This was a very dark and twisty contemporary retelling of Snow White. Without the happy ending. Although, there was at least, the feeling of true love. In true Kiernan fashion, this was dark and twisted. But there was something ridiculously fun about that fact. Even while you were kind of sad at the turn of events.
I love that the seven dwarves are replaced by seven urchins (I’m sure there’s a better term for this, but that’s how it works in my head). With very few words, Kieran is able to show how each of them ended up here and what their burdens are. It also makes a weird sense how their decisions at the end of the story lead to such tragic outcomes.
There is violence and death in this story. Enough that it reminds you how kind of twisted the original Snow White is. But there’s this believability to this version which somehow makes it all darker and more twisted. Seriously enjoyable and a reminder of why I enjoy Kiernan’s writing so much.
I absolutely adored this Frog Prince retelling. It was kind of dark, a little bit twisted and definitely had a whole other approach than any other story of this sort that I’ve had the pleasure of reading before. Plus, I like dark, feminist twists to classic fairytales.
Even though this had some great feminist notes, but there wasn’t a good, happy ending. In fact, it was an incredibly tragic and annoying ending if I’m being honest. But also absolutely perfect.
This short story is a reminder that power corrupts. Even if you THINK a story is headed to a happy ending, the allure of power can be seriously consuming. A little heartbreaking in the end, but wonderful in its entirety.
I loved this poem, as with all poems, there are a number of meanings interwoven throughout. It was also nice to read the introduction at the beginning of this piece of prose. In the case of this poem, it is a great take on the curse of Sleeping Beauty. One that gives a whole heap of meaning to just what is considered a “curse” and a “gift”.
When you think of Sleeping Beauty, you think of her being cursed to sleep for a thousand years. But, in the case of this version, she is given the ability to use all of the gifts given by other fairies for herself. Each and everyone is to be for her and her alone, not to be given to whatever potential husband she has in the future. Because then her future happiness and marriage is based upon a partner, not an obligation.
This poem definitely had a great lyricality to it and a fantastic message – sometimes what we see as a curse is actually going to give us our freedom. Eventually. Just hopefully not in 100 years…
This was a wonderfully unique spin on the Cinderella fairy tale. One that wasn’t dark and twisted. Rather, one that was about a young girl who was trying to find a way to save her family. And in doing so manages to capture the attention of the prince. And the king and queen. And just generally a whole heap of people. It also had a number of wonderful LGBTQI+ spins throughout that helped it become even more beautiful and inclusive.
The “Cinderella” in this story is travelling to the ball not to win over the prince, or to find a better fate for herself. But, to save her mothers from being separated – they live in a country that separates those who are in same-sex relationships and forces them to remarry into hetero-couples (feels a little too hauntingly familiar in this day and age). The fact that there is magic to be had to send her there and it is the very family she is trying to save who also act as the fairy godmothers makes it all that much better.
Then there is the fact that the prince is actually trans. The immediate understanding in his activities when the “Cinderella” states her case is really sweet and made my heart melt a little bit. There was the obvious moment of attraction and lust between the two, but it was the support that I found to be truly romantic. Maybe that’s because lust and attraction can be fleeting – but supporting one another? That’s forever.
Lastly, I loved the courage that is shown throughout this. When offered a sure thing to save just her family, the girl decides to go with the uncertainty to try and help everyone. It’s such a nice moment and a reminder that although not everyone will always do the right thing, there are plenty of people who are willing to try. A great short story of romance, love and the need to fight for what is right in the world.
Njal and Amarrah are a fantastic and gorgeous couple in this phenomenal Beauty and the Beast retelling. Aguirre manages to combine aspects of the original fairy tale, Disney version and a whole Gothic aspect that will leave you breathless. Amarrah is that perfect balance of sweet and innocent, with tough and powerful. Unlike some of the young adult stories I’ve read recently, this didn’t feel forced or contrived, but enjoyably natural.
One of my favourite aspects of this retelling was that at no point does Amarrah want Njal to change himself to suit what others might see as a perfect man. Their slow courtship is exactly the kind of romance that I enjoy reading. The two spend a lot of time getting to know one another and conversing, way before they are able to finally see each other face to face. I love that they accept each other for exactly who and what they are.
