The Princess Test (The Princess Tales)

Title: The Princess Test

Series: The Princess Tales (Book #2)

Year: 1999

Author: Gail Carson Levine

Summary: King Humphrey has decided it's time for his son, Prince Nicholas, to marry. But he must make sure the bride is a real princess. So he devises a series of princess tests, designed to weed out the phonies and the fakes. Meanwhile, Nicholas has fallen in love with Lorelei, a mere blacksmith's daughter. She's no princess, but he wants to marry her all the same--but how will she ever pass the terrible tests?

Review: This review was originally written for publication on Fairy Tale Central. Click here to read the full review.

How can a tiny, little pea determine whether a girl is a true princess? Can one really tell when that little pea is buried beneath twenty mattresses? A true fairytale master, Gail Carson Levine has the answers.

Lorelei is a sweet girl -- but extremely prone to bad luck. As a baby, she cried over anything that wasn't perfect, and by the time she could talk to explain herself, she was always getting sick and hurt. Once her mother dies, her father determines never to remarry -- but he knows he needs help in looking after Lorelei, since she really can't do anything besides hang laundry and embroider. So, he hires a hard-working woman named Trudy to do the job.

Nicholas isn't a perfect prince, but he keenly feels his parents' expectations of perfection. Particularly in his choice of bride. At their insistence, he must marry not only a princess, but a true princess, one who can pass any test given to her. Nicholas has just fallen in love with the village blacksmith's daughter, a pretty lass named Lorelei who embroiders beautifully, and wants nothing to do with his parents' princess tests. But what can he do? He's a prince, after all, and has to follow the rules.

This is a super sweet retelling of The Princess and the Pea. I remember reading it forever ago when I was young; it was hilarious then, and still is hilarious now. Levine has a witty, funny style when it comes to her Princess Tales, so you're never left being bored when you're reading. The snark and innocence is just beautiful. They're probably my favorite part of these books. I promise you: you will laugh out loud at least once -- but probably much more often than that.

Advisory: Overall, this is one squeaky clean book. We've got a little bit of romance, as per any lovely little fairytale, but I'm completely comfortable in repeating that this is a retelling for any age.

The one thing that bothered me (not that this is a huge content concern) was the fact that Nicholas and Lorelei lie about her being a princess. I mean, I understand in the moment why they lied -- to get his parents to allow her to take the princess tests -- but the lie is never corrected, nor do they ever receive any type of backlash from it. And because they lied [spoiler], they live happily ever after. *shakes head* Sorry, that just rubs me the wrong way.

Again, click here to read the full review on Fairy Tale Central. And be sure to check out the other fun Princess and the Pea posts this month!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The Princess and the Pea (Timeless Fairy Tales)

Title: The Princess and the Pea

Series: Timeless Fairy Tales (Book #0.5)

Year: 2018

Author: K.M. Shea

Summary: What if the true makings of a princess have nothing to do with where she’s from and everything to do with who she is?

She may hate her nickname of “Warrior Princess” but Lis stakes her reputation on her ability to protect her client’s treasures no matter what she faces.

But this job is different.

When the royal family of Torrens hires her to guard the fabled Pea of Primeorder jewel it starts out like any other job. The king is kind of eccentric (and possibly delusional) and Prince Channing is strangely pleasant towards her, but otherwise everything is normal.

Until she learns about the thief.

The legendary thief Apex has sent a letter declaring his intention to steal the Pea of Primeorder. Lis knows this is either the vainest thief in the world or there is more going on then she’s been told. But a job is a job. Lis will pass this test at all costs even if she has to stuff the jewel in her mattress while she sleeps.

But eccentricities of the Torrens royal family only intensifies as Prince Channing starts asking Lis strange questions. Like...would Lis stay in Torrens after her contract is over, and if they could learn to fight together. (What kind of royal asks that?)

A Prince, a Warrior, and a Pea. The Kingdom of Torrens will never be the same.

This novella is a prequel for the Timeless Fairy Tale series. It is not necessary to read the books in the Timeless Fairy Tales series prior to reading this story. However, if you have read that series watch for the name drops and hidden Easter eggs!

Review: This review was originally written for publication on Fairy Tale Central. Click here to read the full review.

The Princess and the Pea is one fairytale that doesn't have enough retellings. And I completely understand why. I mean, seriously... a vegetable as the most crucial part of the story? Twenty mattresses? How can one make a respectable retelling out of that? There just doesn't seem to be enough oomph in the original fairytale to garner writers' interests.

HOWEVER, K.M. Shea has flipped this tale on its head. And I can guarantee that you'll never look at this fairytale the same way again after reading this novella.

Lisheva -- or Lis, as she prefers to be called -- is a mercenary warrior. She's trained hard to become who she is, she can fight better than most men, and she's not afraid of a good challenge. She has a hard set of morals, though; she won't spill blood if she doesn't have to, and any contract she accepts has to be honorable. There aren't very many female warriors like Lis and her companion, Vorah. They certainly attract notice anywhere they go, but because they're girls, some people underestimate them.

Their latest contract is one of a mysterious nature. King Albion requires their assistance in protecting a legendary piece from his kingdom's treasures -- a small, green, magical gem known as the Pea of Primeorder. The task should be easy enough for Lis and Vorah, except for the fact that the reputed thief, Apex, has already announced his intentions to steal the Pea within the week. Lis has her doubts about Apex's brash pride and any success he might have, but guarding the Pea may prove a bigger challenge than she's prepared for.

Advisory: Since Lis is a fighter, expect some fighting. QUITE a bit of fighting. The fight scenes were pretty cool to read and visualize, but some of them felt kinda long to me. There's plenty of sword action and fist action, but they don't make the book feel overly violent.

Also, some romance, as I've already mentioned above. But it's short and sweet and leads to one kiss. One character uses the term "arse" but I didn't notice anything else to keep this book from being pretty clean overall.

Again, click here to read the full review on Fairy Tale Central. And be sure to check out the other fun Princess and the Pea posts this month!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

The Night Dance (Once Upon a Time)

Title: The Night Dance

Series: Once Upon a Time

Year: 2005

Author: Suzanne Weyn

Summary: Under the stars, in a secret world...

Rowena, the youngest of twelve sisters, loves to slip out of the castle at night and dance in a magical forest. Soon she convinces her sisters to join her. When Sir Ethan notices that his daughters' slippers look tattered every morning, he is certain they've been sneaking out. So he posts a challenge to all the suitors in the kingdom: The first man to discover where his daughters have been is free to marry the one he chooses.

Meanwhile a handsome young knight named Bedivere is involved in a challenge of his own: to return the powerful sword, Excalibur, to a mysterious lake. While looking for the lake, Bedivere meets the beautiful Rowena and falls for her. Bedivere knows that accepting Sir Ethan's challenge is the only opportunity for him to be with Rowena forever. But this puts both Bedivere and Rowena in a dangerous situation... one in which they risk their lives for a chance at love.

Review: This review was originally written for publication on Fairy Tale Central. Click here to read the full review.

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you crossed the story of the Twelve Dancing Princesses with Arthurian legends? Bet you didn't think of it until now -- and the result has got to be something amazing, right?

Almost.

When Sir Ethan stumbles into a seemingly enchanted forest and falls in love with a mysterious woman, he has little idea who she really is -- other than his devoted, one true love, that is. After the horrors of battle, he's eager to settle down with his beloved and start a new life for himself. And for a good while, all things are just as happy as he could want them.

His wife gives birth to a set of twin girls. And then nine months later, has another set of twin girls. Nine months pass -- twin girls again. And again. Until there are twelve girls in total, all twins and all super close in age. Their little cottage is crowded, but life is still happy for Ethan and his thirteen women.

Until his wife starts acting strangely. She slips out at random times and has no real answer for him about what she's doing or where she's gone when she gets back. Because he loves her, he doesn't question her -- and then one day she doesn't return. When every search proves fruitless, Ethan does the next best thing he can: he turns their tiny cottage in the woods into a secure manor, the perfect prison that will keep his daughters always close to him, without ever having to fear that they, too, will leave him.

