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bekah445's review against another edition
It was honestly really good, I just lost momentum. Would definitely come back and finish later
tlfuller13's review
4.0
I love fairytales retold by different authors and this is a great collection of some most common authors telling their versions of their favorites. Some take place in today's world, so take place in the times that they originated, either way, a fun and enjoyable read.
innowen's review
5.0
Disclaimer: I received an eARC from netgally in exchange for this review.
I've always wanted to read Datlow and Windling's fairy tale series. Color me surprised when I saw this title being re-released?, eBookified?, on netgalley. I collect books on re-imagined fairy tales. I think it's important to honor both the traditional stories from which we've learned important morals from, as well as updating the stories to fit our changing culture. Datlow and Windling have this to say about these stories, "Like the wizards who roam through enchanted woods, the tales themselves are shape-shifters: elusive, mysterious, mutable, capable of wearing many different forms." What a perfect description of fairy tales in themselves. With this in mind, I opened the eBook and dove in.
The stories are amazing. Each one has a short preface written by the editors giving information about each author and the original fairy tale from with their adaptation came from. The stories range from traditional fantasy, to contemporary fantasy, to some horror. I also liked the wide variety of sources each story came from. Some are very familiar, while others came from further corners of the world, unknown to me.
If you love mythic fantasy, and have been waiting for this book to come out in eBook format, I recommend you grab it now. So many good stories, and quotes to choose from.
I've always wanted to read Datlow and Windling's fairy tale series. Color me surprised when I saw this title being re-released?, eBookified?, on netgalley. I collect books on re-imagined fairy tales. I think it's important to honor both the traditional stories from which we've learned important morals from, as well as updating the stories to fit our changing culture. Datlow and Windling have this to say about these stories, "Like the wizards who roam through enchanted woods, the tales themselves are shape-shifters: elusive, mysterious, mutable, capable of wearing many different forms." What a perfect description of fairy tales in themselves. With this in mind, I opened the eBook and dove in.
The stories are amazing. Each one has a short preface written by the editors giving information about each author and the original fairy tale from with their adaptation came from. The stories range from traditional fantasy, to contemporary fantasy, to some horror. I also liked the wide variety of sources each story came from. Some are very familiar, while others came from further corners of the world, unknown to me.
If you love mythic fantasy, and have been waiting for this book to come out in eBook format, I recommend you grab it now. So many good stories, and quotes to choose from.
srivalli's review
4.0
3.7 Stars
As with every anthology, this one also has a few hits and misses. The misses seem to be more, but the hits are very good. The book has 21 pieces (19 stories and 2 poems).
My favorites:
No Bigger than my Thumb by Esther M. Friesner- creepish but good
In the Insomniac Night by Joyce Carol Oates- crazy, insane, twisted
The Trial of Hansel and Gretel by Garry Kilworth- too good
Rapunzel by Anne Bishop- lovely
Sparks by Gregory Frost- interesting
The Reverend’s Wife- fun
True Thomas by Bruce Glassco- interesting, engaging
The True Story by Pat Murphy- wonderful
*******
Read the full review
As with every anthology, this one also has a few hits and misses. The misses seem to be more, but the hits are very good. The book has 21 pieces (19 stories and 2 poems).
My favorites:
No Bigger than my Thumb by Esther M. Friesner- creepish but good
In the Insomniac Night by Joyce Carol Oates- crazy, insane, twisted
The Trial of Hansel and Gretel by Garry Kilworth- too good
Rapunzel by Anne Bishop- lovely
Sparks by Gregory Frost- interesting
The Reverend’s Wife- fun
True Thomas by Bruce Glassco- interesting, engaging
The True Story by Pat Murphy- wonderful
*******
Read the full review
eupomene's review
4.0
Especially enjoyed the one about the true story of Snow White's stepmother - how kind she really was but how time made her into a witch. Time and jealous men. I love it when we "take back" the older female roles like that.
Fairy tales can really mirror the sad parts of our world - and our mastery of those parts. And in these modern tales, the women don't always need a handsome prince. It is such fun to see the different storytelling angles writers take with the old stories.
Fairy tales can really mirror the sad parts of our world - and our mastery of those parts. And in these modern tales, the women don't always need a handsome prince. It is such fun to see the different storytelling angles writers take with the old stories.
abetterjulie's review
2.0
I didn't care for most of these adaptations, but I did love True Thomas by Bruce Glassco. The other three I liked were The Reverend's Wife by Midori Snyder, On Lickerish Hill by Susanna Clarke, and Godmother Death by Jane Yolen.
taisie22's review
4.0
I got this anthology because I love all things Anne Bishop and she has a story in here. I found it a mixed bag, but on the whole I enjoyed most of the stories. This anthology is a retelling of classic and old fairy tales, some by well-known authors like Jane Yolen and Joyce Carol Oates and others I didn't know.
Anne Bishop's Rapunzel retelling is a favorite, told in multiple POVs. I also liked Michael Cadman's The Flounder's Kiss, On Lickerish Hill by Susanna Clarke, True Thomas by Bruce Glassco, and Godmother Death by Jane Yolen.
Many of these stories are dark though, in truth, most fairy tales are also dark and full of monsters, murder, and mayhem. I'm sure other readers would like ones that I didn't care for; there's really something for everyone here to enjoy.
Anne Bishop's Rapunzel retelling is a favorite, told in multiple POVs. I also liked Michael Cadman's The Flounder's Kiss, On Lickerish Hill by Susanna Clarke, True Thomas by Bruce Glassco, and Godmother Death by Jane Yolen.
Many of these stories are dark though, in truth, most fairy tales are also dark and full of monsters, murder, and mayhem. I'm sure other readers would like ones that I didn't care for; there's really something for everyone here to enjoy.
pepperandpages's review
3.0
This was a DNF for me. I read over half the stories and poems in this book and I just found most of them had weird and confusing narration. I didn't mind Anne Bishop's Rapunzel which had a really good start but then got a little bit weird at the end. Some of the stories and poems were also so short that you couldn't really get a feeling for what the author was trying to do. I usually love these two when they come together for anthologies, but this one was not my favorite, and I was really disappointed by it.
overhillunderhill's review
3.0
Like all short story collections, there are good and not so good. I think most that I thought not so good were just not my taste. I will say there are some weird ass interpretations in this collection.