Tag Archives: Fairy tales

North Child by Edith Pattou

May 29, 2018Book ReviewEast, Easy Reading, Edith Pattou, Fairy tales, Romanceskyebjenner

Title: North Child
Author: Edith Pattou
Series: East #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fairy tales, Romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Usborne
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: Nils Erland set out for Danemark, where he hoped to make his way, and Selme Eva married an ironworker and moved with him to a village in Njord far distant from us.

Superstition says that children born facing north will travel far from home, and Rose’s mother is terrified that Rose, a north child, will face a lonely, icy death if she follows her destiny. But Rose is unaware of this, so when an enormous white bear appears and wants to take her away she agrees to his bargain.

Rose travels on the bear’s back to a mysterious castle where a silent stranger appears to her night after night. Overwhelmed by curiosity, Rose does something that has terrible consequences. Now she must embark on an epic journey to save the one she loves and fulfil her true destiny.

As familiar and moving as Beauty and the Beast, yet infused with freshness and originality, North Child is at once lyrical, exciting and memorable, a sweeping story of grand proportions.

I loved this book the first time I read it. And then, I was so mixed in my emotions this second time. But, once I get sucked into Pattou’s amazing world, I was hooked. Again. And completely drowned myself in the words that she continuously spread across the page.

Although when I first read this story, I thought it was based on Beauty and the Beast, but I have since discovered that this story is based on a Norwegian folk tale. And somehow this just makes it so much better. The intricacies of the tale and storyline and the stark difference to a fairy tale that I know well make a lot more sense when understood through a Norwegian lens. Or at least, it is a lot more enthralling and leads me to a greater fascination for a culture I’ve had little exposure to.

I often get kind of frustrated with stories that flick between points of view. Normally I get really attached to just one of the characters and then all I want is to know more about his / her point of view. Somehow it works for this tale though. Flicking between Neddy, Rose, Father, White Bear and the Troll Queen shows the many finely woven aspects of this tale. And although you are sometimes swept away from a character that you love, you’re quickly swept into an entirely new tale that wraps you up in its spell.

Anyone that wants a sweet romance with a strong female, this is the story you should pick up. It brings to life a number of gorgeous, glacial settings that Rose must battle through to save what she loves most. But the overtones of folklore make this even sweeter and somehow more innocent.

<- More Edith Pattou’s reviews

West Review ->

Image source: Pinterest

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

May 28, 2018Book ReviewFairy tales, Marissa Meyer, Steampunk, Strong Women, The Lunar Chroniclesskyebjenner

Title: Scarlet
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: She closed the distance between them and thumped her locked fist into his sternum, ignoring how he towered a full head above her.

THIS IS NOT THE FAIRY TALE YOU REMEMBER. BUT IT’S ONE YOU WON’T FORGET.

Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. The police have closed her case. The only person Scarlet can turn to is Wolf, a street fighter she does not trust, but they are drawn to each other.

Meanwhile, in New Beijing, Cinder will become the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive – when she breaks out of prison to stay one step ahead of vicious Queen Levanna.

As Scarlet and Wolf expose one mystery, they encounter Cinder and a new one unravels. Together they must challenge the evil queen, who will stop at nothing to make Prince Kai her husband, her king, her prisoner…

It took me a little while to really get into this book. I absolutely devoured Cinder and all of the books that came before…. But there was something about Scarlet that took me a little longer. And then it hit me, out of all of the fairy tales that I grew up with – Red Riding Hood was the one that held the least interest and sway for me. Something about it never really clicked, and in the beginning of this book, that feeling kind of lingered.

Which is not to say that this story wasn’t amazing. Although it took me a little longer to become obsessively engrossed within the storyline (always a good tell of a good book with me), I still managed to very happily lose myself in the story of Scarlet and Wolf. The fact that Cinder’s story was continuing and everything tied in so beautifully together… it just all worked beautifully. I love how Meyer manages to grab the very heart of our favourite fairy tales and make them work in her incredibly unique world. The fact that there’s a bit of a love story involved kind of helps a little. After all, when there is some kind of love (be it romantic or platonic), the stakes are just that much higher.

I have to say that my favourite character throughout this entire novel was Wolf. There was just something about his tragic past, his incredibly obvious internal conflict and just his general persona that really drew me to him. It could have something to do with the fact that I often seem to connect with the idea of wolf packs and hierarchy in every book / series that I read (make of that what you will). His rocky relationship with his brother only increased the heartfelt and almost vulnerable feeling that he inspired, and although I know that the bulk of his and Scarlet’s story is over, I look forward to seeing how the two will play out throughout the rest of the series.

