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sarahlreadseverything's review against another edition
3.0
Like all anthologies, this one was a mixed bag. But I came into it only knowing a few of the authors, and there's a few others I'll be looking up now.
Although the overall collection probably averaged out at a three for me, my highlights were:
- How to Marry a Winged King by AJ Lancaster: this had a slow start, but absolutely charmed me by the end. As always, I loved and appreciated the distinctive Kiwi undertones in AJ Lancaster's writing, she always makes me end up feeling a little bit homesick (in a good way).
-Heartfall by Lisette Marshall: a fun and unexpected twist on Rapunzel
- Into the Bargain, by Colleen Cowley: I really enjoy Cowley's Clandestine Magic world and it was lovely to return to it with some new characters
- Idyllwild, by Maria Vale: A unique take on an old concept that has allegories into today
- Her Majesty's Wolf, by L. Penelope: This dystopian, gender-flipped Red Riding Hood opened up a really interesting world that I'd very happily read more in.
- Back to the Woods, by Jennie Lynn Roberts: a grown-up, long-parted Hansel and Gretel find their way back to each other; I loved how this fairy-tale was used to look at the pain of relationships lost and how they can be regained.
- The Sadder but Wiser Girl, by CM Nacosta: this was my first foray into CM Nacosta, who has been taking certain parts of the clock app by storm for the last wee while, but is generally in the "too spicy for me" category. She's still in the "too spicy for me" category but I'm a sucker for Beauty and the Beast and this was a lovely retelling.
I also really appreciated the trigger notes that began each entry in this collection, which allowed me to skip one story where I knew the contents really wouldn't be for me.
My problem with most of the entries that I found weaker was just the underdevelopment that is all too easy to fall foul of in the short story format. Though, there was one (Call of the Dark Piper by Zoey Ellis) that to my reading felt icky from a consent perspective in a way I just couldn't get over - even though it was very well written.
Also it has to be said that the collection suffers from a frankly rubbish forward, that despite being contributed by authors that might technically be better known than most of those in the collection, was flippant and doesn't do it justice.
Although the overall collection probably averaged out at a three for me, my highlights were:
- How to Marry a Winged King by AJ Lancaster: this had a slow start, but absolutely charmed me by the end. As always, I loved and appreciated the distinctive Kiwi undertones in AJ Lancaster's writing, she always makes me end up feeling a little bit homesick (in a good way).
-Heartfall by Lisette Marshall: a fun and unexpected twist on Rapunzel
- Into the Bargain, by Colleen Cowley: I really enjoy Cowley's Clandestine Magic world and it was lovely to return to it with some new characters
- Idyllwild, by Maria Vale: A unique take on an old concept that has allegories into today
- Her Majesty's Wolf, by L. Penelope: This dystopian, gender-flipped Red Riding Hood opened up a really interesting world that I'd very happily read more in.
- Back to the Woods, by Jennie Lynn Roberts: a grown-up, long-parted Hansel and Gretel find their way back to each other; I loved how this fairy-tale was used to look at the pain of relationships lost and how they can be regained.
- The Sadder but Wiser Girl, by CM Nacosta: this was my first foray into CM Nacosta, who has been taking certain parts of the clock app by storm for the last wee while, but is generally in the "too spicy for me" category. She's still in the "too spicy for me" category but I'm a sucker for Beauty and the Beast and this was a lovely retelling.
I also really appreciated the trigger notes that began each entry in this collection, which allowed me to skip one story where I knew the contents really wouldn't be for me.
My problem with most of the entries that I found weaker was just the underdevelopment that is all too easy to fall foul of in the short story format. Though, there was one (Call of the Dark Piper by Zoey Ellis) that to my reading felt icky from a consent perspective in a way I just couldn't get over - even though it was very well written.
Also it has to be said that the collection suffers from a frankly rubbish forward, that despite being contributed by authors that might technically be better known than most of those in the collection, was flippant and doesn't do it justice.
atrailofpages's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun anthology to read! If you love fairytales, and fairytale retellings, then you'll enjoy this series of varying fairytale retellings. This ranges from Rapunzel, Red Hiding Hood, Beauty and the Beast to Hansel and Gretel and other maybe not as well known fairytales. And then the romance and spice...it ranges from just one flame to 5 flames and more! And not to menti0n every trope you can think of!
I highly recommend it if you love fairytale retellings with varying ranges of spice! I received a free digital copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I highly recommend it if you love fairytale retellings with varying ranges of spice! I received a free digital copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
psyckers's review against another edition
4.0
This is a wonderful collection of stories that we are all familiar with, that have been re-imagined into a more 'adult' fantasy stories. The character profiles, motivations, desires have been modernised with more familiar and romantic slant.
The short stories have each been rated in 'heat levels', which is a good indicator of how the passion flows in the stories. Still, it may be a little unwise to read some of these stories on the train/ bus, going to work.
So if you into reading about fantastical creatures longing for desire, like magical beings that want to show you what true love is, this is a fantastic collection of stories that is worth reading.
The short stories have each been rated in 'heat levels', which is a good indicator of how the passion flows in the stories. Still, it may be a little unwise to read some of these stories on the train/ bus, going to work.
