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249 reviews for:
Cursed: An Anthology of Dark Fairy Tales
James Brogden, Jane Yolen, Jen Williams, Catriona Ward, Margo Lanagan, Karen Joy Fowler, Alison Littlewood, Marie O'Regan, Christopher Golden, Adam Stemple, Maura McHugh, Christina Henry, M. R. Carey, Paul Kane, A.G. Slatter, Christopher Fowler, Neil Gaiman, Lilith Saintcrow, Charlie Jane Anders, Tim Lebbon, Michael Marshall Smith
3.48 AVERAGE
249 reviews for:
Cursed: An Anthology of Dark Fairy Tales
James Brogden, Jane Yolen, Jen Williams, Catriona Ward, Margo Lanagan, Karen Joy Fowler, Alison Littlewood, Marie O'Regan, Christopher Golden, Adam Stemple, Maura McHugh, Christina Henry, M. R. Carey, Paul Kane, A.G. Slatter, Christopher Fowler, Neil Gaiman, Lilith Saintcrow, Charlie Jane Anders, Tim Lebbon, Michael Marshall Smith
3.48 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
slow-paced
These are fairytales reinvented into horror tales. The great thing about anthologies is finding new authors you like. On the other hand, it also means you get material that is better left out. I had to skip “Little Red” as it was too much for me to handle (pedophilia). “The Girl From Hell” was also just word vomit.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Fairly mixed bag. I used to read a lot of YA fantasy anthologies as a young teenager, and this is like those. Honestly, you could market it to teens if you wanted to.
slow-paced
I wanted to love this collection, I really did. Some top names in fantasy, a publishing company that has a talent for interesting and intriguing collections. Sadly I found myself bored to tears, struggling with almost every short story in here. I finally gave up about halfway through the book, not willing to continue through the pain. I will give you the reviews of the stories that I did finish.
The basic premise of the twenty short stories and poetry was a focus on curses, both classic and modern. The best that I can say about this is that it was a free ARC from my monthly book swap at the Martin County Library before they were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2.5 out of 5.
"Castle Cursed" by Jane Yolen.
A poem invoking the essence of Sleeping Beauty. Evocative. Poetry is not my thing, other than story based ones such as Poe or the ancient Roman and Greek classics. 3.5 out of 5.
"As Red as Blood, as White as Snow" by Christina Henry
Prince Charming, as many in the court called him, wanted to marry Snow White, having worked compulsion magic on all in the court to ease his way. Only Snow and her beloved stepmother are unaffected. Snow is trapped nonetheless, going with her new husband to his own country. A lot of potential here that would've been better served in a longer version. Frankly this was more like a working overview than a completed story. Lost the buildup too quickly. 3 out of 5.
"Troll Bridge" by Neil Gaiman
Jack is just seven years old the first time he meets the troll under the old railway bridge, the creature ready to eat the boy's life. But as Jack quickly explains, he hasn't actually lived enough to make him worthy. A bargain is made. Jack will live and experience all he can, then return to the face the troll. Sad and strange, lonely and just a tiny bit satisfying in an unexplainable way. 3.5 out of 5.
"At That Age" by Catriona Ward
John is dealing with tragedy in his family when he meets a new pair of twins at his school. The temporary respite from grief turns twisted. I didn't care much for this one at all. I understand that trying to fully flesh out a short story is a real art, but I found Ward's story to be more a scribble of an idea. 2.5 out of 5.
"Listen" by Jen Williams
Erren traveled across the world, forced to play music that brings the dead back to dance and reveal the cruel secrets of the living they left behind. All due to a moment's weakness and longing by Erren. Time passes as she desperately wishes for a final release. Now this is more like it. Williams has woven a mystical, magical world that still leaves so much to the imagination. 4 out of 5.
"Henry and the Snakewood Box" by M. R. Carey
Henry Mossop isn't too bright, but he is good-hearted and lonely. The demon in the box considers him perfect. Henry makes wishes that are small, but have unseen consequences for others that Henry knows nothing about. Until he uses one of his wishes for understanding. There is so much humor in this tale despite the seriousness of the events. I enjoyed the demon's level of snark. If this ever becomes an animated feature, Robert Downey Jr. MUST be the voice of the demon! 4.5 out of 5.
