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Merissa (12346 KP) rated Druid's Moon in Books
Sep 20, 2022
A fresh spin on an old classic.
DRUID'S MOON is a Beauty and the Beast retelling, set in Cornwall and an archaeological dig that finds a manuscript that may have more answers than questions. As an archaeologist, will Lyne believe the superstitions and coincidences, or will she side with logic?
This was an interesting and well-told story that flowed nicely for the majority of the book. There were some points that felt a bit disjointed, where we move from one scene or time to another without notice. There were also characters and situations that weren't explained fully and so felt redundant. I would have preferred a bit more background on the families (especially Lyne's) and how they all tied in with the curse. I don't know if there is a second book to come but I would also love to know more about the mysterious Council and what their involvement was.
Saying that though, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Frederick and his fight with the Beast, and how it affected him. I was unsure if Lady Cockerel was the Mistress for quite some time before it became clear to me.
On the whole, this was a fresh spin on an old classic. I think it shows lots of potential and I look forward to reading more by this author. Recommended by me for all Fairytale Retelling fans.
** 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!
This was an interesting and well-told story that flowed nicely for the majority of the book. There were some points that felt a bit disjointed, where we move from one scene or time to another without notice. There were also characters and situations that weren't explained fully and so felt redundant. I would have preferred a bit more background on the families (especially Lyne's) and how they all tied in with the curse. I don't know if there is a second book to come but I would also love to know more about the mysterious Council and what their involvement was.
Saying that though, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Frederick and his fight with the Beast, and how it affected him. I was unsure if Lady Cockerel was the Mistress for quite some time before it became clear to me.
On the whole, this was a fresh spin on an old classic. I think it shows lots of potential and I look forward to reading more by this author. Recommended by me for all Fairytale Retelling fans.
** 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!
Laura Doe (1350 KP) rated An Offer From a Gentleman (Bridgertons, #3) in Books
Jan 5, 2022
I would give this 3.5 stars but round it up to 4. While an Offer From A Gentleman has not been my favourite of the Bridgerton books I’ve read so far, it still has the ease of reading that the rest of the series has, meaning that I read it in a day again!
Benedict’s story is a retelling of the classic Cinderella story, with Sophie being the daughter of an Earl who dies suddenly and her stepmother moves her into a life of servitude. In fact, the whole book gave reminded me of the film Ever After with some of the actions and situations that Sophie found herself in.
When I first started reading and realised that it was going to be a retelling of Cinderella, I thought that I would get bored very quickly and was doubtful that I would enjoy the book at all. But I was most definitely wrong. Although Benedict definitely didn’t act like a gentleman for a lot of the book, I was glad when he realised that he had been wrong and apologised to Sophie. I also realise that by todays standards he may not have been acting like a gentleman, but back in 1817 when the majority of the book is set, that is exactly how they acted and they were very much focused on not marrying out of their class.
I flew through this, mainly because of the ease of reading Julia Quinn’s writing and also her ability to make you want to know what happens to her characters. I’m looking forward to moving onto the 4th instalment!
Benedict’s story is a retelling of the classic Cinderella story, with Sophie being the daughter of an Earl who dies suddenly and her stepmother moves her into a life of servitude. In fact, the whole book gave reminded me of the film Ever After with some of the actions and situations that Sophie found herself in.
When I first started reading and realised that it was going to be a retelling of Cinderella, I thought that I would get bored very quickly and was doubtful that I would enjoy the book at all. But I was most definitely wrong. Although Benedict definitely didn’t act like a gentleman for a lot of the book, I was glad when he realised that he had been wrong and apologised to Sophie. I also realise that by todays standards he may not have been acting like a gentleman, but back in 1817 when the majority of the book is set, that is exactly how they acted and they were very much focused on not marrying out of their class.
I flew through this, mainly because of the ease of reading Julia Quinn’s writing and also her ability to make you want to know what happens to her characters. I’m looking forward to moving onto the 4th instalment!
Awix (3310 KP) rated Troy (2004) in Movies
Mar 26, 2019
Hollywood retelling of the tale of Troy is just a bit better than you might expect in pretty much every department. Trojan prince Paris steals Greek queen Helen, leading to... does no-one read the Iliad any more? There's a lot of bother, let's put it that way.
Whole thing is handled in broad strokes and there are quite a few divergences from the traditional legend (the Trojan war lasts about a fortnight, not ten years, and you can forget any notion of Brad Pitt's Achilles being into, er, Greek-style romance, if you know what I mean), but overall this is fun, rousing stuff. Looking back on it now the various bits of political subtext not-so-subtly inserted into the film seem amusingly quaint more than anything else. A well-staged, classy blockbuster.
Whole thing is handled in broad strokes and there are quite a few divergences from the traditional legend (the Trojan war lasts about a fortnight, not ten years, and you can forget any notion of Brad Pitt's Achilles being into, er, Greek-style romance, if you know what I mean), but overall this is fun, rousing stuff. Looking back on it now the various bits of political subtext not-so-subtly inserted into the film seem amusingly quaint more than anything else. A well-staged, classy blockbuster.
Auburn (57 KP) rated The Orphan's Wish (Hagenheim, #8) in Books
Apr 10, 2019
A retelling of Aladdin that is in no way near the original story. And that is ok! This story follows Aladdin and his love as they search for a way to be together through all odds.
