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smagzisreading's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness and Violence
javafenn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I absolutely love this style of reimagined multiverse fairy tale stories. They are intriguing and so fun! The whole “sick and dying girl who is self destructive” narrative got a little tiring this time around but the story was still great. I really love that the villains are given a voice behind why they were perceived as villains. This was a great listen and a great idea!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness and Terminal illness
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Lesbophobia, Blood, Confinement, Cursing, Infertility, and Terminal illness
savvyrosereads's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
This is the second book in the Fractured Fables series, a set of novellas that retell classic fairy tales.
The first book in this series, A Spindle Splintered, was my last read of 2021, so I knew I wanted to make A Mirror Mended my last read of 2022 (yay, symmetry!) and I’m so glad I did. I absolutely adore fairy tale retellings in general, and the fact that these are so wildly fun, funny, feminist, and original makes me happy. Zinnia is an outstanding lead character, and her journey is inspiring without being saccharine and dark while still remaining hopeful.
In general, if you like quick reads and retellings, you absolutely have to pick these up. And if you’re not already an Alix E. Harrow superfan, allow me to be the one to tell you that you should be (her novels both rank among my all-time favorites!)
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: retellings; dark-but-hopeful stories; fast reads
CW: Kidnapping; confinement; torture; discussion of terminal illness
This is the second book in the Fractured Fables series, a set of novellas that retell classic fairy tales.
The first book in this series, A Spindle Splintered, was my last read of 2021, so I knew I wanted to make A Mirror Mended my last read of 2022 (yay, symmetry!) and I’m so glad I did. I absolutely adore fairy tale retellings in general, and the fact that these are so wildly fun, funny, feminist, and original makes me happy. Zinnia is an outstanding lead character, and her journey is inspiring without being saccharine and dark while still remaining hopeful.
In general, if you like quick reads and retellings, you absolutely have to pick these up. And if you’re not already an Alix E. Harrow superfan, allow me to be the one to tell you that you should be (her novels both rank among my all-time favorites!)
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: retellings; dark-but-hopeful stories; fast reads
CW: Kidnapping; confinement; torture; discussion of terminal illness
Content Warnings
Moderate: Terminal illness and Violence
mothie_girlie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Gore
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Confinement
ishouldreadthat's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
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? It's complicated
4.0
If you've ever wanted to make out with Maleficent, this book is for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
awebofstories's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
After reading this book, I realized something very quickly: it has the same plot as Marvel's Dr. Strange and the Multiverse of Magic. There is nothing wrong with that--superhero movies are modern fairy tales, and fairy tales have familiar tropes. It also shows that this story doesn't need fancy special effects or lazy misogyny (looking at you, Marvel) to succeed.
Zinnia has been jumping around various Sleeping Beauty stories for a few years now, and then, one day, she ends up in Snow White's story. But she's not with Snow White, she's with the Evil Stepmother, who is really, really sick of being a villain. Harrow uses the jumping-off point to use the idea of a multiverse to develop her characters deeply. I think I may have enjoyed this book more than its predecessor.
I am greatly enjoying these Fractured Fairy Tales, and I hope that Harrow continues to keep them coming. I mean, aren't we due for a Cinderella tale?
Zinnia has been jumping around various Sleeping Beauty stories for a few years now, and then, one day, she ends up in Snow White's story. But she's not with Snow White, she's with the Evil Stepmother, who is really, really sick of being a villain. Harrow uses the jumping-off point to use the idea of a multiverse to develop her characters deeply. I think I may have enjoyed this book more than its predecessor.
I am greatly enjoying these Fractured Fairy Tales, and I hope that Harrow continues to keep them coming. I mean, aren't we due for a Cinderella tale?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture and Terminal illness
purplatypus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Terminal illness, Kidnapping, Confinement, Chronic illness, and Torture
Minor: Alcohol, Medical content, Sexual content, and Murder
bookmaddie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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
4.0
This is a really fun, delightful (if a bit dark) novella. It has the perfect balance of plot, character development, and sweet moments that make your heart happy. I feel like the last novella I read from Tor was a bit more literary, and it was fun to read one that is more approachable and conversational. This story is about redemption (in many ways) and features magic, fairy tales, beautiful friendships, and wlw romance.. like what more could you ask for?
While I didn't read the first novella in this series, it was super easy to pick up and understand who the main character is, and how her magic works. I even think I'd go back to read the first one, especially since these are books you can easily read in a single sitting! Perfect for spooky season, when you just need something fun and magical to dig your teeth into.
Thanks to book club for spurring me to read this!! I always forget novellas are a thing and I need to read more of them STAT!
While I didn't read the first novella in this series, it was super easy to pick up and understand who the main character is, and how her magic works. I even think I'd go back to read the first one, especially since these are books you can easily read in a single sitting! Perfect for spooky season, when you just need something fun and magical to dig your teeth into.
Thanks to book club for spurring me to read this!! I always forget novellas are a thing and I need to read more of them STAT!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
wrensreadingroom's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, War, Vomit, Alcohol, Blood, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Terminal illness, Death, Child death, Cursing, Infertility, Kidnapping, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Grief, and Confinement
victoriousbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness and Terminal illness
Moderate: Cannibalism
Minor: Blood and Violence