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drridareads's review against another edition
4.0
Overall
3.6 stars rounded to 4!
I liked this collection. And I hate that I know more western fairytales and myths than Asian ones. But there were definitely some retellings that I did not enjoy at all. I also looked up most of the folklore that had inspired these stories and I loved all of those. I do have to stay that I absolutely did not like the audiobook; I actually had started this book as audio but like not only did I think that it was bland narration which is sometimes okay for me but also I realised on the first South Asian story (which is when switched to reading reading it) and the punjabi in it was not properly pronouced. I'm sure it's not their fault; I would've liked to see multicast and I see that it has two narrators but I actually did not stopped listening before I could experience the other narrator. This is not against them and is just my opinion. My top 3 in no order: Olivia's Table, The Land of Mourning Calm and Bullet, Butterfly.
Forbidden fruit
★★★
This one was written lyrically and reads like a fairytale. It was simple and beautiful but like I wanted more.
Olivia's table
★★★★★
All the stars for this emotional one about loss. I loved the touches of food because I love my cultural food and I totally understand. I really would like to read their other work in the future
Steel Skin
★★
Interesting at the end so too little too late. Nothing new with the idea of what it means to be human. I did enjoy the writing style though.
Still Star Crossed
★
Nope. Her mother's lover is reincarnated as her lover? what. I feel like story butchered the heart at the story of Mirza and Sahiba (which i only looked up after reading this).
The Counting of Vermillion Beads
★★★★★
OMG. I was hooked. This was such an enchating tale of 2 sisters. This was like magical realism. I really would like to explore this writer's other works. I don't see how this story was anything like the folktale that inspired it except for the characters' names and shapeshifting element but who cares. The original tale is kind of like Cinderella but more fantastical.
The Land Morning Calm
★★★★★
What an absolutely beautiful story. First one tear me up. Loved the sci fi ghost take. Loved how the Korean myths were incorporated into this contemporary tale of loss.
The Smile
★★★★
Okay finally from a story I've heard: Anarkali's story. I really liked Aisha Saeed's feminist take on this. I love how it explores the realistic power imbalance in this timeless tale of what was always believed to be love.
Girls Who Twirl and Other Dangers
★
I know it's mean but reading this felt like a chore. It side by side tells us 2 stories; one of the legends on which Navratri is based on and a contemporary celebration of it in present day with very petty arguments. Comparing that petty story to the story of legend just feels like an insult. I liked how desi everything was and actually the legend story was okay to read too but just fell like info dump. I wish the writer had just focused on the navratri story and retold that instead with their take on it.
Nothing into All
★★★★
Renee Ahdieh is a brilliant writer and this story was immersive and I liked it a lot. I actually read a version of Goblin Treasure too and it's fascinating.
Spear Carrier:
★★★★★
I just loved the idea of retelling a story of heroes and gods from the perspective of a common man. And I liked how it was talking to us.. i feel like i haven't seen in that fiction books in quite a while. This is also a writer whose other works I'm now very interested in.
Code of Honor
★★
This was an okay read. From the writing style to the plot everything just felt oridinary. It's good know about Aswangs though; and she mentions how scary nightmarish they are. But her story reduces them to ordinary teen vampire who turns into a bat like thing at night.
Bullet, Butterfly
★★★★★
OMG my heartbroke and my hand was literally on my chest. I like how she gender swapped the roles from the originals folktale. I loved every single thing. The effects of war on children:
before they died they each wanted to see a star that was naked and unveiled of gun smoke, to eat a handful of real sugar, to fall asleep truly full
They just want to see a clear sky have sugar and have a good sleep. It's not much. But their lives are consumed by war and they are soldiers first. An really my thoughts went out to the children in war torn countries like Yemen and Palestine.
Don’t forget we’re only ever soldiers here in Shangyu, and soldiers never get to be the ones who wake up from a spell, or who even get to break a spell. We’re just the dragons guarding the gate, ordered to keep breathing the fire of those who cast the spell in the first place.
