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A review by drakonreads
Two Tales Dark and Grim: The Key/The Brothers Piggett by Julie Kagawa, Rachel Hawkins
4.0
Note: I don't usually read short stories.
The stories are interesting to various degrees.
The Key, 3.5/5
is interesting but doesn't seem to have anything to do with the title.
Figment, 3/5
is not my favorite. I feel sorry for Figment, the guy has an odd idea of his morals.
The Twelfth Girl, 3/5
also not my favorite mostly because I don't consider partying your life away to be a fun way to life.
The Raven Princess, 5/5
liked the take on the whole damsel in distress story. It vaguely reminds me of the 12 ravens story, but as a concept. I liked the more traditional folk style of the story.
Thinner Than Water, 4/5
boy was I surprised by this one. I liked the Roman feel to it but the ending sure is different from the version the Grimms recorded.
Before the Rose Bloomed, A Retelling of the Snow Queen, 4/5
The story wasn't too different from the original but I liked the back story the author added to the beginning. Not sure what to think of the format though.
Beast/Beast, 4.5/5
It kind of surprised me at the end. It is one of two beauty and the beast stories in the book. Generally I'm a sucker for a good Beauty and the Beast story (can't say there is many well done ones) but this one tries not to end in Stockholm syndrome.
The Brothers Piggett, 3/5
Three little pigs, not my favorite story. Interesting ending though, nice message: if you let it happen then you are part of the problem.
Untethered, 2/5
Nice twist, but no meaning/point behind the story. The only thing it has going for it is the plot twist.
Better, 3.5/5
Interesting, reminding me of Pinocchio but not. The better robot (though she's not really a robot) story. The story, though has a bad misconception of mind-uploading (though I am hoping that that's not how she did it) Dead is dead is dead. A copy is only a copy until it is added on to, then it is something new.
Light It Up, 3.5/5
Hansel and Gretel, doesn't have the same feel when they aren't kids. Less supernatural and more realistic modern retelling.
Sharper Than A Serpent's Tongue, 3.5/5
Oh boy was this one taken out of context (pretty sure this is the retelling of Mother Holle or Frau Holle). I situation is different than in the version rewritten by the Grimms and makes the story seem illogical. The story in the Grimm Fairy Tales is about being kind and lending a helping hand but this story turns it into not being a door mat (which makes the punishment of the sister more frustrating). Read the original Frau Holle story to understand the change in the story.
A Real Boy, 4/5
Annoyed with this slightly. As a story I like it, but on a more factual level I'm slightly cringing. I like the whole robotics, futuristic world that was constructed. I'm only annoyed with the idea of the AI and how it's supposed to be "like a human." AI can simulate human behavior and understanding but acting and being are two different things. I found the message at the end really cute: you can be as intelligent as you want but you cant avoid feelings.
Skin Trade, 3.5/5
This one was creepy and the romance in this one was oddly placed.
Beauty and the Chad, 4.5/5
This one surprised me. It was cute and funny.
The Pink: A Grimm Story, 4/5
This is the retelling of The Pink Flower, there were some considerable changes compared to the story in the Grimm's book. The story in this book is more focused on the son later and doesn't follow the mother's adventure (which not mentioned in this version, which isn't a bad thing in the slightest). It's interesting, liked the traditional style of the story.
Sell Out, 3.5/5
I'm not sure if the author based this on the "true loves kiss" and making it an ability. Idea is interesting but the ending is weird. Just because she is an artist doesn't mean she still isn't a jerk (I don't really understand what how that was supposed to mean anything).
The stories are interesting to various degrees.
The Key, 3.5/5
is interesting but doesn't seem to have anything to do with the title.
Figment, 3/5
is not my favorite. I feel sorry for Figment, the guy has an odd idea of his morals.
The Twelfth Girl, 3/5
also not my favorite mostly because I don't consider partying your life away to be a fun way to life.
The Raven Princess, 5/5
liked the take on the whole damsel in distress story. It vaguely reminds me of the 12 ravens story, but as a concept. I liked the more traditional folk style of the story.
Thinner Than Water, 4/5
boy was I surprised by this one. I liked the Roman feel to it but the ending sure is different from the version the Grimms recorded.
Before the Rose Bloomed, A Retelling of the Snow Queen, 4/5
The story wasn't too different from the original but I liked the back story the author added to the beginning. Not sure what to think of the format though.
Beast/Beast, 4.5/5
It kind of surprised me at the end. It is one of two beauty and the beast stories in the book. Generally I'm a sucker for a good Beauty and the Beast story (can't say there is many well done ones) but this one tries not to end in Stockholm syndrome.
The Brothers Piggett, 3/5
Three little pigs, not my favorite story. Interesting ending though, nice message: if you let it happen then you are part of the problem.
Untethered, 2/5
Nice twist, but no meaning/point behind the story. The only thing it has going for it is the plot twist.
Better, 3.5/5
Interesting, reminding me of Pinocchio but not. The better robot (though she's not really a robot) story. The story, though has a bad misconception of mind-uploading (though I am hoping that that's not how she did it) Dead is dead is dead. A copy is only a copy until it is added on to, then it is something new.
Light It Up, 3.5/5
Hansel and Gretel, doesn't have the same feel when they aren't kids. Less supernatural and more realistic modern retelling.
Sharper Than A Serpent's Tongue, 3.5/5
Oh boy was this one taken out of context (pretty sure this is the retelling of Mother Holle or Frau Holle). I situation is different than in the version rewritten by the Grimms and makes the story seem illogical. The story in the Grimm Fairy Tales is about being kind and lending a helping hand but this story turns it into not being a door mat (which makes the punishment of the sister more frustrating). Read the original Frau Holle story to understand the change in the story.
A Real Boy, 4/5
Annoyed with this slightly. As a story I like it, but on a more factual level I'm slightly cringing. I like the whole robotics, futuristic world that was constructed. I'm only annoyed with the idea of the AI and how it's supposed to be "like a human." AI can simulate human behavior and understanding but acting and being are two different things. I found the message at the end really cute: you can be as intelligent as you want but you cant avoid feelings.
Skin Trade, 3.5/5
This one was creepy and the romance in this one was oddly placed.
Beauty and the Chad, 4.5/5
This one surprised me. It was cute and funny.
The Pink: A Grimm Story, 4/5
This is the retelling of The Pink Flower, there were some considerable changes compared to the story in the Grimm's book. The story in this book is more focused on the son later and doesn't follow the mother's adventure (which not mentioned in this version, which isn't a bad thing in the slightest). It's interesting, liked the traditional style of the story.
Sell Out, 3.5/5
I'm not sure if the author based this on the "true loves kiss" and making it an ability. Idea is interesting but the ending is weird. Just because she is an artist doesn't mean she still isn't a jerk (I don't really understand what how that was supposed to mean anything).