I really enjoyed that this wasn't like any Aladdin book I have ever read. I have read most of the other books by this author and always love how characters pop up from the other stories. This one was different in the way that you felt more for Aladdin. He wants to be able to provide, to show that he can take care of Kirstyn. In the end this book has all the romance, swooning, and love that all her other books do. A solid addition to a non-series that I can't wait to add to my collection.
I really enjoyed that this wasn't like any Aladdin book I have ever read. I have read most of the other books by this author and always love how characters pop up from the other stories. This one was different in the way that you felt more for Aladdin. He wants to be able to provide, to show that he can take care of Kirstyn. In the end this book has all the romance, swooning, and love that all her other books do. A solid addition to a non-series that I can't wait to add to my collection.
Auburn (57 KP) rated By the Book in Books
Apr 10, 2019
This is the perfect retelling in a fresh package. Persuasion is always a classic for any bibliophile. I really enjoyed the way the author made you seem like you were in a new classic that is modern. The setting of college as well as the influence that would have on a person are refreshing. The love triangle didn't seem overdone and you feel happy with how it ends. All of the characters had believable stories and felt relate-able. You rooted along and stressed right along with the characters.
I picked this because of the cover initially. It draws you in and makes you want to know what is inside the pages. I feel this could become a staple in my library as it is just an all around happy read.
I picked this because of the cover initially. It draws you in and makes you want to know what is inside the pages. I feel this could become a staple in my library as it is just an all around happy read.
Dianne Robbins (1738 KP) rated Below Stairs: The Bestselling Memoirs of a 1920s Kitchen Maid in Books
Sep 3, 2018
Margaret Powell's memoir Below Stairs is growing up in a poor in money but rich in love with her family in a small village near London, England and her life in domestic service in the 1920s. It is simply wonderful. Her other memoirs Climbing the Stairs and Servants Hall and her Cookery Book are next on my list. It's more like listening to your favorite aunt sitting at the kitchen with you over fresh-baked cookies and glasses of homemade lemonade while retelling stories of her childhood and life in the early part of the 20th century. You HAVE to read it!. Julian Fellowes read her books and they were the inspiration behind the extremely popular BBC series Downton Abbey, that is watched by us in the states on PBS Masterpiece.
David McK (3496 KP) rated The Incredible Hulk: Planet Hulk in Books
Jan 30, 2019
Hmmm .... This opens with The Hulk / Bruce Banner exiled from Earth on a space-craft that is meant to deposit him on a remote and uninhabited planet, before that craft is pulled off-course and through a mysterious wormhole (are there any other kinds?) to a distant - and inhabited - planet.
What follows is, essentially, an off-world retelling of Spartacus, with The Hulk first captured by Imperials, sent to fight in the Arena's, then escaping and leading a revolt (even if, unlike Spartacus this one is successful).
Yes, it has plenty of explosions and battles, but (I hate to say), the entire thing is somewhat bland; never really drawing me in to the story and with no real hook - this is also, very much, a story of The Hulk rather than of Bruce Banner.
What follows is, essentially, an off-world retelling of Spartacus, with The Hulk first captured by Imperials, sent to fight in the Arena's, then escaping and leading a revolt (even if, unlike Spartacus this one is successful).
Yes, it has plenty of explosions and battles, but (I hate to say), the entire thing is somewhat bland; never really drawing me in to the story and with no real hook - this is also, very much, a story of The Hulk rather than of Bruce Banner.
David McK (3496 KP) rated Dragon's Child (King Arthur, #1) in Books
Jan 30, 2019
First in a trilogy of novels based on the legend of King Arthur, this is a fictional retelling of the early years of the life of the man behind the legend, from his early years as a foster son to the one of last of the Romans in Britain, up to his coronation as High King.
By taking the tack of telling the story of the man behind the legend, the novel loses much of the splendour and grandeur of that legend, replacing it instead with more mundane events that would become exagerrated over time.
While I may read the next two novels out of curiosity, I'm afraid to say that, based on this work, I wouldn't be going out of my way to look for any further of MK Hume's novels.
By taking the tack of telling the story of the man behind the legend, the novel loses much of the splendour and grandeur of that legend, replacing it instead with more mundane events that would become exagerrated over time.
While I may read the next two novels out of curiosity, I'm afraid to say that, based on this work, I wouldn't be going out of my way to look for any further of MK Hume's novels.
Sophia (Bookwyrming Thoughts) (530 KP) rated Geekerella (Once Upon a Con #1) in Books
Mar 26, 2020
Geekerella is such an adorable and cute read featuring everything fandom related. It’s a retelling of Cinderella with a happily ever after and set at a convention, which really makes the inner fangirl in me sigh happily. The first novel in Ashley Posten’s Once Upon a Con series is a quick and light read for those who enjoy cute romances with fandom.
Side note: my local library removed this from the Hoopla catalog when I tried renewing it back in June and I may or may not have cried a little inside. I had to put this on my TBR again and start it over, rude much??? I still appreciate all they’ve done, though. (Other than the fact I more than likely lost my soul during my childhood within the shelves.)
Side note: my local library removed this from the Hoopla catalog when I tried renewing it back in June and I may or may not have cried a little inside. I had to put this on my TBR again and start it over, rude much??? I still appreciate all they’ve done, though. (Other than the fact I more than likely lost my soul during my childhood within the shelves.)
The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty (Sleeping Beauty, #1)
7.5
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In the traditional fairy tale of 'Sleeping Beauty' the spell cast upon the lovely young princess can...