bunnerz's review
I had originally picked up the anthology due to the fairy tale retelling theme.
---
Preface: I've listed all the stories in this anthology but will be leaving more detailed summaries and reviews as I slowly go through all of them.
We're All Mad Here by [a:J.A. Armitage|7752331|J.A. Armitage|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1505484641p2/7752331.jpg] and [a:J.A. Culican|15287808|J.A. Culican|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1604614572p2/15287808.jpg]
Tags: magic, time-travel, young-adult, retelling
This was a YA time-travelling contemporary/historical fantasy retelling of Alice in Wonderland.
---
Ash and Cynder by [a:Kimbra Swain|17150910|Kimbra Swain|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1519424689p2/17150910.jpg]
---
Snow and Red by [a:Eileen Mueller|6982716|Eileen Mueller|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1616294043p2/6982716.jpg] and [a:A.J. Ponder|7021207|A.J. Ponder|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1364465373p2/7021207.jpg]
---
Tainted by [a:Beth Hale|7221239|Beth Hale|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1376789284p2/7221239.jpg]
---
Enchanted Wishes by [a:Zara Quentin|15939110|Zara Quentin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1475887824p2/15939110.jpg]
---
Rumpel's Revenge by [a:Craig Halloran|3306488|Craig Halloran|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1593877354p2/3306488.jpg]
---
Cursed Beauty by [a:Stacey O'Neale|7765793|Stacey O'Neale|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1394655269p2/7765793.jpg]
---
City of Gold and Glass by [a:Amanda Marin|18564511|Amanda Marin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1546807270p2/18564511.jpg]
---
The Ruin of Snow by [a:Lacy Sheridan|15928804|Lacy Sheridan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1530337113p2/15928804.jpg]
---
Scarlet and Shadow by [a:May Dawson|17328547|May Dawson|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
---
Crumbling Towers by [a:Anne Stryker|18140879|Anne Stryker|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1535393849p2/18140879.jpg]
---
Robin's Hood by [a:Jacque Stevens|15058478|Jacque Stevens|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1538344882p2/15058478.jpg]
---
Like Matches for Wishes by [a:Lee Ann Ward|1275370|Lee Ann Ward|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1334780197p2/1275370.jpg]
---
A Siren's Broken Song by [a:Nadira Golde|21039545|Nadira Golde|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1655599723p2/21039545.jpg]
---
Silent Melody by [a:Alice Ivinya|19442133|Alice Ivinya|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1610473661p2/19442133.jpg]
---
Of Blades and Blossoms by [a:Charlotte Daniels|1588406|Charlotte Daniels|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and [a:Charlie Daniels|324455|Charlie Daniels|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
---
Silver Hands by [a:Daphne Moore|595825|Daphne Moore|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and [a:D. Fischer|1094278|D. Fischer|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
---
Naiya's Wish by [a:Astrid V.J.|19215141|Astrid V.J.|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1559212074p2/19215141.jpg]
---
Preface: I've listed all the stories in this anthology but will be leaving more detailed summaries and reviews as I slowly go through all of them.
We're All Mad Here by [a:J.A. Armitage|7752331|J.A. Armitage|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1505484641p2/7752331.jpg] and [a:J.A. Culican|15287808|J.A. Culican|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1604614572p2/15287808.jpg]
Tags: magic, time-travel, young-adult, retelling
This was a YA time-travelling contemporary/historical fantasy retelling of Alice in Wonderland.
---
Ash and Cynder by [a:Kimbra Swain|17150910|Kimbra Swain|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1519424689p2/17150910.jpg]
---
Snow and Red by [a:Eileen Mueller|6982716|Eileen Mueller|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1616294043p2/6982716.jpg] and [a:A.J. Ponder|7021207|A.J. Ponder|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1364465373p2/7021207.jpg]
---
Tainted by [a:Beth Hale|7221239|Beth Hale|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1376789284p2/7221239.jpg]
---
Enchanted Wishes by [a:Zara Quentin|15939110|Zara Quentin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1475887824p2/15939110.jpg]
---
Rumpel's Revenge by [a:Craig Halloran|3306488|Craig Halloran|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1593877354p2/3306488.jpg]
---
Cursed Beauty by [a:Stacey O'Neale|7765793|Stacey O'Neale|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1394655269p2/7765793.jpg]
---
City of Gold and Glass by [a:Amanda Marin|18564511|Amanda Marin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1546807270p2/18564511.jpg]
---
The Ruin of Snow by [a:Lacy Sheridan|15928804|Lacy Sheridan|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1530337113p2/15928804.jpg]
---
Scarlet and Shadow by [a:May Dawson|17328547|May Dawson|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
---
Crumbling Towers by [a:Anne Stryker|18140879|Anne Stryker|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1535393849p2/18140879.jpg]
---
Robin's Hood by [a:Jacque Stevens|15058478|Jacque Stevens|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1538344882p2/15058478.jpg]
---
Like Matches for Wishes by [a:Lee Ann Ward|1275370|Lee Ann Ward|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1334780197p2/1275370.jpg]
---
A Siren's Broken Song by [a:Nadira Golde|21039545|Nadira Golde|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1655599723p2/21039545.jpg]
---
Silent Melody by [a:Alice Ivinya|19442133|Alice Ivinya|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1610473661p2/19442133.jpg]
---
Of Blades and Blossoms by [a:Charlotte Daniels|1588406|Charlotte Daniels|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and [a:Charlie Daniels|324455|Charlie Daniels|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
---
Silver Hands by [a:Daphne Moore|595825|Daphne Moore|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png] and [a:D. Fischer|1094278|D. Fischer|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]
---
Naiya's Wish by [a:Astrid V.J.|19215141|Astrid V.J.|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1559212074p2/19215141.jpg]
momwithareadingproblem's review
5.0
This review is for Promises and Pixie Dust, which is included in the anthology.
