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Merissa (13253 KP) rated Eira in Books

Aug 5, 2021  
Eira
Eira
Adrian J. Smith | 2021 | Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance, Science Fiction/Fantasy
6
6.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
EIRA is a standalone novella giving The Snow Queen a FF fairytale retelling.

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!
  
210 of 230
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.
  
LI
Lost in Wonderland
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
<b><i>I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.</i></b>
<i>Lost in Wonderland</i> has got to be one of the weirdest books I’ve ever read, and if I’ve read a weirder book than this one, then this is the weirdest book I’ve read this year.

Okay, the book’s weirdness is what intrigued me to read the book in the first place. But let me say just how weird this book really is:

The book starts with a character named Mouse. Honestly, I thought the book started with a legit mouse (it really sounded like one as well). A flipping <i>mouse</i>! Who starts a book with a mouse?! Really, I just got so confused for awhile at the very beginning, so to save everyone else’s sanity, the main character is not actually a mouse.

It’s a reference to some of the characters involved in Lewis Carroll’s <i>Alice In Wonderland</i>. After that got cleared out, the plot actually made a lot more sense. (Let’s also keep in mind that I do not remember the synopsis of a book. I read it, I find it interesting, I get the book myself, and then actually read the book. Maybe I’ll remember the synopsis if I’m lucky.)

But anyways, <i>Lost In Wonderland</i> is extremely weird. As in, top of the notch weird. It’s disturbing and gruesome and twisted. But it’s such a good kind of weird, that I think this entire series would be a really cool TV show. <i>Lost In Wonderland</i> is basically Law &amp; Order, CSI - just think of any crime related shows - with a fairy tale twist. I just can’t get how awesome this would be on an actual screen, and I just want to see if Peacock incorporates any other fairy tales or just <i>Alice In Wonderland</i>.
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<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/review-lost-in-wonderland-by-nicky-peacock/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
  
Slumber
Slumber
Becky Bird | 2019
7
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Thank you to NetGalley and Becky Bird for providing an e-copy of Slumber in exchange for an honest opinion.

Everyone knows that the market for fairy tale retellings is hot right now and, as such, is becoming saturated. However, Becky Bird comes at the story of Sleeping Beauty from a completely different angle: what if “true love’s kiss” which breaks the spell isn’t that between the Prince and Princess?

Slumber was a slow burner for me personally. Initially I agreed with previous reviews that the novel would be considered middle-grade rather than YA but my opinion did change about half way through the book. In my opinion, this was when the author ‘settled in’ to the novel and truly developed the characters into ones the reader could relate to and find themselves rooting for.

This was also the point where it became clear Becky Bird was challenging a number of stereotypes through her characters: the Cardinal is a man of God but this does not necessarily make him good; Lucy is an orphan but this does not make her weak; Jack is a boy but this does not make him brave and, finally, Thomas is a Prince but this does not make him charming! This humanised the characters for me and I found myself growing to really like them.

There are also a number of tongue-in-cheek references to fairy tales which I really appreciated. Phrases such as “bibbidi-bobbidi-boo” and Jack running for the trees every chance he got added an undercurrent of humour throughout the novel.

Unfortunately, there were moments where I got frustrated by the novel skipping between locations and characters- sometimes mid-event. Separating these by chapters or even page breaks would have made this an easier read. The start of the book especially also seemed to be a tad “over written” with references to a literal river of tears and a croissant described as a “creamy delight”.

Overall Slumber was a quick and easy read with a really great concept and endearing characters. It possibly could have benefitted from some suspense as all the Cardinal’s motives were revealed right at the start of the book but nevertheless it was an enjoyable read.
  
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Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Entwined in Books

Jan 15, 2018  
Entwined
Entwined
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
Let me begin by saying that this is not at all the type of book that I am usually found curled up with. I am more of a mystery, crime, drama person & shy away from fairy tales. I am glad that I gave this one a shot though.
This is a retelling of "12 Dancing Princesses." It tells the tale of 12 sisters who also happen to be princesses. At the beginning of the book, their mother, the queen, is gravely ill. She passes away during the annual Christmas Eve ball plunging the castle into mourning. Azalea, the eldest sister, is left in charge of her siblings as the King heads off to war. The castle's drapes are drawn, the dresses are dyed black, but worst of all for the sisters, they are not allowed to dance. That is what causes all the drama.
The story did drag in places, but the last 100 pages or so left me holding my breath. I wish there were a way to give this book 3.5 stars because that is truly what I would rate it. It is not quite a 4 just because the middle section of the book seemed to roll on with only a few points that captured my attention. But, that being said, I really did enjoy reading this book! I think it just might convince me to give a few more novels along this vein a shot too. That is always a good thing!