Once Upon a Time: New Fairy Tales - Paul's Review (Part II)

*I received this book as an eARC from Prime Books on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

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Title: Once Upon a Time: New Fairy Tales
Edited by: Paula Guran
Year Published: 2013

My REVIEW of Once Upon a Time: New Fairy Tales (Part I)

Synopsis: Eighteen extraordinary authors devise all-new fairy tales: imaginative reinterpretations of the familiar, evocative new myths, speculations beyond the traditional realm of "once upon a time." 

Often dark, occasionally humorous, always enthralling, these stories find a certain Puss in a near-future New York, an empress bargaining with a dragon, a princess turned into a raven, a king's dancing daughters with powerful secrets, great heroism, terrible villainy, sparks of mischief, and a great deal more. 

Brilliant dreams and dazzling nightmares with meaning for today and tomorrow...


Review: Tales that Fairies Tell by Richard Bowes: I really liked a quote from this story. "The craving of fairy tales appears when a world is changing from one of magic to one of science and vice versa." This story takes place in a futuristic New York and features Puss in Boots. The concept was interesting and the world was cool, but I felt like it was too much for a short story. I didn't understand all the characters. And the story just kind of ended. 2.5/5

Sleeping Beauty of Elista by Ekaterina Sedia: This short story is an interesting take on the pediatric AIDS incident in Elista in the 80s. This story brings up the question of why things happen. Do all things teach lessons? This story plays with the basics of thr original Sleeping Beauty story: a witch and a victim. It was written very well. 4/5

The Road of Needles by Caitlin R. Kiernan: This story references Little Red Riding Hood. It takes place in the future when space travel is becoming commonplace. The protagonist is the only person on a soaceship when something goes wrong.The story jumps back and forth through time in its telling. There was an interesting use of the storybook. 4/5

Lupine by Nisi Shawl: This is a simple story. A girl is locked up by her mother with a curse she must overcome. 3/5

Flight by Angela Slatter: This is a complete fairy tale. It feels like its been around a long time. I could see this as a Disney movie. I would watch an animated version of this. Bird transformations, princesses, evil aunts, human eating giantess. 4/5

Egg by Priya Sharma: A woman wants a child. A hag grants her wish, but not the way she expected. This story brings up some interesting topics about parenting. 4/5

Castle of Masks by Cory Skerry: This story reminds me of a different take on Beauty and the Beast. A man poses as a women and goes to a monster as a virgin offering. I really liked how this story was told. 5/5


-PAUL