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alt_air's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
jacehan's review against another edition
3.0
These stories hew very close in style and content to the original Grimms’ tales, which is fine, as that’s the point, but if you go in expecting something different you may be disappointed.
As such, most of these could just be substituted for the original tale; there’s no extra benefit from knowing the original (although I did read the Wikipedia summary of each one to compare.) What I think I would really like is if I had a full collection of Grimms’ Tales, and then these were just swapped in. Then instead of having the special collection of queer tales, they become the new standard.
One thing that’s maybe an artifact of reading a book of short tales is that often the introductions felt repetitive, especially when Mardoll wanted to indicate that a character was trans in the first paragraph, then move on to a mostly unchanged story. The better stories had more significant changes or handled them more deftly.
Stand-out tales:
The Story of the Youth Who Went Forth to Learn Fear
The Three Little Men in the Wood
Sometimes Hansel and Othertimes Gretel
The Fisherman and his Wife
Cinder the Fireplace Boy
Godfather Death
As such, most of these could just be substituted for the original tale; there’s no extra benefit from knowing the original (although I did read the Wikipedia summary of each one to compare.) What I think I would really like is if I had a full collection of Grimms’ Tales, and then these were just swapped in. Then instead of having the special collection of queer tales, they become the new standard.
One thing that’s maybe an artifact of reading a book of short tales is that often the introductions felt repetitive, especially when Mardoll wanted to indicate that a character was trans in the first paragraph, then move on to a mostly unchanged story. The better stories had more significant changes or handled them more deftly.
Stand-out tales:
The Story of the Youth Who Went Forth to Learn Fear
The Three Little Men in the Wood
Sometimes Hansel and Othertimes Gretel
The Fisherman and his Wife
Cinder the Fireplace Boy
Godfather Death
kellypaladin's review
5.0
I loved this book. Ana Mardoll did an amazing job of picking a mix of well-known Grimm's fairy tales (Cinderella, The Brave Little Tailor, Tom Thumb, Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding-Hood, Rapunzel) and more obscure ones and rewriting them to appeal to a modern audience. Xie recreated the feel of reading an old book of fairy tales, and there were multiple times where I went "Wait, was that a change or was that in the originals?"
There's something deeply satisfying for me about stories about LGBTQ people where the person's gender or sexuality isn't the story, but just one important detail among many that make up a character. Disability is treated the same way, not as a driver for the whole story but matter-of-factly, as one aspect of a character.
Highly recommended, and I hope to see more fairy tale collections in this vein.
There's something deeply satisfying for me about stories about LGBTQ people where the person's gender or sexuality isn't the story, but just one important detail among many that make up a character. Disability is treated the same way, not as a driver for the whole story but matter-of-factly, as one aspect of a character.
Highly recommended, and I hope to see more fairy tale collections in this vein.
scientist_reading_world's review
4.0
Very interesting take on the Grim Tales, I like more one than the others, which is normal for a collection of short stories. I think this new LGBTQIA+ was very good please send copies to Florida they will need them!
the_fenharel's review
1.0
**Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy**
While this was a brilliant concept, it had an awful execution. The start of the authors note got me excited - it was written beautifully and eloquently, leading me to believe we would read these stories from a different point of view and lens. Then the authors note went on to insult Grimm's Fairy Tales - the very stories it directly copied. I agree some of the tales had issues - they were an echo of that time, not that that was an excuse - but apparently kidnapping and child sacrifice was okay to keep as a "good message".
I eagerly cracked open the book waiting for some new lgbt+ icons to be born, but I was extremely disappointed. For someone priding themselves on changing the stories to lgbt+ narratives, it lacked a lot. Simply changing the pronouns or having the frog turn into a man and marry another was extremely lack lustre. These stories were developed to tell a moral - the Princess (or in this case The Frog Prince) and the Frog were to tell people to not break their promises and treat everyone nicely regardless of how they look. If the story was actually rewritten and given an essence by the author, this could have been an incredible lgbt+ story with that moral. Treat people nicely regardless of their sexuality could have become the new moral! Instead the Princess was a Prince and... that was that. Changing a name, gender or pronoun added absolutely nothing to these stories. There was no new twist, identity or passion added. It was like someone grabbed these stories, changed a few words, and thought it was appropriate to publish.
This is something that should stay a free ebook or on Wattpad. It's a quick and easy idea for others to read, but it's not something that will be adorning shelves any time soon.
