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Rachel King (13 KP) rated Beauty and the Werewolf (Five Hundred Kingdoms, #6) in Books
Feb 11, 2019
I have enjoyed every book in the Five Hundred Kingdoms series by Mercedes Lackey, and I eagerly waited for her to cover my favorite fairy tale, that of Beauty and the Beast. This book combines my favorite fairy tale with Little Red Riding Hood and a dash of Cinderella, all with its own unique twist characteristic of the series. While I had the ending predicted quite early in my reading, I still enjoyed following the character development and watching it all play out.
Bella is very much the modernized damsel in distress, as she finds a way to do her own saving, and chooses who she would rather fall in love with, rather than let the Tradition dictate her actions. As she learns about the manipulations of the Tradition, she also realizes her own way of unconsciously dealing with it and the power she has over it. I loved her intelligence and creativity in solving the daily problems that riddled her life, especially with the invisible servants at the Duke's residence.
Duke Sebastian is an interesting character -- a wizard werewolf with hermit-like habits -- he is the direct opposite of the type of character I expected to play the role of "Beast" in this fairy tale, but I like him all the same. His devotion to his craft makes him absentminded about everything else in his life, and except for when he is a werewolf, he likely would not hurt a fly. Bella's interactions with him draw him out and show him that he can have so much more in his life.
I also enjoyed Godmother Elena's part in the book, along with her mirror servant, as they cemented this book into the series and reminded me of some of the details that I had forgotten from previous books.
Bella is very much the modernized damsel in distress, as she finds a way to do her own saving, and chooses who she would rather fall in love with, rather than let the Tradition dictate her actions. As she learns about the manipulations of the Tradition, she also realizes her own way of unconsciously dealing with it and the power she has over it. I loved her intelligence and creativity in solving the daily problems that riddled her life, especially with the invisible servants at the Duke's residence.
Duke Sebastian is an interesting character -- a wizard werewolf with hermit-like habits -- he is the direct opposite of the type of character I expected to play the role of "Beast" in this fairy tale, but I like him all the same. His devotion to his craft makes him absentminded about everything else in his life, and except for when he is a werewolf, he likely would not hurt a fly. Bella's interactions with him draw him out and show him that he can have so much more in his life.
I also enjoyed Godmother Elena's part in the book, along with her mirror servant, as they cemented this book into the series and reminded me of some of the details that I had forgotten from previous books.
Dana (24 KP) rated Little Knife (Grisha Verse, #2.6) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
This is one of the companion stories to the Grishaverse novels, and I loved it.
I really respect when authors put together stories that would be in the folklore of the world they built. I can imagine Alina or Nina getting told this story when she was a kid.
I loved how this story was so much about girl power and a woman's rights to her own personhood.
I enjoy any kind of fairy tale, but I especially love one that takes place in a world I adore. The language used was very mysterious and lyrical, much like the Grimm Brothers or Hans Christian Anderson would use in their classic fairy tales.
I loved the twists and spins in the story.
Spoilers ahead. You have been warned.
Don't trust rivers, they may be FREAKING GODS IN DISGUISE!?!?!?!?
I really respect when authors put together stories that would be in the folklore of the world they built. I can imagine Alina or Nina getting told this story when she was a kid.
I loved how this story was so much about girl power and a woman's rights to her own personhood.
I enjoy any kind of fairy tale, but I especially love one that takes place in a world I adore. The language used was very mysterious and lyrical, much like the Grimm Brothers or Hans Christian Anderson would use in their classic fairy tales.
I loved the twists and spins in the story.
Spoilers ahead. You have been warned.
Don't trust rivers, they may be FREAKING GODS IN DISGUISE!?!?!?!?
Dana (24 KP) rated Gilded Ashes (Cruel Beauty Universe, #1.5) in Books
Mar 23, 2018
I absolutely love Rosamund Hodge's writing. She somehow manages to balance beauty and darkness perfectly. It reminds me a lot of the Grimm fairy tales, but in a way, more romantic.
This is a retelling of Cinderella and has become one of my favorites. It keeps the darkness, but keeps it in some sort of fantastical world that makes it even more beautiful.
This was just a short story, but that doesn't mean I didn't absolutely love it. I need to get my hands on Crimson Bound soon. Even in this short story, Rosamund was able to fully flesh out the characters and make them completely believable. I didn't feel like the story was rushed or too drawn out. It was just right.
I would highly recommend this to people who love dark stories, fairy tale retellings, or just a good short story.
This is a retelling of Cinderella and has become one of my favorites. It keeps the darkness, but keeps it in some sort of fantastical world that makes it even more beautiful.
This was just a short story, but that doesn't mean I didn't absolutely love it. I need to get my hands on Crimson Bound soon. Even in this short story, Rosamund was able to fully flesh out the characters and make them completely believable. I didn't feel like the story was rushed or too drawn out. It was just right.
I would highly recommend this to people who love dark stories, fairy tale retellings, or just a good short story.
