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Flight (Gay Fairy Tales #3)
Flight (Gay Fairy Tales #3)
Keira Andrews, Leta Blake | 2015 | LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is a retelling of the old Brothers Grimm German classic, The Twelve Dancing Princesses, with an M/M twist put on it by the authors.

Although I enjoyed this one, it didn't have the same impact as Levity did. There just seemed to be something missing. Perhaps it was Mateo's cake? He came across quite well in some parts, spoilt in others, and even cruel as he refused to even think about him loving anybody. Instead, he was happy to use Ópalo as a booty call! I don't think I'm giving away any spoilers when I say that it ends well, after all the Grimm version has been around since 1812! However, the ending just seemed to fizzle out, in a "oh, I realised years ago" way.

I did enjoy this story, just not as much as other books by these authors. Still very well written though, with no editing or grammatical errors that I could see.

* A copy of this book was provided to me with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book, and the comments here are my honest opinion. *

Merissa
Archaeolibrarian - I Dig Good Books!
Jun 14, 2016
  
A Grimm Curse (Grimm Tales #3)
A Grimm Curse (Grimm Tales #3)
Janna Jennings | 2015 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<i>This eBook was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review </i>

Janna Jennings’ latest book, <i>A Grimm Curse</i>, is set long before the previous two novellas in <i>A Grimm Tales</i> series. Rather than focusing on Andi, a girl from the “real” world, this is a story about the characters in the fairytales – most importantly Cynthia or, whom readers may know her better as, Cinderella.

As in the traditional tale, Cynthia works as a slave for her horrible stepmother and stepsisters – a fate she succumbed to after the death of her father. There is also an upcoming ball at the palace for the prince who is seeking a bride. This, however, is where the similarities end. As well as <i>Cinderella</i>, other fairytales make their appearance, particularly <i>The Frog Prince </i>and <i>Rapunzel</i>. But something is unsettling the characters; they are experiencing bad dreams. Or are they memories?

Cynthia is a much more admirable character than the original Cinderella. She is clever, determined and independent – she does not need a fairy godmother for a start! Neither has she any interest in the prince. If she is going to escape from servitude it will be by her own dexterity, rather than her reliance on someone else to save her.

<i>A Grimm Curse</i> can work as a prequel to the first in the series as it sets the scene that Andi will come across. It can also survive as a stand alone as there is no reference to the events of the other books, however knowledge of these will help the ending make more sense.

Personally I preferred <i>A Grimm Curse</i> to the stories that Jennings’ previously wrote. I had misgivings about the author’s use of fairytales that were not one of those collected by the <i>Brothers Grimm</i>. The tales in this book were, however, so therefore fit better with the title.

I strongly recommend this story to readers – adult and adolescent – who are still in love with fairytales or retellings. It is as though it is written with feminism in mind as the heroine does not need a man to rescue her, thus is in keeping with modern times rather than the time period of the originals.
  
The Night Country (The Hazel Wood #2)
The Night Country (The Hazel Wood #2)
Melissa Albert | 2019 | Science Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
8
7.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is probably even darker than the first book. I really like reworked fairy tales, and I think the characters in this series are more like the characters that the Brothers Grimm had in mind before they were told to rewrite them less scary (I still want to get my hands on the originals - they sound deliciously dark, like this book).

This is a great continuation of the first novel. It looks at how Alice and the other Hinterlanders settle in to life in New York, and Finch’s continuing adventures in The Hinterland. I can’t say much more than this without giving the story away, but needless to say, if you enjoyed the first book, you’ll love this one!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Flatiron Books for my copy to read and honestly review!
  
LK
Little Knife (Grisha Verse, #2.6)
Leigh Bardugo | 2014 | Fiction & Poetry
10
8.5 (4 Ratings)
Book Rating
This is one of the companion stories to the Grishaverse novels, and I loved it.

I really respect when authors put together stories that would be in the folklore of the world they built. I can imagine Alina or Nina getting told this story when she was a kid.

I loved how this story was so much about girl power and a woman's rights to her own personhood.

I enjoy any kind of fairy tale, but I especially love one that takes place in a world I adore. The language used was very mysterious and lyrical, much like the Grimm Brothers or Hans Christian Anderson would use in their classic fairy tales.

I loved the twists and spins in the story.

Spoilers ahead. You have been warned.

Don't trust rivers, they may be FREAKING GODS IN DISGUISE!?!?!?!?
  
The Hazel Wood
The Hazel Wood
Melissa Albert | 2017 | Mystery, Paranormal, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
7.4 (33 Ratings)
Book Rating
A little too over the top
I think I completely lost the plot trying to follow this fairytale within a fairytale. A modern day version of a Brothers Grimm-style folklore, the story follows Alice, who is trying to find her missing mother, and discovers that all is not what it seems.

The main thrust of the novel asks whether Alice is a character in a tale herself? And if she can escape her fate by running away from her story. And while I can appreciate the author's creativity, there's very little character development and there appears to be a fair few loose ends. The prose is heavy in metaphors to the point that the first half seemed far too long.

While many have described the book as a dark and creepy fantasy, I think it may have been a little overhyped - it's more of a weird version of Alice in Wonderland. Interesting, but not for me.