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tani's review
4.0
I don't read a lot of novellas, but I'm thinking that might change. It's kind of satisfying to read something that doesn't take ages to finish. (Is that a sign of me getting old? I used to love the longer stuff so much, but lately it feels like so much more effort when all I want is to finish things. But that's neither here nor there.)
Anyway, I read this because it's available free online and because it received a Nebula nomination. I've never heard of the author before. I think I read a couple of reviews before I started, but otherwise I went in blind.
This story is in the vein of a fairy tale retelling, but instead of being a direct rehashing of a well-known story, it's a mishmash of several other less well-known stories. There's elements of the Pied Piper, the swan princess, and probably several other stories that I didn't even notice. I believe another reviewer mentioned the one about the tree? More importantly than which fairy tales it draws from, this story has the feel of a fairy tale. Things are dark and gruesome in places, the answers aren't simple, and what's lost is probably gone forever. I liked that, especially the way that it played out in the ending.
I also ended up really enjoying the characters. Nicolas was great, and I would definitely love to read more of his story. Maurice was a riot once I got into his rat mindset. I loved Dora Rose's strength and resolve, and the children were wonderful. Not to mention that Ulia Gol was such a great villain (and isn't that a fantastic villain name?).
I enjoyed this story enough that I now feel that I need to hunt down some of C.S.E. Cooney's other works. I think I saw somewhere that she has other stories set in this world, and that is definitely something that I'm interested in reading.
Anyway, I read this because it's available free online and because it received a Nebula nomination. I've never heard of the author before. I think I read a couple of reviews before I started, but otherwise I went in blind.
This story is in the vein of a fairy tale retelling, but instead of being a direct rehashing of a well-known story, it's a mishmash of several other less well-known stories. There's elements of the Pied Piper, the swan princess, and probably several other stories that I didn't even notice. I believe another reviewer mentioned the one about the tree? More importantly than which fairy tales it draws from, this story has the feel of a fairy tale. Things are dark and gruesome in places, the answers aren't simple, and what's lost is probably gone forever. I liked that, especially the way that it played out in the ending.
I also ended up really enjoying the characters. Nicolas was great, and I would definitely love to read more of his story. Maurice was a riot once I got into his rat mindset. I loved Dora Rose's strength and resolve, and the children were wonderful. Not to mention that Ulia Gol was such a great villain (and isn't that a fantastic villain name?).
I enjoyed this story enough that I now feel that I need to hunt down some of C.S.E. Cooney's other works. I think I saw somewhere that she has other stories set in this world, and that is definitely something that I'm interested in reading.
pearlc's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
lanko's review
4.0
Pretty nice retelling of the flautist fairy tale. Uses animals like humans in the same way the The Builders of Polansky.
Surprisingly dark in some parts and pretty good writing overall.
Surprisingly dark in some parts and pretty good writing overall.
cathepsut's review
4.0
"This," I whispered to her from one corner of my grin, "is gonna be good."
Amusing fairytale with dark undertones, as it should be. None of that Disneyesque sweetness. Despair, murder, maiming... and snark.
Took me a bit to realize that I was reading a re-telling of a classic fairytale. Not telling you which, so I don't spoil your fun. Here is a hint, it's about
PS: Be careful about the reviews here on goodreads, some of them give a lot away about the story and are without spoiler warnings.
Story for free at http://mythicdelirium.com/from-the-pages-of-bone-swans-stories
Amusing fairytale with dark undertones, as it should be. None of that Disneyesque sweetness. Despair, murder, maiming... and snark.
Took me a bit to realize that I was reading a re-telling of a classic fairytale. Not telling you which, so I don't spoil your fun. Here is a hint, it's about
Spoiler
rats....PS: Be careful about the reviews here on goodreads, some of them give a lot away about the story and are without spoiler warnings.
Story for free at http://mythicdelirium.com/from-the-pages-of-bone-swans-stories
triscuit807's review
5.0
This novella is an original piece in the anthology "Bone Swans". It's a tale of shapeshifters, a corrupt mayor, a piper, murders (large and small). It's tale that you almost know, just hanging off the edge of your memory. There's a swan princess and a rat (not a king because rats are democratic) and a vindictive tree. I only read the novella - when I have a chance I want to read the whole anthology. I read this for the 2016 Hugo nominations.
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