Edit: Changed to a one star due to the author putting reviews on their social media accounts and acting like they're lying about the quality of the book. What a shame to see such immaturity and refusing to learn and grow from a process. They have a right to be defensive or upset, but at the end of the day being excited over fake reviews people are giving to make them feel better and being bitter and defensive over real reviews that don't stroke their ego is just upsetting and immature. It was also frustrating to see them say that people who didn't like their book were "the people who think it's the same either don't like the Grimms or haven't read them in a while/ever." (Author's Twitter Page) Massive fan of Grimm's here, and I still didn't like it. Quit making excuses and realise that people aren't all cookie cutter versions of what you want them to be. Also, "It's vexing to have my own creative work assigned to two dead men." So, uh, don't rewrite Grimm's fairytales then. Like... write an original work? Don't whine when your title literally says "Grimm Tales" and get the surprised Pikachu face when people say "Huh, look at that."
Letter to the author: For the author who keeps tweeting about all the bad reviewers, understand where they're coming from. Sure, you didn't simply change a few pronouns and that's that. I understand why you're defensive over that. However, do you understand why people feel that way? It doesn't feel like we're reading something new. Sure, some storylines were changed and nothing was literally copied and pasted, but typically the morals were the same, the storyline was the same and we got nothing NEW. Where were the new storylines? Why couldn't the frog fall in love with a commoner instead of a wealthy Prince? Nothing was new. Nothing was changed. I wanted to connect to these characters and feel great about reading them. But I was bored. I get that you were trying to create the same feel - and you did so quite well - but we've already had these stories.
Now, at the start of my review, I did say that your author's note was written beautifully, and I will continue saying that. It was a compliment because you clearly CAN write. I would have definitely picked up anything you had written in the future because I want to see you write like THAT. Give me an lgbt+ historical fiction. Create a full length Prince and the Frog and I would have loved it. However, after the ridiculousness I've seen on your twitter, I have to take away any future support. Attacking reviewers, acting like they know nothing about writing or Grimm's, is absolutely offensive behaviour. Yes, you rewrote the stories, but you're clearly not understanding why people didn't want a direct retelling like this. Yes, you changed every line and added some in. But it was still so direct and sameness it wasn't that exciting. I agree with others saying it would be good to read to kids - but you see, they're saying that in replacement of Grimm's because it's the same. Even the good reviewers admit it's a REPLACEMENT, not something new. So complaining that people are comparing your work to them is redundant. Write something new. Then if you get compared to another author you can have another Twitter tantrum.
I get why you're frustrated, but putting reviewers on blast on your social media which could lead to them getting gross remarks or people attacking them online is unacceptable. Understand that social media has an effect and when you create ripples, they can become waves. The wave for me was to never support you again out of fear I'd be attacked by you online for it. The wave for one of your Twitter followers could be to attack someone on here if they match the review you're complaining about.
Be careful about the energy you put out into the world.
While this was a brilliant concept, it had an awful execution. The start of the authors note got me excited - it was written beautifully and eloquently, leading me to believe we would read these stories from a different point of view and lens. Then the authors note went on to insult Grimm's Fairy Tales - the very stories it directly copied. I agree some of the tales had issues - they were an echo of that time, not that that was an excuse - but apparently kidnapping and child sacrifice was okay to keep as a "good message".
I eagerly cracked open the book waiting for some new lgbt+ icons to be born, but I was extremely disappointed. For someone priding themselves on changing the stories to lgbt+ narratives, it lacked a lot. Simply changing the pronouns or having the frog turn into a man and marry another was extremely lack lustre. These stories were developed to tell a moral - the Princess (or in this case The Frog Prince) and the Frog were to tell people to not break their promises and treat everyone nicely regardless of how they look. If the story was actually rewritten and given an essence by the author, this could have been an incredible lgbt+ story with that moral. Treat people nicely regardless of their sexuality could have become the new moral! Instead the Princess was a Prince and... that was that. Changing a name, gender or pronoun added absolutely nothing to these stories. There was no new twist, identity or passion added. It was like someone grabbed these stories, changed a few words, and thought it was appropriate to publish.
This is something that should stay a free ebook or on Wattpad. It's a quick and easy idea for others to read, but it's not something that will be adorning shelves any time soon.
