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annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
The Athena Club series has been one of my favorite discoveries of 2020. I really enjoyed all those characters claiming their faith and taking life into their own hands. I also loved how Goss managed to really capture the atmosphere of all these cities and teach us some history along the way. So, when there was a discount on the e-book of this collection of fairytale inspired poems and stories, I didn't hesitate and got it right away. Especially because short stories are perfect to read on the side.
Just like with every story collection some stories grabbed me and some stories didn't. I do think that I wasn't in the right place when I read the first half of the book, because I did enjoy the second part of the book much better and I can't imagine that's because of the quality of the stories. It must have to do with the fact that I was quite tired when I read the first half. It might also be because I was mentally not in a great place a couple of weeks ago.
However, I really loved what Goss did with the fairytale like themes. Loads of different stories are told, some original, some inspired by, but they are all unique and they all come with a great take on the fairytale-world, morals, stereotypes and the fight between good and evil. I really loved how a lot of those characters took matters into their own hands and made choices that felt natural and yet bold at the same time.
I think my favorite story though might be the one of the sea witch and the mermaid. It was rather short, but it worked. Mostly because within the short story we really got a great impression of the world, the lives those two women had had and the kind of people they were. I also loved that this story seemed to be about friendship and female empowerment, about love and about standing behind your choices.
But that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the other stories! There were loads of good ones, so make sure to discover them yourself!
Just like with every story collection some stories grabbed me and some stories didn't. I do think that I wasn't in the right place when I read the first half of the book, because I did enjoy the second part of the book much better and I can't imagine that's because of the quality of the stories. It must have to do with the fact that I was quite tired when I read the first half. It might also be because I was mentally not in a great place a couple of weeks ago.
However, I really loved what Goss did with the fairytale like themes. Loads of different stories are told, some original, some inspired by, but they are all unique and they all come with a great take on the fairytale-world, morals, stereotypes and the fight between good and evil. I really loved how a lot of those characters took matters into their own hands and made choices that felt natural and yet bold at the same time.
I think my favorite story though might be the one of the sea witch and the mermaid. It was rather short, but it worked. Mostly because within the short story we really got a great impression of the world, the lives those two women had had and the kind of people they were. I also loved that this story seemed to be about friendship and female empowerment, about love and about standing behind your choices.
But that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the other stories! There were loads of good ones, so make sure to discover them yourself!
oldenglishrose's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dreamsngr's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most original fairy tale short story collections I've read in years. Starting to be a huge Goss fan. Her take on old tales is refreshing and unexpected.
caitcoy's review against another edition
4.0
"Fairy tales are another kind of Bible, for those who know how to read them."
Snow White Learns Witchcraft is a collection of poems and short fiction by Theodora Goss, an author probably best known for her mystery/sci fi genre blender Athena Club series. As implied by the title, all of the stories and poetry in Snow White Learns Witchcraft are related to fairy tales. Many of the stories will feel familiar to anyone who grew up with even the tame versions by Disney but she also includes some that seemed more Eastern European influenced. As a side note, many of these stories and poems have been published in other collections but are collected here in a single volume.
I've always loved fairy tales of all kinds and particularly when an author takes known fairy tales and provides a twist that makes the story feel new again. Snow White Learns Witchcraft also has the bonus of having a more feminist take on traditional stories that I really liked. Even better, it does so without feeling gimmicky or like that facet is more important than the story itself. Goss does an excellent job of empowering the women in her stories while still making the story a living, breathing entity with compelling characters. While I enjoyed The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter, this collection of stories was much more to my taste. I didn't love all of the stories and poetry but unlike a lot of collections, there weren't any that I disliked or which bored me. Since there's more than thirty stories and poems in the collection, I'll just mention a few that I particularly loved. In particular, Blanchefleur, Red as Blood and White as Bone and The Other Thea were really great. I loved these three in particular because while I'm guessing they're based on stories I'm less familiar with, they felt familiar and old, just what I want out of a fairy tale. Overall, I really enjoyed this collection and it's one that I'll definitely be recommending to others who enjoy fairy tales as much as I do.
