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saf_k's review against another edition
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
kullymarkz's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
I love fairytales. I mean, if you look at the books I've read you will notice that a lot of those books are fairytale retellings. So when I discovered this story collection I knew I had to have and read it. I was therefore incredibly happy that I found this book on Netgalley and that the publisher, Titan Books, approved my request for a review copy. And the nice thing about short stories? It's easy to fit one or two stories into the reading schedule every day.
What I loved most about these stories is the modern feel of most of them. The authors found the themes and messages of the original tales and wrote mostly contemporary stories containing all the important elements and the same messages and themes. That automatically added a lot of diversity to this collection. We meet characters with all kind of backgrounds, skin colors and sexual preferences and it never feels forced or out of place.
Like with every story collection I liked some stories more than others. Sometimes it's simply because I don't like the original fairytale to begin with (the originals are included, by the way, which is amazing!), which makes it hard to appreciate the retelling. In other cases it could be the writing style that didn't click or the tone of a story. However, that was all personal taste. All stories are of high quality and are unique and worth reading. I'm certain everyone will have other and personal favorites.
I personally missed the magic a little bit. I understand that the power of this book is how realistic the situations of the characters are, how the themes of the magical tales still work in the real world where we're stuck, but for me magic and fairytales are always a little bit connected. However, in a way this collection also reminded me a lot of Tell Me A Story, a tv series that had two seasons a few years back. And when I say that, I totally mean it as a compliment!
What I loved most about these stories is the modern feel of most of them. The authors found the themes and messages of the original tales and wrote mostly contemporary stories containing all the important elements and the same messages and themes. That automatically added a lot of diversity to this collection. We meet characters with all kind of backgrounds, skin colors and sexual preferences and it never feels forced or out of place.
Like with every story collection I liked some stories more than others. Sometimes it's simply because I don't like the original fairytale to begin with (the originals are included, by the way, which is amazing!), which makes it hard to appreciate the retelling. In other cases it could be the writing style that didn't click or the tone of a story. However, that was all personal taste. All stories are of high quality and are unique and worth reading. I'm certain everyone will have other and personal favorites.
I personally missed the magic a little bit. I understand that the power of this book is how realistic the situations of the characters are, how the themes of the magical tales still work in the real world where we're stuck, but for me magic and fairytales are always a little bit connected. However, in a way this collection also reminded me a lot of Tell Me A Story, a tv series that had two seasons a few years back. And when I say that, I totally mean it as a compliment!
annamickreads's review
4.0
In the past year, I've read a number of anthologies, and I have to say "At Midnight" ranks as one of my favorites of the year! Maybe it's the idea of a fairy tale retelling that I found so compelling, but I feel like fairy tale inspiration/retellings are one of those things where whatever the author decides to do (i.e. how true to the original the author chooses to stay vs a more loose interpretation) it always turns out thoughtful and gorgeous and interesting. Fairy tales allow authors to dig their hands into the well of creativity and play and I think that's really exciting for both the writer and the reader.
Honestly I put off this anthology for a bit because I knew fairy tale retellings would be inspiring, I was right!! This wave of fairytale retellings we've seen in the book realm has truly only begun and I hope that all of these authors consider writing more.
A few (but not all) of the stories I liked: "In the Forests of the Night" "Say My Name" "Coyote in High-Top Sneakers" "Once Bitten, Twice Shy," "The Emperor and the Eversong" and "A Story About a Girl"
Honestly I put off this anthology for a bit because I knew fairy tale retellings would be inspiring, I was right!! This wave of fairytale retellings we've seen in the book realm has truly only begun and I hope that all of these authors consider writing more.
A few (but not all) of the stories I liked: "In the Forests of the Night" "Say My Name" "Coyote in High-Top Sneakers" "Once Bitten, Twice Shy," "The Emperor and the Eversong" and "A Story About a Girl"
qace90's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
4.25
Audio is my cheat code to actually read and finish an anthology! I really enjoyed this overall though there were a couple I DNFed and I refuse to read Meredith Russo. Stacy Lee, Rebecca Podos, and Hafsah Faizal’s were my favorites and I fully intend to pick up more books from them.
jordanez's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Transphobia, Murder, Child death, Child abuse, Cannibalism, and Gore
barefootmegz's review
4.0
Ever since I did an online course about Fairytales and Young Adult Literature years ago, I’ve been a little bit obsessed with fairytales, and how they repeat in literature. And while the bookish world seems to have a variable relationship with retellings, I find that with enough suspension of disbelief, and a willingness to “plumb their depths” (Adler, foreword), retellings by good writers can be quite fantastical.
The original tales are included in the back, and I enjoyed first reading an original, and then its relevant retelling.
A rundown:
Sugarplum, Anna-Marie McLemore: I loved this sapphic ballet-inspired musing on free will.
