Shadow of the Bear is a ‘retelling’ of the Grim Fairy Tale Snow White and Rose Red, the one where they have a bear suitor. You have to specify because there are a couple of Snow White/Rose Red fairy tales and I remember being confused about that when I was younger. I put retelling in quotes because the only real changes to the fairy tale is that it’s set in the modern era and all characters are human, otherwise nothing really changes. It’s this lack […]
A castle full of odd ducks and misfits
The opening story of Castle Waiting, which explains how the castle came to be abandoned, so to speak, is a variation on Sleeping Beauty. Only once the princess is awakened from her century of sleep and the hedge surrounding the castle lets people in and out, she goes off with her prince and pretty much forgets about the place where she slumbered and the people in it. As the years pass, the castle becomes a refuge for various outcasts and odd characters, with the princess’ […]
Nooooooooooooooope, nopenopenopenopenope
Ice is a retelling of East of the Sun West of the Moon, a Norwegian Fairy Tale. I love fairytale retellings, and this one had potential. However the misogyny throughout the story just killed it for me. I think there is the hint of a decent story here, which is doubly frustrating. In the interest of clarity, I did not technically read the latter half of the book. I skipped ahead to the end after I raged out at the book. I liked parts of […]
Great little book, Stupid name
I love Catherynne Valente’s prose. She is just plain brilliant. But I can’t for the life of me figure out why they decided to call this book “Six-Gun Snow White” when hundreds of other, non-cheesier titles were available. Written in cornpone dialogue in 3rd person, this book reads like someone transcribed a story by Gabby Hayes. All the things you might be looking for in a western reboot of the Snow White Myth are slightly here. Very well done and entertaining. Ending is kind of […]
East of the Sun, West of the Moon – but with more sex and violence
After Feyre’s father lost all his money, her family (widowed, crippled father and two older sisters) live in a tiny cottage desperately trying to make ends meet. They mainly survive because Feyre taught herself to hunt and tries to make sure they have enough to eat. The only way they make money is if her father sells one of his wood carvings or Feyre has animal skins to sell at the market. One day, when Fayre sees a giant wolf in the woods while hunting […]
A Cinderella story
An Offer from a Gentleman is Julia Quinn’s Cinderella retelling and it is absolutely delightful. Of all the Bridgerton books, this one is my absolute favourite. Benedict is a wonderful hero, who literally comes to the rescue of victim of circumstance Sophie more than once, yet while she needs saving every so often, she is so strong and resilient and stands up for herself so admirably throughout the book. Full review on my blog.
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