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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
I have no clue why it took me this long to find the right Sci-Fi books to love. I have always been a science kid. I was the one girl in the advanced maths class. I was the one girl in advanced physics and the one girl in advanced chemistry. Sci-Fi is made for me. Especially the Sci-Fi that's not just about special space ships being at war with each other and trying to shoot each other out of space. Sci-Fi can be way more interesting than that.
This was such a way more interesting Sci-Fi story. This is Sci-Fi as it should be and could be. Yes, there were spaceships and there were some flying stunts and pilots showing off their skills, but there was way more to the story than that. Because in the first place this was a story about a living Stalk being hungry and lonely and a girl wanting to understand the Stalk but choosing her very own life instead.
I have to admit that at first glance I didn't recognize all elements of the original tale. Although, I will partly blame myself for that as I don't know this tale as well as most other fairytales. However, since the story is so well written and so gripping it doesn't even matter if all those elements are there and if it's easy to recognize them or not. If this wouldn't have been a fairytale retelling, the story would still be amazing and addictive.
There are however two true stars in this story. Firstly there's Jack, of course. I love Jack. She's not reckless, she's not stupid, but she is selfless and willing to think of the greater good instead of just herself. And then secondly there is the Stalk. I find it quite an achievement that even though we only meet the Stalk through Jack's eyes, the author managed to give the Stalk some sort of personality. A personality I in a way felt sorry for.
I can't wait to dive into the next book in this series!
This was such a way more interesting Sci-Fi story. This is Sci-Fi as it should be and could be. Yes, there were spaceships and there were some flying stunts and pilots showing off their skills, but there was way more to the story than that. Because in the first place this was a story about a living Stalk being hungry and lonely and a girl wanting to understand the Stalk but choosing her very own life instead.
I have to admit that at first glance I didn't recognize all elements of the original tale. Although, I will partly blame myself for that as I don't know this tale as well as most other fairytales. However, since the story is so well written and so gripping it doesn't even matter if all those elements are there and if it's easy to recognize them or not. If this wouldn't have been a fairytale retelling, the story would still be amazing and addictive.
There are however two true stars in this story. Firstly there's Jack, of course. I love Jack. She's not reckless, she's not stupid, but she is selfless and willing to think of the greater good instead of just herself. And then secondly there is the Stalk. I find it quite an achievement that even though we only meet the Stalk through Jack's eyes, the author managed to give the Stalk some sort of personality. A personality I in a way felt sorry for.
I can't wait to dive into the next book in this series!
lattes_lipstick_literature's review
3.0
A Thank you to Booksirens and the author for allowing me to read this book. This is my honest and unbiased review*
Hello Fellow Readers,
Since I liked Ariele Sieling's first book in the Rove City series, Midnight Wings, I decided to dive straight into the second book in the series. I was excited because it's based off of Jack and the beanstalk, which is not a retelling you really read to often. I was hoping to like this one more than Midnight Wings but it just didn't have the same magic the first book had. While this one had science fiction elements it also straddled the fantasy line as well.
In The Stalk you are not on Rove City but the planet Jord where Jack is a digger who feds the stalk everyday, until she is chosen to go up the stalk, only problem is that anyone who goes up the stalk kills themselves the next day. Jack doesn't want this to happen, so she does everything she can to fight against it. the idea behind the stalk is interesting and the horror that gets uncovered was interesting as well, but honestly I saw the twist a mile away.
I will say that unlike Midnight Wings this book did not end as abruptly, and didn't leave me yearning for more closure. It didn't appear to have a rushed ending, and was surprisingly action packed at the end. I did enjoy the book, and I will be reading the next in the series.
Overall, not as great as the first book, but still an interesting take on Jack and the Beanstalk.
Hello Fellow Readers,
Since I liked Ariele Sieling's first book in the Rove City series, Midnight Wings, I decided to dive straight into the second book in the series. I was excited because it's based off of Jack and the beanstalk, which is not a retelling you really read to often. I was hoping to like this one more than Midnight Wings but it just didn't have the same magic the first book had. While this one had science fiction elements it also straddled the fantasy line as well.