Joelene Marie (28 KP) rated What Should Be Wild in Books
Oct 1, 2018
*This is really closer to 4.5 stars for me, seriously Goodreads we need the half stars!*
I loved the atmospheric prose here, it truly felt like reading an old school fairy tale. Not the happily ever after Disney variety, more along the lines of the dark Grimm tales. Totally unique story, with solid world building and great characters. This is one I see myself reading again and again and finding something new each time.
**Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the DRC! All opinions are my own.**
I loved the atmospheric prose here, it truly felt like reading an old school fairy tale. Not the happily ever after Disney variety, more along the lines of the dark Grimm tales. Totally unique story, with solid world building and great characters. This is one I see myself reading again and again and finding something new each time.
**Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the DRC! All opinions are my own.**
Bethr1986 (305 KP) rated Death Do Us Part in Books
Dec 22, 2021
Arienna is a wayward brownie that wants to have love and sex and lots of it. She has had her heartbroken too many times especially when her ex marries her mother!! She gets drunk then wakes up in a fairy prison with her best friend can she form an alliance to help the fairies bring peace to the kingdoms or will she be executed for her sins?
I really enjoy Miranda Grant's writing and stories I have read the fairy-tale of the myths series. This book has a lot more sex and steamy scenes and a lot more graphic violence then the others I have read but there are also a lot of other emotions involved and you can feel them with the way she writes. She is a fantastic author with a fantastic imagination and I cannot wait to read more from her.
Well done Miranda 4/5 stars
I really enjoy Miranda Grant's writing and stories I have read the fairy-tale of the myths series. This book has a lot more sex and steamy scenes and a lot more graphic violence then the others I have read but there are also a lot of other emotions involved and you can feel them with the way she writes. She is a fantastic author with a fantastic imagination and I cannot wait to read more from her.
Well done Miranda 4/5 stars
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated Spelled (The Storymakers, #1) in Books
Jan 23, 2020
<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>
Pun intended in that post title.
As the crown princess of Emerald who may be cursed to set the world on fire, Dorthea has been locked in the Emerald Palace since she was born and kept away from anything that could potentially catch fire. When she gets a wishing star, she decides to use it, only to have it completely backfire on her.
<i>Spelled</i> is filled with bits of humor throughout, particularly from the side characters who have quickly become my favorite characters. The main character, on the other hand...
<blockquote>But I really, <i>really</i> don't want to.</blockquote>
Dorthea pretty much annoyed me for a good part of the book. She's snotty, stuck-up, spoiled – gosh, I'm turning that into a tongue twister with so many s-words. She's also whiny – Dorthea spends her time whining and complaining for quite literally a quarter of the book before someone snarks at her and tells her to shut up, grow up, and act like a proper princess (she even had the nerve to say no one else had manners – manners? *flips hair* Ha! Nope!) She's funny at some points, but the majority of her sarcasm seemed more like an attempt at sounding funny rather than actually being as funny as Rexi's use of sarcasm and snark.
<blockquote><b>Bob:</b> No, Priestess. When all his nails are broken, he will die.
<b>Rexi:</b> You can't get a haircut, and he can't get a manicure. Death by salon visit.</blockquote>
I even started wondering if <i>Spelled,</i> as pretty as the cover the book and premise is, would even last. The book isn't strictly a retelling of <i>The Wizard of Oz</i> – there are other fairy tale characters as well. Throwing in other fairy tale characters aren't exactly bothersome in my case, but Schow throws in King Midas and chimeras – both of whom are from <i>Greek mythology</i>, NOT from a fairy tale. Someone please tell me I'm wrong and those two actually appear in a fairy tale, because if they do appear in one, I obviously haven't read enough of the non-gruesome original fairy tales. Or do they actually appear in the gruesome ones? I would love to know.
<i>Spelled</i> could be considered a fun read, if you put aside all of the problems – there's humor, a good premise, and an amazing cast of side characters. But if you don't have the patience to handle a spoiled and stuck-up princess who whines a lot for approximately a quarter of the book, <i>Spelled</i> might not be a book on your radar.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/arc-review-spelled-by-betsy-schow/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Pun intended in that post title.
As the crown princess of Emerald who may be cursed to set the world on fire, Dorthea has been locked in the Emerald Palace since she was born and kept away from anything that could potentially catch fire. When she gets a wishing star, she decides to use it, only to have it completely backfire on her.
<i>Spelled</i> is filled with bits of humor throughout, particularly from the side characters who have quickly become my favorite characters. The main character, on the other hand...
<blockquote>But I really, <i>really</i> don't want to.</blockquote>
Dorthea pretty much annoyed me for a good part of the book. She's snotty, stuck-up, spoiled – gosh, I'm turning that into a tongue twister with so many s-words. She's also whiny – Dorthea spends her time whining and complaining for quite literally a quarter of the book before someone snarks at her and tells her to shut up, grow up, and act like a proper princess (she even had the nerve to say no one else had manners – manners? *flips hair* Ha! Nope!) She's funny at some points, but the majority of her sarcasm seemed more like an attempt at sounding funny rather than actually being as funny as Rexi's use of sarcasm and snark.
