going to get the Viking Werewolf that she was hunting… going forwards, it’ll be very much the love triangle that will drive my reading, but that’s mostly because there will be new hunting challenges to overcome I’m sure.

As far as partners go, I really enjoyed Agent Harper and how her relationship with Clemeny grows. I hope that she shows up again. It was fun watching their connection grow as they tried to stop the bad guys. Harper was also a great balance of innocence and light to Clemeny’s more serious and jaded nature. They’re also both driven by a high moral fibre that makes them entirely compatible.

During Alphas and Airships, it becomes obvious that there are a lot of secrets in Clemeny’s past. Many of which I’m sure she doesn’t actually know herself. Particularly those of her bloodline. I can’t wait to find out more about her history and how this is going to impact her life. I’m assuming heavily, because it feels like it’s being set up to be a huge deal.

<- Wolves and DaggersPeppermint and Pentacles ->

Image source: Amazon

You Wandered Off Like a Foolish Child to Break Your Heart and Mine by Pat York

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: You Wandered Off Like a Foolish Child to Break Your Heart and Mine
Author: Pat York
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Retellings
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 1999

Thoughts

This is a great follow on short story from The Wild Heart. In The Wild Heart, the thorns and dangers of Sleeping Beauty were seen from another point of view. But in York’s short story, all of those who tried (and failed) to reach the princess are focused upon. Honestly, this story was a great way to continue this feeling of reimagining. And it hit me from the very first word.

You Wandered Off Like a Foolish Child to Break Your Heart and Mine is a dark story from the very first sentence. It shows those who seriously lost out in the original fairy tale. I mean, ultimately, the princess is freed and there’s a “happily ever after”. But at what cost? Not everyone is a winner and for every story, there is a losing side. Sometimes those losers are actually kind of innocent and it’s a little bit sad.

Yet, with all of the darkness and heartbreak within this story, for me, this story is about a mother’s love for her son. What she’ll give up to try and care for her child, even when he is ungrateful and kind of annoying. Even when all of her efforts are in vain, there is no doubt of this mother’s love for her child.

<- The Wild HeartArabian Phoenix ->

Image source: Wikipedia

Grendel & Beowulf by C. Gockel

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Grendel & Beowulf
Author: C. Gockel
Series: Urban Magick & Folklore #3
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Paranormal romance, Retellings, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I had no idea what to expect from a C. Gockel novel. I mean, I’ve got a few in my TBR, but I’ve never actually read one. My verdict? Enjoyable and surprising. I love how Gockel was able to use aspects of the original tale of Beowulf (which I’m only vaguely familiar with, I think I read it once…), but create a new and much more pleasant version. I mean, Grendel is still a monster to a degree, albeit one with fangs. And Beowulf is still a monster hunter, just one with a skewed perception of reality. The only downside to this being my first story by Gockel? It’s the third in the Urban Magick & Folklore series. Not the first. But I’ll quickly rectify that.

I’ve read a lot of retellings over time, as you can probably see from my shelves. And I always love to see how different authors take the same tales and twist and turn them to suit their literary reality. I don’t think I’ve had the pleasure of a Beowulf retelling though. He’s been alluded to in a few books, but never an outright retelling. And I found that I absolutely loved this. Admittedly, it didn’t work out at all how one would expect from the fact that it’s about Grendel and Beowulf. But, I always love to be pleasantly surprised.

Having a quick perusal of the blurbs for the first two books in this series, I’m incredibly keen to see how Grendel gets to the point she is in this book. She’s a bit of a godmother / grandmother type obviously, and I want to find out more about how she takes that role. Grendel and Beowulf is very obviously all about the two in the title, but I actually want more of those other relationships of Grendel’s throughout. There’s a whole world there to explore that I can’t wait to sink my teeth into. Plus, even though this is obviously a story in which Grendel and Beowulf are going to end up together, I want more backstory on what makes this wonderfully caring and maternal grandmother type.

Most age gaps I read tend to have the man as older (insert soap box moment of media and gender expectations here). I love that this was a non-creepy reversal of that. Plus, Grendel spends the majority of this story thinking of Beowulf as a bit of a child, and feeling a bit odd about her attraction anyway. Then, there’s the whole getting to know you bit that they both do. A really good enemies to lovers trope with Beowulf actually taking on a bit of a villainous role before he starts to understand that he might have been brainwashed… although, Grendel and Beowulf doesn’t really end with the relationship in a nice and neat bow… making me all that much more keen to dive into the rest of this series!

<- Blood So RedMother of Monsters ->

Image source: C Gockel Writes

The Wild Heart by Anne Bishop

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Wild Heart
Author: Anne Bishop
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Feminism, Retellings
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 1999

Thoughts

The Wild Heart was a lovely and different take on sleeping beauty. I really liked how it was structured and enjoyed the adventure that we got to go along. There was something about this short story that was a little bit darker and more twisted. Making it feel a little bit truer with a number of horrible betrayals throughout. I love the dark and twisty versions of fairy tales. But this one also had an extra benefit of female power and independence.

The ending to this story was one of bittersweet emotions. It was kind of sad, but yet had a sense of hope even as I turned that final page. The thorns may have been pulled down and the princess released. But, she then had a whole life to live away from the horrors that encompass her past. I love that even her slumber is caused by a betrayal, not some more innocent fairy just cursing her.

I loved that the Sleeping Beauty was the Gentle Heart and Wild Heart. They are two sides of the same coin, and this story is all about finding oneself and embracing that. But, it’s also about defending yourself and keeping the Wild Heart alive and well, even whilst the Gentle Heart is loving and kind to others.

<- Ivory BonesYou Wandered Off Like a Foolish Child to Break Your Heart and Mine ->

Image source: Wikipedia

The Shell Box by Karawynn Long

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Shell Box
Author: Karawynn Long
In: Silver Birch, Blood Moon (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Fairy tales, Oceans
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Short story
Year: 1999

Thoughts

This was a bit of a sad story if I’m being honest. It definitely plucked at my heart strings and hurt my soul a little. But, ultimately, it as also hopeful and optimistic. The whole light shines the brightest in the dark kind of vibe. Merwen was a ridiculously fun lead character, and I just adored reading this tale.

I love Merwen and Sarina’s friendship. And, I don’t know if I’m reading a bit much into it, but I felt like there was so much potential for something more. Which, I completely loved the idea of and would actually really like a follow up story with Sarina and Merwen riding off into the sunset together. They are just too cute. I mean, Sarina’s brother is there, but still, they work so much better!

The power of the shell box is really quite intense and scarily powerful. I hate how Merwen just gives her voice so freely to her husband. And yet, I understand how so many women daily do this. The box may have had the power to take Merwens’s voice and hold it prisoner. But she had to be the one willing to give it away in the first place.

<- The Dybbuk in the BottleIvory Bones ->

Image source: Wikipedia