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Sabrina and Daphne Grimm are chasing a villain through the Book of Everafter hoping to stop him from realizing his master plan. The beginning was repetitive, but the second half really grabbed my interest and set things up nicely for the final book in the series.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2013/06/book-review-inside-story-by-michael.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
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.
  
This was a really cool adaptation of Sleeping Beauty. I love the dark twist (in opposition to the Disney, not the Grimm) Gaiman gives the story. I listened to the audio book and it was more of a story play than a regular reading of the story itself. All I can say was it was incredible. Great job Gaiman! I can't wait to see if you do something like this again!