Goddess in the Stacks (553 KP) rated The Merry Spinster: Tales of Everyday Horror in Books
May 17, 2018 (Updated May 18, 2018)
These were dark, twisted versions of these stories. "Our Friend Mr. Toad," for example, involved gaslighting and psychologically torturing poor Mr. Toad. I found that one particularly disturbing. I enjoyed the title story, Ortberg's version of Beauty and the Beast, which has a very different ending from expected. I also really liked "The Daughter Cells", inspired by The Little Mermaid. I LOVED "Fear Not: An Incident Log."
I think this was a great, albeit strange, little book. It's unique, for sure, and a quick read. If you're looking for a fairy tale collection that is VERY different, try this one.
You can find all my reviews at http://goddessinthestacks.wordpress.com
Christine A. (965 KP) rated Little Darlings in Books
Mar 23, 2019
Little Darlings by Melanie Golding has been described as an "unsettling thriller perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman and Grimms’ Fairy Tales." I would say I enjoyed the novel, its plot, and the writing.
Like almost all mothers with newborns, Lauren Tranter is exhausted from lack of sleep. Lauren has it worse than many mothers because she gave birth to twins. SInce she is so exhausted and sleep deprived no one believes her when, still in the hospital, she claims someone tried to take her children and wants to replace them with her own.
A month later her children are taken but when they are returned Lauren knows they are not really her children. Again, no one believes her.
What do you do when everyone tells you are wrong and does not believe you? Do you start to wonder if they are right? What if you are positive you are right and everyone else is wrong?
Melanie Golding's debut novel is a slow start but it is worth reading. The novel gets creepier and most suspenseful as the story progresses. The writing and character development, and the creepy stories at the beginning on the chapters helped set the mood well.
Review published on Philomathinphila.com on 3/23/19.
The Complete Grimm Chronicles (The Grimm Chronicles Box Set)
Chris Smith, Ken Brosky, Isabella Fontaine and Dagny Holt
9.5
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200 years ago, the Brothers Grimm unleashed their stories upon the world. With the stroke of a magic...
Beastly Journeys: Travel and Transformation at the Fin de Siecle
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Bats, beetles, wolves, butterflies, bulls, panthers, apes, leopards and spiders are among the...
Merissa (14068 KP) rated Eira in Books
Aug 5, 2021
The descriptions of the national park, the weather, the hut, all those sorts of things were absolutely brilliant. I could see them so clearly in my mind as I read, which is always a good thing.
What I didn't like so much were the main characters themselves, which kinda makes it awkward! I didn't really feel any connection between them, not helped by the long periods of time that slipped them both by without them being in contact.
The other thing was when Kay had been told about the curse. She goes to the library and searches out information on Gwyn, finding out she was a historical figure who just disappeared. Then she makes a connection to fairy tales and decides - with no real proof, just a hunch - that Gwyn is The Snow Queen and she knows how to save her. I love fantasy and paranormal but even I found this to be a stretch of the imagination.
Overall, this was a nice coffee break book that I enjoyed but it is a one-and-done for me.
** same worded review will appear elsewhere **
* 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!
Waking the Dead: The Glory of a Heart Fully Alive
6.0
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Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” That’s the offer...
Playing the Palace
7.0
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Being a New Yorker means accepting that your bike will get stolen every few months and getting hit...
The Geek Who Came From The Cold: Surviving the Post - USSR Era on a Hollywood Diet
8.0
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When the first wave of pirated videotapes from the west reached the USSR in the second half of the...
Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Cinderella and the Colonel ( Timeless Fairy Tales book 3) in Books
Nov 17, 2022
Kindle
Cinderella and the Colonel ( Timeless Fairy Tales book 3)
By K.M. Shea
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cinderella may be a duchess, but her life is in tatters.
Orphaned, destitute, and living in a country recovering from a hostile takeover, Cinderella is desperate to save her lands and servants. She is so determined that when terrible taxes are placed upon her, she dons servants' clothes and works like a commoner.
Unfortunately, her sacrifices aren't enough, and she is given one season to pay off her debt. All seems lost, until Cinderella is befriended by the debonair Colonel Friedrich - a member of the Erlauf military and a citizen of the oppressing country that rules her homeland.
Though Friedrich shamelessly flirts with her and pesters her at all hours all the day, Cinderella wonders if he is more than he appears to be... and if together they could unite their lands against the bitterness and resentment that threatens to destroy them.
This was my favourite retelling of Cinderella I have read also my Favourite so far in this series. I enjoyed the whole concept when it came to the stepmother and sisters too it was so nice to see a different version of them. I absolutely love this author her books always make me smile.