Title: Wolfed Author: Tanith Lee In: Sirens and Other Daemon Lovers (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling) & Redder Than Blood (Tanith Lee) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Fairy tales, Lust, Retellings Dates read: 6th January 2020 Pace: Fast Format: Short story Publisher: EOS Year: 1998 5th sentence, 74th page: But then, anyway, the elevator was a private one and this was the penthouse suite, so it would be kind of unlikely he had taken the wrong route, or made any mistake at all.
Wolf is a man of the night. Then he runs into Rose, a gorgeous young woman who just wants to buy her “grandmother” a present…
I’ve just finished reading Lee’sRed as Blood collection. So I was kind of expecting something much, much darker than this story. It was incredibly lustful and intense in some ways, but it definitely wasn’t something I would call dark. There was also a point at the end which hints that they could, in fact, live happily ever after.
Actually this story didn’t just have a hint about happy endings, it had multiple. And pushed the boundaries of what I enjoy in a romance. This is the second story I’ve read which features a threesome, but, unlike the first one, I found this non-confronting. Actually, I found it kind of cute, funny and sweet in moments. Which was a very interesting reaction.
This was a fantastic short story. One that I will probably revisit in the future. There is just something fun about it, even when it’s dealing with a lot of sexuality. Maybe it’s because I’m reading a collection that deals with sexuality, but not in the truly intense way of Alien Sex.
Title: Red as Blood Collection Author: Tanith Lee In: Red as Blood (Tanith Lee) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Dark fantasy, Fairy tales, Feminism, Retellings, Short story collections Dates read: 23rd October – 17th December 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Wildside Year: 1983 5th sentence, 74th page: There were carvings in the sides of the tower, the magic symbols from the chamber as it had been, the zodiac, the Crown, the Sword, the Chalice – she knew such seals must hold the spire safely.
Here are ten devilishly twisted fairy tales as the Brothers Grimm never dared to tell them. With her brilliantly macabre pen, Tanith Lee retells some familiar tales, and concocts some new and unusual ones, as she asks us to consider the possibility that things may not work as our fairy tales have them… In the title story, Lee shows us a perfectly good stepmother, whose Princess stepdaughter reeks of evil. Then there is Ashella, the Cinderella-like girl who, “When the Clock Strikes”, intends to give her Prince Charming a deadly surprise. In “Wolfland”, Lisel takes a trip through the woods to visit her grandmother – who bears little resemblance to the loving old woman we expect. And in “Thorns” you’ll find the haunting answer to the question, “What if awakening the Sleeping Beauty turns out to be the mistake of a lifetime – of several lifetimes, in fact?”
Populated with demons and devils, vengeful gods and not-so-innocent young girls, the ten tales of Red as Blood weave a tapestry of chilling visions, spun by the incomparably fiendish imagination of Tanith Lee!
This is the second feminist collection of fairy tales I’ve ever read. And I don’t know if I like this or Angela Carter’s version better. What I do know is that I love both of them and I will read them again and again. They’re fun, kind of brilliant and super dark. Much more likely in our lives than the pretty Disney-versions that I grew up with.
There wasn’t one story in this collection that I didn’t absolutely adore. Normally I’ll find one or two that just aren’t as good… but that most certainly wasn’t the case. This was brilliant! Honestly, as I turned the last page, I could have quite happily turned around and just started this all over again. I didn’t, because I have a whole stack of other books I want to read by the end of the year… but I don’t often have that desire in the first place.
Now I need to find some more Tanith Leebooks. I have one other sitting in my shelf, but I want so much more now! There is no way that I won’t love it after this. Especially when you’re looking at a story which has a beautiful wordplay on the Brothers Grimm… equally dark versions, but with a focus on the women and the battles that they face.
Title: Beauty Author: Tanith Lee In: Red as Blood (Tanith Lee) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Aliens, Fairy tales, Retellings, Science fiction Dates read: 17th December 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Wildside Year: 1983 5th sentence, 74th page: There were no words at all.
When the rose arrives, the family must give up one of their own. When her time comes, she finds that maybe this new home with an alien being could be exactly what she was missing in her life. A beautiful, science fiction retelling of Beauty and the Beast.
I’ve been enjoying Beauty and the Beast retellings lately. I have never read one which is this intense though. And a SciFi version to boot. And it was just a short story! Beauty is brilliant, fun and gives an entirely new take on an old classic. Unlike most short stories that I fall this in love with though, I actually was happy with the length. I didn’t feel like it had to be expanded and added to. I didn’t think that it actually needed to be longer, it was kind of perfect all on its own.