Daughter of the Sun
★★★★
This was actually pretty cool but i just did not feel the chemistry between the 2 characters; it just did not feel like love to me. But I enjoyed the story nonetheless because it was written so well and liked the clever tricks.
The Crimson Cloak
★★★★
I liked everything except the "Dear Reader" part I just felt like it pulled me from my imagination and reminded me that I was just reading. It was a cute story. Reminded me of "Mastermind" song by Taylor Swift.
Eyes like Candlelight
★★★★
This was such a sweet magical mystical tale. I feel like I have heard of kitsune before but i'm not sure.
3.6 stars rounded to 4!
I liked this collection. And I hate that I know more western fairytales and myths than Asian ones. But there were definitely some retellings that I did not enjoy at all. I also looked up most of the folklore that had inspired these stories and I loved all of those. I do have to stay that I absolutely did not like the audiobook; I actually had started this book as audio but like not only did I think that it was bland narration which is sometimes okay for me but also I realised on the first South Asian story (which is when switched to reading reading it) and the punjabi in it was not properly pronouced. I'm sure it's not their fault; I would've liked to see multicast and I see that it has two narrators but I actually did not stopped listening before I could experience the other narrator. This is not against them and is just my opinion. My top 3 in no order: Olivia's Table, The Land of Mourning Calm and Bullet, Butterfly.
Forbidden fruit
★★★
This one was written lyrically and reads like a fairytale. It was simple and beautiful but like I wanted more.
Olivia's table
★★★★★
All the stars for this emotional one about loss. I loved the touches of food because I love my cultural food and I totally understand. I really would like to read their other work in the future
Steel Skin
★★
Interesting at the end so too little too late. Nothing new with the idea of what it means to be human. I did enjoy the writing style though.
Still Star Crossed
★
Nope. Her mother's lover is reincarnated as her lover? what. I feel like story butchered the heart at the story of Mirza and Sahiba (which i only looked up after reading this).
The Counting of Vermillion Beads
★★★★★
OMG. I was hooked. This was such an enchating tale of 2 sisters. This was like magical realism. I really would like to explore this writer's other works. I don't see how this story was anything like the folktale that inspired it except for the characters' names and shapeshifting element but who cares. The original tale is kind of like Cinderella but more fantastical.
The Land Morning Calm
★★★★★
What an absolutely beautiful story. First one tear me up. Loved the sci fi ghost take. Loved how the Korean myths were incorporated into this contemporary tale of loss.
The Smile
★★★★
Okay finally from a story I've heard: Anarkali's story. I really liked Aisha Saeed's feminist take on this. I love how it explores the realistic power imbalance in this timeless tale of what was always believed to be love.
Girls Who Twirl and Other Dangers
★
I know it's mean but reading this felt like a chore. It side by side tells us 2 stories; one of the legends on which Navratri is based on and a contemporary celebration of it in present day with very petty arguments. Comparing that petty story to the story of legend just feels like an insult. I liked how desi everything was and actually the legend story was okay to read too but just fell like info dump. I wish the writer had just focused on the navratri story and retold that instead with their take on it.
Nothing into All
★★★★
Renee Ahdieh is a brilliant writer and this story was immersive and I liked it a lot. I actually read a version of Goblin Treasure too and it's fascinating.
Spear Carrier:
★★★★★
I just loved the idea of retelling a story of heroes and gods from the perspective of a common man. And I liked how it was talking to us.. i feel like i haven't seen in that fiction books in quite a while. This is also a writer whose other works I'm now very interested in.
Code of Honor
★★
This was an okay read. From the writing style to the plot everything just felt oridinary. It's good know about Aswangs though; and she mentions how scary nightmarish they are. But her story reduces them to ordinary teen vampire who turns into a bat like thing at night.
Bullet, Butterfly
★★★★★
OMG my heartbroke and my hand was literally on my chest. I like how she gender swapped the roles from the originals folktale. I loved every single thing. The effects of war on children:
before they died they each wanted to see a star that was naked and unveiled of gun smoke, to eat a handful of real sugar, to fall asleep truly full
They just want to see a clear sky have sugar and have a good sleep. It's not much. But their lives are consumed by war and they are soldiers first. An really my thoughts went out to the children in war torn countries like Yemen and Palestine.