<- The Queen’s Army Review

Cress Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

Once Upon a Curse by E.D. Baker

May 14, 2018Book ReviewE.D. Baker, Easy Reading, Fairy tales, Fantasy, The Tales of the Frog Princessskyebjenner

Title: Once Upon a Curse
Author: E.D. Baker
Series: The Tales of the Frog Princess #3
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fairy tales, Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: She’s very particular, our princess Hazel, and she deserves the best.

It is one week before Princess Emma’s birthday, and with it comes the threat of the family curse. Many years before Emma’s time, an angry fairy cursed her ancestor, Princess Hazel. She decreed that Hazel and all her female descendants, upon reaching their sixteenth birthdays, could not touch a flower, or else all their beauty and kindness would be erased. No one before Emma has been powerful enough to find the fairy responsible, or undo her terrible work, but Emma is determined – it’s up to her to reverse the curse. But can she do it in time?

I love this story – it is a great way to round out The Tales of the Frog Princess series. Or at least, I used to think that until I recently discovered that there are another six books. Regardless, this is a nice little end to the curse arc of the story within this series. And still ties in beautifully to the rest of the tale – the swamp fairy, amongst others make another appearance.

I love the time travel aspect to this tale. When you first open one of Baker’s stories, you are already whisked back into an idealised version of medieval times. Yet, this tale takes that one step further – it shows us an even earlier date in this world’s history. Something that I found quite cute and enjoyable. Although, I definitely prefer Emma’s world and her current family and reality.

The way in which the day is won is also incredibly sweet and unexpected. It made me laugh and smile when I read it, and I’m certainly glad that there is another few books to read. After all, Emma might have solved the problem of the curse, but she hasn’t managed to tie the knot or do many, many other things in her role as Green Witch.

<- Dragon’s Breath Review

No Place for Magic Review ->

Image source: Bloomsbury Publishing

Dragon’s Breath by E.D. Baker

May 12, 2018Book ReviewE.D. Baker, Easy Reading, Fairy tales, Fantasy, The Tales of the Frog Princessskyebjenner

Title: Dragon’s Breath
Author: E.D. Baker
Series: The Tales of the Frog Princess #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fairy tales, Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: When nothing came out, his eyes took on a wild look.

Princess Emeralda, whose magic is still not quite perfect, is determined to get her favourite aunt, Grassina, back together again with her old beau-turned-otter, Haywood.

But this seemingly simple task becomes an epic quest when Emma discovers the recipe for breaking the spell:
A gossamer hair from mother of pearl,
The breath of a dragon, green.
A feather from an aged horse,
The husk of a magic bean.

From a trip to the bottom of the fishbowl sea to an incredible adventure at the Dragon Olympics, Emma and Prince Eadric, her formerly froggy friend, defy the wily witches and wizards of the magical world and prove that Emma is a witch very much worthy of her inherited powers.

A fast-paced and hilarious companion to The Frog Princess.

As a follow up to The Frog Princess, this is brilliant. It is just as funny, cute and witty as the first story and it takes us further into Emma and Eadric’s world of magic and mayhem. On a journey to break her Grandmother’s spell over Haywood, Emma and Eadric travel all across the magical kingdom to find four incredibly obscure ingredients.

I kind of loved the fact that the ingredients to reverse Olivene’s spell were so obscure and difficult. The poetry in the spell alone was fun to read, but the journey to actually obtain the ingredients… it took my favourite royal couple to many, many corners of the magical world. As I always do, I enjoyed the ways in which our reality is layered into a magical one. It made everything seem at once fantastic, and recognisable at the same time. Especially the magic markets – that is the kind of place that I would really love to visit.

Emma’s transformation from blundering witch-in-training to powerful witch in her own right kind of took me by surprise. I thought that her transformation from girl would take a lot longer in this series. Yet, instead of feeling cumbersome and as a means to a happy ending. It worked really, really well. It was entirely believable and I can’t wait to open the pages of the next book in this series.

<- The Frog Princess Review

Once Upon a Curse Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Queen’s Army by Marissa Meyer

April 20, 2018Book ReviewFairy tales, Marissa Meyer, Stars Above, Steampunk, Strong Women, The Lunar Chroniclesskyebjenner

Title: The Queen’s Army
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #1.5
In: Stars Above (Marissa Meyer)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Z pushed himself back into the exam table.

In this prequel to Scarlet, we’re introduced to the army Queen Levana is building, and one soldier in particular who will do anything to keep from becoming the monster they want him to be.

