melaniebopp's review
4.0
Whew! There are 8 stories in this collection, and I'm just going to be quick about this and talk a bit about my favorites. But first, overall impressions!
As an anthology, you generally have a mix, not just of stories, but of styles and writing ability. I thought all the stories here were well-written, and the ones I didn't like as much had more to do with the story's plot than the writing or characters.
My absolute favorite in this collection was The Pig Hint by Sandra Bard. I loved this rendition of the three little pigs, complete with a large (as in soft around the middle) family. Clint has self-esteem issues with his weight, and it was wonderful to see him grow past that, and realize that Lucian Wolfe happens to like pudge on his men. I really enjoyed the magic-in-the-real-world elements to it, and how everything fit together rather perfectly.
I also really enjoyed Tommelise by Diana Jean, a retelling of Thumbelina, complete with a sassy, spoiled princess, True Love, also by Jean, where I absolutely loved the crush the king had on the librarian for years and years. The White Cat by H.R. Harrison was an interesting interpretation of classic fairy tales, pulling from Puss in Boots and Beauty and the Beast, along with others I didn't immediately recognize. I particularly liked the touch of the first prince coming from a foreign country, likely in the Middle East, and the cat being an albino from the northern lands (Russia, Norway, etc). And The Dragon of Bellerose was another Beauty and the Beast interpretation, with the beast being a half-dragon child. The interesting thing about this one was the political intrigue and the magic that is the basis for the actual plot.
Overall, though, I enjoyed most of them, and the few I was less fond of had more to do with certain story elements (like Bad Romance's palace orgies) that are just not my cup of tea.
4 out of 5 stars, easily, because I thoroughly enjoyed most of the stories, and loved the different fairy tale elements the authors were able to weave throughout, while still making it something original.
As an anthology, you generally have a mix, not just of stories, but of styles and writing ability. I thought all the stories here were well-written, and the ones I didn't like as much had more to do with the story's plot than the writing or characters.
My absolute favorite in this collection was The Pig Hint by Sandra Bard. I loved this rendition of the three little pigs, complete with a large (as in soft around the middle) family. Clint has self-esteem issues with his weight, and it was wonderful to see him grow past that, and realize that Lucian Wolfe happens to like pudge on his men. I really enjoyed the magic-in-the-real-world elements to it, and how everything fit together rather perfectly.
I also really enjoyed Tommelise by Diana Jean, a retelling of Thumbelina, complete with a sassy, spoiled princess, True Love, also by Jean, where I absolutely loved the crush the king had on the librarian for years and years. The White Cat by H.R. Harrison was an interesting interpretation of classic fairy tales, pulling from Puss in Boots and Beauty and the Beast, along with others I didn't immediately recognize. I particularly liked the touch of the first prince coming from a foreign country, likely in the Middle East, and the cat being an albino from the northern lands (Russia, Norway, etc). And The Dragon of Bellerose was another Beauty and the Beast interpretation, with the beast being a half-dragon child. The interesting thing about this one was the political intrigue and the magic that is the basis for the actual plot.
Overall, though, I enjoyed most of them, and the few I was less fond of had more to do with certain story elements (like Bad Romance's palace orgies) that are just not my cup of tea.
4 out of 5 stars, easily, because I thoroughly enjoyed most of the stories, and loved the different fairy tale elements the authors were able to weave throughout, while still making it something original.
More...