*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)
My REVIEW of Once Upon a Time: New Fairy Tales (Part II)
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: The Giant in Repose by Nathan Ballingrud: This story draws from Nordic myths. A man has escaped his fairytale like story and lived life. He is thrust back to a place where everything has waited for him. I liked this story. 4/5
The Hush of Feathers, the Clamor of Wings by A.C. Wise: This story had lyrical imagery, but it was kind of twisted. It is a modern tale with a witch's curse. Choice plays a big role. 3.5/5
Eat Me, Drink Me, Love Me by Christopher Barzak: This is a retelling of "Goblin Market". The original story is in this story if you aren't familiar with it. There's also an explanation for the retelling. This story features an interesting relationship between sisters. 4/5
The Mirror Tells All by Erzebet Yellowboy: There aren't many stories I've read written in second person. It was interesting to read. This is a take on Snow White. I liked this interesting and different way to tell a story. 4/5
Blanchefleur by Theodora Goss: This is an epic adventure of a boy called Idiot becoming whatever he can be. I really liked this one. There are interesting worlds and characters. Its like a blend of classic and modern. 5/5
Overall, I really enjoyed this anthology of short stories. I highly recommend it to fans of fairytales. There were many stories referencing tales I've never heard of, so fairy tale fanatics will love this book. Averaging up all the reviews (excluding the one story I couldn't finish) gives this book a 4/5 and I agree with that.
-PAUL
*I received this book as an eARC from Prime Books on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
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
*I received this book as an eARC from Prime Books on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads
Title: Once Upon a Time: New Fairy Tales
Edited by: Paula Guran
Year Published: 2013
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: The Coin of Heart's Desire by Yoon Ha Lee: Dragons and trickery. Questions and bargains. This is an Asian influenced fable with an interesting world where the Empire is led by the Empress and you get new names throughout your life as you accomplish things. I thought this story was original and fun. 4/5
The Lenten Rose by Genevieve Valentine: I only read 60% of this story. I was lost. It is a retelling of Hans Christian Anderson's The Snow Queen. I'm not that familiar with the original story so that may be why I couldn't follow it. --/5
The Spinning Wheel's Tale by Jane Yolen: This story shows the well known fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty from a different perspective. For a hint, just read the title. I never thought about this perspective before. I found this story short, but eloquent. 5/5
Below the Sun Beneath by Tanith Lee: This is another retelling. I remember the original story from a cartoon that used to be on HBO Family. The story involves a king searching for a man to find out what his daughters are doing at night that causes their soles to be worn in the morning. I feel that Lee added more depth to the story with the cripple and the witch. I am interested in reading the original fable now. 4/5
Warrior Dreams by Cinda Williams Chima: This story takes place in America with all the unusual magical beings you find here. I like the way Chima combined magic and science. There is mention of magic side by side with hormones, phosphates, TBI, and PTSD. 3.5/5
Born and Bread by Kaaron Warren: This was a retelling of a story I hadn't heard of before. This retelling involves a dough like lady who bakes excellent bread. There is also a very unusual sex scene. I found the story interesting. It was short and sweet. 3/5
-PAUL