Levanna’s army is shown in Cinder and it seems kind of scary. Which is why a short story about one of the young men who are placed into this situation and created as a soldier worked in quite well. It’s the story from behind enemy lines that is not only introducing a character that will (I’m sure) appear in the next novel, but helping to highlight the horrors which Levanna inflicts upon her own people.

There really wasn’t much that was shocking in this story. It was expected that the soldiers would be genetically modified. That the lead would be unwilling to join the legions. And that he would eventually triumph over the other sufferers of brutality. The way in which it was done was completely different though. Mostly because of the great and unique world in which Meyer has placed her characters.

Now that I’ve read about the boy, I can’t wait to meet the man in Scarlet…

<- Cinder Review

Scarlet Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

April 19, 2018Book ReviewFairy tales, Marissa Meyer, Steampunk, Strong Women, The Lunar Chroniclesskyebjenner

Title: Cinder
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Puffin
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: Yes, her ratio should be impressive.

A FORBIDDEN ROMANCE.
A DEADLY PLAGUE.
EARTH’S FATE HINGES ON ONE GIRL…

Cinder, a gifted mechanic in New Beijing, is also a cyborg. She’s reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s sudden illness. But when her life becomes entwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s she finds herself at the centre of a violent struggle between the desires of an evil queen – and a dangerous temptation.

Cinder is caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal. Now she must uncover secrets about her mysterious past in order to protect Earth’s future.

THIS IS NOT THE FAIRY TALE YOU REMEMBER. BUT IT’S ONE YOU WON’T FORGET.

Cinderella is a fairly well known fairy tale. After all, it’s the perfect rags to riches tale. The story of someone overpowering their bad situation and finding a good one. The fact that there is a handsome prince, and a pretty dress and a ball…that just makes it all the more appealing and sweet… at least normally, Cinder gives this tale a very different spin. And one that I personally love to pieces.

I am fairly new to the steampunk genre. But, I absolutely adore it. It’s something that marries a range of different themes and styles into this perfect little world. The fact that this was then partnered with the childlike world of riches kind of made this series absolutely perfect for me. Having already read Glitches, I had a little more backstory on Cinder’s unwanted presence in the Linh household. But, even without that, the creation of a future world in which cyborgs walk (and are owned) among us was fun. The joy and happiness of Peony and the quirkiness of Ito just helped to make the story a whole lot more enthralling. And cute. There were a lot of serious, hard and sad moments throughout the story for Cinder, but the attitude of not only her, but her companions made it a lot easier to bear.

I really wasn’t expecting the ending to this story. Although it is a Cinderella tale, it didn’t quite end in the same way. And it left the tale wide open for the next book in the series… which I now have to wait for… there’s always something great about a surprise at the end of a series, and it always makes getting the next book in the mail all the more exciting…

<- The Mechanic Review

The Queen’s Army Review ->

Image source: Jennifer Melza

The Mechanic by Marissa Meyer

April 18, 2018Book ReviewFairy tales, Marissa Meyer, Stars Above, Steampunk, Strong Women, The Lunar Chroniclesskyebjenner

Title: The Mechanic
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #0.9
In: Stars Above (Marissa Meyer)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: “But without knowing what’s wrong with -”

In this prequel to Cinder, we see Kai and Cinder’s first meeting from Kai’s perspective.

This is an alternative view at a great scene in Cinder. And it’s something that I enjoy in a series – looking at another character’s point of view. The fact that it is Kai, the other half of the love match in the first full Lunar Chronicles novel, made it even more captivating. And, it was enlightening as to why Kai fell for Cinder. After all, she is constantly described as being very plain. So I found it a little difficult to really understand their connection in this scene. Until I read The Mechanic, then everything fell into place.

I like that the heroine of this story isn’t described as beautiful and stunning. It’s difficult to connect with characters when they are constantly described as otherworldly. The fact that Kai’s draw in to Cinder is her simplicity and difference makes you feel like everyone has their own hope for the future.

<- The Little Android Review

Cinder Review ->

Image source: The Lunar Chronicles Wiki

After Sunshine Passes By by Marissa Meyer

April 16, 2018Book ReviewFairy tales, Marissa Meyer, Stars Above, Steampunk, Strong Women, The Lunar Chroniclesskyebjenner

Title: After Sunshine Passes By
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #0.25
In: Stars Above (Marissa Meyer)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: State-of-the-art.

In this prequel to Cress, we see how a nine-year-old Cress ended up alone on a satellite, spying on Earth for Luna.