Of course, every version of Beauty and the Beast has a curse in it that has cursed the “beast”. Aguirre’s version was wonderfully complex and brilliant. I love how there was the whole backstory of Njal’s curse throughout this is slowly unreeled. Not only do you spend the whole story hoping to race to the happily ever after. But you also can’t wait to find out what the heck happened to leave Njal in such a horrible position.
Everything about this retelling was brilliant and phenomenal. The journey Aguirre took me on was absolutely amazing. I think though that my favourite thing about this was that Amarrah doesn’t end up getting that typical prince charming – she gets the Beast man she fell for. And they, along with their two goats are able to drive off into the sunset happily ever after.
There’s been some Cinderella tales crossing my shelves over the years. They’ve always been fun, cute and adorable. But this definitely took the cake for cuteness. There is just something about Erin that is sweet and naive, without being painfully innocent.
I love that the Professor in this isn’t quite considered hot, he’s too scarred to be traditionally yummy. But, Warren is amazing at describing her male lead in such a way that he is still completely drool worthy. This is my first book by her, and just her ability to weave character descriptions that I can’t get out of my head has put her to the top of my wishlist.
As soon as Melinda makes an appearance in this tale, you know that she’s bad news. But I didn’t quite anticipate how catastrophic the evil with would be. In fact, every moment that she appears, I got a sick feeling in my stomach. And a bit of frustration at Blake’s inability to realise the potential problems that will arise from her scorned woman bit. I mean, seriously dude, how clueless can you be!?!?
If you’re looking to pick up this book and add it to your reading shelf. I can highly recommend that you do so. But be warned, the ending is not only a cliffhanger. It’s kind of heartbreaking. It most definitely hit me all in the feels, and I can’t wait to read Falling for the Beast.
I need to start this review by saying that I really, really don’t like Romeo and Juliet. I mean, other than Wuthering Heights, it may be one of my least favourite stories. They’re just so…. irritating. Which means that the fact that this is a retelling of that story put this on the backfoot to begin with. Not to say that I didn’t enjoy it, but I wasn’t mad about it like so many other stories I’ve been reading lately.
Although I couldn’t quite fall in love with the characters in this. I DID love the world building. And the story line. And pretty much everything other than Roma and Juliette. And the romance aspect. I’m just not a huge fan of the whole crossed lovers storyline. And the betrayal and such…
I would love to read more flappers stories. And the fact that this one is set in Shanghai just makes it all that much more intriguing and unique. I mean, the 20s aren’t an era that I’ve read much of… let alone the 20s in Shanghai and all of the politics that occurred there. Mix in teo rival gang heirs and the paranormal element… it was a pretty good sell.
Although I loved like 90% of this book, I found it incredibly hard to connect to the characters. And I do tend to find if I can’t connect to the characters, then I don’t hugely care what happens in the end. Which, ultimately is why I feel like this is a try again kind of book.
I’m a huge fan of Pride and Prejudice, and, indeed, anything Jane Austen. Which means I’m always happy and intrigued when I get the pleasure of reading a retelling of her classics. The fact that this was one of those books that I just had sent in a miscellaneous box… it left me feeling incredibly happy and over the moon. And, yes, I am completely obsessed with Jalaluddin now. She is an amazing writer, and once I sunk into this book, I struggled to put it down.
I’ve not read a lot of stories which feature Muslims. It’s definitely a cultural outlook that I am slowly increasing in my reading. But it is still incredibly sparse. Reading a retelling of a well-loved classic with this spin on it gave me an even greater understanding than I had expected. Not only was it a storyline that I already loved, but it was a cultural reality and life that I am completely fascinated by. (To be fair, I’m fascinated by anything that is not my own reality, hence the reading of a lot of books.) This window into another world also reminded us that pride and prejudice exist for everyone, no matter what their own cultural and social realities.
Unlike Pride and Prejudice, I didn’t find any of the “villains” in this story to be particularly villainous. Yes, they were a little difficult to stomach in moments, but you could also understand what drove them. Often it was small-mindedness. But it was still painful to read about, and the characters weren’t likeable. They were just… somehow more understandable. I love when the “villains” of a story are like this – it reminds you that often the “bad guys” in your own life have their own drivers and needs. It might not be exactly good and kind, but it is a little more understandable and relatable. It also takes an amazing writer to write characters that are completely unlikeable but totally understandable.