I love that the “beast” in this story is an alien. Part of a race that is giving, helpful and constantly providing for humanity. But, the cost is that eventually some families have to give up their own child. There is so much mystery to this practice that you spend most of the tale just wondering why this is the case. And when the face of the beast is finally revealed to the young woman, what you believe is entirely wrong. It’s a great mislead and just makes it all that much more impossible to put the story down. This might be why I was happy for it to be short… I don’t know if I could sustain that kind of intensity.
As much as I’ve tried to convey the pure amazingness of this story, I don’t actually think I have the right words. Anywhere. In anyway, shape or form. Which is completely new for me. There is just something about this retelling that left me feeling in awe as the final page was closed. Happy, in awe and just fascinated.
Title: Wolfland Author: Tanith Lee In: Red as Blood (Tanith Lee) Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Fairy tales, Horror, Retellings Dates read: 8th December 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Wildside Year: 1983 5th sentence, 74th page: Gradually, then, the voices of the other wolves began to dull, eventually falling quiet.
In “Wolfland”, Lisel takes a trip through the woods to visit her grandmother – who bears little resemblance to the loving old woman we expect.
This was a really cool Red Riding Hood retelling. Not the kind I was expecting, but certainly an enjoyable one. I kind of totally adored this and was really sad that it was over so soon. I could imagine an entire saga created about this version of Red Riding Hood. And I would most definitely read it.
A bit of a spoiler here… but I loved the fact that Grandma was actually the big bad wolf… of a sorts. And her reasons for becoming such a scary beast were absolutely on point!!! Even though it was a little bit scary…
Although I seriously loved this short story, I was still completely horrified by it. Particularly the ending. Which is probably why I keep wishing that this was a bigger series.
Title: Return to the Isle of the Lost Author: Melissa de la Cruz Series: Descendants #2 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Fairy tales, Retellings, Villains Dates read: 13th – 26th December 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Scholastic Year: 2016 5th sentence, 74th page: ‘Oh, and it’s always best to be home before midnight.’
Mal’s an expert at intimidating her enemies, but she’s broken the habit since leaving her villainous roots behind. So when she and her friends Evie, Carlos and Jay all receive threatening messages demanding they return home, Mal can’t believe it. Sure, she’s King Ben’s girlfriend now, and she’s usually nice to her classmates, but she still didn’t think anyone would be silly enough to try to push her around.
The thing is, it kind of worked. Especially since she and her friends have a sneaking suspicion that their villainous parents are behind the messages. And when Evie looks into her Magic Mirror, what she sees only confirms their fears. Maleficent’s just a tiny lizard after her run-in with Mal at Ben’s Coronation, but she’s the worst villain in the land for a reason. Could she have found a way to escape? Whatever’s going on, Mal, Evie, Carlos and Jay know they have to sneak back to the Isle and get to the bottom of it.
Without its infamous leader, the island’s even worse than when they left it, but the comforts of home – even a home as gloomy as the Isle of the Lost – can be hard to resist for recently reformed villains. Will the kids be able to beat the evil bubbling at the Isle’s wicked core, or will the plot to destroy Auradon succeed?
I absolutely loved The Isle of the Lost, but I did get a little confused at the beginning of this. I was expecting the story to pick up where the first one ended. But, I’m thinking that the movie is the middle story to the two stories. Since at the end of the first novel, the four are still on the Isle. And at the beginning of this, they’re in Auradon Prep, have boyfriends and girlfriends and a life of their own. I actually checked online multiple times to make sure I had the right book. It was. And once I got over my confusion, I thoroughly enjoyed this story.
I can normally have a bit of a guess at the direction which a story that I’m reading is likely to take. Especially when it’s a young adult book. And one that is based on Disney (which I am stupidly obsessed with). Yet, this story wasn’t like that. I was constantly surprised at the direction which this took. Each moment I thought I had a handle on what was happening… the story changed direction. New characters with unexpected Disney parents would appear, change tactic. New challenges would arise. I loved it. Once I got over my initial confusion… I couldn’t put it down!
There is this idea in stories and the world that returning home and family is generally a good thing. I don’t find it to be that way. And this story seriously echoes that sentiment. For which I am grateful. I like that this is about not following in your parents footsteps. Or doing what they want and expect. That it’s about finding your own path, and realising that sometimes, you’re better off where you are, rather than returning to a past that wasn’t exactly healthy for you.
De la Cruz is very good at weaving Disney lore into the stories in a way that is incredibly surprising. The appearance of Mum for example was not one that I expected, but I love the mad witch, so it was also brilliant. Using this intricate knowledge to create the talismans and their powers was an unexpected choice. Yet, again, one that I absolutely adored. It was fun, engaging and makes me incredibly keen to pick up the third novel. I’m going to try and hold out for the new year though and finish the books that I’m currently reading.
Title: The Golden Rope Author: Tanith Lee In: Red as Blood (Tanith Lee) Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Dark fantasy, Fairy tales, Retellings Dates read: 9th November 2019 Pace: Slow Format: Short story Publisher: Wildside Year: 1983 5th sentence, 74th page: The moon rose late upon the walled garden.