In The Stalk you are not on Rove City but the planet Jord where Jack is a digger who feds the stalk everyday, until she is chosen to go up the stalk, only problem is that anyone who goes up the stalk kills themselves the next day. Jack doesn't want this to happen, so she does everything she can to fight against it. the idea behind the stalk is interesting and the horror that gets uncovered was interesting as well, but honestly I saw the twist a mile away.
I will say that unlike Midnight Wings this book did not end as abruptly, and didn't leave me yearning for more closure. It didn't appear to have a rushed ending, and was surprisingly action packed at the end. I did enjoy the book, and I will be reading the next in the series.
Overall, not as great as the first book, but still an interesting take on Jack and the Beanstalk.
constant2m's review
3.0
I was really excited to see a fairy tale retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk since that is not one of the more commonly retold fairy tales. Unfortunately for me, it quickly spiraled into a Twilight Zone episode, in which the beanstalk was a living, thinking being which wanted nice tasty humans to eat. If you like the Twilight Zone, you will love this book. But the Twilight Zone creeps me out. Since the book was as creepy as the Twilight Zone, props to the author for writing a compelling, horrifying, fairy tale.
Ace was an interesting character, the daughter of a rich family who rebelled and went rogue with access to the secrets of the galaxy and the refusal to take advantage of the privileges awarded to her social standing. Leroy, the helicopter pilot, was another fascinating character and I wish we could get a bit more backstory on him and his family. I didn't really like Jack, which is a bit problematic since she was the main character and needed to have my sympathy. But then all of the characters in the book were pretty static. The only real character change was when they gained new knowledge, but their response to that knowledge was exactly in line with the character they already were, so no surprises there.
I enjoyed the previous book in the series and think that Ms. Sieling has some intriguing ideas for her plots. It's unusual to read two books in the same series that felt like they were different genres. But having an entirely new cast of characters in each book may be part of the reason the characters don't develop - there's simply no time for it. Hopefully, this will change as the series progresses. And I am likely to pick up the next book, just to see where the story will go next.
I received an ARC from BookSirens and have reviewed it willingly.
Ace was an interesting character, the daughter of a rich family who rebelled and went rogue with access to the secrets of the galaxy and the refusal to take advantage of the privileges awarded to her social standing. Leroy, the helicopter pilot, was another fascinating character and I wish we could get a bit more backstory on him and his family. I didn't really like Jack, which is a bit problematic since she was the main character and needed to have my sympathy. But then all of the characters in the book were pretty static. The only real character change was when they gained new knowledge, but their response to that knowledge was exactly in line with the character they already were, so no surprises there.
I enjoyed the previous book in the series and think that Ms. Sieling has some intriguing ideas for her plots. It's unusual to read two books in the same series that felt like they were different genres. But having an entirely new cast of characters in each book may be part of the reason the characters don't develop - there's simply no time for it. Hopefully, this will change as the series progresses. And I am likely to pick up the next book, just to see where the story will go next.
I received an ARC from BookSirens and have reviewed it willingly.
pi_maker's review
4.0
3.5 stars
First, you don't see that many Jack and the Beanstalk retellings, so this was a fairly novel experience, and Sieling really did a great job of making the beanstalk element make sense in the sci-fi setting. I did like Jack, definitely empathized with her feelings about flying/heights, and would love a peek into the future to see if anything develops between her and Mason.
If you don't think about it too hard, this is a fun-if-slightly-unsettling book. But if you really stop and think about the plot, the planet, the parasite, and the people who knowingly and willingly orchestrated it all... Yikes. "Unsettling" isn't nearly strong enough.
A quick, clean novella; possible trigger warning for references to apparent suicides that took place prior to the story events. Set in the same universe as Midnight Wings, but with no character or location overlap.
First, you don't see that many Jack and the Beanstalk retellings, so this was a fairly novel experience, and Sieling really did a great job of making the beanstalk element make sense in the sci-fi setting. I did like Jack, definitely empathized with her feelings about flying/heights, and would love a peek into the future to see if anything develops between her and Mason.
If you don't think about it too hard, this is a fun-if-slightly-unsettling book. But if you really stop and think about the plot, the planet, the parasite, and the people who knowingly and willingly orchestrated it all... Yikes. "Unsettling" isn't nearly strong enough.
