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Once Upon a Time: New Fairy Tales
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I absolutely love fairy tales, so of course I was thrilled to find this collection. It is impossible for me to give it anything less than 5 stars because I could not find fault with a single story. Even though I did not like every story, I could not blame the publisher or the authors for the story just not being my taste. I can admit when a story is good even though I don't like the genre. Every story was interesting, expertly written, and interesting. I found myself laughing, crying , and holding my breath as I read. Not to mention, I felt that each story was a brand new fairytale. Everything seemed fresh and new, even to someone who has loved fairytales since the beginning of time.
  
Geekerella (Once Upon a Con #1)
Geekerella (Once Upon a Con #1)
Ashley Poston | 2017 | Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult (YA)
8
7.8 (11 Ratings)
Book Rating
Geekerella is a modern day retelling of the classic fairytale, Cinderella. Our protagonist is Ella and the most important thing in her life is fandom, specifically her love of Starfleet. It was a show that she watched on re-runs with her dad and fell in love with. Her father even started a convention called Excelsicon because of his love of Starfleet. After her mother died when she was a small child, it was just Ella and her dad. Unfortunately, her father got remarried and later died in a car accident leaving Ella with her step-mother and two step-sisters. They didn’t understand her love of the sci-fi cult hit and treated her more like a servant than a sister.

Geekerella is a cute contemporary novel that will speak to your fandom loving heart. Even if you’re not super into sci-fi, comics, comic con, cosplay or those types of things, I think you will enjoy the classic human experience portrayed in this book. The Cinderella retelling aspect of the story was the least relevant to my reading experience. I personally enjoyed the development of friendly and romantic relationships, the geeking out over fandoms and the personal growth seen in this novel.

The main characters are likable and relatable, despite the fact that one of them is famous. He alternates between wanting to be normal, or down to earth, and succumbing to the intoxicating appeal of being famous. Even though you generally know the bones of the story if you’re familiar with Cinderella, the story itself doesn’t feel incredibly formulaic and can surprise you at times.

Highly recommended to young adult/teen fan of contemporary books, teen romance, nerd/geekdom, comic con, cosplay, fairytale retellings and simple, cute reads.
  
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Kristin (149 KP) rated Golden in Books

Dec 7, 2018  
G
Golden
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is a "fractured fairytale" modeled after Goldilocks and the Three Bears. But this version has a paranormal twist that will keep you entertained throughout the novel.

I have to admit, I was a little confused after the first few chapters, because of all the new characters that got introduced. It was a little hard keeping up with all of them. However, I eventually kept it all straight, and I really enjoyed the story. I used to wonder what happened to Goldilocks after she left the three bears' home, and now I know! Plus, with the epilogue leaving it open for another book based on what Sam finds, I look forward to seeing what happens next in the story.

4 1/2 stars
  
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Watchman (19 KP) rated Beast (2017) in Movies

Jan 9, 2019 (Updated Feb 15, 2019)  
Beast (2017)
Beast (2017)
2017 | Thriller
8
6.8 (5 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Outstanding acting (1 more)
Unpredictable
May be too bleak for some (0 more)
A chilling fairytale
A girl with a dark past, the black sheep of the family with a perfect sister, a strict, overbearing mother and an ill father, starts a red-blooded affair with a local boy, an enigma with history of run ins with the law.... and now a suspect in the worst of crimes.
Set in the gorgeously filmed isle of Jersey, Michael Pearce has directed on his debut a real nail biter. This take on the search for a serial killer of young girls, intertwined with a forbidden love story is an uncomfortable, disturbing watch at times.... but hypnotic. And newcomer Jessie Buckley is mesmerising, its hard to take your eyes off her.
Brilliant script, plot, pacing and ominous soundtrack.
A must watch for any fan of dark psychological thrillers.
  
Dodger's Doorrway
Dodger's Doorrway
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Dodger’s Doorway, by Alessandro Reale, is a fantasy adventure story that explores retelling classic fairy tales and fables in unique and fun ways. The book follows main character Mark ‘Dodger’ Bishop, a teenager from our world who is tired of his life. While struggling with divorcing parents, and school bullies, and getting through his senior year of high school, Dodger finds a doorway to another world. This world is inhabited by the fairytale characters of our childhoods. Dodger meets Humpty Dumpty and Rumpelstiltskin and many more classic characters. Dodger is taken on an exciting journey which has its dangers and challenges. Along the way, Dodger must work to not only save Storyworld but work through his own fears and struggles.

Dodger’s Doorway is a fantastical adventure that makes for a super fun read. The melded fairytale worlds is a theme we have seen more and more of, which I love, and I think that Reale did a masterful job of combining the magical nostalgia of the characters we know and love as well as bringing in a unique twist and creating new life in this classic characters. I particularly liked the portrayal of Humpty Dumpty. I think that Humpty is a character that is often veered away from as being too hard or not interesting enough to expand upon, but Reale takes him and makes him into an exciting warrior, which I thought was very clever. Reale’s Storyworld combines the magical innocence and dark origins of the stories and characters he chooses which gives the story a real sense of danger and epic adventure that makes the book a quick and thrilling read. Reale took inspirational from a wide range of stories; from Hansel and Gretel, Jack and the Beanstalk, Pinocchio, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, The Wizard of Oz, and many more. I loved the variety and enjoyed seeing Reale’s spin on the characters.