Jaspre was bought before she was born. But her childhood has been idealistic and pure. Until the true purpose of her life is revealed and a more sinister tie is shown.
This short story is a creepy, dark and kind of devilish
version of Rapunzel. The prince doesn’t climb up the tower to reach her. In
fact, there isn’t really any prince. But there is still a seduction of a form
and a woman who keeps a foundling child trapped for some nefarious reason. The
nefarious reason in this story is just far more intense and dark than other
versions I’ve read of this tale.
As with many of the fairy tales that I’ve read, virginity
and purity are major themes. Normally it’s a lot more subtle than in this
story. After all, in this version, she is raised purposely sweet and pure so
that she will lovingly sacrifice herself to the prince of darkness. Which just
seems all the darker and more twisted than a normal virginal sacrifice… maybe
because she’s raised to go to it willingly. With no true concept of pain.
There is a bit of a happily ever after in this story. It
wasn’t even remotely what I expected. But, apparently it was kind of everything
that I wanted. Definitely enjoyable and almost impossible to forget. I look
forward to rereading this in the future when I want my fairy tales with just a
dash of darkness.
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.
Title: When the Clock Strikes Author: Tanith Lee In: Red as Blood (Tanith Lee) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Dark fantasy, Fairy tales, Retellings Dates read: 3rd November 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Wildside Year: 1983 5th sentence, 74th page: It might be the night of their lives.
Then there is Ashella, the Cinderella-like girl who, “When the Clock Strikes”, intends to give her Prince Charming a deadly surprise.
This is a super, super dark retelling of Cinderella. One that
made me question my own beautifully well known Disney version (and other
happily-ever-after retellings). Not necessarily the version I would be telling
my children, but definitely one that I seriously enjoyed and look forward to
picking up again and again.
Not many witch stories I read lately feature Satan worship as
an aspect of the storyline. Which made it quite enjoyable to read such a tale. This
short story took many of the aspects of witchcraft and Satan worship that
aren’t often found in my shelves generally. It made a completely plausible and fun
retelling.
The symbolism of when the clock strikes was powerful. From
the beginning, we are told that 12 means death. So as you get closer and closer
to her journey to midnight… you wait for death to overtake the world. Or at
least the poor, naïve prince.
Title: Thorns Author: Tanith Lee In: Red as Blood (Tanith Lee) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Fairy tales, Retellings Dates read: 29th October 2019 Pace: Medium Format: Short story Publisher: Wildside Year: 1983 5th sentence, 74th page: He hesitated a moment.
And in “Thorns” you’ll find the haunting answer to the question, “What if awakening the Sleeping Beauty turns out to be the mistake of a lifetime – of several lifetimes, in fact?”
At the beginning of this short story retelling, I thought
that it was going to be super dark and twisted. Something that I wouldn’t quite
be able to get out of my head. And would certainly make me look at Sleeping
Beauty in a whole new light. And in some ways, it really was. It was dark, sad
and incredibly bittersweet. But it was nowhere near as twisty as I was
expecting it to be.
Actually, this story was mostly what I would call
melancholy. It wasn’t actually sad. It wasn’t something that made me question
my fairy tales from childhood in a new and really uncomfortable way (I’ve been
reading a lot of stories like that lately). But it was quite melancholy, and
made you sit there with that feeling in your chest when you’d turned the last
page. Not quite sad, not quite happy… just there.
This is the first ever retelling of Sleeping Beauty
that I’ve approached which addresses the 100-year gap. After all, a woman might
be woken by the prince… but what happens when the entire castle has now lost
everything that they had? Their entire world died out long ago and things do
change quite drastically in a 100-year time period… so what do you do then?
Lee shows us a perfectly good stepmother, whose Princess stepdaughter reeks of evil.
I love villain retellings of stories. This is one of those
perfect ones in which the “good guy” is actually a terrifying villain and the villain
is the “right” kind of woman. This short story was a fantastically unique take
on Snow White. I’ve read a few retellings of this story. But none have an evil
Snow White, they’re just misunderstood queens generally.
This is the first retelling of a fairy tale that features
Christianity. Unlike many stories which have the Christian faith and the transfer
into this faith, it wasn’t done in an overpowering way. Just a mention of a
cross or two and the devil’s allergy to the cross. Or at least, that’s how I
read it. I liked that it used something that frequently happened, but in a
positive light, instead of a good Christian women taking over, she saved her step-daughter
from a horrible fate, and stopped her from ruining their kingdom.
I loved the way that this story went full circle. It began
in the same place as the beginning, but with a more positive outcome, a better,
more congenial relationship. It’s always nice when stories go full circle, but
with a far more positive outcome. One that hints at a happily ever after.
Earth and Skye 