Advisory: Obviously, be prepared for some romance. With this much insta-love, we've got several kisses. Additionally, there are a few scenes that describe a woman with more-or-less transparent clothing on; while the author doesn't go into detail, those hints are definitely there.

One of the suitors trying his hand at the mysterious worn-out shoe challenge is a bit lustful in my way of thinking. He flirts pretty shamelessly with the sisters and very nearly takes one to bed with him, [spoiler ahead] the same sister that later believes herself falling in love with him because he said he was willing to marry her over her other sisters if she told him the secret [end spoiler]. That, I found a little distasteful and I wanted to slap them both in the face, him for his lecherous behavior and her for her lack of common sense.

The knight Bedivere is a knight under King Arthur, so naturally there follows him some fighting, injury, and death of his fellows in battle. The violence is not over the top in any way, and I thought it was well-handled for the novel.

Again, click here to read the full review. And be sure to check out all the other fun Twelve Dancing Princesses posts on Fairy Tale Central this month!

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

The Girls at the Kingfisher Club

Title: The Girls at the Kingfisher Club

Series: None

Year: 2014

Author: Genevieve Valentine

Summary: From award-winning author Genevieve Valentine, a "gorgeous and bewitching" (Scott Westerfeld) reimagining of the fairytale of the Twelve Dancing Princesses as flappers during the Roaring Twenties in Manhattan.

Jo, the firstborn, "The General" to her eleven sisters, is the only thing the Hamilton girls have in place of a mother. She is the one who taught them how to dance, the one who gives the signal each night, as they slip out of the confines of their father's townhouse to await the cabs that will take them to the speakeasy. Together they elude their distant and controlling father, until the day he decides to marry them all off.

The girls, meanwhile, continue to dance, from Salon Renaud to the Swan and, finally, the Kingfisher, the club they come to call home. They dance until one night when they are caught in a raid, separated, and Jo is thrust face-to-face with someone from her past: a bootlegger named Tom whom she hasn't seen in almost ten years. Suddenly Jo must weigh in the balance not only the demands of her father and eleven sisters, but those she must make of herself.

With The Girls at the Kingfisher Club, award-winning writer Genevieve Valentine takes her superb storytelling gifts to new heights, joining the leagues of such Jazz Age depicters as Amor Towles and Paula McClain, and penning a dazzling tale about love, sisterhood, and freedom.

Review: If ever there was a period in history more suited to a fairytale, this is it. The story of twelve sisters sneaking out at night to dance fits perfectly with the speakeasy life of the Roaring Twenties. Throw in an over-controlling father, and it's the perfect recipe for an epic Twelve Dancing Princesses retelling.

Jo is the oldest of twelve sisters -- all of whom are an object of shame for their father. Ever the business man, Mr. Hamilton wants nothing more than a son to carry on his name and business. However, twelve daughters later, his wife perishes and there is no son to be had.

The girls are kept upstairs mostly in the family townhouse. No one outside is quite sure how many Hamilton daughters there are, since most people have never seen more than two or three outside together at any time. And that's just how their father likes it; the girls are much easier to control and take care of as long as they stay out of the public eye. After all, he doesn't have his coveted son; what use would twelve daughters be to him?

But problems are only just beginning at home. With the strict rules their father enforces upon them, Jo fears her sisters may break under the pressure and run away. She's determined to keep the family together, to take care of her eleven sisters herself -- whatever it takes. So, to give them a taste at freedom, she takes them out dancing at speakeasies during the night while their father sleeps.

And that's where their adventure begins.

I wish so badly that I could fangirl hard over this story. It's everything you could wish for a 12DP tale set during the Roaring Twenties. Unfortunately, there were several objectionable things that kinda ruined this story for me.

Jo is called "The General" by her sisters -- and for a good reason. It's she who starts taking her sisters out at night for a small taste of freedom to keep them from fleeing home. She isn't squeamish about dishing out the orders; she keeps everything rolling smoothly. Each night for her is down to a strategic science, and her sisters don't disobey.

I really did like Jo a lot. She was a good balance of recklessness and control, and in many ways reminded me much of the eldest princess from the original fairytale. She was such a flawed character, but she loved her sisters almost to a fault. She'd do anything for them, and did everything she could to keep the order and to keep them all at home. Her character growth and understanding that she can't control everything was one of my favorite parts of the book -- as an older sister myself, I can completely sympathize with that. The whole tone of sisterhood in this book was phenomenal. There's bickering, but there's love and laughter, too; the relationship they all had felt very genuine.

Some of the girls, like Lou and Doris and Ella, really stood out among the twelve girls, but it was difficult to really see a ton of character development with the other sisters. Which, I'll agree, makes sense for the length of the book; there's only so much you can focus on without writing something to rival Tolstoy and Hugo. The author did try to give the sisters each different personalities, but it was still hard to pull some of the younger ones apart.

There is definitely a lot of dancing in this book. Jo and Lou first begin the love of dancing -- sneaking into movies to memorize routines and different sequences and then bringing them home to practice at night. Once they begin sneaking out, there are a few different speakeasies they visit, each one packed with whatever waltz, Charleston, etc. etc. you could wish for. Kingfisher Club is the one they call home, but they're actually not there for a good portion of the book. Odd, I thought, when that's the club sponsored so loudly in the title. No one knows that the twelve girls showing up to dance are all sisters, and the girls never give out their name (as per Jo's instructions), so everyone just calls them "Princess" -- a clever and appreciative nod to the original fairytale.

The style of the book took me a bit to get into, honestly. At first, I thought it was really choppy, since you've got a number of shorter scenes and flashbacks that are constantly flipping back and forth. The amount of backstory, particularly for Jo, was a lot of telling on the author's part, and I think I would have preferred to see that action happen in real time, not in choppy flashbacks.

Advisory: Mild peril and violence. Police raid a speakeasy, and a few characters are injured in that scene and in a few others, but nothing is terribly graphic.

On the issue of romance and sexual content... oh my. Obviously a few of the girls fall in love throughout the course of the book, but since we're sneaking out and getting drunk, it's not kept clean. One sister partakes in an off-page sex scene (not described, but definitely hinted that it happened), while others flirt, discuss the touchiness of boys, give kisses, etc. [Spoiler alert] Once their father announces his plan to marry them off one by one, the sisters arrange a marriage with a boy from their speakeasy acquaintance to free her from the father's control; the same boy is in love with another sister, but marries the other to help her out. He later returns to possibly claim his true love while still being married to the other sister. It's just an odd situation. [End spoiler]

The whole life of the speakeasies was one that kinda bothered me. For an illegal activity, it's not exactly portrayed as such. The girls don't have any problems with sneaking out and dancing. Granted, it's the alcohol portion of that life that was illegal during Prohibition years, but the girls partake of that as well (I don't remember any of them getting completely drunk, though). The speakeasy life is the only way they can actually control what's going on, and it's described really as their source of freedom. [Spoiler alert] Once they break free from their father's control, it's the life most of them return to. The illegal life becomes their happily ever after -- which really didn't end the book on a good moral tone for me. [End spoiler]

This other advisory note may be the first time I've had to write this on a review here: the author does include some hints/light descriptions of homosexual/possibly transgender characters. Jo realizes the Kingfisher is a good club for secrets when she spots two men together dancing cheek to cheek. One of the sisters is mentioned more than once for enjoying dancing with other women rather than men, and has a special female friend by the end of the book. Another sister begins to don men's clothing despite looking scandalous, though it is a little unclear if she's truly transgender. For me, this was one of the biggest problems/letdowns of the book. I believe that God created two different and distinct genders and set clear definitions for His plan for romance and marriage. It makes me feel sick and sorrowful to see people participating this in gender confusion and perverting something beautiful that God created.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

The City Beyond the Glass

Title: The City Beyond the Glass

Series: A Fairy Tale Retold (Book #6)

Year: 2018

Author: Suzannah Rowntree

Summary: In Renaissance Venice, the daughters of nobility must marry - or live and die trapped behind convent walls. Impulsive and adventurous, Gemma Caloprini thanks her stars that she's destined for marriage...until an unwanted betrothal goads her to defy her father and risk her most dangerous secret: the Glass Doge, a sinister nobleman who lives behind the glass of her mirror.