Don’t forget we’re only ever soldiers here in Shangyu, and soldiers never get to be the ones who wake up from a spell, or who even get to break a spell. We’re just the dragons guarding the gate, ordered to keep breathing the fire of those who cast the spell in the first place.
Daughter of the Sun
★★★★
This was actually pretty cool but i just did not feel the chemistry between the 2 characters; it just did not feel like love to me. But I enjoyed the story nonetheless because it was written so well and liked the clever tricks.
The Crimson Cloak
★★★★
I liked everything except the "Dear Reader" part I just felt like it pulled me from my imagination and reminded me that I was just reading. It was a cute story. Reminded me of "Mastermind" song by Taylor Swift.
Eyes like Candlelight
★★★★
This was such a sweet magical mystical tale. I feel like I have heard of kitsune before but i'm not sure.
emilye3's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed these short stories. It was really nice to read about different myths and legends that I’ve never heard of before. I read his for the Asian readathon and I’m so happy to have done so. Below are my ratings for each story!
Forbidden Fruit 4.5
Olivia’s Table 3.5
Steel Skin 2.5
Still Star-Crossed 3
The Counting Of Vermillion Beads 2.5
The Land Of The Morning Calm 4.5
The Smile 4.5
Girls Who Twirl and Other Dangers 3.5
Nothing Into All 2.5
Spear Carrier 2.5
Code of Honor 3
Bullet, Butterfly 3.5
Daughter of the Sun 2
The Crimson Cloak 3.5
Eyes Like Candlelight 4
Forbidden Fruit 4.5
Olivia’s Table 3.5
Steel Skin 2.5
Still Star-Crossed 3
The Counting Of Vermillion Beads 2.5
The Land Of The Morning Calm 4.5
The Smile 4.5
Girls Who Twirl and Other Dangers 3.5
Nothing Into All 2.5
Spear Carrier 2.5
Code of Honor 3
Bullet, Butterfly 3.5
Daughter of the Sun 2
The Crimson Cloak 3.5
Eyes Like Candlelight 4
katieluvs2read's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
starrysea98's review
4.0
i rated this the average of my rating of the individual stories (3.5)
forbidden fruit - 3.5
very folklore-y tone. i did like the style though and the story was interesting
olivia’s table - 3.5
suitably spooky but heart warming
steel skin - 3
didn’t enjoy it but at least it was fast paced
still star crossed - 1.5
what the fuck she stole the creepy dude’s bread???? wait she wanted to leave him and now she’s blaming her friend for cramping her style??? make it make sense
wtf that was way too short and predictable lol
the counting of vermillion beads - 2
i really wanted to like this but i didn’t think it had much plot to it
the land of the morning calm - 4
so touching and i liked the whole game aspect
the smile - 4.5
oh i LOVE this. unlike many of the previous ones, i felt this ended on the perfect note - a testament to the author’s writing
girls who twirl and other dangers - 3.5
ooh that last line!! “hundreds of thousands of gods and sometimes one sees you”
nothing into all - 3
i loved the writing, plus the story gave me wintersong vibes! however, a little disappointed by the ending.
spear carrier - 1.5
i had no idea what i was reading half the time. this has a distinctly different vibe from the other stories and i can’t say it worked out in its favour. the main character’s voice was like percy jackson but trying too hard. and i find out this is based on the mahabharata??? excuse me???
code of honour - 3.5
i’m sorry, lilah samson? as in delilah and samson from the bible???
despite the fact that i feel like vampires are so over done, this actually was pretty interesting
bullet, butterfly - 5
oh my god this was beautifully written. the yearning and the many things that tore the lovers apart!! and it’s based on the butterfly lovers, which i love!
daughter of the sun - 4
lovely blending of the two stories it’s based on.
the crimson cloak - 5
oh this is heartbreaking! the ending is so bittersweet, certainly a new take on the cowherd and the weaver girl. the author said they wanted to give the fairy maiden her voice in this retelling and i think they’ve nailed it.
