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A review by srivalli
Once Upon a Winter: A Folk and Fairy Tale Anthology by Katherine Shaw, Joyce Reynolds-Ward, S. Markem, Jenna Smithwick, A.J. Van Belle, Caroline Logan, Laila Amado, Jake Curran-Pipe, Rebecca F. Kenney, M.J. Weatherall, Bharat Krishnan, H.L. Macfarlane, Ella Holmes, R.A. Gerritse, Josie Jaffrey, Kate Longstone, Adie Hart
4.0
3.8 Stars
One Liner: A satisfying read
Once Upon a Winter is a collection of seventeen stories, a combination of fairytale retellings and originals. The stories range from lighthearted to dark, middle grade to adult, and fantasy to romance. Readers who like multiple genres will enjoy this book more than others.
The highlight of the book is that each story was unique. No two stories felt similar, despite the common thread of fairytale and folklore themes running through them.
Listing my favorites below (in the order as printed in the book):
• The Biting Cold by Josie Jaffrey: This is fantastic. The narration pulls you right into the story and keeps you there until the end (even if you can guess what will happen).
• Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Bharat Krishnan: Read this more for acing the character’s tone rather than the storyline.
• A Pea Ever After by Adie Hart: This is probably the best retelling I’ve read in a long time. It’s just too good!
• The Snowdrop by H. L. Macfarlane: My heart went aww… reading this one. Such a sweet one, though the ending is predictable.
• The Best Girl this Side of Winter by Laila Amado: An adventurous MG fantasy. What's not to like.
• The Snow Trolls by S. Markem: Do not read this when eating or drinking. You’ll enjoy the narrative style and the execution.
• Lord of the Forest by Katherine Shaw: You can’t have a story with a mythical creature from a forest and expect me not to like it. Short yet powerful.
• Long Meg and the Sorcerer’s Stones by M. J. Weatherall: Almost made it to my best list. It should have been longer and more fleshed out.
To Sum up, Once Upon a Winter is a lovely collection of multiple genres, themes, and tales set in snowy white lands, castles, forests, and mysterious villages.
My thanks to Macfarlane Lantern Publishing and BookSirens for the digital review copy. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
*****
Full review to come.
One Liner: A satisfying read
Once Upon a Winter is a collection of seventeen stories, a combination of fairytale retellings and originals. The stories range from lighthearted to dark, middle grade to adult, and fantasy to romance. Readers who like multiple genres will enjoy this book more than others.
The highlight of the book is that each story was unique. No two stories felt similar, despite the common thread of fairytale and folklore themes running through them.
Listing my favorites below (in the order as printed in the book):
• The Biting Cold by Josie Jaffrey: This is fantastic. The narration pulls you right into the story and keeps you there until the end (even if you can guess what will happen).
• Santa Claus is Coming to Town by Bharat Krishnan: Read this more for acing the character’s tone rather than the storyline.
• A Pea Ever After by Adie Hart: This is probably the best retelling I’ve read in a long time. It’s just too good!
• The Snowdrop by H. L. Macfarlane: My heart went aww… reading this one. Such a sweet one, though the ending is predictable.
• The Best Girl this Side of Winter by Laila Amado: An adventurous MG fantasy. What's not to like.
• The Snow Trolls by S. Markem: Do not read this when eating or drinking. You’ll enjoy the narrative style and the execution.
• Lord of the Forest by Katherine Shaw: You can’t have a story with a mythical creature from a forest and expect me not to like it. Short yet powerful.
• Long Meg and the Sorcerer’s Stones by M. J. Weatherall: Almost made it to my best list. It should have been longer and more fleshed out.
To Sum up, Once Upon a Winter is a lovely collection of multiple genres, themes, and tales set in snowy white lands, castles, forests, and mysterious villages.
My thanks to Macfarlane Lantern Publishing and BookSirens for the digital review copy. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
*****
Full review to come.