A quick, clean novella; possible trigger warning for references to apparent suicides that took place prior to the story events. Set in the same universe as Midnight Wings, but with no character or location overlap.
elpisgalaxy's review
5.0
The Stalk is a Jack and the beanstalk retelling. It follows Jack who is summoned to the stalk, a large space elevator in order to meet with the creators of it. She is determined to survive since every person in her position before her has died mysteriously.
I’ve never read a Jack and the beanstalk retelling before so I was not sure what to expect. But this blew me away. Things were definitely not what I expected and I loved the world building and character development. The stalk itself was a very interesting concept and it really made me think. I really wish it was longer but that’s the problem with novellas.
5/5 stars.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I’ve never read a Jack and the beanstalk retelling before so I was not sure what to expect. But this blew me away. Things were definitely not what I expected and I loved the world building and character development. The stalk itself was a very interesting concept and it really made me think. I really wish it was longer but that’s the problem with novellas.
5/5 stars.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
tcpallesen's review
3.0
Jack is a good character who has some depth to her. She isn’t as well developed as I would have liked, a little more backstory would have made her more interesting. Her interactions with other characters seemed a little rushed and developed more quickly than I find plausible, but it’s a Novella so certain liberties can be taken.
The plot was a unique retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk. I liked that the author made it sci-fi and twisted to story s bit, so the outcome wasn’t predictable.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The plot was a unique retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk. I liked that the author made it sci-fi and twisted to story s bit, so the outcome wasn’t predictable.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
bookish_bunny98's review
4.0
I received this book through book sirens for an honest review.
This is the second book by this author and I can clearly see that she is developing quite a lot in her writing, and I’m actually really starting to enjoy her books. I could have easily finished this book in 2 days but I fell asleep in bed reading it as I was absolutely shattered from only having 5 hours sleep in 72 hours.
I’m loving this whole fairy tale crossed with sci fi theme, I am definitely going to be reading the rest of this series for sure. So this is about a girl called jack who works at the stalk, she works as a digger feeding rubbish to the hole which is the main source of food for the bean stalk. She is invited to go to the top of the bean stalk this year, it is a yearly event and only one person is selected from the different jobs so they can tell the media what they like about there jobs and stuff. But each year when a digger goes to the top they never return.
This whole mystery is great, and I love how bold and open Jack is when Leroy tells her what to do. I won’t go into anymore detail but I just love her obedience and her will power to just be able to survive. I love the friends that she makes at the top of the bean stalk they are just great and really add character and fun into the whole book. I loved the aspect of this evil bean stalk, it was just great.
The only thing that I felt let this book down was the length of it, I feel like I would have enjoyed it more if it was longer. That ending wants me wanting more basically. I also felt like there was a few plot holes throughout the story especially once she had arrived at the top of the stalk especially with the bands and then the voice of the stalk. I just want to know more really as I didn’t feel like this book was at all finished in that aspect.
I loved all the characters even though some were a bit more stuck up than others but that was just their personality and it made the book what it was and made a bit of a difference to the actually story because if everyone had the same personality then it would just be a boring read been truthful.
This is the second book by this author and I can clearly see that she is developing quite a lot in her writing, and I’m actually really starting to enjoy her books. I could have easily finished this book in 2 days but I fell asleep in bed reading it as I was absolutely shattered from only having 5 hours sleep in 72 hours.
I’m loving this whole fairy tale crossed with sci fi theme, I am definitely going to be reading the rest of this series for sure. So this is about a girl called jack who works at the stalk, she works as a digger feeding rubbish to the hole which is the main source of food for the bean stalk. She is invited to go to the top of the bean stalk this year, it is a yearly event and only one person is selected from the different jobs so they can tell the media what they like about there jobs and stuff. But each year when a digger goes to the top they never return.
This whole mystery is great, and I love how bold and open Jack is when Leroy tells her what to do. I won’t go into anymore detail but I just love her obedience and her will power to just be able to survive. I love the friends that she makes at the top of the bean stalk they are just great and really add character and fun into the whole book. I loved the aspect of this evil bean stalk, it was just great.
