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kebreads's review
4.0
I struggled to get into this story at first, but I think that had more to do with what's going on in my life than the writing. Once I did get into it, the story quickly pulled me along and I had a hard time putting it down.
content: clean
content: clean
lemon_the_emu's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.25
miquemarie83's review
4.0
I received a free ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily posting my review.
Jack and the Beanstalk has never been one of my favorites as far as fairy tales go, so I wasn't sure how much I would like this. It turns out that I really liked this retelling. It's a very interesting take on the story, and it's humorous too! I laughed a lot. Mortimer is so terrible! He's a hoot! I think he should get his own book, and I am excited to read the rest of the Entwined Tales!
Jack and the Beanstalk has never been one of my favorites as far as fairy tales go, so I wasn't sure how much I would like this. It turns out that I really liked this retelling. It's a very interesting take on the story, and it's humorous too! I laughed a lot. Mortimer is so terrible! He's a hoot! I think he should get his own book, and I am excited to read the rest of the Entwined Tales!
maddiepalmer443's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shaekin's review
4.0
This book may not have been quite as much my favorite as the first in the series, but still really good. Enough of a twist on the classic fairy tale that it certainly kept my interest, even if it felt a little too predictable at times.
darquedreamer's review
5.0
An Unnatural Beanstalk is a whimsical adventure. It’s full of wit and charm, and a dash of danger. This is a fun retelling you don’t want to miss!
Most of us have seen or heard a version of the original tale as children. Jack came home with some magic beans that grew a gigantic bean stalk. Atop the beanstalk was a giant (or ogre depending on the version) that had an unpleasant disposition, and a hankering for human. Among his possessions were a golden goose, and a magic harp.
Brittany has taken this original tale and added a touch of whimsy, a dash of pizzazz, and a splash of charm to the mix. Along with some unpredictable, yet fitting twists, she created a retelling that reads better than the original! This has become my new favorite retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk!
The writing was elegant and captivating. It drew me in and made me feel. It was unique and at the same time reminded me of K.M. Shea’s writing style. So, for that reason, I loved it even more.
Not only was this meant to be a retelling of a classic faerie tale, but it was also meant to be a continuation of sorts of the world that these 6 authors have built. So, the tale stood out on its own with the many beautiful facets of Brittany’s writing that I now love, but it also kept the same feeling that book 1, A Goose Girl, gave me. I found that quite exciting, because it really highlighted Brittany’s talent.
I really enjoyed coming back to the world of the Entwinted Tales. Brittany painted me a vivid picture and placed brilliant images in my mind. She also created some fabulous characters for her retelling that made me want more from her as an author. I was wooed by Jack, felt sympathy for Eva, and consistently wanted to slap the Duke! Brittany also showed me another side of our grumbly Faerie Godfather!
This one was exhilerating! I loved every minute of it! It read as a standalone, but was so much better having been read after A Goose Girl. I’ve already fallen in love with this whole series and would recommend it to all faerie tale lovers!
Thank you to the author for providing me with this free e-copy in exchange for my honest review and as part of my Faerie Tale Friday post.
Most of us have seen or heard a version of the original tale as children. Jack came home with some magic beans that grew a gigantic bean stalk. Atop the beanstalk was a giant (or ogre depending on the version) that had an unpleasant disposition, and a hankering for human. Among his possessions were a golden goose, and a magic harp.
Brittany has taken this original tale and added a touch of whimsy, a dash of pizzazz, and a splash of charm to the mix. Along with some unpredictable, yet fitting twists, she created a retelling that reads better than the original! This has become my new favorite retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk!
The writing was elegant and captivating. It drew me in and made me feel. It was unique and at the same time reminded me of K.M. Shea’s writing style. So, for that reason, I loved it even more.
Not only was this meant to be a retelling of a classic faerie tale, but it was also meant to be a continuation of sorts of the world that these 6 authors have built. So, the tale stood out on its own with the many beautiful facets of Brittany’s writing that I now love, but it also kept the same feeling that book 1, A Goose Girl, gave me. I found that quite exciting, because it really highlighted Brittany’s talent.
I really enjoyed coming back to the world of the Entwinted Tales. Brittany painted me a vivid picture and placed brilliant images in my mind. She also created some fabulous characters for her retelling that made me want more from her as an author. I was wooed by Jack, felt sympathy for Eva, and consistently wanted to slap the Duke! Brittany also showed me another side of our grumbly Faerie Godfather!
This one was exhilerating! I loved every minute of it! It read as a standalone, but was so much better having been read after A Goose Girl. I’ve already fallen in love with this whole series and would recommend it to all faerie tale lovers!
Thank you to the author for providing me with this free e-copy in exchange for my honest review and as part of my Faerie Tale Friday post.
lavendermarch's review
4.0
This was a pretty good book. It throws you right into the story, and it keeps you there. The main character and her love interest are good both on their own and together. The general story was pretty good, and definitely an imaginative retelling. It seemed a bit weak in a couple of places but was generally enjoyable. This is worth the read. 4 stars.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
kairosdreaming's review
4.0
'An Unnatural Beanstalk' is the second book in the "Entwined" series, a series of novellas by different authors that seek to retell classic fairytales. If you couldn't tell already, this one is a re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk, although drastically different from my recollection of the original story.
Eva has been given a gift. One she doesn't want, one that doesn't help her, and one that's about to give a lot of trouble to everyone around her. Because her gift does things, and people in power want to use it to further their own agendas. Including one misguided person who has great plans for Eva. Her only hope is a boy she met once at a dance, a boy named Jack who is given some very special beans.
Eva and Jack are both great characters. They have dreams, flaws, and seek to improve themselves and their situations. Even in such a short story, there was enough character development that you got to see that growth as well. And of course the antagonist was delightfully evil in a sinister, but childlike way. I do think Jack's mother is a whole 'nother story that we'll probably have to get to, because that thread of intrigue just can't be dropped.
The plot was interesting. I don't know if it weaved other stories in, but it was definitely a unique take on the beanstalk myth. Mainly because (and I'll spoil it for you), it doesn't involve climbing or giants. The romance was thankfully more developed than the first one, and I could see why Eva and Jack actually liked each other.
Eager for the next one!
Review by M. Reynard 2020
Eva has been given a gift. One she doesn't want, one that doesn't help her, and one that's about to give a lot of trouble to everyone around her. Because her gift does things, and people in power want to use it to further their own agendas. Including one misguided person who has great plans for Eva. Her only hope is a boy she met once at a dance, a boy named Jack who is given some very special beans.
Eva and Jack are both great characters. They have dreams, flaws, and seek to improve themselves and their situations. Even in such a short story, there was enough character development that you got to see that growth as well. And of course the antagonist was delightfully evil in a sinister, but childlike way. I do think Jack's mother is a whole 'nother story that we'll probably have to get to, because that thread of intrigue just can't be dropped.
The plot was interesting. I don't know if it weaved other stories in, but it was definitely a unique take on the beanstalk myth. Mainly because (and I'll spoil it for you), it doesn't involve climbing or giants. The romance was thankfully more developed than the first one, and I could see why Eva and Jack actually liked each other.
Eager for the next one!
Review by M. Reynard 2020