In the Forests of the Night, Gita Trelease: a gruesome gothic-like tale of feminist victory over colonialist patriarchy, set in India. I’m used to completely realistic stories set in India, so this heavy dose of magic was a refreshing change.
Say My Name, Dahlia Adler: a series of dark twists and ulterior motives, leaving the reader fittingly conflicted about heroes and villains. I really don't think the foot-in-linoleum-floor bit was necessary though - the retelling was clear enough without it.
Fire & Rhinestone, Stacey Lee: historical fiction set in late-19th Century NYC, featuring an Asian American girl and her ancient grandmother. One of the saddest of the lot, beautifully told.
Mother’s Mirror, H. E. Edgmon: a coming-of-age story of a trans-man, leaning in to himself and all his complexities.
Sharp as any Thorn, Rory Power: a somewhat confusing story, dark and murderous, featuring domestic violence, manipulation, and a complicated sisterhood. Left me wanting more.
Coyote in High-Top Sneakers, Darcie Little Badger: you know those fairytales where the good guy plays a clever trick on the bad guy? This is it!
The Sister Switch, Melissa Albert: I can see what the author was trying to do, but I think it would definitely be better as a short play. A little Stephen King-esque!
Once Bitten, Twice Shy, Hafsah Faizal: a story of morality, cultural expectations, and scheming; featuring a Muslim family and a fearless hijabi-daughter. I love that a crisis of culture/faith is NOT central to this story.
A Flame so Bright, Malinda Lo: a sapphic story full of forbidden desire, with just a hint at [b:The Lottery|6219656|The Lottery|Shirley Jackson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348757577l/6219656._SY75_.jpg|15161007].
The Emperor and the Eversong, Tracy Deonn: to me, this wasn’t really a retelling, just a transposition to a different setting.
Hea, Alex London: my favourite of them all! Influencer fame, drag, and innocent first love.
The Littlest Mermaid, Meredith Russo: I love this flipped version from the mermaid’s point of view, deftly tackling themes of the gender binary and none-monogamy vs eternal love.
Just a Little Bite, Roselle Lim: one of the most gruesome, in an unputdownable way.
A Story About a Girl: the framing device was weird, and maybe not even necessary. Interesting twist, though.
Thanks to Netgalley and Titan Books for the free eARC, in exchange for an honest review.
The original tales are included in the back, and I enjoyed first reading an original, and then its relevant retelling.
A rundown:
Sugarplum, Anna-Marie McLemore: I loved this sapphic ballet-inspired musing on free will.
In the Forests of the Night, Gita Trelease: a gruesome gothic-like tale of feminist victory over colonialist patriarchy, set in India. I’m used to completely realistic stories set in India, so this heavy dose of magic was a refreshing change.
Say My Name, Dahlia Adler: a series of dark twists and ulterior motives, leaving the reader fittingly conflicted about heroes and villains. I really don't think the foot-in-linoleum-floor bit was necessary though - the retelling was clear enough without it.
Fire & Rhinestone, Stacey Lee: historical fiction set in late-19th Century NYC, featuring an Asian American girl and her ancient grandmother. One of the saddest of the lot, beautifully told.
Mother’s Mirror, H. E. Edgmon: a coming-of-age story of a trans-man, leaning in to himself and all his complexities.
Sharp as any Thorn, Rory Power: a somewhat confusing story, dark and murderous, featuring domestic violence, manipulation, and a complicated sisterhood. Left me wanting more.
Coyote in High-Top Sneakers, Darcie Little Badger: you know those fairytales where the good guy plays a clever trick on the bad guy? This is it!
The Sister Switch, Melissa Albert: I can see what the author was trying to do, but I think it would definitely be better as a short play. A little Stephen King-esque!
Once Bitten, Twice Shy, Hafsah Faizal: a story of morality, cultural expectations, and scheming; featuring a Muslim family and a fearless hijabi-daughter. I love that a crisis of culture/faith is NOT central to this story.
A Flame so Bright, Malinda Lo: a sapphic story full of forbidden desire, with just a hint at [b:The Lottery|6219656|The Lottery|Shirley Jackson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348757577l/6219656._SY75_.jpg|15161007].
The Emperor and the Eversong, Tracy Deonn: to me, this wasn’t really a retelling, just a transposition to a different setting.
Hea, Alex London: my favourite of them all! Influencer fame, drag, and innocent first love.
The Littlest Mermaid, Meredith Russo: I love this flipped version from the mermaid’s point of view, deftly tackling themes of the gender binary and none-monogamy vs eternal love.
Just a Little Bite, Roselle Lim: one of the most gruesome, in an unputdownable way.
A Story About a Girl: the framing device was weird, and maybe not even necessary. Interesting twist, though.
Thanks to Netgalley and Titan Books for the free eARC, in exchange for an honest review.