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hypofocus's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was a fun ride! An alternate version of a well known story has potential to go wrong in so many ways, but I really enjoyed this particular direction! There was great attention to cultural detail that I really appreciated as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Moderate: Classism, Death of parent, Death, Body horror, and Animal death
knunderb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This book was a fun, entertaining read! It was however, annoying how long it took for them to figure out that they could just do what they did at the end. the book could have been half as long I'd they had stolen the lamp in the first place. It made the characters feel really stupid.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, and War
Minor: Death of parent
skyegbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Reading this book after the beauty and the beast twisted tale was a dire disappointment. This books is somthing that anyone could of come up with. Additionally I did not like the insta-love trope.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, War, Animal death, Child death, and Death
Minor: Alcohol
toy_masterpiece's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Torture, Death, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Child death
maxnightshade's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Minor: Torture and Child death
joisaddler's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, War, and Violence
angelofthetardis's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I love a good 'What If' rabbit hole. Probably because I've spent most of my life playing that game inside my head with every aspect of my daily life. So at least when it happens in fiction, I can relax knowing it will have no disastrous real world consequences! As a result, I'm intrigued by the Disney Twisted Tales series - taking our favourite Disney stories and turning them on their heads to show a darker alternative.
The first in the series is about Aladdin, and what would have happened if Jafar had been the one to first summon the Genie. It's definitely darker, that's for sure! I found it incredibly difficult to place the Disney characters within this context, but it wasn't a bad thing. They all felt less cartoonish, more three dimensional - in some respects I'd compare it to watching the live action version when you're a fan of the original animation... you still recognise everything, but it strikes you in a completely different way.
There are a few moments in here that you would never see in a Disney movie, which actually adds to the 'grown up' feel of the books. The story explores themes like poverty, (in)equality and forced marriage far more explicitly than the film, and in places feels like it's giving quite a serious commentary on the issues. However, that doesn't detract from the entertainment value and actually fits in very nicely.
I also like that they give Jasmine (and the other women) far more agency. She's not just a Disney Princess; in this, she has far more of a 'Princess Leia' vibe going on - far more capable than people give her credit for! It feels like a better balance between Aladdin and Jasmine and really gives her character some depth. But again, this does mean I cannot imagine the Disney animated characters when reading - they just don't fit.
Which brings me on to the biggest disappointment - the Genie. Now, I know he's in a tough spot in this book and so isn't going to be as genial as you'd hope, but my goodness does the character feel lacking and flat. It's 100% down to Robin Williams inhabiting that character so incredibly; it's impossible for any other version to match up! The author has tried to keep some of the attitude about the Genie, but it just doesn't work without his manic energy and incredible improv skills. Basically, it needed him to write the part.
So Aladdin isn't my favourite Disney movie, but I can appreciate the attempt at giving it a change of direction.
The first in the series is about Aladdin, and what would have happened if Jafar had been the one to first summon the Genie. It's definitely darker, that's for sure! I found it incredibly difficult to place the Disney characters within this context, but it wasn't a bad thing. They all felt less cartoonish, more three dimensional - in some respects I'd compare it to watching the live action version when you're a fan of the original animation... you still recognise everything, but it strikes you in a completely different way.
There are a few moments in here that you would never see in a Disney movie, which actually adds to the 'grown up' feel of the books. The story explores themes like poverty, (in)equality and forced marriage far more explicitly than the film, and in places feels like it's giving quite a serious commentary on the issues. However, that doesn't detract from the entertainment value and actually fits in very nicely.
I also like that they give Jasmine (and the other women) far more agency. She's not just a Disney Princess; in this, she has far more of a 'Princess Leia' vibe going on - far more capable than people give her credit for! It feels like a better balance between Aladdin and Jasmine and really gives her character some depth. But again, this does mean I cannot imagine the Disney animated characters when reading - they just don't fit.
Which brings me on to the biggest disappointment - the Genie. Now, I know he's in a tough spot in this book and so isn't going to be as genial as you'd hope, but my goodness does the character feel lacking and flat. It's 100% down to Robin Williams inhabiting that character so incredibly; it's impossible for any other version to match up! The author has tried to keep some of the attitude about the Genie, but it just doesn't work without his manic energy and incredible improv skills. Basically, it needed him to write the part.
So Aladdin isn't my favourite Disney movie, but I can appreciate the attempt at giving it a change of direction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
holiday7's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I'm not really the biggest fan of Aladdin. But I kind of liked this one. It was pretty good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Blood, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Police brutality, and Animal death
kibbles15's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Torture, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Murder, and Blood
Moderate: Bullying and War
Minor: Misogyny
asahome's review against another edition
1.5
A man loses his mind and destroys my childhood.
I think this ruined my childhood... I mean, I know that sounds dramatic, but while reading the required book, I wanted to put it down so many times. I forced myself to finish, but it was so dark. So sad... It made me so sad to think about how far people were willing to go to get power. Madness is not something that can be predicted. I finished this book and don't know if I'll continue with this series of books.
I think this ruined my childhood... I mean, I know that sounds dramatic, but while reading the required book, I wanted to put it down so many times. I forced myself to finish, but it was so dark. So sad... It made me so sad to think about how far people were willing to go to get power. Madness is not something that can be predicted. I finished this book and don't know if I'll continue with this series of books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Grief, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Murder, and Police brutality
Minor: Confinement and Animal death