So if you into reading about fantastical creatures longing for desire, like magical beings that want to show you what true love is, this is a fantastic collection of stories that is worth reading.
ariloves2read's review against another edition
4.0
I have to say, I love a book with all different interpretations of fairy tales especially for adults. I loved that they used the candles for the level of spice and they did not disappoint. This book won me over because not only did it give us sample writings for different authors but it gave us a little paragraph of what the authors like to write. I would definitely take a chance on this book, didn't disappoint.
adrierising's review against another edition
5.0
i’ll be honest, i only got this for cm nascosta’s story. a+
bookishwbritt's review against another edition
4.0
If you love fairytales and want a fun-filled anthology with different levels of spice, this is for you. I had a lot of fun reading this anthology and each story. Some I definitely preferred more than others, but that’s to be expected. Overall, I loved it
sophieannalysa's review against another edition
2.0
The first story gets 5 stars. The rest of the book was full of underdeveloped characters/plots, or very odd smut that felt completely unrelated to fairy tales at all. Like, warn me if I’m buying werewolf shifter stuff wtf I wanted the fairy tale romance retellings
bibliophile90's review against another edition
4.0
**ARC provided in exchange for an honest review**
- Idyllwild by Maria Vale (4 stars)
Maria Vale is the only author from this anthology whose books I have read before. So I was really looking forward to what story she would write. Idyllwild is a retelling of Cernunnos, Lord of the Wild Things. This was the first time I ever heard of this Gaelic god of beasts and wild places (I had to google him). Even though the story was short Maria was able to grab my attention with her original plot and intriguing characters. The whole concept of female demonkeepers was very unique and I would've loved for this story to be a full-length novel. Nevertheless, I really thought the author did an incredible job with this story and I felt a great connection with the characters.
- By the Skin of a Bear by November Dawn (4 stars)
A retelling of Bearskin (French Version) Witch Cori helps her best friend escape a political mating with Rheon, a beast of an alpha shifter. From the first moment Cori meets Rheon she is incredibly attracted to him and wants to claim him herself. However, Rheon is hellbent on claiming a spot in the shifter council and the easiest way to do so is to marry a princess. But eventually, he realizes that Cori is the right person for him. I really loved Cori's determination and Rheon's broody personality. He was a bit hard-headed but fortunately realized that Cori was the right mate for him.
- Seducing the King by Trish Heinrich (4 stars)
I am a huge fan of shifter romances, and Seducing the King was such a steamy and incredibly hot story. The age gap was a bonus and I loved seeing the characters not being able to resist each other. Trish did a great job with this book and I was sad when it ended. This was a retelling of Cinderella.
I have also read:
- Heartfall by Lisette Marshall (3 stars)
- Blood Dance by Vela Roth (3 stars)
- Idyllwild by Maria Vale (4 stars)
Maria Vale is the only author from this anthology whose books I have read before. So I was really looking forward to what story she would write. Idyllwild is a retelling of Cernunnos, Lord of the Wild Things. This was the first time I ever heard of this Gaelic god of beasts and wild places (I had to google him). Even though the story was short Maria was able to grab my attention with her original plot and intriguing characters. The whole concept of female demonkeepers was very unique and I would've loved for this story to be a full-length novel. Nevertheless, I really thought the author did an incredible job with this story and I felt a great connection with the characters.
- By the Skin of a Bear by November Dawn (4 stars)
A retelling of Bearskin (French Version) Witch Cori helps her best friend escape a political mating with Rheon, a beast of an alpha shifter. From the first moment Cori meets Rheon she is incredibly attracted to him and wants to claim him herself. However, Rheon is hellbent on claiming a spot in the shifter council and the easiest way to do so is to marry a princess. But eventually, he realizes that Cori is the right person for him. I really loved Cori's determination and Rheon's broody personality. He was a bit hard-headed but fortunately realized that Cori was the right mate for him.
- Seducing the King by Trish Heinrich (4 stars)
I am a huge fan of shifter romances, and Seducing the King was such a steamy and incredibly hot story. The age gap was a bonus and I loved seeing the characters not being able to resist each other. Trish did a great job with this book and I was sad when it ended. This was a retelling of Cinderella.
I have also read:
- Heartfall by Lisette Marshall (3 stars)
- Blood Dance by Vela Roth (3 stars)
amenalf53's review against another edition
5.0
a well-done compilation
I really enjoyed this anthology of fantasy retellings. They were all original and quite well-written, and the spectrum of high and urban fantasy with a unified theme was compiled with great skill and made for an engrossing read. Most of the stories had far too much steam for my taste, but I still found things I liked about each, and I will consider reading the authors’ other works.
My favorites were Her Majesty’s Wolf and How to Marry a Winged King.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for short but well-developed retellings.
I really enjoyed this anthology of fantasy retellings. They were all original and quite well-written, and the spectrum of high and urban fantasy with a unified theme was compiled with great skill and made for an engrossing read. Most of the stories had far too much steam for my taste, but I still found things I liked about each, and I will consider reading the authors’ other works.
My favorites were Her Majesty’s Wolf and How to Marry a Winged King.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for short but well-developed retellings.