<blockquote><b>Bob:</b> No, Priestess. When all his nails are broken, he will die.
<b>Rexi:</b> You can't get a haircut, and he can't get a manicure. Death by salon visit.</blockquote>
I even started wondering if <i>Spelled,</i> as pretty as the cover the book and premise is, would even last. The book isn't strictly a retelling of <i>The Wizard of Oz</i> – there are other fairy tale characters as well. Throwing in other fairy tale characters aren't exactly bothersome in my case, but Schow throws in King Midas and chimeras – both of whom are from <i>Greek mythology</i>, NOT from a fairy tale. Someone please tell me I'm wrong and those two actually appear in a fairy tale, because if they do appear in one, I obviously haven't read enough of the non-gruesome original fairy tales. Or do they actually appear in the gruesome ones? I would love to know.
<i>Spelled</i> could be considered a fun read, if you put aside all of the problems – there's humor, a good premise, and an amazing cast of side characters. But if you don't have the patience to handle a spoiled and stuck-up princess who whines a lot for approximately a quarter of the book, <i>Spelled</i> might not be a book on your radar.
<a href="https://bookwyrmingthoughts.com/arc-review-spelled-by-betsy-schow/"; target="_blank">This review was originally posted on Bookwyrming Thoughts</a>
Merissa (11805 KP) rated Once Upon a Forbidden Desire: Fairy Tales and Other Stories in Books
Sep 13, 2023
Anthologies can be hit-and-miss for me. Sometimes, you'll get a great collection. Other times, it will be a list of mediocre stories. ONCE UPON A FORBIDDEN DESIRE definitely belongs in the first category. If you love fairy tales, then you will adore this collection. There is a heat level here for everyone, with stories ranging from The Pied Piper of Hamelin to Hansel and Gretel, told with their own twist by each of the authors.
With an abundance of new-to-me authors, as well as old favourites, I now have a list of various stories and series that I want to read, based on their stories in this anthology. There was not a single one that let the side down.
This was a fantastic collection of fairy tale retellings, each with its own heat rating at the beginning. I loved every story and thoroughly appreciated the range of various fairy tales to enjoy. Highly recommended by 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!
Aug 19, 2022
With an abundance of new-to-me authors, as well as old favourites, I now have a list of various stories and series that I want to read, based on their stories in this anthology. There was not a single one that let the side down.
This was a fantastic collection of fairy tale retellings, each with its own heat rating at the beginning. I loved every story and thoroughly appreciated the range of various fairy tales to enjoy. Highly recommended by 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!
Aug 19, 2022
Erika (17788 KP) rated Penelope (2006) in Movies
Apr 8, 2018
I have a lot of favorite movies, often when I describe a movie, if I loved it, I describe it as my favorite. My friend pointed that out a few years ago when I was telling her about this movie, and it made me think.
This movie is legitimately one of my top ten favorite movies.
Penelope is a modern, cute fairy tale about Penelope, who happens to have a pig nose because of a curse.
This movie has a ton of random actors in it: Christina Ricci is the title character. Youngish James McAvoy (<3), Reese Witherspoon, and Peter Dinklage.
This movie is legitimately one of my top ten favorite movies.
Penelope is a modern, cute fairy tale about Penelope, who happens to have a pig nose because of a curse.
This movie has a ton of random actors in it: Christina Ricci is the title character. Youngish James McAvoy (<3), Reese Witherspoon, and Peter Dinklage.
Justin Taylor (59 KP) rated Shrek (2001) in Movies
Oct 30, 2018
Very funny characters (4 more)
Parody of disney icon-er I mean fairy tale characters that make very quoteable lines
A great soundtrack by smash mouth
Cast chemistry
Although this is a kids movie there many innuendos that adults will laugh at
Shrek is very funny
This movie is arguably DreamWorks greatest film and most recognizable too.
The cast is great and almost all of the characters are hilarious and the humor is gut hurtingly funny.
One negative is the villain is not that great
The cast is great and almost all of the characters are hilarious and the humor is gut hurtingly funny.
One negative is the villain is not that great
Leanne Crabtree (480 KP) rated UnEnchanted in Books
Jan 6, 2021
I downloaded this 18 months ago, not long after receiving my first kindle, and I was obsessed with freebies. Since then I've read a lot of books and I now know my tastes a lot better.
This wasn't to my liking.
I thought it would be some retelling of a fairy-tale but it wasn't quite like that. I'll admit it was rather imaginative, plot-wise, but it didn't grab me as much as I'd have liked. The best bit for me was the slight romance between Mina and Brody.
It could also do with a little editing.
This wasn't to my liking.
I thought it would be some retelling of a fairy-tale but it wasn't quite like that. I'll admit it was rather imaginative, plot-wise, but it didn't grab me as much as I'd have liked. The best bit for me was the slight romance between Mina and Brody.
It could also do with a little editing.