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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
Reads well as a sequel and a stand alone. I recommend it for those who like fantasy and humor.
It seemed innocent enough. Danielle, Talia and Snow (also know as Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White), were given the task of joining Queen Beatrice to a ritual meeting with the local merfolk population. Then everything went horribly wrong, leading the young mermaid Queen Lirea to attack Queen Beatrice. Now, Beatrice's life is on the line, and Danielle, Talia and Snow must save her by unraveling the real tale behind the story of The Little Mermaid.
Following The Stepsister Scheme, The Mermaid's Madness is the second of Jim Hines's Princess books, which reexamine the darker roots of well known fairy tales. I'm happy to report that The Mermaid's Madness is just as satisfying as it's predecessor. Like The Stepsister Scheme, this novel proves that you can tell a fun, action and humor filled story, while still retaining an intelligent edge. You can provide fairy tales that are entertaining without scrubbing them clean of their darker moments. Unlike the first book in the series where the story was primarily focused around Danielle, The Mermaid's Madness is equally focused on all three princess characters. I actually liked this decision, as it allowed some really satisfying characters development with all three characters, my favorite being the magical development of Snow.
I enjoyed this re-examination of The Little Mermaid story. I grew up loving the Disney cartoon and only came to learn the story behind it when I was older. Hines takes this original tale and provides his own twists. We're given a story about a young and innocent girl, and what can happen when that innocence is taken advantage of. Although The Mermaid's Madness doesn't have much of a romantic focus, I did find the parallels between Danielle's and Lirea's stories to be very interesting. Both of them fell in love with a man after only knowing them for a single night, but the results couldn't be more different. There are also parallels between Lirea and Talia's stories, as both focus on the cruel things that men can do. I like the fact that Hines was able to tell this story without making it look like he was demonizing all men, as the book is filled with a wide variety of male characters.
If you enjoyed The Stepsister Scheme, then The Mermaid's Madness should not be overlooked. Filled with action, suspense, and humor, The Mermaid's Madness is mainly successful due to it's three likable and complex female leads. I do plan on continuing the series with Red Hood's Revenge.
Following The Stepsister Scheme, The Mermaid's Madness is the second of Jim Hines's Princess books, which reexamine the darker roots of well known fairy tales. I'm happy to report that The Mermaid's Madness is just as satisfying as it's predecessor. Like The Stepsister Scheme, this novel proves that you can tell a fun, action and humor filled story, while still retaining an intelligent edge. You can provide fairy tales that are entertaining without scrubbing them clean of their darker moments. Unlike the first book in the series where the story was primarily focused around Danielle, The Mermaid's Madness is equally focused on all three princess characters. I actually liked this decision, as it allowed some really satisfying characters development with all three characters, my favorite being the magical development of Snow.
I enjoyed this re-examination of The Little Mermaid story. I grew up loving the Disney cartoon and only came to learn the story behind it when I was older. Hines takes this original tale and provides his own twists. We're given a story about a young and innocent girl, and what can happen when that innocence is taken advantage of. Although The Mermaid's Madness doesn't have much of a romantic focus, I did find the parallels between Danielle's and Lirea's stories to be very interesting. Both of them fell in love with a man after only knowing them for a single night, but the results couldn't be more different. There are also parallels between Lirea and Talia's stories, as both focus on the cruel things that men can do. I like the fact that Hines was able to tell this story without making it look like he was demonizing all men, as the book is filled with a wide variety of male characters.
If you enjoyed The Stepsister Scheme, then The Mermaid's Madness should not be overlooked. Filled with action, suspense, and humor, The Mermaid's Madness is mainly successful due to it's three likable and complex female leads. I do plan on continuing the series with Red Hood's Revenge.
Cinderella (aka Danielle), Sleeping Beauty (aka Talia), and Snow White again find themselves in dire circumstances. During an annual ceremony to greet the undine (merefolk), one of the mermaid's attacks in a fit of madness brought on after the human she loved abandoned her. The queen is left injured and it's up to the trio to find a way to save her.
One of the things I love about this series is the subtle complexity to each of the characters. To try to describe the characters -- Talia is kick ass and sports a perpetual sour demeanor, but she's a softy for the people who get close to her; Snow is constantly cheery and promiscuous, hiding a deeper sorrow; Danielle is naive, but emotionally strong -- is to make it come out blunt and glaring, but the emotional truth of each character is brought to the surface subtly as the main action of the story progresses.
It's a mystery wrapped up in a great big, fat, fun adventure. I'm definitely dying to read more. I love these chicks.
One of the things I love about this series is the subtle complexity to each of the characters. To try to describe the characters -- Talia is kick ass and sports a perpetual sour demeanor, but she's a softy for the people who get close to her; Snow is constantly cheery and promiscuous, hiding a deeper sorrow; Danielle is naive, but emotionally strong -- is to make it come out blunt and glaring, but the emotional truth of each character is brought to the surface subtly as the main action of the story progresses.
It's a mystery wrapped up in a great big, fat, fun adventure. I'm definitely dying to read more. I love these chicks.
If The Stepsister Scheme was great plotting and great action, but fell short on characterization-- then the Mermaid's Madness is a stroke of genius.