Now Gemma faces a brutal dilemma. If the suitors competing for her youngest sister's hand discover her secret, she'll be locked in a convent. If the Inquisitors find out, she'll burn as a witch. And if she can't pay her debt to the Glass Doge, she'll lose her soul forever.

THE CITY BEYOND THE GLASS is a dark and spellbinding YA retelling of THE TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES.

Review: This review was originally written for publication on Fairy Tale Central. Click here to read the full review.

The Twelve Dancing Princesses has long been one of my favorite fairytales. I grew up with four sisters, so I guess it's natural for me to love a good sister story. Here, we don't have the classic twelve princesses to keep track of, but this story is definitely a gem in the field of fairytales.

Gemma and her two sisters have grown up in a convent -- which is where most girls of their ranking in Venice will stay until the end of their days. However, Gemma has a chance at freedom. One daughter in each family can marry and be saved from life in the convent. When her father arranges such a marriage for her, Gemma is thrilled by the opportunity but also skeptical about her father's pick -- especially since he won't give her the man's name. So, she decides to take matters into her own hands and figure out what exactly it is her father has planned for her future.

However, her plans go terribly awry when a stranger named Gonzaga steps in and literally rips her off her path, and everything turns upside-down in a moment with her reputation and future at stake.

Advisory: Some violence and action, but nothing terribly overdone or out of tone for the novel. Gemma's character is called into question because of the worn-out shoes, but the author handles this topic with a lot of care.

I wouldn't say language is a big caution of this story (at least for my own ranking), but for those wanting to know, one character uses "damned."

Magical elements also play a big part of the story, particularly in the mirror-realm that Gemma and her sisters visit. Even though the story is set in historical Venice, the whole tale reads very much like a true fairytale with the usual fairytale-type magic. Things do get a little dark in the mirror-realm once Gemma begins to learn its secrets, but she's not about to give up hope at buying freedom for herself and her two sisters.

Again, click here to read the full review on Fairy Tale Central. And be sure to check out all the other fun posts celebrating a month of Twelve Dancing Princesses!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Related Reviews: Death Be Not Proud (mini review)

Mechanical Heart

Title: Mechanical Heart

Series: None (published as part of the Golden Braids collection)

Year: 2019

Author: Sarah Pennington

Summary: Can you save someone who doesn’t know if she’s alive?

Breen lives locked away, separated from the world by the walls of her clock tower and the machine of gems, gears, and magic that replaces her heart. That is, until an unexpected visitor appears in her tower, offering a dangerous gift: freedom. His promises awaken hope for a life unbound by the tower walls — but she knows that if he learns about her heart, it’s only a matter of time before he turns on her.

Josiah is powerless. Though he’s the crown prince of the mighty Chanian empire, he feels stifled by his inability to protect his people from the schemes of corrupt nobles. When he discovers a girl trapped in a locked clock tower, he thinks he’s finally found a problem he can solve . . . but more than just walls keep her captive.

From the royal palace to the streets of Rivenford to the tops of clock towers, secrets hide around every corner in this steampunk retelling of Rapunzel. Breen and Josiah hold the keys to each other's struggles — if they can break down the barriers that divide them.

Review: First off, this review is severely overdue. I was supposed to have it done and published back in August when the Golden Braids collection books were set for publication. Many apologies to the author!

But seriously, folks. The Golden Braids collection has some of the most unique Rapunzel stories I have ever read. Five different books, with five different perspectives on the classic tale, all by five different authors. You will not regret picking up any of these books. Add them at once to your TBR list.

This book. THIS BOOK. It's sooo hard to review because there's so much there. I mean, all the Golden Braids books were awesome, but I think this one nudges out the others for my favorite. Let me see if I can explain why. Wish me luck. I'm still kinda having mental repercussions from finishing it.

Breen is locked in a clock tower... but she enjoys her work there, cleaning the gears and making sure everything runs in tip-top shape. Besides, she could never venture out since society at large would consider her very existence an abomination; she will also be looked down on and be unable to communicate with everyone since she's deaf. And for the cherry on top, if she leaves the tower, she leaves behind her ability to live -- her mechanical heart runs on a magical crystal that won't last very long outside without being recharged. Madame Gottling may be hard on her, but her secluded life in the clock tower is the best thing for her.

Josiah is a prince who cares about solving people's problems. His days are mainly spent in the Senate, listening to the different arguments and laws and petitions and weighing in mightily with questions and research of his own. He takes a particular interest in how the people in his kingdom are treated. So, when he sees a lone figure silhouetted in the clock tower -- a place that should be off-limits to all people -- he decides to investigate. And he can't figure out why that lone person in the clock doesn't want to be rescued.

And from there, things only get more complicated. The Senate jumps into months of discussion surrounding the topic of blood alchemy. Illegal and mysterious, some claim that blood alchemy has the power to save lives. But that's only through a certain type of blood -- death blood, the blood taken from a dying body. Josiah is intrigued by the promises blood alchemy puts forward, but morally, is it the right choice for their kingdom to legalize the practice? If blood alchemy gets into the wrong hands, it could kill more innocent lives than it would save.

When I first started reading this book, I felt that I had opened a retelling of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, rather than a retelling of Rapunzel. Breen is, in some ways, a lot like Quasimodo. She's isolated in the tower, deafened by the bells, told she's an abomination, and likes watching the people live below the tower. She doesn't make friends easily, but once she's certain of their friendship, she's loyal to the bitter end. I don't know that I've ever read a book with a deaf heroine, but it fits so perfectly into this story. I really loved that angle.

If you read this book looking for the Rapunzel elements, you'll find them; if you read it without paying attention, you'll go right over them. They're definitely there (with the exception of the long hair; but we get a mechanical lift that's really cool instead), but they don't jump out into your face. Instead, Sarah wove them so seamlessly into the rest of the story.

The characters were so much fun to follow around in this story! Luis was fantastic, I adored Grace, and even Stephen made a small, heart-wrenching appearance from which I shall never recover. The sibling relationship between Josiah and Grace was super heartwarming; I love good sibling scenes like those! The evilness of Madame Gottling and her crew without seeming like it was a forced/sub-par wickedness -- wow.

I will admit that Breen got on my nerves a bit for the first half of the book, given her temperament towards Josiah. I know the her giving him permission to come visit made sense for the book, but to me, it just felt very annoying and rude on her part. Friends visit friends; that's how it works. But yes, I agree Josiah was pushy. He needed some boundaries; I just thought Breen and Grace took it a little too far. But that could be just me. I did like how we didn't have a huge, romantic angle as part of the main focus of the book. It gave the reader a lot more interest in what was going on to the world as a whole.

Which, yes, the world-building was amazing. I can't write a review of this without mentioning that. This is not a small, secluded kingdom we're talking about. Even just by reading this one book, we've got extensive glimpses into its past, its future, and how it interacts not only within its own borders but with the world around it.

For people not into a lot of politics talk, there are a lot of scenes in the Senate. It was fun to follow Josiah through the arguments and all, but I thought it was a lot of political talk to wade through. However, the blood alchemy is a huge part of the book, so I completely understand why those scenes are so important. The last scenes in the Senate were just golden; (no spoilers, but...) I love how our heroes got the last word.

Humor, political battles, daring steampunk, dark mysteries, tall towers, and epic adventures... there's just so much to love in this book. Seriously, if you haven't read it yet, you're sadly missing out on something spectacular. I just need to end my review here before I start writing another novel. Please just go read it.

Advisory: Some violence. Since the blood alchemists require "death blood" to practice, there are some descriptions of them killing people as well. Several injuries occur throughout the book, but I didn't think them terribly graphic. This may not be the best of books for a more squeamish reader, but it didn't bother me.