The only thing that I felt let this book down was the length of it, I feel like I would have enjoyed it more if it was longer. That ending wants me wanting more basically. I also felt like there was a few plot holes throughout the story especially once she had arrived at the top of the stalk especially with the bands and then the voice of the stalk. I just want to know more really as I didn’t feel like this book was at all finished in that aspect.
I loved all the characters even though some were a bit more stuck up than others but that was just their personality and it made the book what it was and made a bit of a difference to the actually story because if everyone had the same personality then it would just be a boring read been truthful.
marjories's review
5.0
Brilliant retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk that re-imagines the key elements of the original story into a terrifying sci-fi story. The beanstalk becomes a space elevator, the giant is a sentient, living metal. And the ax that Jack uses to chop this monstrosity down? Well I won't spoil that one for you.
Jack is thrown into a situation where she must survive by her wits and knows little more than the reader about what is going on. Fortunately the people she finds herself with are helpful in their way. Well, some of them more than others. This is a very fast moving story and in the beginning especially things sometimes seem a little convenient but it works. It is an action filled story punctuated with a slowly creeping horror that grows as the story progresses to its exciting climax.
Jack and the Beanstalk is not traditionally a romance and I think that is a big reason why it is not seen as commonly as other fairy tale retellings. While this telling does have a little bit of chemistry and the possibility of something developing, it is not a HEA romance with all the feels and is often disquieting, leaning heavily towards horror. It is great book for readers who like alien sci-fi with an Outer Limits twist.
Book 2 in the Rove City series, this is a standalone book in a shared universe.
Jack is thrown into a situation where she must survive by her wits and knows little more than the reader about what is going on. Fortunately the people she finds herself with are helpful in their way. Well, some of them more than others. This is a very fast moving story and in the beginning especially things sometimes seem a little convenient but it works. It is an action filled story punctuated with a slowly creeping horror that grows as the story progresses to its exciting climax.
Jack and the Beanstalk is not traditionally a romance and I think that is a big reason why it is not seen as commonly as other fairy tale retellings. While this telling does have a little bit of chemistry and the possibility of something developing, it is not a HEA romance with all the feels and is often disquieting, leaning heavily towards horror. It is great book for readers who like alien sci-fi with an Outer Limits twist.
Book 2 in the Rove City series, this is a standalone book in a shared universe.
mudder17's review
4.0
3.5 stars
This is the second book in the series, although it's entirely standalone and is a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk in the sci-fi universe of Rove City. Rove City is only a peripheral part of this because Jack leaves Rove City to reside in a different planet that seems to revolve around a stalk. What this stalk is and what it's used for is definitely the mystery/crux of this story. I felt like this story started out like it was checking boxes so it could move quickly through some of the early action and get to the heart of things. But I think the ending saved it for me and I like that although Jack develops some feelings for Mason, he is not her knight in shining armor who swoops in and saves the day. Like the first book, it is up to Jack to save not just herself, but all the people, and I enjoyed that. This was a decent retelling with an interesting take on the stalk. I'll likely continue with this series. The stories are pretty quick reads and are a nice break from more serious reading.
Thanks to BookSirens and Ariele Sieling for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is the second book in the series, although it's entirely standalone and is a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk in the sci-fi universe of Rove City. Rove City is only a peripheral part of this because Jack leaves Rove City to reside in a different planet that seems to revolve around a stalk. What this stalk is and what it's used for is definitely the mystery/crux of this story. I felt like this story started out like it was checking boxes so it could move quickly through some of the early action and get to the heart of things. But I think the ending saved it for me and I like that although Jack develops some feelings for Mason, he is not her knight in shining armor who swoops in and saves the day. Like the first book, it is up to Jack to save not just herself, but all the people, and I enjoyed that. This was a decent retelling with an interesting take on the stalk. I'll likely continue with this series. The stories are pretty quick reads and are a nice break from more serious reading.
Thanks to BookSirens and Ariele Sieling for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
luckaye's review
3.0
You don't see too many re-imaginings for Jack and the Beanstalk, but this was a pretty good attempt with a sci-fi concept. The characters aren't really fleshed out much but it is just a novella, so you can't expect in-depth backgrounds and the like.
I like that there is a whole series of these books set in the same universe.
It is a good, quick, fun read.
I like that there is a whole series of these books set in the same universe.
It is a good, quick, fun read.