The idea of shells is introduced in Cinder and it is a great reminder that even if you don’t have superpowers, you still have powers. The beginning of the Rapunzel story starts off kind of sad. It’s an unwanted girl in a place where she is told that she is unwanted and not needed. Actually, this is the saddest of the short stories in The Lunar Chronicles that I have read so far. There is no light on the horizon, but rather it just ends with a young girl being locked up by herself, orbiting the earth.

One thing that I really loved about this short story is Cress’ strength of character and ability to find something good in her life. The picture painted about her dismal upbringing would ensure that many people became downtrodden. Yet, somehow this girl is optimistic and full of hope – the very short story begins with her imagining a better life for herself.

<- The Keeper Review

Glitches Review ->

Image source: Lunar Chronicles Wiki

The Keeper by Marissa Meyer

April 13, 2018Book ReviewFairy tales, Marissa Meyer, Stars Above, Steampunk, Strong Women, The Lunar Chroniclesskyebjenner

Title: The Keeper
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #0.1
In: Stars Above (Marissa Meyer)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fairy tales, Steampunk, Strong women
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: A deep crease had formed between his brows.

A prequel to the Lunar Chronicles, showing a young Scarlet and how Princess Selene came into the care of Michelle Benoit.

I read this after reading Cinder, and although I am slowly reading the series in order, I’m kind of glad that I read it after reading Cinder. This short story tells the tale of how Cinder became a Cyborg and how she was saved from Levanna’s evil reign. It also gives insight into the world of Lunar and how the Earthlings of this world deal with it.

Not only did The Keeper introduce Cinder’s first years on earth, it also told the story of how Scarlet came to live with her Grandmother. And I can’t wait to see how she has transformed into an adult when I actually get to reading her novel…

<- Stars Above Review

After Sunshine Passes By Review ->

Image source: Lunar Chronicles Wiki

The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker

April 2, 2018Book ReviewE.D. Baker, Easy Reading, Fairy tales, Fantasy, The Frog Princessskyebjenner

Title: The Frog Princess
Author: E.D. Baker
Series: The Tales of the Frog Princess #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fairy tales, Fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: Have a bedtime snack.

Princess Emerelda is not exactly an ideal princess. Her laugh sounds like a donkey’s bray rather than tinkling bells, she trips over her feet more often than she gracefully curtsies, and she hates the young Prince Jorge who her mother sees as a potential son-in-law! But if Emma (as she likes to be known) ever thought to escape from her frustrating life, she never expected it to happen by kissing a frog!

One kiss with the frog who calls himself Prince Eadric, and Emma’s whole life turns upside down as the two of them set off on a deliciously original, hilarious and fast-paced fairy-tale adventure.

I loved this book when I first read it at ten years old. And guess what? I still love it now! It is funny, cute, and a slightly different take on the typical fairy tale (who originally wrote it, I wonder) about the princess kissing the frog. The fact that the princess is kind of uncoordinated and definitely not graceful (a lot like myself, really), just makes it so much more entertaining and cute.

The simplicity of the reversal of Emma and Eadric’s unwitting blunder is gloriously easy. But, the journey to find out just what went wrong, and how to get to a witch to fix it… so complexly beautiful. Across the swamp, with a rogue otter, stalking dog and some even weirder companions, the journey isn’t quite what I expected. Even reading this story for the second time around (give me a break it’s been about ten years).

One of the things that I have always loved most about Emma is that although she is not entirely comfortable in her own skin, she is still confident enough to stick up for herself. Ultimately, she doesn’t let anyone push her around, regardless of what shape she takes! Something that I sometimes feel I have down, but then at others realise I need to work on a little more…

<- The Frog Princess Returns Review

Dragon’s Breath Review ->

Earth and Skye

The ramblings of a bibliophile.

Tag Archives: Fairy tales

North Child by Edith Pattou

Image source: Pinterest

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

Image source: Goodreads

Once Upon a Curse by E.D. Baker

Image source: Bloomsbury Publishing

Dragon’s Breath by E.D. Baker

Image source: Goodreads

The Queen’s Army by Marissa Meyer

Image source: Goodreads

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Image source: Jennifer Melza

The Mechanic by Marissa Meyer

Image source: The Lunar Chronicles Wiki

After Sunshine Passes By by Marissa Meyer

Image source: Lunar Chronicles Wiki

The Keeper by Marissa Meyer

Image source: Lunar Chronicles Wiki

The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker

Image source: Pinterest