I absolutely adored this novel, and it is one that I look forward to reading again and again. There are so many fine details that pepper throughout this book that I found really intriguing and fun. I absolutely adored this and am kind of sad that it was over so soon. Which for me, is the mark of a truly amazing story.
Title: Geekerella Author: Ashley Poston Series: Once Upon a Con #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Retellings Dates read: 28th June – 12th July 2021 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Quirk Year: 2017 5th sentence, 74th page: Mark looks between me and my doom with this proud grin on his face.
Geek girl Ellie Wittimer lies and breathes Starfield, the classic sci-fi series she grew up watching with her late father. So when she sees a cosplay contest for a new II Starfield II movie, she has to enter. The prize? An invitation to the ExcelsiCon Cosplay Ball and a meet-and-greet with the actor slated to play Federation Prince Carmindor in the reboot. With savings from her gig at the Magic Pumpkin food truck (and her dad’s old costume), Elle is determined to win… unless her stepsisters get there first.
Teen actor Darien Freeman used to live for cons – before he was famous. Now they’re nothing but autographs and awkward meet-and-greets. Playing Carmindor is all he’s ever wanted, but the Starfield fandom has written him off as just another incompetent heartthrob. As ExcelsiCon draws near, Darien feels more and more like a fake – until he meets a girl who shows him otherwise.
Part romance, part love letter to nerd culture, and all totally adorbs, GEEKERELLA is a fairy tale for anyone who believes in the magic of fandom.
This was just too cute for words. Cinderella, cosplay, cons… not only was this a fantastic retelling. But it was also a great love story to all of the fandoms and geekdoms out there. There was even a great point in this about the fact that you should NOT judge another fan or their level of fan hood. A fan is a fan, and we get to do it in anyway we want. Something I’m perpetually happy about.
I had to keep pausing in my reading of this story. Mostly, because knowing Cinderella like I do… I kept feeling that point when things were about to be horrible. And I just loved Elle so much from the very beginning. I didn’t want the horrible things to happen to her… even though I knew that they would. But, as with all good stories…. it ended okay.
This was a wonderful teen story. It was one that captured all of that teen angst of finding oneself. That feeling of not belonging and being a bit incomplete. And just… figuring it out. We all do it throughout our lives, but it’s so much more intense in our teen years… I like that this story had characters that were ACTUALLY teenagers. Not characters that were that age… but seem so much more mature. It was fantastic. But yet, not too teen angsty that as an adult you’d want to put it down.
I absolutely adored this story and I can’t wait to get into The Princess and the Fangirl… its looking like another cute and adorable book. One that I know will hit all the same emotional ticks that I love.
Title: Snow, Glass, Apples Author: Neil Gaiman In: By Blood We Live (John Joseph Adams) & Smoke and Mirrors (Neil Gaiman) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Fairy tales, Horror, Retellings, Vampires Dates read: 31st March 2021 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Night Shade Books Year: 2008 5th sentence, 74th page: He rode with a small retinue: large enough to defend him, small enough that another monarch – myself, for instance – would not view him as a potential threat.
This is the true story of Snow White… one that will leave you feeling seriously uncomfortable.
I’ve read quite a few theories that state that Snow White is a vampire. Which seriously makes a deep, dark, twisted kind of sense. Apparently Gaiman feels the same. And this completely supported the theory in the creepiest most disgusting of ways possible. I’m glad that before I started reading this, there was actually a bit of a warning… it definitely helped prepare me for the ick factor that this awesome short story had.
Not only does this short story deal with vampires, and snow white. There is also necrophilia and all sorts of hints of bad things that I don’t necessarily want to think about. Again, seriously glad that there was a disclaimer at the beginning. But it didn’t stop me from being unable to put the story down and stop thinking about it.
This retelling is dark, twisted and truly glorious. I have not been able to stop thinking about it since I finished it. Which is probably one of the many reasons why I loved it so much. That, and, you know, I just tend to love everything I’ve read by Neil Gaiman.
Earth and Skye 