Some magic. The art was dubbed "magic" in the book, but to me it really just felt like an extended part of the steampunk aspect. The characters use a special kind of crystal that emits power for running things like machines and mechanical body organs. However, close quarters with a human body wears the crystal down until it needs to be recharged to be of use; recharging the crystal seemed to fall under the scope of the blood alchemy, as some of the death blood was necessary for the potion to recharge the crystal.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Cloaked (Once Upon a Western)

Title: Cloaked

Series: Once Upon a Western (Book #1)

Year: 2017

Author: Rachel Kovaciny

Summary: Little Red Riding Hood... re-imagined.

Mary Rose feels uneasy around Mr. Linden from the moment she meets him on the stagecoach ride to her grandmother's ranch in Wyoming Territory. But he works for her grandmother, so that means he's trustworthy, doesn't it? Everyone else seems to view him as honest and respectable, and Mary Rose wonders if she's overreacting.

She tries to ignore her suspicions until one night, she discovers his real reason for being at the ranch. Now, if she's going to save her grandmother—and herself—she's going to need to run faster than she's ever run before.

Review: This review was originally written for publication on Fairy Tale Central. Click here to read the full review.

After reading and really enjoying Rachel's 12 Dancing Princesses retelling, Dancing and Doughnuts, I knew I wanted to read the rest of her fairytale retellings. Cloaked is the only other in her Once Upon a Western series, other than a couple of short stories. I love that she's focusing on fairytales that aren't your everyday retellings. I mean, one of her short stories is a retelling of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. When was the last time you read a retelling of that? And Rachel's doing it all completely without magic -- another thing that majorly excites me.

I've found that Little Red Riding Hood isn't the most popular fairytale to retell nowadays, but interest in it is definitely growing. However, many of the authors retelling it have gone the magic route, creating werewolves and curses and otherworldly creepiness. Rachel's Cloaked is a breath of fresh air in the midst of all those retellings.

Mary Rose (and yes, it's Mary Rose, not just Mary) is off to visit her grandmother. She's excited about the opportunity to get out of the big city and meet a real, live Indian (and maybe a real Western criminal), but she's also nervous since there are many years of tension between her grandmother and her parents. She's determined, however, to enjoy her visit and learn to ride -- no matter how uncomfortable a certain employee of her grandmother's makes her feel.

Advisory: Some mild peril and action. A few characters receive injuries (such as one getting bashed in the face with a lamp), but everything is clean and not too graphic. The climax does involve the woodcutter's axe from the original fairytale, but everything again is not terribly graphic.

Light romance. One character makes some romantic advances on Mary Rose while she's at the ranch, but nothing goes very far (other than one forced kiss). She's disgusted with the attempts, but often wonders if she's reading too much into some of the things he says and does. I realize that this type of romantic advances can suggest something dirty, but I thought the author handled it very well and was able to keep things pretty clean.

Again, click here to read the full review on Fairy Tale Central. And be sure to check out the rest of this month's fun posts on the fairytale, Little Red Riding Hood!

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Related Review: Read my review of Dancing and Doughnuts (Once Upon a Western #2) here!

Girl in the Red Hood (Classical Kingdoms)

Title: Girl in the Red Hood

Series: Classical Kingdoms (Book #4)

Year: 2015

Author: Brittany Fichter

Summary: After her father moves the family to a village deep in a sunless forest, Liesel is bitten by a wolf, and unbeknownst to her, marked for a terrifying destiny. Befriended by a mysterious boy in the woods soon after, however, Liesel finds herself falling in love with the one person in the world who can save her from that awful end or doom her to it. In this retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, Liesel must decide whether to accept her fate for the sake of those she loves, or fight for the freedom to choose her own way.

Review: I was pretty excited to get into this book since this was my very first "other Fichter" novel. I've published two books now under my maiden name "Fichter" and -- lo and behold -- there's another Fichter out there publishing stories, too. What's even more uncanny is that we both focus a lot on fairytale retellings. Most people can't even pronounce "Fichter" properly, let alone know someone by that name, so finding another author who shares that name was just the bomb diggity. However, I should probably call her the "first Fichter" since she's been at this publishing game (and fairytale retelling) a lot longer than I have.

Anyway, this book impressed me. Little Red Riding Hood is a tough fairytale to retell, mainly because it's so short. There isn't a ton of material to work with. But Brittany has fleshed it out into a fabulous story that's sure to keep you up late into the night!

Liesel wants nothing more than to stay with her grandparents and parents on her beloved mountain. However, when a mysterious sleeping illness strikes her mother, her father will stop at nothing to cure her. His passion overcomes common sense with the promise of a new healer in a small forest village. He moves his family immediately there, no matter Liesel's pleas and her grandmother's warnings.

Once there, however, tragedy begins to strike in more ways than one, and Liesel finds herself an outcast. Her only friend is the mysterious boy in the woods, a boy named Kurt who is as interested in the stories of magic and adventure from her grandmother's book as she is.

Brittany did an amazing job keeping a lot of the original fairytale elements intact. Throughout most of the novel, Liesel wants nothing more than to go back through the woods to her grandmother's house. She does indeed deliver a pie to a shut-in at one point. There are lots of wolves. LOTS. There's the signature red cape -- which I must park on for a moment. A lot of times, authors just fling the red cape out there because that's the signature look for Red Riding Hood (plus, it's in her name). But they really don't ever give her a reason to wear red. As Kurt points out, red is pretty much an impractical color to wear in the woods since it stands out so much. However, Liesel's cape is something she values from her mother, and the vibrant color becomes almost a running joke throughout the book. Which I greatly appreciated. There was definitely thought put into that red cape. I approve.

The relationship between Liesel and Kurt was fun. I really liked how they built a solid friendship together while they were young, a foundation that was what really got them through the tough times as they got older. They are not without their bumps and thumps, but I never once thought the drama got out of hand. It was believable. Liesel learned how to trust Kurt, yet at the same time, she was hurt when she realized he was keeping secrets from her.

And Johan. I wanted so much more of Johan. He was fun, but his story really touched me. I won't spoil it.

Advisory: Fantasy violence/scariness. Obviously, this tale has a lot of wolves in it. Brittany doesn't outright call them "werewolves" but they're very much in that vein. While in human form, they understand their curse and the implications, but fear transforms them into their wolf forms. While in the wolf form, not many are able to control what they do (some, like the epic Johan, can); however, they are not the gory, bloodthirsty werewolves of legend. They will kill, but only when prompted to attack. There are some intense moments in the book, some wolf attacks, but nothing is terribly graphic or violently out of hand. I thought Brittany handled the scary element well for the tone of the book. Just enough to give you some shivers, but not enough for a nightmare.

Light romance. I really appreciate how real the relationship between Liesel and Kurt felt. Brittany was extremely careful in creating them as a couple, and the description of their relationship is very clean. A few times, some darker things/married couple issues are hinted at, but they fit well into the tone of the book. I was impressed with how it was all handled.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

~*~

Fun Note: September is Little Red Riding Hood Month over at Fairy Tale Central! Pop on over to check out more reviews of LRRH retellings and other cool posts!

Strands of Bronze and Gold (Strands)

Title: Strands of Bronze and Gold

Series: Strands (Book #1)

Year: 2013

Author: Jane Nickerson

Summary: The Bluebeard fairy tale retold. . . .

When seventeen-year-old Sophia Petheram’s beloved father dies, she receives an unexpected letter. An invitation—on fine ivory paper, in bold black handwriting—from the mysterious Monsieur Bernard de Cressac, her godfather. With no money and fewer options, Sophie accepts, leaving her humble childhood home for the astonishingly lavish Wyndriven Abbey, in the heart of Mississippi.

Sophie has always longed for a comfortable life, and she finds herself both attracted to and shocked by the charm and easy manners of her overgenerous guardian. But as she begins to piece together the mystery of his past, it’s as if, thread by thread, a silken net is tightening around her. And as she gathers stories and catches whispers of his former wives—all with hair as red as her own—in the forgotten corners of the abbey, Sophie knows she’s trapped in the passion and danger of de Cressac’s intoxicating world.

Glowing strands of romance, mystery, and suspense are woven into this breathtaking debut—a thrilling retelling of the “Bluebeard” fairy tale.

Review: To be honest, I'm not as familiar with the original Bluebeard tale as I'd like to be. Bluebeard's always been one that just didn't speak to me. *shrugs* However, from what I know of the tale, Nickerson turned out a really cool retelling with plenty of the original elements intact.