I received an eARC of this book via the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
This is the fairytale retelling I didn’t know I needed! Promises and Pixie Dust by Robin D. Mahle & Elle Madison, who are quickly becoming one of my favorite author duos, is a sweet, standalone retelling of Thumbelina and included in the anthology Enchanted Kingdoms. Following the story of Lina and Edrich, Promises and Pixie Dust explores the world from two very different points of view as one girl searches for a world she belongs in.
The story opens with Lina saying goodbye to her friends and waiting for one person in particular, Edrich. Lina is preparing to enter the enchanted forest and find people like her. That is, Lina wants to find someone that is her size, not much bigger than your thumb. Since her mother’s passing, the call of the forest and to find others like her has only gotten stronger. And why wouldn’t it? Everything in Lina’s life has to be modified for her to use. That doesn’t stop her. Nothing does! She is a force to be reckoned with, even driving a wagon full of supplies with a complicated system of ropes and pulleys. But now there is nothing stopping her from searching except Edrich.
To say Edrich is shocked to see Lina at the bar, much less her request to accompany her to the Enchanted Forest, is an understatement. Edrich has spent the last few years trying to forget his little friend and the feelings she stirs in him. As his mother pointed out long ago, Lina deserves better than the half-life he can give her and he the same. So he left, joining a group of mercenaries. Now that life haunts him. With a few days off between jobs, he decides to accompany Lina, he can’t let her go on her own after all. There is a bitterness that festers between these two, though Lina is unaware of the cause only the hurt that she feels.
The plot follows these two into the enchanted forest, and I couldn’t love it more! The alternating POV really help bring into focus how the world is seen from a normal sized human like Edrich and Lina’s fairy size. I love their banter, even their tense arguments as you see the tension swelling between these two former friends. My heart ached for them.
Overall, I really enjoyed Promises and Pixie Dust. Thumbelina was one of my favorite cartoons growing up, and the authors brought her to life here. I love how intricate and vivid the details of the forest are from Lina’s perspective. It was easy to imagine myself at her size, seeing the world from her POV. If you enjoy YA fantasy, retellings, and of course a bit of romance, I highly recommend Promises and Pixie Dust.
I received an eARC of this book via the author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of this review.
This is the fairytale retelling I didn’t know I needed! Promises and Pixie Dust by Robin D. Mahle & Elle Madison, who are quickly becoming one of my favorite author duos, is a sweet, standalone retelling of Thumbelina and included in the anthology Enchanted Kingdoms. Following the story of Lina and Edrich, Promises and Pixie Dust explores the world from two very different points of view as one girl searches for a world she belongs in.
The story opens with Lina saying goodbye to her friends and waiting for one person in particular, Edrich. Lina is preparing to enter the enchanted forest and find people like her. That is, Lina wants to find someone that is her size, not much bigger than your thumb. Since her mother’s passing, the call of the forest and to find others like her has only gotten stronger. And why wouldn’t it? Everything in Lina’s life has to be modified for her to use. That doesn’t stop her. Nothing does! She is a force to be reckoned with, even driving a wagon full of supplies with a complicated system of ropes and pulleys. But now there is nothing stopping her from searching except Edrich.
To say Edrich is shocked to see Lina at the bar, much less her request to accompany her to the Enchanted Forest, is an understatement. Edrich has spent the last few years trying to forget his little friend and the feelings she stirs in him. As his mother pointed out long ago, Lina deserves better than the half-life he can give her and he the same. So he left, joining a group of mercenaries. Now that life haunts him. With a few days off between jobs, he decides to accompany Lina, he can’t let her go on her own after all. There is a bitterness that festers between these two, though Lina is unaware of the cause only the hurt that she feels.
The plot follows these two into the enchanted forest, and I couldn’t love it more! The alternating POV really help bring into focus how the world is seen from a normal sized human like Edrich and Lina’s fairy size. I love their banter, even their tense arguments as you see the tension swelling between these two former friends. My heart ached for them.
Overall, I really enjoyed Promises and Pixie Dust. Thumbelina was one of my favorite cartoons growing up, and the authors brought her to life here. I love how intricate and vivid the details of the forest are from Lina’s perspective. It was easy to imagine myself at her size, seeing the world from her POV. If you enjoy YA fantasy, retellings, and of course a bit of romance, I highly recommend Promises and Pixie Dust.
marjories's review
5.0
I just started this one so will have to update but this is a collection I have been looking forward to since it was first announced! What a fabulous line of up of authors, and I am always a sucker for fairtytale retellings
Enchanted Wishes by Zara Quentin
Unique gender-bent take on Aladdin. This one starts with a bit of an origin story for the Genii who is a girl! While it does include many of the classic elements of the Aladdin story, it adds its own spin on the tale as well. It leads you to care for the girl who became a genii and her growth and development in pursuit of freedom. Beautifully written, well paced book that was a pleasure to read.
Enchanted Wishes by Zara Quentin
Unique gender-bent take on Aladdin. This one starts with a bit of an origin story for the Genii who is a girl! While it does include many of the classic elements of the Aladdin story, it adds its own spin on the tale as well. It leads you to care for the girl who became a genii and her growth and development in pursuit of freedom. Beautifully written, well paced book that was a pleasure to read.
More...