The book itself is well-written, and the arc works well to make for a book that is hard to put down. Dodger is a great character in that he has a lot of growth throughout the book and creates real feeling relationships with the fairytale characters he meets. I liked that Reale brought the book to a young adult read instead of a children’s book by playing with the dark sides of fairytales, as well as making Dodger a teenager dealing with very real young adult issues.

Dodger’s Doorway is an enchanting story with a lot of heart. I very much enjoyed reading it. If you are a fan of fantasy stories, particularly tales where characters find magical worlds, a personal childhood dream of mine and many others I am sure, then I would highly recommend giving this book a read!
  
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (2006)
2006 | Drama, Mystery
10
7.3 (4 Ratings)
Movie Rating
Amor et Psyche
Number 6 of my #top10 #favourite #films is 'Perfume The Story Of A Murderer'.
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#Perfume is such a #strange film, it extreamly long and almost feels like 3 separate films about the same character sewn together. Every time i watch it i feel absorbed by in this amazing #fairytale, maybe its the #magic, the #wonder and the sheer #beauty of it thats so intoxicating. Then theres the #violence, the #filth and the straight up #creepy but no matter how odd the film seems to get you cant help but be #mesmerized by it constantly. With such memorable characters, smashing dialog, huge well designed sets/costumes, great acting and an absolutely griping/highly satisfying story Perfume for me is an incredible hidden gem. If you like #fantasy, #gothic #horror, #serialkillers and #beautiful #perioddramas its a must see. ------------------------------------------------
#sundayfunday #weeked #scary #killer #alanrickman #dustinhofman #purfumethestoryofamurderer #runlolarun
  
The Pisces
The Pisces
Melissa Broder | 2018 | Science Fiction/Fantasy
9
8.0 (3 Ratings)
Book Rating
There are so many underlying feminine undertones that pull the story together (1 more)
There is almost a fairytale mixed with erotica that many women crave
Have Women Given Up On Men And Turned To Fish ?
Lucy has been stuck in a dead relationship and only when it ends, does she spiral and go stay at her sisters and join a humorous addiction to love therapy group. It’s at night though that she befriends a swimmer, who she eventually finds out is a merman. While they boldly engage in lustful sexual activity, the feminine undertone plays out again. Lucy says, “his come in my mouth didn’t taste bitter, like some men, but it wasn’t exactly sweet either...It felt as though I had eaten his pussy...” Ultimately, Lucy is faced with learning about love, lust, and the obsessive love that forces her to realize the life she has to live presently.
  
The Hazel Wood
The Hazel Wood
Melissa Albert | 2017 | Mystery, Paranormal, Science Fiction/Fantasy
10
7.4 (33 Ratings)
Book Rating
Deliciously dark take on fairytales! Creepier than I expected, I almost didn't want to read it after dark lol. And that cover is gorgeous!

I'm a huge fan of anything related to the fair folk so this was right up my alley. As soon as I started reading it I didn't want to put it down, the writing immediately grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go. The plot was one of the most unique I've read among the fairytale genre. I adored the Tales of the Hinterland referenced throughout, they were so interesting that I'd love to see them published as a companion to The Hazel Wood.

Fans of books like Holly Black's The Cruel Prince or anyone who likes their fantasy on the darker side will love The Hazel Wood!

**Thanks to Flatiron Books for sending me an advanced review copy! All opinions are my own.**
  
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
2012 | Comedy
Chemistry. It can’t be bought, on screen or off. At the time of Silver Linings, we pretty much knew what a talent Jennifer Lawrence was, but Bradley Cooper was still an unknown, having made a string of bad to awful films where we didn’t get to see what he was really all about as an actor. The director too, despite some interesting efforts hadn’t really nailed it yet. So the joy of this one is seeing it all come together! Nothing is more satisfying than an underdog story that lets you believe it just isn’t going to happen. And then to see the fairytale distilled into reminding you it was never about winning, it was about moving forward and really loving someone for who they truly are, not what they can give. A modern love story that rings true and deserves multiple re-watches.
  
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Gina Carano recommended True Romance (1993) in Movies (curated)

 
True Romance (1993)
True Romance (1993)
1993 | Action, Drama, Mystery

"True Romance would definitely be in my top five. I particularly loved Patricia Arquette in True Romance. I loved how delicate she is but also how down she is in the fight scene in that film — it’s by far one of my favorite fight scenes ever. It’s just so real. I loved that hotel fight scene. And of course I loved the dialogue. I loved how you could just get so attached to the characters. That’s kind of like a fairytale for me: to think that two people could meet like that and be completely, you know — just 100 per cent have each other’s back, instead of all the bullshit we go through in everyday life. Two people that just fell in love, and their dedication to each other — that really comes through in the film. And I think the whole story, and the dialogue, is just really cool."

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