eyes like candlelight - 5
i got chills from the ending! i love kitsune stories and this is written so well!
forbidden fruit - 3.5
very folklore-y tone. i did like the style though and the story was interesting
olivia’s table - 3.5
suitably spooky but heart warming
steel skin - 3
didn’t enjoy it but at least it was fast paced
still star crossed - 1.5
what the fuck she stole the creepy dude’s bread???? wait she wanted to leave him and now she’s blaming her friend for cramping her style??? make it make sense
wtf that was way too short and predictable lol
the counting of vermillion beads - 2
i really wanted to like this but i didn’t think it had much plot to it
the land of the morning calm - 4
so touching and i liked the whole game aspect
the smile - 4.5
oh i LOVE this. unlike many of the previous ones, i felt this ended on the perfect note - a testament to the author’s writing
girls who twirl and other dangers - 3.5
ooh that last line!! “hundreds of thousands of gods and sometimes one sees you”
nothing into all - 3
i loved the writing, plus the story gave me wintersong vibes! however, a little disappointed by the ending.
spear carrier - 1.5
i had no idea what i was reading half the time. this has a distinctly different vibe from the other stories and i can’t say it worked out in its favour. the main character’s voice was like percy jackson but trying too hard. and i find out this is based on the mahabharata??? excuse me???
code of honour - 3.5
i’m sorry, lilah samson? as in delilah and samson from the bible???
despite the fact that i feel like vampires are so over done, this actually was pretty interesting
bullet, butterfly - 5
oh my god this was beautifully written. the yearning and the many things that tore the lovers apart!! and it’s based on the butterfly lovers, which i love!
daughter of the sun - 4
lovely blending of the two stories it’s based on.
the crimson cloak - 5
oh this is heartbreaking! the ending is so bittersweet, certainly a new take on the cowherd and the weaver girl. the author said they wanted to give the fairy maiden her voice in this retelling and i think they’ve nailed it.
eyes like candlelight - 5
i got chills from the ending! i love kitsune stories and this is written so well!
lunaballz's review against another edition
5.0
I loved every story in this. After each retelling they explain what it was based on and maybe it's because they're all stories I'm unfamiliar with, but I thought they were all amazingly creative and amazing retellings.
Definitely recommend
Definitely recommend
labunnywtf's review against another edition
3.0
Read for the Asian Readathon.
I love this. I love that this is a massively diverse collection of stories based on Asian lore and legend. I love that we get everything from the Philippines to India, cultures I know and cultures I've never heard of before. I want to read some of these authors' other works, I want to read more stories that feature terms I have to pause to google.
This is especially fun since two of these authors have written books I REALLY didn't like. :-X
Let's talk about each individually.
Forbidden Fruit by Roshani Chokshi - A breathtakingly beautiful Filipino fairy tale, with more than a slight hint of Moana flavor to it. I wasn't getting into it at first, the storytelling style wasn't working, but once I started getting into it, I drank it up. Beautiful, and so, so sad.
Olivia’s Table by Alyssa Wong - Possibly my favorite. Based around the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival, this is the story of a young woman who is an "exorcist". Except instead of holy water and levitation, to get rid of these spirits, you feed them. Taking over for her mother, Olivia cooks and prepares food at a rapid pace, getting it set out and inviting all the wandering spirits to eat and move on to the next world. It's the idea behind this that hit me in all of my feelings.
Steel Skin by Lori M. Lee - Ennnnnh. This was a little more sci fi than I wanted, which is DESPERATELY unfair of me, considering that I enjoyed The Lunar Chronicles, which is a sci fi retelling of more commonly known fairy tales. The twist to it is amazing, though I must admit, I don't see how this was a retelling of the original story.
Still Star-Crossed by Sona Charaipotra - I liked this more for the culture than I did for the story itself. This is almost a ghost story, felt like something I would've seen on Are You Afraid of the Dark back in the day. A fantastic idea, though abrupt ending is abrupt.
The Counting of Vermillion Beads by Aliette De Bodard - I don't even know what to do with this one. I think I expected too much, because the build up was gorgeous, and the ending just confused me. Great story, ::head wobble:: ending.
The Land of the Morning Calm by E. C. Myers - I, uh. I may have cried a bit at this one. How a story based in a virtual reality RPG game and featuring heavy cosplay could make me cry is because I am too soft for my own good.
The Smile by Aisha Saeed - Feminine mystique, feminine power, feminine strength and courage, and women protecting women. Yes all around.
Things started going downhill from here, so I'm only going to mention two others.
Girls Who Twirl and Other Dangers by Preeti Chhibber - I enjoyed this more for the googling of Youtube videos than I did the story itself. Full of culture and traditions, which I loved, and the videos of the dances described were wonderful. The story itself was forgettable, sadly.
Eyes like Candlelight by Julie Kagawa - This was gorgeous, and sweet, and heart breaking. A fox falls in love with a boy who saves her from dogs. And again, another incredibly sad ending.
Anthologies will always be hit or miss for me, but the joy of this anthology is, I want to read so much more folk lore from each of these cultures.
And, in some cases, better ones.
I love this. I love that this is a massively diverse collection of stories based on Asian lore and legend. I love that we get everything from the Philippines to India, cultures I know and cultures I've never heard of before. I want to read some of these authors' other works, I want to read more stories that feature terms I have to pause to google.
This is especially fun since two of these authors have written books I REALLY didn't like. :-X
Let's talk about each individually.
Forbidden Fruit by Roshani Chokshi - A breathtakingly beautiful Filipino fairy tale, with more than a slight hint of Moana flavor to it. I wasn't getting into it at first, the storytelling style wasn't working, but once I started getting into it, I drank it up. Beautiful, and so, so sad.
Olivia’s Table by Alyssa Wong - Possibly my favorite. Based around the Chinese Hungry Ghost Festival, this is the story of a young woman who is an "exorcist". Except instead of holy water and levitation, to get rid of these spirits, you feed them. Taking over for her mother, Olivia cooks and prepares food at a rapid pace, getting it set out and inviting all the wandering spirits to eat and move on to the next world. It's the idea behind this that hit me in all of my feelings.
Steel Skin by Lori M. Lee - Ennnnnh. This was a little more sci fi than I wanted, which is DESPERATELY unfair of me, considering that I enjoyed The Lunar Chronicles, which is a sci fi retelling of more commonly known fairy tales. The twist to it is amazing, though I must admit, I don't see how this was a retelling of the original story.
Still Star-Crossed by Sona Charaipotra - I liked this more for the culture than I did for the story itself. This is almost a ghost story, felt like something I would've seen on Are You Afraid of the Dark back in the day. A fantastic idea, though abrupt ending is abrupt.
The Counting of Vermillion Beads by Aliette De Bodard - I don't even know what to do with this one. I think I expected too much, because the build up was gorgeous, and the ending just confused me. Great story, ::head wobble:: ending.
The Land of the Morning Calm by E. C. Myers - I, uh. I may have cried a bit at this one. How a story based in a virtual reality RPG game and featuring heavy cosplay could make me cry is because I am too soft for my own good.
The Smile by Aisha Saeed - Feminine mystique, feminine power, feminine strength and courage, and women protecting women. Yes all around.
Things started going downhill from here, so I'm only going to mention two others.
Girls Who Twirl and Other Dangers by Preeti Chhibber - I enjoyed this more for the googling of Youtube videos than I did the story itself. Full of culture and traditions, which I loved, and the videos of the dances described were wonderful. The story itself was forgettable, sadly.
Eyes like Candlelight by Julie Kagawa - This was gorgeous, and sweet, and heart breaking. A fox falls in love with a boy who saves her from dogs. And again, another incredibly sad ending.
Anthologies will always be hit or miss for me, but the joy of this anthology is, I want to read so much more folk lore from each of these cultures.
And, in some cases, better ones.
amk13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
shadowhelm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
radikaliseradgroda's review against another edition
4.0
As usual, this anthology had stories of variying readability some were 5☆, some 2☆ and a single 1☆ that I didn't even finish.