"Skin" by James Brogden
Hannah is shocked to find her ex following her home. She's even more shocked by his ravaged features. Could she have unwittingly caused it? Okay, that was gross. It also reminded me of an old CSI episode in which models, frantically searching for perfection, tore at any imperfections of their flesh. A weird and unsatisfying tale. And a little gross as well. 2.5 out of 5
"Faith & Fred" by Maura McHugh
While renovating Caldwere Farmhouse, Owen finds two skulls encased in a metal cage, accompanied by a card wtih "Here be Faith & Fred. Keep them homestead, Lest they wail." Afraid the discovery could ruin any possible buyers, Owen bribes his contractor to not call the police, to forget all about them. I honestly loved this, but poor Owen didn't seem to catch the possible option in "You, or another" in regards to staying as the skulls' caretaker. There is so much that could've been explored here. 4 out of 5.
While reading, or trying to read, "The Black Fairy's Curse" by Karen Joy Fowler, I gave up. I have absolutely NO doubts that this book could appeal to some fantasy readers, but I'm not one of them.
The basic premise of the twenty short stories and poetry was a focus on curses, both classic and modern. The best that I can say about this is that it was a free ARC from my monthly book swap at the Martin County Library before they were closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 2.5 out of 5.
"Castle Cursed" by Jane Yolen.
A poem invoking the essence of Sleeping Beauty. Evocative. Poetry is not my thing, other than story based ones such as Poe or the ancient Roman and Greek classics. 3.5 out of 5.
"As Red as Blood, as White as Snow" by Christina Henry
Prince Charming, as many in the court called him, wanted to marry Snow White, having worked compulsion magic on all in the court to ease his way. Only Snow and her beloved stepmother are unaffected. Snow is trapped nonetheless, going with her new husband to his own country. A lot of potential here that would've been better served in a longer version. Frankly this was more like a working overview than a completed story. Lost the buildup too quickly. 3 out of 5.
"Troll Bridge" by Neil Gaiman
Jack is just seven years old the first time he meets the troll under the old railway bridge, the creature ready to eat the boy's life. But as Jack quickly explains, he hasn't actually lived enough to make him worthy. A bargain is made. Jack will live and experience all he can, then return to the face the troll. Sad and strange, lonely and just a tiny bit satisfying in an unexplainable way. 3.5 out of 5.
"At That Age" by Catriona Ward
John is dealing with tragedy in his family when he meets a new pair of twins at his school. The temporary respite from grief turns twisted. I didn't care much for this one at all. I understand that trying to fully flesh out a short story is a real art, but I found Ward's story to be more a scribble of an idea. 2.5 out of 5.
"Listen" by Jen Williams
Erren traveled across the world, forced to play music that brings the dead back to dance and reveal the cruel secrets of the living they left behind. All due to a moment's weakness and longing by Erren. Time passes as she desperately wishes for a final release. Now this is more like it. Williams has woven a mystical, magical world that still leaves so much to the imagination. 4 out of 5.
"Henry and the Snakewood Box" by M. R. Carey
Henry Mossop isn't too bright, but he is good-hearted and lonely. The demon in the box considers him perfect. Henry makes wishes that are small, but have unseen consequences for others that Henry knows nothing about. Until he uses one of his wishes for understanding. There is so much humor in this tale despite the seriousness of the events. I enjoyed the demon's level of snark. If this ever becomes an animated feature, Robert Downey Jr. MUST be the voice of the demon! 4.5 out of 5.
"Skin" by James Brogden
Hannah is shocked to find her ex following her home. She's even more shocked by his ravaged features. Could she have unwittingly caused it? Okay, that was gross. It also reminded me of an old CSI episode in which models, frantically searching for perfection, tore at any imperfections of their flesh. A weird and unsatisfying tale. And a little gross as well. 2.5 out of 5
"Faith & Fred" by Maura McHugh
While renovating Caldwere Farmhouse, Owen finds two skulls encased in a metal cage, accompanied by a card wtih "Here be Faith & Fred. Keep them homestead, Lest they wail." Afraid the discovery could ruin any possible buyers, Owen bribes his contractor to not call the police, to forget all about them. I honestly loved this, but poor Owen didn't seem to catch the possible option in "You, or another" in regards to staying as the skulls' caretaker. There is so much that could've been explored here. 4 out of 5.
While reading, or trying to read, "The Black Fairy's Curse" by Karen Joy Fowler, I gave up. I have absolutely NO doubts that this book could appeal to some fantasy readers, but I'm not one of them.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
A decent little collection of short stories with a few that felt like "filler" to me.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A