Thanks to both NetGalley and Mythic Delirium Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Snow White Learns Witchcraft is a collection of poems and short fiction by Theodora Goss, an author probably best known for her mystery/sci fi genre blender Athena Club series. As implied by the title, all of the stories and poetry in Snow White Learns Witchcraft are related to fairy tales. Many of the stories will feel familiar to anyone who grew up with even the tame versions by Disney but she also includes some that seemed more Eastern European influenced. As a side note, many of these stories and poems have been published in other collections but are collected here in a single volume.
I've always loved fairy tales of all kinds and particularly when an author takes known fairy tales and provides a twist that makes the story feel new again. Snow White Learns Witchcraft also has the bonus of having a more feminist take on traditional stories that I really liked. Even better, it does so without feeling gimmicky or like that facet is more important than the story itself. Goss does an excellent job of empowering the women in her stories while still making the story a living, breathing entity with compelling characters. While I enjoyed The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter, this collection of stories was much more to my taste. I didn't love all of the stories and poetry but unlike a lot of collections, there weren't any that I disliked or which bored me. Since there's more than thirty stories and poems in the collection, I'll just mention a few that I particularly loved. In particular, Blanchefleur, Red as Blood and White as Bone and The Other Thea were really great. I loved these three in particular because while I'm guessing they're based on stories I'm less familiar with, they felt familiar and old, just what I want out of a fairy tale. Overall, I really enjoyed this collection and it's one that I'll definitely be recommending to others who enjoy fairy tales as much as I do.
Thanks to both NetGalley and Mythic Delirium Books for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
serranok's review against another edition
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
joshgauthier's review against another edition
5.0
*ARC received from NetGalley*
With Snow White Learns Witchcraft Theodora Goss focuses her vast affinity for myth and fairy tales on stories that are both familiar and unexpected. Combining stories and poems, this collection contains characters that are easily recognized--though maybe not quite as we are used to seeing them--and others that are less familiar. In the retellings, Dora finds fresh life and striking power in the insights and presentations that are gathered here. And in the stories that stem from more original places, Dora proves her ability to craft striking fairy tales drawn from all the rich past of the genre and full of wealth suited to the modern era.
In her care and craft, Dora allows fresh voices and perspectives to take the page, painting pictures full of fantasy and mystery--while ensuring that the stories are simultaneously intimate and relatable. With rich language and a fantastic style of her own, Dora's newest collection truly highlights her strengths as a writer, while also providing a collection of stories and poems--retellings and original tales alike--that are delightful to read in their own right.
With Snow White Learns Witchcraft Theodora Goss focuses her vast affinity for myth and fairy tales on stories that are both familiar and unexpected. Combining stories and poems, this collection contains characters that are easily recognized--though maybe not quite as we are used to seeing them--and others that are less familiar. In the retellings, Dora finds fresh life and striking power in the insights and presentations that are gathered here. And in the stories that stem from more original places, Dora proves her ability to craft striking fairy tales drawn from all the rich past of the genre and full of wealth suited to the modern era.
In her care and craft, Dora allows fresh voices and perspectives to take the page, painting pictures full of fantasy and mystery--while ensuring that the stories are simultaneously intimate and relatable. With rich language and a fantastic style of her own, Dora's newest collection truly highlights her strengths as a writer, while also providing a collection of stories and poems--retellings and original tales alike--that are delightful to read in their own right.
m4tr1m0ny's review against another edition
4.0
Adored the stories. I took a star off because I felt that most of the poems needed to be stories instead of poems. My favorite was "Blanchefleur"
raucous's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I enjoyed both the prose and the ways in which Theodora Goss recast old classics. Some were told from different perspectives. Others were set in different times. What, for example, happens to Snow White's prince after the socialist revolution? The whole book was fun and the audio version has a great narrator.
shauna329's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.25