Edit: Changed to a one star due to the author putting reviews on their social media accounts and acting like they're lying about the quality of the book. What a shame to see such immaturity and refusing to learn and grow from a process. They have a right to be defensive or upset, but at the end of the day being excited over fake reviews people are giving to make them feel better and being bitter and defensive over real reviews that don't stroke their ego is just upsetting and immature. It was also frustrating to see them say that people who didn't like their book were "the people who think it's the same either don't like the Grimms or haven't read them in a while/ever." (Author's Twitter Page) Massive fan of Grimm's here, and I still didn't like it. Quit making excuses and realise that people aren't all cookie cutter versions of what you want them to be. Also, "It's vexing to have my own creative work assigned to two dead men." So, uh, don't rewrite Grimm's fairytales then. Like... write an original work? Don't whine when your title literally says "Grimm Tales" and get the surprised Pikachu face when people say "Huh, look at that."
Letter to the author: For the author who keeps tweeting about all the bad reviewers, understand where they're coming from. Sure, you didn't simply change a few pronouns and that's that. I understand why you're defensive over that. However, do you understand why people feel that way? It doesn't feel like we're reading something new. Sure, some storylines were changed and nothing was literally copied and pasted, but typically the morals were the same, the storyline was the same and we got nothing NEW. Where were the new storylines? Why couldn't the frog fall in love with a commoner instead of a wealthy Prince? Nothing was new. Nothing was changed. I wanted to connect to these characters and feel great about reading them. But I was bored. I get that you were trying to create the same feel - and you did so quite well - but we've already had these stories.
Now, at the start of my review, I did say that your author's note was written beautifully, and I will continue saying that. It was a compliment because you clearly CAN write. I would have definitely picked up anything you had written in the future because I want to see you write like THAT. Give me an lgbt+ historical fiction. Create a full length Prince and the Frog and I would have loved it. However, after the ridiculousness I've seen on your twitter, I have to take away any future support. Attacking reviewers, acting like they know nothing about writing or Grimm's, is absolutely offensive behaviour. Yes, you rewrote the stories, but you're clearly not understanding why people didn't want a direct retelling like this. Yes, you changed every line and added some in. But it was still so direct and sameness it wasn't that exciting. I agree with others saying it would be good to read to kids - but you see, they're saying that in replacement of Grimm's because it's the same. Even the good reviewers admit it's a REPLACEMENT, not something new. So complaining that people are comparing your work to them is redundant. Write something new. Then if you get compared to another author you can have another Twitter tantrum.
I get why you're frustrated, but putting reviewers on blast on your social media which could lead to them getting gross remarks or people attacking them online is unacceptable. Understand that social media has an effect and when you create ripples, they can become waves. The wave for me was to never support you again out of fear I'd be attacked by you online for it. The wave for one of your Twitter followers could be to attack someone on here if they match the review you're complaining about.
Be careful about the energy you put out into the world.
wanderwithjon's review
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An e-ARC of the book has been provided by, Acacia Moon Publishing, in exchange for an honest review.
Cinder the Fireplace Boy is nothing out of the extraordinary; however, it succeeded in what it wanted to achieve and that is what makes it special.
It diverges itself with a variety of modern gender roles that provides inclusivity to people of our modern times. Rallying people that cannot find themselves within the classic fairy tales, the book delivered in giving us the representation that we have been looking for.
In its core, the book followed the stories almost directly. Staying faithful with the tone and model of fairy tale — whimsical, childish, and has that cliche happy ending with a moral lesson. Albeit dark and gruesome for most of the part, I can see how this can still be something to read for a kid. Regardless of their face value, the principle at the heart of each story is a true beauty.
Within the small alteration of the stories, Ana Mardoll gave us something to diversify these short stories and paved a way for great representation.
Overall, Cinder the Fireplace Boy is a gorgeous collection of stories that I am looking into revisiting and to share to friends. A fantastical story given more life by the colourful representation of modern gender themes.
See this and other reviews in my blog.
An e-ARC of the book has been provided by, Acacia Moon Publishing, in exchange for an honest review.
Cinder the Fireplace Boy is nothing out of the extraordinary; however, it succeeded in what it wanted to achieve and that is what makes it special.
It diverges itself with a variety of modern gender roles that provides inclusivity to people of our modern times. Rallying people that cannot find themselves within the classic fairy tales, the book delivered in giving us the representation that we have been looking for.