Sophie Petheram with the beautiful red hair is now the ward of one of the richest men in Mississippi. She's always loved fine things, and now she's getting to live her dreams of luxury in the extravagant Wyndriven Abbey, a building that was originally built and furnished in Europe, but her godfather paid to bring over and rebuild in America. Bernard de Cressac, at first glance, is all kindness and generosity, paying for new wardrobes and finery -- whatever Sophie wants. Even though he's older, she quickly fancies herself as being able to think of him more than just her godfather. On top of that, it appears that de Cressac himself may be thinking more of her than just his ward.

But all too soon she begins to learn the secrets of the abbey, and the red-headed ghosts haunting the halls may have more purpose there than she originally thought.

I liked how real Sophie was. She had realistic, everyday struggles, particularly in trying to figure out what she thought about things. She has a Jane Bennet-esque innocence where she wants to believe the best of people. I loved that she was well-read, and made quite a few references to famous literary works -- including several fairytales.

I really loved Gideon. It was so refreshing to see a pastor in this kind of book who wasn't portrayed as a selfish or inconsiderate man. He was thoughtful and kind, and it was really neat to see his behavior and beliefs on courtship so starkly contrast de Cressac's.

Advisory: Although this book is written as a type of horror/gothic style, it isn't overly scary. It reminded me a lot of Northanger Abbey and Catherine Morland's romantic and gothic tendencies. Sophie does see ghosts and speaks to them, but they don't appear hugely haunting and terrifying.

Some violence/blood. Different characters are injured or killed, and dead bodies show up at one point. Again, I didn't find it all overly scary.

The big caution for this novel is its romantic/sexual content. As de Cressac makes his intentions of passion known, he is not always clean in his advances. That leads to much touching and several kisses, but Sophie is appropriately disgusted by his behavior as they are not married. She does manage to discourage his passion so it doesn't go all the way. For some readers, it may be too much, so I would advise a good deal of discretion. Although it is portrayed as evil/not appropriate, it's still a big part of the novel.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Cinderella Ninja Warrior

Title: Cinderella Ninja Warrior

Series: Twisted Tales (Book #1)

Year: 2011

Author: Maureen McGowan

Summary: In this fast-paced story full of adventure and romance, Cinderella is more than just a servant girl waiting for her prince—she's a tough, fearless girl who is capable of taking charge of a dangerous situation. Seeking to escape the clutches of her evil stepmother, Cinderella perfects her ninja skills and magic talents in secret, waiting for the day when she can break free and live happily ever after. In a special twist, readers have the opportunity to make key decisions for Cinderella and decide where she goes next—but no matter the choice; the result is a story unlike any fairy tale you've ever read!

Review: If you went into this book with little to no expectations, it was a fun, easy read with some new twists to a favorite fairytale.

If you went into this book with any expectations regarding the title and cover image... well, prepare to be greatly disappointed.

Ninja Warrior... No Way. This Cinderella is a self-taught wizard and ninja in training, and nowhere near a ninja warrior. Additionally, she never once wields a sword or any sharp weapon of any kind (or a candle, come to think of it), and her two fights (outside of magic fights) are with wolves and a band of thieves and last for about a minute each. She has a few ninja-type scenes that require some cool acrobatics, but it's more like reading about a gymnast in a cop-off ninja warrior game show. Personally, I think they could have done a whole lot better titling this book and creating a cover for it.

Don't get me wrong. It's an awesome title and cover -- they just doesn't belong with this book.

The other big thing wrong with this book was the "choose your own path" adventure. First off, there were basically only three choices you as the reader got to make for Cinderella. And they all end the same way -- with the exact same ending. So, you're really not making any choices for her; you're just choosing how long it takes you to get to the ending scene. Second, the choices aren't varied at all. One choice should lead to drastically different results than another, but the choices are simple things that only take the reader to the next plot point in the story. What really got me was the first choice you made for Cinderella, where you have to choose whether or not to accept the invitation to the ball. If you're one of those daring people to choose "no ball," the book laughs at you a few pages later. "JK! She's going to the ball anyway, loser!" The choices you make really don't affect Cinderella at all.

Getting on my writer's soap box here: those kinds of choices say nothing more than "lazy author." It's as if the author couldn't decide to do this scene en route to the ball, or this scene en route to the ball, so what gives? Let's put both of them in, up the word count, and save some time! La.Zy.

Personally, I would have loved to see the whole choose your own path thing obliterated completely, and gotten those pages back to see more of Cinderella's adventure. More ninja stuffs. More sword action, rather than people fighting over wands.

The narrative style, honestly, was painful to read at first. There is a lot of information given in the first couple of pages, and the author's throwing it all at you without warning you to put on protective headgear. I realize she had to get into the story fast (given how much space later in the book she wastes on the no-true-choice adventure paths), but it was still painful.

The characters came across as very 2D. Cinderella was pretty stuck on rescuing herself, being a strong female, and all of that; ironically, she owes her whole rescue to her cat. Yes, she has some magical abilities and ninja moves, but both of those are developed thanks to the cat. Ty was such a flat character. He was flirty and full of himself while still wanting to help Cinderella out. The stepmother goes most of the book without a name; actually, quite a few characters remain nameless, as if the author didn't want to be bothered with naming them.

I apologize if I seem harsh. I just had so many emotions spilling over with this book, and I had to get them all out somewhere.

HOWEVER, I do think there are some redeeming qualities to this book. Imagine that. While a lot of the fairytale elements of Cinderella are watered down, a few of them were unique. For example, I liked how the author actually gave the stepmother a reason to keep Cinderella around, more than just, "Oh, I need an extra servant to boss around."

So, if you're wanting an easy read with some fun acrobatic scenes and magic sparkles, this is a Cinderella book to add to your list. Just don't have too many expectations getting into it.

Advisory: Some fantasy violence/fighting. Most of the fights are with wands, so characters are just throwing sparkles around, so it's never very scary.

Cinderella is training to be a wizard, as are several other characters in the book. At one point, she goes to a magic competition where wizards in training compete with and without wands. Magic here seems to be an ability that one is born with and must hone to actually use it with any luck. Wands are helpful to some spells, but magic appears to be mainly developed and used by sheer confidence and believing in one's self. (I may or may not have drowned in how many "believe in yourself" statements I read.)

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

The Dragon's Flower

Title: The Dragon's Flower

Series: None (published as part of the Golden Braids collection)

Year: 2019

Author: Wyn Estelle Owens

Summary: In the wilds of the mountainous country of Akiyama, there stands a pagoda. When Shichiro, an exiled, honorless samurai stumbles across it one rainy morning, he expects to find it empty and abandoned. He was not expecting to find a lonely princess with near-mythical blue eyes dwelling in the top floors. 

Hanako has dwelt alone for all her life, with only her two silent handmaidens and the countless dragon effigies on her walls to keep her company; her only knowledge of the outside world gained from the books and scrolls she reads. When the wandering ronin stumbles onto her haven, she gains her first friend, never knowing how deeply this chance meeting would affect her. 

The threads of fate have tied these two together, and all the while turmoil boils in the midst of the Seven Countries of Azuma-no-Kuni. Rumors of alliances and armies sprout up, and whispers of the long-lost Imperial Line returning at last. Old prophecies ripen at last, and old myths prepare to show themselves once again in the hour of need. Amongst it all stand two new allies—an isolated princess and a near-friendless ronin, as the wheels of fate and destiny circle them and draw ever closer. Will peace at last return to the fractured realms, or will remnants of the once great Empire splinter beyond all redemption?

Review: If you've ever wanted a full-fledged, packed-to-the-brim Rapunzel story that didn't leave anything of the original fairytale elements out, this is your story. Buckle in for a long and wild ride, and get ready to be swept away.

Hanako has lived all her life on top of a pagoda. She's sheltered and protected, but she can't help wondering about the outside world. And the outside world gets a whole lot closer and more real when a tired ronin appears at her door.

