Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
fast-paced
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
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.
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.
'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
Oi I thought I reviews this when I finished it! Hopefully I can gather my thoughts together.
I love retellings and I really liked this book. It took me a little bit to get into it but I really liked it. It was a nice twist on the story. I loved Eva. She was so strong and she went through so much. She was great. And Jack was really great too. But best of all is that the duke REALLY gave me the creeps. Like the entire time I was reading I was so grossed out and ugh which was such a good thing because sometimes when you're reading a book as you continue along the story you kind of get used to the "bad guy" and they lose some of their ugh-ness? I can't think of a better word then ugh. This story was really original and magical. The way the elements from the original story (beanstalk, harp, golden goose) are put into this story was really interesting. Brittany Fichter is brilliant when it comes to world building. I never have problems when it comes to her stories and picturing where they are taking place. I have a feeling that I'm going to really enjoy this entire series.
**I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.**
I love retellings and I really liked this book. It took me a little bit to get into it but I really liked it. It was a nice twist on the story. I loved Eva. She was so strong and she went through so much. She was great. And Jack was really great too. But best of all is that the duke REALLY gave me the creeps. Like the entire time I was reading I was so grossed out and ugh which was such a good thing because sometimes when you're reading a book as you continue along the story you kind of get used to the "bad guy" and they lose some of their ugh-ness? I can't think of a better word then ugh. This story was really original and magical. The way the elements from the original story (beanstalk, harp, golden goose) are put into this story was really interesting. Brittany Fichter is brilliant when it comes to world building. I never have problems when it comes to her stories and picturing where they are taking place. I have a feeling that I'm going to really enjoy this entire series.
**I received an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.**
Eva, the only Woodcutter's daughter that her fairy godfather actually likes, has managed to get herself saddled with a very dangerous fairy gift. Using her talent for playing the harp, Mortimer gives the her ability to make plants thrive or die at will. And a greedy duke in the next kingdom sees this as his chance to starve his country into supporting his attempted coup. Luckily for Eva, Jack the Farmer falls in love with her and sets out with dubious assistance from Mortimer to free her from the duke's clutches! This one had a very cute twist at the end, but I will say I feel soooo bad about Eva's future mother-in-law! So cute!
An Unnatural Beanstalk was moderately entertaining, but I don't understand why it apparently never occurred to Eva to kill the villian with a dinner knife or something. He can't theaten your family if he's dead, although I suppose that would ruin the entire foundation of the plot.
This is yet another amazing Brittany Fichter book! I absolutely loved the twist on the fairytale, as well as the romance. Even though it is supposed to be a novella, I would've loved more of this story! There was some good suspense and the ending was fantastic. I really didn't like the Duke, but of course that is the intention. Can't wait to see Eva and Jack in the rest of the series!
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.