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A review by kairosdreaming
An Unnatural Beanstalk by Brittany Fichter
4.0
'An Unnatural Beanstalk' is the second book in the "Entwined" series, a series of novellas by different authors that seek to retell classic fairytales. If you couldn't tell already, this one is a re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk, although drastically different from my recollection of the original story.
Eva has been given a gift. One she doesn't want, one that doesn't help her, and one that's about to give a lot of trouble to everyone around her. Because her gift does things, and people in power want to use it to further their own agendas. Including one misguided person who has great plans for Eva. Her only hope is a boy she met once at a dance, a boy named Jack who is given some very special beans.
Eva and Jack are both great characters. They have dreams, flaws, and seek to improve themselves and their situations. Even in such a short story, there was enough character development that you got to see that growth as well. And of course the antagonist was delightfully evil in a sinister, but childlike way. I do think Jack's mother is a whole 'nother story that we'll probably have to get to, because that thread of intrigue just can't be dropped.
The plot was interesting. I don't know if it weaved other stories in, but it was definitely a unique take on the beanstalk myth. Mainly because (and I'll spoil it for you), it doesn't involve climbing or giants. The romance was thankfully more developed than the first one, and I could see why Eva and Jack actually liked each other.
Eager for the next one!
Review by M. Reynard 2020
Eva has been given a gift. One she doesn't want, one that doesn't help her, and one that's about to give a lot of trouble to everyone around her. Because her gift does things, and people in power want to use it to further their own agendas. Including one misguided person who has great plans for Eva. Her only hope is a boy she met once at a dance, a boy named Jack who is given some very special beans.
Eva and Jack are both great characters. They have dreams, flaws, and seek to improve themselves and their situations. Even in such a short story, there was enough character development that you got to see that growth as well. And of course the antagonist was delightfully evil in a sinister, but childlike way. I do think Jack's mother is a whole 'nother story that we'll probably have to get to, because that thread of intrigue just can't be dropped.
The plot was interesting. I don't know if it weaved other stories in, but it was definitely a unique take on the beanstalk myth. Mainly because (and I'll spoil it for you), it doesn't involve climbing or giants. The romance was thankfully more developed than the first one, and I could see why Eva and Jack actually liked each other.
Eager for the next one!
Review by M. Reynard 2020