Shichiro has lost his name and his honor. By doing what he knew was right, he's now condemned to wander wherever he will and keep himself alive by the skill of his blade. Seeking refuge in a seemingly abandoned pagoda and getting attacked with a bowl of rice to the face.

There was just so much to love about this story. First, it's chock-full of everything Rapunzel you could ever want. It's been a while since I've seen a Rapunzel retelling so closely follow the original fairytale yet feel like a completely unique story. This one does exactly that. All the thumbs up.

If I were to be nitpicky, the *only* thing from the original fairytale that's left out is the long hair. It's touched on briefly and does have a hair-ladder at one point, but hair really isn't a big deal. But you almost don't miss it in the overwhelming Rapunzel-ness of the rest of the story.

It is purely Japanese/Asian culture. For me, since I'm not super familiar with the "-chan" and "-hime" and "-sama" name meanings, I got a little lost while reading. This story doesn't waste time explaining the nuances of the culture and backgrounds. It just plunges you straight into the stories, and you're so wrapped up in the the characters and what's going on before you even realize that it's not the twenty-first century in America anymore. I believe if you're familiar with that type of culture, you'll jump into the book without any difficulty, but for someone like me, it takes a bit to get used to the new culture. Not that it's bad; Wyn does an amazing job fitting the Rapunzel story into the culture and you couldn't tell where the seam was.

Hanako and Shichiro were also a super cute couple. I was a little worried that Shichiro, being a ronin, would turn out as a Flynn Rider knock-off, but he wasn't. Shichiro was so much his own person. I loved the banter he had with Hanako and his siblings! I'm especially always down for a good sibling relationship in a book. This one did not disappoint.

Hanako, too, was an amazing heroine. Her story worked so perfectly with the Rapunzel tale. One of the things that really impressed me was how she was both feminine and strong. She's still dependent on Shichiro for some things, but she's able to function and get things done while he's not there. Brave, beautiful, and all the things. However, I was a little confused when Hanako was described as a healer; she has some knowledge of the body and medicine to help people (which is great), but *highlight for spoiler* she was completely in the dark when it came to how her body worked in pregnancy. *end spoiler* I know she was sheltered, but as a healer, she should have some kind of knowledge in how that works.

Ichiro, I think, was just the best. His plot twist.... DID NOT SEE THAT COMING. Also, huge shout-out to Aika, Isao's wife. She was so sweet and perfect for Isao; she was so supportive and loving to him when he had tough decisions to make, and balanced him out so wonderfully.

The writing style was fun and fairly easy to read and get sucked into. As I said above, a lot of the book relies heavily on the Japanese culture, and several characters behave and speak as if they were from that specific medieval-esque time period. However, other characters were very modern in their speech and behavior, which kinda threw me out of the culture; some of the dialogue just seemed too twenty-first century America.

Additionally, the scenes jump POV a lot. I realize that the book is meant to be told as by an omniscient narrator, but it got a little confusing to be in one character's head and then suddenly another's. I noticed that happened a lot in scenes with just two characters.

The pace in the first half of the book was intriguing and really good. Once you got into it, the pages just kept turning. However, the second half of the book after the BIG MOMENT (sorry, no spoilers) read kinda slow. I felt as if everything were trying to build up to a war that ultimately never happened. There's months and months of negotiations and alliance-building, and the whole time, the enemy doesn't do anything. Given how clever the enemy was described to be, I thought that a bit odd. Maybe, though, that's just my personal preference. It would have been cool to see more action in the second half.

I know that was just a good amount of negative-sounding criticism, but overall, I was super impressed by this book. It's definitely something you want on your shelf if you're any kind of fairytale retelling enthusiast. I loved getting to see so much of the original tale unfold smoothly and seamlessly with the Japanese culture. All I can say is, "Wow."

Advisory: Some hints at intimacy between husbands and wives, but I thought it all pretty clean. Two characters in the story are pregnant and give birth, but nothing is graphic or over-described.

Some fantasy violence and fighting. Some characters are injured or killed and there are some descriptions of blood/injuries, but nothing is overly graphic.

There are celestial spirits/gods that watch over and interfere/help out from time to time. In the culture, they reminded me a lot of the family guardians from Disney's Mulan or the Greek gods. However, they work with fate to guard over the royal family and fight for a happy ending.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Rebekah's Refuge

Title: Rebekah's Refuge

Series: None (published as part of the Golden Braids collection)

Year: 2019

Author: Meredith Leigh Burton

Summary: Never allow a stranger to buy you anything. Never reveal what you truly are. Above all, never, ever allow your hair to be cut.

In a plague-ravaged world, people will stop at nothing to find a cure. Rebekah is a young norn who on the run for her life. Charles, a man desperate to heal his ailing wife, wants the life-giving magic contained in Rebekah's hair.

When Rebekah’s path crosses with Martha’s, a mother who has lost her daughter to the same man, secrets will be revealed. Buried fears will be resurrected, and the conflict between norns and humans may cause devastating havoc. Will Rebekah and Martha find a way to help both human and nornkind, or will Rebekah’s pursuer capture her? Will the plague be eradicated, or is a more sinister plan at work?

Things are not how they appear in this story of finding a place to belong. Rebekah’s Refuge is a tale of sacrifice, love and courage. You will meet many individuals, human and norn alike, who bear scars, scars that cannot be seen. A tenuous thread binds their destinies together, but threads, like hair, can easily be cut. Only those who listen can find the courage to fight. Rebekah’s Refuge is a tale of desperation and hope, a story of turmoil and healing. 

Review: It's difficult to pin any one genre/subgenre on it because it draws from multiple. For one, it's a clever Rapunzel retelling with unexpected twists on all the usual elements. But it's also slightly dystopian given that it's a tale of a world ravished by illness, and some people are desperate enough to try anything to get the cure. Additionally, it's also fantasy, since we have a culture of humans living beside (although not always peacefully) another race of beings called norns.

Rebekah is a young norn, a special race of beings that have special powers through nature. One of the defining characteristics of norns is their hair. Although it may look like regular human hair, it contains power and, once cut, fades into a lettuce-type of consistency and can be eaten as medicine for the dreadful Bind Weed plague. However, since the hair has power, a norn can physically feel it being cut off, and once cut it grows back weaker.

I can guarantee you've never read a Rapunzel retelling like this before. The author incorporated so many of the elements from the original fairytale, but all in super unexpected ways. For once, hair is key. And for that, I'm excited about. Too many times, I think Rapunzel stories give Rapunzel long hair, but don't ever give her a reason to HAVE long hair. This Rapunzel has both the long hair and a compelling reason for it.

You know what else this story does? It follows the tale of what happened to the wife after eating the (forbidden) vegetable from the witch's garden. This tale is so Rapunzel, but so not because everything is turned on its head.

My complaint for this tale would be the shifting POV. I realize that the story is complicated and requires many people to tell it, but scenes would cut from one character's narration to another without warning, and sometimes it was difficult to tell who you were supposed to be following. In the beginning, especially, I had to read a few scenes twice to understand what was going on. Also, while the end was super sweet, I felt that the climatic scenes were just a little bogged down by so much having to be wrapped up in such a short amount of time. I think stretching it out a little to breathe could have made it slightly easier to follow.

But overall, this is one Rapunzel tale that doesn't follow the normal retelling rules. And thus, it should be one you need to add to your fairytale retellings shelf.

Advisory: Some violence/pain/illness. Since the norns have special powers (particularly medicinally), some of them are forced into helping try to find a cure for the plague. Several norns have their hair cut off, and the story hints at possible rape to help conceive babies.

One passionate kiss between a man and his wife.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Molly Storm

Title: Molly Storm

Series: None (published as part of the Golden Braids collection)

Year: 2019

Author: Annie Louise Twitchell

Summary: A witch, a pirate, a lighthouse, and... seaweed? Molly Storm is a short story inspired by the tale of Rapunzel. 

“You and I, lass, we’re both sides of the same coin. We’re both the heart of the ocean, but you’re more the kindness and goodness. I’m the storms that crush ships. Don’t cross me, Molly. I’ll crush all the sweetness out of you.”