Snow, Thalia/Sleeping Beauty, and Danielle/Cinderella find themselves on the brink of war with the sea, after a mermaid princess attempts to murder Queen Beatrice. Beatrice is left barely alive, and the mermaid princess Lyria has declared death to humans. Each is connected to Beatrice in a deeply personal way, so the attack is both politically dangerous and also heart-rendering. They must unravel Lyria's madness from her political machinations, uncovering the tale of her betrayal at the hands of her human lover and her aunt, a great sea witch who gave Lyria legs, but left her mind broken.
Again, like the first novel, there is a lot of action, a lot of plot, and a healthy amount of true darkness, violence, and danger. Maybe its because we spend more time with the three princesses in the second book that I feel they are more fleshed out and rounded. Each stood out to me more, and their motivations and actions really gelled. I would not recommend reading these books out of order, or as standalone stories. And after reading The Mermaid's Madness, I really can't wait for the third!
Snow, Thalia/Sleeping Beauty, and Danielle/Cinderella find themselves on the brink of war with the sea, after a mermaid princess attempts to murder Queen Beatrice. Beatrice is left barely alive, and the mermaid princess Lyria has declared death to humans. Each is connected to Beatrice in a deeply personal way, so the attack is both politically dangerous and also heart-rendering. They must unravel Lyria's madness from her political machinations, uncovering the tale of her betrayal at the hands of her human lover and her aunt, a great sea witch who gave Lyria legs, but left her mind broken.
Again, like the first novel, there is a lot of action, a lot of plot, and a healthy amount of true darkness, violence, and danger. Maybe its because we spend more time with the three princesses in the second book that I feel they are more fleshed out and rounded. Each stood out to me more, and their motivations and actions really gelled. I would not recommend reading these books out of order, or as standalone stories. And after reading The Mermaid's Madness, I really can't wait for the third!
The Little Mermaid isn't one of my favourite fairy tales, but I'm impressed by how it was handled. Looking back after the series has ended, it's also impressive to note how much foreshadowing was introduced in this book.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
If you've ever owned (or wanted to own) one of those "self rescuing princess" t-shirts then this is the series for you. The continuing adventures of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty & Snow White (or Danielle, Talia & um, Snow) continue here. I love the men aren't belittled here to make the women seem strong, it's just that it happens to be the women's story so the men are competent but secondary characters. While the last book was basically Danielle's story here we learn a little more about Talia background and Snow's childhood. They all have their own strengths and weaknesses and while it's tempting to short hand "if Disney princesses could kick ass", they actually owe more to the original source material than Disney.
The tale up in this one is The Little Mermaid and I have to admit that it's not a favorite of mine. Although I think Hines makes interesting use of it here, questioning this Disney fairy tale of the HEA with someone you've known a week. I haven't seen it yet but I think Frozen also pointed out the absurdity of this as well. Of course it's romantic in a book or movie but real life needs a little more caution. As Lirea (nice anagram there) finds out, her prince is actually a jerk and while she starts as the bad guy here it comes to light that she was really just a young woman who made a foolish choice and was manipulated and exploited by others.
Lest this seem to dark, these are not fairy tale Game of Thrones. Again, they are just closer to Grimm's than to Disney's version of these stories. As with everything I've read by Hines, there's a lightness to the writing and a humor in the dialogue that keeps even a dark subject from being too much. There is dark stuff, they are fairy tale princesses their childhoods and backstories are nothing you would want. But it's off screen and referred to in the past, they are currently kick ass princesses who use their physical and magical gifts for their kingdom. It's a good series for anyone who likes fairy tale retellings, women kicking butt & some humor.
The tale up in this one is The Little Mermaid and I have to admit that it's not a favorite of mine. Although I think Hines makes interesting use of it here, questioning this Disney fairy tale of the HEA with someone you've known a week. I haven't seen it yet but I think Frozen also pointed out the absurdity of this as well. Of course it's romantic in a book or movie but real life needs a little more caution. As Lirea (nice anagram there) finds out, her prince is actually a jerk and while she starts as the bad guy here it comes to light that she was really just a young woman who made a foolish choice and was manipulated and exploited by others.
Lest this seem to dark, these are not fairy tale Game of Thrones. Again, they are just closer to Grimm's than to Disney's version of these stories. As with everything I've read by Hines, there's a lightness to the writing and a humor in the dialogue that keeps even a dark subject from being too much. There is dark stuff, they are fairy tale princesses their childhoods and backstories are nothing you would want. But it's off screen and referred to in the past, they are currently kick ass princesses who use their physical and magical gifts for their kingdom. It's a good series for anyone who likes fairy tale retellings, women kicking butt & some humor.
This was a great followup to The Stepsisters Scheme. The first book was slow but it step up the characters and what great characters they are. Hines has a great imagination for taking these classic stories and turning them into something exciting. The Mermaid's Madness was a good book and I think I liked the character developments as much as the plot. Danielle after this may become more cynical, Snow may start noticing more than just the magical world, Talia more open, and Queen Bea finishing up loose ends. Even though we were introduced to Prince Armand and King Theodore last book we got to see more of them and how as a whole they all complement each other and understand each other. I even like the addition of Prince Varisto and how his intentions could cause some trouble in the future.
Gets 3 stars for kick-ass girls and curses (seedless bastard, pixies farts), but a bit borring at times.
It’s so good to see an amazing spin on how The Little Mermaid actually was compared to the Disney version. I love these three girls and Queen Bea.