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Ross (3284 KP) rated The Last Wish in Books

Apr 13, 2018  
The Last Wish
The Last Wish
Andrzej Sapkowski | 2008 | Fiction & Poetry
7
8.5 (14 Ratings)
Book Rating
Well written but didn't exactly hook me
I've read collections of short stories before but never have I cared less about what happened in them than I did here. The stories are loosely collated with an overall additional story over the top of them. The stories have something of a fairytale feel to them (one an alternate telling of Beauty and the Beast, another like Snow White gone bad, yet another has a tough of Rumpelstiltskin to it), but most invariably include some heaving cleavages and women that throw themselves at the hero.
The stories are well enough told but it may be the translation that left me struggling to concentrate on the story and my attention wandered. A very short book, this took me longer to read than it should have.
  
Once Upon a River
Once Upon a River
Diane Setterfield | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry
10
6.8 (6 Ratings)
Book Rating
A beautiful story of the Thames
It’s really hard to read through tears, you know. And that’s just what I had to do through the last chapters of this book. This book held my attention throughout. Its beautifully, lyrically written - it has a real feel of the fairytale and supernatural about it (Quietly, the Ferryman), set alongside the practical and realistic (Rita, the nurse/ midwife).
This is a story that follows several characters who come together because of a drowned child who comes back to life. The fantastical runs alongside the everyday, and the Thames runs alongside all of it.
I loved this book, it’s gentle pace (like the Thames on a good day, perhaps!), and the people who populated its pages. It really is a gorgeous book and well worth reading.
  
OU
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.
  
40x40

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