Review: What if Rapunzel lived in a lighthouse? This short story explores the favorite fairytale with some nautical twists and mystical turns. And all from the perspective of the witch, Gothel -- or in this case, Molly Storm.

Molly's content to live alone in her lighthouse, mixing potions as needed, but an annoying visitor at her door forces her to make a life-altering choice. The Pirate King wants a special potion, something that has power unlike Molly's ever seen before. But its effects may last longer and darker than she's bargained for.

This short story reads very quickly, easily consumed in a single sitting; it's well-paced and stuffed with just enough intrigue to keep you turning pages. At first, I was a little concerned at how the Rapunzel elements would fit in, given that the beginning of the story is so different from the original fairytale. HOWEVER, the answers soon became clear, and I was very impressed by how roped I got into Gothel's/Molly's tale. The true element explored here is WHY Molly took that child.

This is a very sweet retelling, focusing on the power of love. Not so much a romantic love, but pure love between people and the power that love has to change for the better. The style reads as a fairytale, so this would almost seem like the perfect tale to read aloud.

Advisory: Some violence. The Pirate King doesn't like to be crossed, and one character suffers physically from his wrath. However, nothing is graphic, and all is handled very well.

Also, since Molly is a witch, she creates potions and spells through her big cauldron. While I was a little bothered by the fact that she's a witch (just because that's really not my thing), her craft is almost portrayed as a talent; she makes her potions through herbs and lots of mixing, not necessarily through another power source. Given the very fairytale-esque setting of the story, I'd say it wasn't too big of a deal.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Snow White and Rose Red

Title: Snow White and Rose Red

Series: The Fairy Tale Series created by Terri Windling

Year: 1989

Author: Patricia Wrede

Summary: Wrede's romantic and charming retelling of the Brothers Grimm tale is the fourth in this series. In the village of Mortlak, near the river Thames, during the reign of Elizabeth I, live the Widow Arden and her two daughters, Blanche and Rosamund. The widow, who supports her family by selling herbs and making healing potions, lives in fear of being accused of witchcraft. Her daughters gather the herbs she needs, sometimes crossing into the realm of Faerie, one of whose borders lies in the forest nearby. 

Also residing in Mortlak is the real-life Doctor Dee, astrologer to the Queen, who with his friend Edward Kelly seeks to harness the magic of Faerie. Their efforts turn Hugh, one of the half-human sons of the queen of Faerie, into a bear. With the aid of the widow and her daughters, John, the elder Faerie prince, tries to disenchant his brother, who has crossed over to the mortal world. John is initially thwarted in his efforts by Madini, head of a faction in Faerie that seeks complete separation from the mortal domain. In putting her twist on the classic tale, Wrede uses language appropriate to the period and nicely evokes both medieval England and a magic land. 

Review: This review was written originally for publication on Fairy Tale Central. Click here to read the full review.

The tale of Snow White and Rose Red, I fear, does not have nearly the fanbase that it should. As one of the lesser-known fairytales, it has far fewer retellings than the popular tales of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, etc. Even the similarly-named Snow White and the Seven Dwarves is more popular — a fact I consider completely unfair. This tale focuses much on the bond between sisters, and has a good bit of adventure and mystery to boot.

Overall, I really enjoyed Wrede’s retelling. Rosamund and Blanche are two very likable heroines, each with a distinct personality. Blanche, the elder, is quiet and thoughtful, while her younger sister is more apt to jump into action or lose her temper. They are super close, do a lot together, and would do anything for each other. I think, because I am one of five sisters, the predominant theme of sisterhood in this book really came out strongly for me. (I’m always up for a good sibling book; the more, the better.) Yes, Rose and Blanche aren’t perfect, but there’s so much in them that you immediately fall in love with and can’t help rooting for them.

Advisory: Most of the caution I have to say on this book concerns the magical/witchcrafts aspects of the tale. There is also one scene in which a man is described as naked and quickly is given a blanket, but it’s not dwelt on or described at all. Other than that, I found it very clean.

The Widow, Dee, and Kelly all practice elements of witchcraft. It is not super clear why the Widow knows what she knows, other than that she’s familiar with Faerie and how to use herbs and chants to accomplish things. She doesn’t practice this sort of thing very often, and usually only because she must. Dee and Kelly, on the other hand, are intent on capturing the power of Faerie to make their own gold. With all three, though (and later as other characters begin to join them), practice within scenes of the books, and their spells are sometimes very specific. In addition to the Latin phrasing, we are given the names of herbs and other things that they use in their spells. This magic mimics some of what I’ve read in Jessica Day George novels (after the fashion of how the time period viewed supernatural activity), but it’s more than just using a silver cross or holy water. Typically, this wouldn’t bother too many people, but I was bothered by how repeatable some of the spells would have been in the real world (with the exception discussed below). For this reason, I must mention it.

The Faerie realm is clearly fantasy and of Wrede’s own making. The power that the Faerie creatures use is completely their own, and in the line of the magic or talent that Tolkien describes his race of elves using. It is compatible with the mortals’ magic, though, which makes some of the sorcerers’ spells completely fantastical.

Again, click here to read the full review. (And be sure to check out all the other cool fairytale stuff on Fairy Tale Central!)

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Everland (Everland)

Title: Everland

Series: Everland (Book #1)

Year: 2016

Author: Wendy Spinale

Summary: The only way to grow up is to survive.

London has been destroyed in a blitz of bombs and disease. The only ones who have survived the destruction and the outbreak of a deadly virus are children, among them sixteen-year-old Gwen Darling and her younger siblings, Joanna and Mikey. They spend their nights scavenging and their days avoiding the deadly Marauders—the German army led by the cutthroat Captain Hanz Otto Oswald Kretschmer.

Unsure if the virus has spread past England’s borders but desperate to leave, Captain Hook is on the hunt for a cure, which he thinks can be found in one of the surviving children. He and his Marauders stalk the streets snatching children for experimentation. None ever return.

Until one day when they grab Joanna. Gwen will stop at nothing to get her sister back, but as she sets out, she crosses paths with a daredevil named Pete. Pete offers the assistance of his gang of Lost Boys and the fierce sharpshooter Bella, who have all been living in a city hidden underground. But in a place where help has a steep price and every promise is bound by blood, it might cost Gwen more than she bargained for. And are Gwen, Pete, the Lost Boys, and Bella enough to outsmart the ruthless Captain Hook?

Review: There are so many books out there that claim to be retold stories of classic favorites. Peter Pan is just one classic that, I feel like, is underappreciated and also not done real justice when it gets retold. There are too many elements that get left out, or too much deviation on the new author's part that it basically fails to be any sort of retelling of the original.

This book pleasantly surprised me. It's written in present tense (which is sometimes awkward for me to read), but once I got over that, I was sucked right in. And the strength of this retelling is something to be impressed by. It's got all the things.

Gwen is only trying to survive -- and she's got two younger siblings to keep alive, too. In this alternative universe where war and power control have gone wrong, Gwen knows it's only a matter of time before she and her siblings are caught and disappear forever. Unless she can get them all out into... someplace safe. That's when she meets Pete, a cocky youth who leads a bunch of Lost Boys against the infamous Captain Hook.

I won't waste too much time on giving a summary -- the author did a bang-up job with that in the summary copied and pasted above. Read that, if you will.

I just want to take a moment to bask in the Peter-Pan-ness of this story. True, it's not a perfect story, the style is quick and sometimes choppy, some of the characters lack depth, but I was really surprised at how well the plot was laid out. And when I said it had all the Peter Pan things -- boy howdy. John from the original is now a girl, Joanna, but the transition is smooth and perfect for the story (since girls are more susceptible to the deadly virus roaming around). Thus, since the girls are dying off, Gwen is seen as a special person (Mother), and Pete really does lead a gang full of just boys. Bella (Tinker Bell) has wings (!!) and can actually fly and IT WORKS SO WELL.

The only thing I really didn't like right away was Captain Hook. With his long German name, I felt the moniker was a little forced, but he grew on me. But we've got a quick look at Smee and crocodiles. Yes, crocs, plural. I told you it had all the things. The Jolly Roger is a zeppelin, which I thought was pretty cool.