In its core, the book followed the stories almost directly. Staying faithful with the tone and model of fairy tale — whimsical, childish, and has that cliche happy ending with a moral lesson. Albeit dark and gruesome for most of the part, I can see how this can still be something to read for a kid. Regardless of their face value, the principle at the heart of each story is a true beauty.
Within the small alteration of the stories, Ana Mardoll gave us something to diversify these short stories and paved a way for great representation.
Overall, Cinder the Fireplace Boy is a gorgeous collection of stories that I am looking into revisiting and to share to friends. A fantastical story given more life by the colourful representation of modern gender themes.
See this and other reviews in my blog.
audreyloopy's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A sweet, diversified retelling of Grimm’s Fairy Tales less the heteronormative and Christo-centric morality. Fun and kid-friendly! Content notes precede each tale!
conjurerachel's review
4.0
Ana Mardoll masterfully weaves the stories that we know into familiar, glittering reminders that we all deserve a happy ending in this collection of retold fairytales, Cinder the Fireplace Boy.
I don't know how xie did it, but xie perfectly captured the feeling of reading these stories for the first time as a child, particularly with Rapunzel, The Frog Prince, and Cinder. Staring each story with a list of used pronouns, Mardoll threads updated lessons about consent and gender. It's such a relief to read an old narrative style with these themes. Not only that, but xie writes it well by also sprinkling familiar world-building from the general folklore. (ie. Salt and pure water as protection against a faery.)
If anything, I wish xie had written more, going beyond Grimm's usual canon and - hopefully - might one day turn some of these into full-length novels. Hint, hint... Much like Mardoll's previous anthology, No Man of Woman Born, this is an excellent primer on how fairytales can be rewoven and a testament to xir work.
NetGalley provided an ARC. All opinions are my own.
I don't know how xie did it, but xie perfectly captured the feeling of reading these stories for the first time as a child, particularly with Rapunzel, The Frog Prince, and Cinder. Staring each story with a list of used pronouns, Mardoll threads updated lessons about consent and gender. It's such a relief to read an old narrative style with these themes. Not only that, but xie writes it well by also sprinkling familiar world-building from the general folklore. (ie. Salt and pure water as protection against a faery.)
If anything, I wish xie had written more, going beyond Grimm's usual canon and - hopefully - might one day turn some of these into full-length novels. Hint, hint... Much like Mardoll's previous anthology, No Man of Woman Born, this is an excellent primer on how fairytales can be rewoven and a testament to xir work.
NetGalley provided an ARC. All opinions are my own.
sophiareagan's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I wasn't familiar with most of these fairy tales before reading this book. On the one hand, that might have been a good thing because the stories were new to me, but it also meant that I don't have an emotional connection to them, so seeing them retold in this way wasn't a particularly meaningful experience. I appreciate the intention, though, and it was certainly nice reading about princesses falling in love with maidens and heroes using they/them pronouns. I think if I were younger or less immersed in queer stories, it would have been much more meaningful.
This collection made me think about what we change when we retell stories. This is specifically focused on adding queer and trans characters to the stories, usually without changing the story very much. I enjoyed it the most, though, when the character's identities did have an impact, like one story where the princess has set an impossible challenge that men have to meet to marry her and it turns out the reason for that is because she doesn't want to marry any of the men. When a woman meets the challenge, the princess is happy. For me, that's where retellings shine, but I also understand the value of stories that just swap in queer characters.
There were also incidences of racism that were removed from the stories, which I support. I did notice, though, that no characters are ever described as people of color. The illustrations (which were lovely) would indicate that some of them were, but it's not in the text, which I thought was a missed opportunity.
Overall, I think Ana Mardoll did a good job retelling these stories. It wasn't something that I desperately needed, but I enjoyed it.
This collection made me think about what we change when we retell stories. This is specifically focused on adding queer and trans characters to the stories, usually without changing the story very much. I enjoyed it the most, though, when the character's identities did have an impact, like one story where the princess has set an impossible challenge that men have to meet to marry her and it turns out the reason for that is because she doesn't want to marry any of the men. When a woman meets the challenge, the princess is happy. For me, that's where retellings shine, but I also understand the value of stories that just swap in queer characters.
There were also incidences of racism that were removed from the stories, which I support. I did notice, though, that no characters are ever described as people of color. The illustrations (which were lovely) would indicate that some of them were, but it's not in the text, which I thought was a missed opportunity.
Overall, I think Ana Mardoll did a good job retelling these stories. It wasn't something that I desperately needed, but I enjoyed it.