Scan barcode
necessitteem's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Cinderella is still one of my favorite characters, however, this book felt like just a filler and didn’t really feel like it fit in with this branch of storyline. Overall this volume was okay but I just wish it didn’t feel like filler to the storyline.
samwescott's review against another edition
3.0
Hmph. This one was better than the first and third volumes in this series because it was actually about a woman ( I know, the bar is reeeeeaally low for a spinoff series about the WOMEN in fables). I do really like issues that focus on Cindy as a spy and those were always favorite plot threads of mine among the general Fables story.
And you know, the story was actually pretty interesting and answered some questions I had when Fables ended. It was good to see Snow, of course, and I liked how Ram was incorporated.
The ugly step-sister thing, though? Really obnoxious storytelling and not interesting at all. Minus a star for that.
And minus another star for the way Cindy was drawn and framed. In her undies, tied to a chair? Looking down her shirt as she confronts a mouse? Come oooooon, you guys. It was so cringey and awkward. Fables has never been any good with how its women are drawn (or treated... or written...), but you'd think if any spinoff treated them well, it would be the spinoff ABOUT WOMEN. Ugh.
And you know, the story was actually pretty interesting and answered some questions I had when Fables ended. It was good to see Snow, of course, and I liked how Ram was incorporated.
The ugly step-sister thing, though? Really obnoxious storytelling and not interesting at all. Minus a star for that.
And minus another star for the way Cindy was drawn and framed. In her undies, tied to a chair? Looking down her shirt as she confronts a mouse? Come oooooon, you guys. It was so cringey and awkward. Fables has never been any good with how its women are drawn (or treated... or written...), but you'd think if any spinoff treated them well, it would be the spinoff ABOUT WOMEN. Ugh.
nerdywerewolf's review
4.0
"And if there's one thing I hate more than trolls, it's indentured servitude. Just ask my stepmother."
Now, THIS is more like it. This story connects Cinderella, THE Fairy Godmother, Crispin (the Shoemaker from 'The Elves & the Shoemaker'), some trolls, King Valemon (the polar bear king from Norwegian fairy tales), Ramayan (the blue-skinned hero from an India epic), the Three Blind Mice and Snow White (along with some other Fables staples).
Someone makes an assassination attempt on Snow White and who better to call back into service than Fabletown's best spy, Cinderella? This one was much more like the first volume of the series in that it was creative, tied a bunch of unexpected characters together and it was fun to read.
It also actually focuses on the female characters we already knew from Fables, which shouldn't ever have been an issue (I'm looking at you, Volume 3).
Now, THIS is more like it. This story connects Cinderella, THE Fairy Godmother, Crispin (the Shoemaker from 'The Elves & the Shoemaker'), some trolls, King Valemon (the polar bear king from Norwegian fairy tales), Ramayan (the blue-skinned hero from an India epic), the Three Blind Mice and Snow White (along with some other Fables staples).
Someone makes an assassination attempt on Snow White and who better to call back into service than Fabletown's best spy, Cinderella? This one was much more like the first volume of the series in that it was creative, tied a bunch of unexpected characters together and it was fun to read.
It also actually focuses on the female characters we already knew from Fables, which shouldn't ever have been an issue (I'm looking at you, Volume 3).
mackle13's review
2.0
2.5
So, I know there's been issues with the Cinderella spin-off, so should we just assume that it's nixed since Cindy seems to be taking over the pages of Fairest?
***
Warning for readers: The book says it takes place after the events of Camelot, and you really best be up to date with Fables before reading this, otherwise spoilers.
Also, apparently we're meant to remember a lot from past stories, 'cause I could not for the life of me remember why "FG" was locked up, and it never fills you in on any backstory you might've missed.
****
The story itself was ok, but the telling was really disjointed and jumpy and, because of lack of aforementioned backstory, sometimes a little hard to follow.
Also, there's not my mystery/investigation going on (or, you know, spy stuff). I was also a bit miffed that Cindy is meant to be this sort of uber-spy, but spends most of the story being rescued by her hunky male side-kick/boy-toy.
Lastly, I was ok with the cartoony art for the most part - but the guys looked weird - especially Beast, who was nigh unrecognizable.
What bothered me more about the art, though, was that while it's meant to focus more on the ladies of Fables, it was *very* male-gazey. This isn't the first time, but it felt the most egregious. I try to write a lot of it off in the Cindy tales because the spy-genre itself seems to like to put both male and female leads in compromising positions... but the underwear/torture scene felt exploity, and the fact that she picked the shortest, most cleavage-revealing dress in the closet when she knew she was going on a mission just killed it. (Also the fact that her boobs seems to grow as the story progressed.)
***
The cyborg(ish) ugly step-sister thing could've been awesome if it was explored more. Seems like a lot of wasted potential in an over-quick story.
So, I know there's been issues with the Cinderella spin-off, so should we just assume that it's nixed since Cindy seems to be taking over the pages of Fairest?
***
Warning for readers: The book says it takes place after the events of Camelot, and you really best be up to date with Fables before reading this, otherwise spoilers.
Also, apparently we're meant to remember a lot from past stories, 'cause I could not for the life of me remember why "FG" was locked up, and it never fills you in on any backstory you might've missed.
****
The story itself was ok, but the telling was really disjointed and jumpy and, because of lack of aforementioned backstory, sometimes a little hard to follow.
Also, there's not my mystery/investigation going on (or, you know, spy stuff). I was also a bit miffed that Cindy is meant to be this sort of uber-spy, but spends most of the story being rescued by her hunky male side-kick/boy-toy.
Lastly, I was ok with the cartoony art for the most part - but the guys looked weird - especially Beast, who was nigh unrecognizable.
What bothered me more about the art, though, was that while it's meant to focus more on the ladies of Fables, it was *very* male-gazey. This isn't the first time, but it felt the most egregious. I try to write a lot of it off in the Cindy tales because the spy-genre itself seems to like to put both male and female leads in compromising positions... but the underwear/torture scene felt exploity, and the fact that she picked the shortest, most cleavage-revealing dress in the closet when she knew she was going on a mission just killed it. (Also the fact that her boobs seems to grow as the story progressed.)
***
The cyborg(ish) ugly step-sister thing could've been awesome if it was explored more. Seems like a lot of wasted potential in an over-quick story.
gothamgal's review
5.0
Happily ever after may not be in the in cards for everyone, but that does NOT mean an end for some of your favorite fair tale characters—and Fairest: Vol. 4: Of Mice and Men proves it!
51i3L7MULXL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_
Cinderella may be known forever for her appearance at the Ball and landing the Prince, but in the Fables universe, she’s a fierce and resourceful operative who sells shoes by day ,when she’s not at various locations around the world, saving the Earth for the residents of Fables and Mundies (human, non-magical folk).
When mice the size and shape of men begin to show up and attempt murder on a Fabletown resident, Cinderella traces things back to the one person she knows to be responsible—the only problem is that she has not spoken to her fairy Godmother in quite a while. And, to be fair, things did not end amicably for the two. After finding her, FG gets shot. Cinderella has to track down the assassin, going all the way around the globe, and calling in a few favors from some old friends (and lovers) in order to track down the assassin (whom is very close to Cinderella) and get back to Fabletown with the information.
I love writer Marc Andreyo and artist Shawn MacManus’ take on Cinderella. While there are a few racy scenes, Cinderella is dealt with respect—she’s like James Bond in crystal slippers. While other universes might take certain liberties with female secret agents/part time fairy tale princesses, these guys have managed to make a character that you don’t question—she seems very capable based on what she’s already done in the series and where Fairest: Volume 4 takes her. Originally, I was not a fan of the way Cinderella acted within the universe, but I have no doubts as to her awesomeness now.
This was a perfect read and review for International Women’s day. We NEED more strong women with great stories in comic books, and Andreyo and MacManus really make me believe in this concept being achieveable in this generation. Sure, they’re following a bigger editorial story, but after the 3rd volume (which I was not too fond of), Fairest: Volume 4 makes me feel better about the series. It’s definitely something I want to pursue reading.
I loved how they make ancillary characters, like the three blind mice or Dockery, really matter in a story. With Fables, there is a tremendously large potential cast of characters. While Fairest focuses on the women, it is also refreshing that they don’t forget non-female characters, making them truly inclusive. I also love the characters that pop up, almost as easter eggs, that prompt readers to research and figure out where they may lie within future Fables universe interactions.
Without spoiling anything in the book, I think there was a character that was glaringly not showing up—and I wondered when that character might show up in the future. Another drawback is that, while the book DOES state that the events take place AFTER Fables Vol 20: Camelot, I am not that updated on that series, so there were a few things I was able to infer, but missed out on. Perhaps a page in the back with author notes, or a character listing, would have been great to have.
Fairest: Volume 4: Of Mice and Men is available from your favorite retailer. I picked this up in graphic novel format, and I cannot recommend the series enough! Happy International Women’s Day!
51i3L7MULXL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_
Cinderella may be known forever for her appearance at the Ball and landing the Prince, but in the Fables universe, she’s a fierce and resourceful operative who sells shoes by day ,when she’s not at various locations around the world, saving the Earth for the residents of Fables and Mundies (human, non-magical folk).
When mice the size and shape of men begin to show up and attempt murder on a Fabletown resident, Cinderella traces things back to the one person she knows to be responsible—the only problem is that she has not spoken to her fairy Godmother in quite a while. And, to be fair, things did not end amicably for the two. After finding her, FG gets shot. Cinderella has to track down the assassin, going all the way around the globe, and calling in a few favors from some old friends (and lovers) in order to track down the assassin (whom is very close to Cinderella) and get back to Fabletown with the information.
I love writer Marc Andreyo and artist Shawn MacManus’ take on Cinderella. While there are a few racy scenes, Cinderella is dealt with respect—she’s like James Bond in crystal slippers. While other universes might take certain liberties with female secret agents/part time fairy tale princesses, these guys have managed to make a character that you don’t question—she seems very capable based on what she’s already done in the series and where Fairest: Volume 4 takes her. Originally, I was not a fan of the way Cinderella acted within the universe, but I have no doubts as to her awesomeness now.
This was a perfect read and review for International Women’s day. We NEED more strong women with great stories in comic books, and Andreyo and MacManus really make me believe in this concept being achieveable in this generation. Sure, they’re following a bigger editorial story, but after the 3rd volume (which I was not too fond of), Fairest: Volume 4 makes me feel better about the series. It’s definitely something I want to pursue reading.
I loved how they make ancillary characters, like the three blind mice or Dockery, really matter in a story. With Fables, there is a tremendously large potential cast of characters. While Fairest focuses on the women, it is also refreshing that they don’t forget non-female characters, making them truly inclusive. I also love the characters that pop up, almost as easter eggs, that prompt readers to research and figure out where they may lie within future Fables universe interactions.
Without spoiling anything in the book, I think there was a character that was glaringly not showing up—and I wondered when that character might show up in the future. Another drawback is that, while the book DOES state that the events take place AFTER Fables Vol 20: Camelot, I am not that updated on that series, so there were a few things I was able to infer, but missed out on. Perhaps a page in the back with author notes, or a character listing, would have been great to have.
Fairest: Volume 4: Of Mice and Men is available from your favorite retailer. I picked this up in graphic novel format, and I cannot recommend the series enough! Happy International Women’s Day!
just_fighting_censorship's review
2.0
UGH! More Cinderella!?
Seriously, I have had all that I can take of Cinderella and her obnoxious 007 persona. Why are they forcing this character on me, just when I thought I was free and clear, she pops up in this series.
This story involves mice and ugly step sisters and fairy godmothers and more mice and a blue Indian fable that I don't know anything about.
Seriously, I have had all that I can take of Cinderella and her obnoxious 007 persona. Why are they forcing this character on me, just when I thought I was free and clear, she pops up in this series.
This story involves mice and ugly step sisters and fairy godmothers and more mice and a blue Indian fable that I don't know anything about.
marciatch's review
2.0
I like Cinderella as a Bond-iesque character but the dialogue, ugh... Some of the lines that the female characters said were clearly and undoubtedly written by a man. And one that has no clue about anything apparently.
noveladdiction's review
3.0
This was not bad.. but definitely not spectacular. Please don't let Fairest go the way of Fables (a great start, but falls into a slump that lasts the rest of the series).
jpv0's review
5.0
[b:Fairest, Volume 4: Of Men and Mice|21532163|Fairest, Volume 4 Of Men and Mice|Marc Andreyko|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1406933055l/21532163._SY75_.jpg|40860520]. In which one of the mice on that fateful night of glass slippers and dancing and pumpkin carriages ... never turned back into a man. And fathered thousands of half mouse, half human (in various configurations) offspring, which are now coming back to ruin Fabletown's lives.
It's a pretty neat story, if a bit bizarre at times. Plus, you get the standard craziness of the Fairy Godmother :D.
Fun times.
I enjoyed this story and have mostly been enjoying this spinoff in general. Onwards and almost donewards!
It's a pretty neat story, if a bit bizarre at times. Plus, you get the standard craziness of the Fairy Godmother :D.
Fun times.
I enjoyed this story and have mostly been enjoying this spinoff in general. Onwards and almost donewards!
civreader's review
3.0
Closer to 3.5*, I think, but the humour was good and I like Cinderella in the Fables world. If you've read the two Cinderella mini-series, you'll see some old friends and enemies appear. Good stuff, but not the best FAIREST book.