Alternative historical books really aren't my thing, but this is a dystopia with a tidbit of hope. Normally, you don't get much hope in dystopian tales, but in this one you do. I might read more of them if they turned out more like this one.

Advisory: Some violence, explosions, fighting, and death. One character (slightly spoiler-y but not a surprise) has his hand cut off; crocodiles kill another character; etc. The tone of the book is suspenseful and active, but I didn't think the violence was over the top.

Light romance leading to a kiss.

The big plot of this book centers around the deadly virus plaguing London. This sickness, to me, almost seemed like a form of leprosy, since the skin on the victim's hands and feet is affected first, basically dying and crumbling off to leave sores and raw wounds on the affected areas. Since it is deadly, people die, but again it wasn't over the top. Just be aware that there are some descriptions and mentions of the virus and its symptoms.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Warrior (Dragons of Starlight)

Title: Warrior

Series: Dragons of Starlight

Year: 2010

Author: Bryan Davis

Summary: For years, tales of DRAGONS from another world kidnapping and enslaving humans have been circulating in Jason Masters' world, while for a slave girl named Koren, the stories of a human world seem pure myth. Together, these two teens will need to bridge two planets in order to overthrow the draconic threat and bring the lost slaves home.

The Dragon Prince Has Hatched 

The stakes are raised when the foretold prince is crowned. While Koren and Jason race to the Northlands of Starlight to find the one person who can help them free the human slaves, Elyssa and Wallace strive to locate Jason and assist his quest. Soon, all four discover that the secrets of Starlight extend much further than they had imagined. Meanwhile, Randall and Tibalt have returned to Major Four and find themselves teamed with the dragon Magnar, who has arrived to help thwart the governor.

No one knows how the prophecy will be fulfilled, but one thing is clear: more than ever, the survival of the dragons depends on humankind, and they will do anything to prevent the slaves from escaping.

Review: Things are definitely getting more complicated in the world of dragons. Jason and Koren flee to the Northlands to find help, and Elyssa and Wallace try to find them while also trying to help some of the slaves out. Randall and Tibalt find themselves teamed up with an unlikely pair of dragons, and Jason faces some of the hardest tests he has to date. With the dragon prince/king, Taushin, now hatched and taking over, Koren has to make some difficult decisions with where her loyalties lie. Taushin will apparently stop at nothing to get the Starlighter under his control.

I'll gladly go on record saying this was a good addition to the Starlight series. However, compared to the first book, I felt that it dragged just a little bit. The first book kept you on your seat with lots of action and danger, but things slowed down a lot in this book. There's still action and danger, but there's also a lot of talking and walking and secrets and hints at prophecy. Doubtless all setting up for the climax in the following books, but pretty slow; that's my take on it anyway. Looking forward to finishing the tale with the other books, though. I don't think things slowed down too much to make me lose interest.

To be honest, I think Wallace was my favorite character. He didn't appear too often, sadly, but he had a nice presence, plus some humor to add to the story. The characters in this book, as a whole, felt a lot more preachy than they did in the first book. While I think it's good for a Christian book to exhibit good Christian morals and principles, I think Bryan Davis was forcing it almost too much.

Advisory: Fantasy violence/fighting/death. Nothing over the top, and I thought that was all well handled.

Since the dragons use the humans as slaves, they are not viewed as real humans. There are a few mentions of how the dragons force unwed women to procreate with random men chosen by the dragons. The bond between Taushin and Koren is an interesting point, too; Koren firmly believes that the love he demands in service is not true love, but he still persists on trying to seduce that loyalty/love/service from her. To me, submission to Taushin felt a little sensual, but nothing inappropriate happens or crosses Koren's mind.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

The Warrior Maiden (Hagenheim)

Title: The Warrior Maiden

Series: Hagenheim (Book #9)

Year: 2019

Author: Melanie Dickerson

Summary: Mulan isn’t afraid to pretend to be a son and assume her father’s soldier duties in war. But what happens when the handsome son of a duke discovers her secret?

Mulan is trying to resign herself to marrying the village butcher for the good of her family, but her adventurous spirit just can’t stand the thought. At the last minute, she pretends to be the son her father never had, assumes his duties as a soldier, and rides off to join the fight to protect the castle of her liege lord’s ally from the besieging Teutonic Knights.

Wolfgang and his brother Steffan leave Hagenheim with several other soldiers to help their father’s ally in Poland. When they arrive, Wolfgang is exasperated by the young soldier Mikolai who seems to either always be one step away from disaster... or showing Wolfgang up in embarrassing ways.

When Wolfgang discovers his former rival and reluctant friend Mikolai is actually a girl, he is determined to protect her. But battle is a dangerous place where anything can happen — and usually does.

When Mulan receives word that her mother has been accused of practicing witchcraft through her healing herbs and skills, Mulan’s only thought is of defending her. Will she be able to trust Wolfgang to help? Or will sacrificing her own life be the only way to save her mother?

Review: After a bunch of Dickerson books that weren't so great and regretfully cliche, The Warrior Maiden was a breath of fresh air. I was a bit skeptical going into this book, but once I got into it, I was hooked. The one thing you want in a good Mulan tale (a tale of a girl dressing as a man and going to WAR) is battle scenes. And we got battle scenes. I was sooooo impressed.

Mulan is the illegitimate child of a soldier and a foreign mother. Her father's wife, the woman she calls mother, has raised her and loved her, and Mulan would do anything to protect her. After a priest prophecies that she will be a great warrior one day, Mulan begins training with her father's young friend, Andrei, who accompanied the great Mikolai into many battles and knows how a soldier should act.

Disaster strikes when her father dies two weeks before being conscripted into service again. Forced with the possibility of losing their home, Mulan takes his place, with Andrei at her side. She knows pretending to be a man is a dangerous position, not only because battles can be deadly and because they're going to face the bloodthirsty Teutonic Knights, but also because the Church forbids a woman from dressing as a man.

She earns quick repute among her fellow soldiers when she leads a successful attack on the Teutonic Knights. The duke of Hagenheim's son, Wolfgang, at first feels threatened by her apparent prowess in archery, but soon learns to accept and trust her as a fellow soldier.

The character of Mulan was spot-on. She's fierce and brave, but still feminine in her own right. Melanie Dickerson really made me believe that she was a real person. Mulan loves her mother, and she's incredibly loyal to her. Her fighting skills are incredibly believable, and I loved that (FOR ONCE) she didn't get kidnapped!

I wasn't crazy about Wolfgang, but he's a good-enough hero, once you can get behind him. Mulan really stole the spotlight. Andrei was great, and I wish there could have been more of him. I actually really liked Wolfgang's brother, Steffan, and the complexity that he added to the story. Really looking forward to reading more of him in Dickerson's next novel The Piper's Pursuit (a Pied Piper retelling), and I'm hoping she doesn't water him down too much to become the next Hagenheim hero.

The whole historical aspect of this novel was super interesting. Mulan must keep her secret of dressing as a man because it's against Church law for a woman to wear men's clothing. And then you've got the whole angle of her mother creating a special healing salve that people think could be demonic, and how THAT all plays into the story. Dickerson really pulled out all the stops to impress me with this one.

The religious language and preaching in this book seemed a bit heavier than Dickerson usually does, but it didn't bother me. Since so much of the plot is dependent on Church laws and tradition, I didn't think it was terribly overdone. I had a lengthy talk with a history expert/snob about the book once I was done reading it, and we agreed that most of the historical details in this novel were really well done. (Teutonic Knights for the win!) Except for the Church's Trial by Combat. I'm sorry; for that, I really think Dickerson just wanting to write another dramatic jousting scene. So, it's really cool, but (in my opinion) stretching the historical accuracy a little too far.

Advisory: One of the things that did kinda annoy me was the romance. But as usual, for a Dickerson novel. It doesn't take Mulan to be attracted to our hero, and once he discovers her secret, he's fairly quickly attracted to her. They think an awful lot about kissing each other before it actually happens, and then they share a number of kisses before the book ends.

Fighting/violence. Since there are battles and sieges, people are injured and killed, but nothing is too terribly descriptive.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars