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A review by vondav
Once Upon a Cursed Time: Dark Fairytale Anthology by Mike Kehoe, MaryAnn Alexander, Frank Zubek, Laurette L. Kehoe, R.L. Weeks, Genevieve Moultrie, Aimee Shaye, J.L. Clayton, R.B. Wood, Terri Nixon, J.Y. Delgado, Steven Evans
5.0
Once Upon a Cursed Time: dark Fairytale Anthology by RL Weeks, JL Clayton, Terri Nixon, Steve Evans, RB Wood, Aimee Shaye, Genevieve Moultrie, Laurie Kehoe, Mike Kehoe, MaryAnn Alexander J Y Delgrado
Published 24th September 2016
299 pages
Reviewed by Yvonne Davies
Like the majority of children, I grew up with fairytales and I still have my collection on my bookshelf. This anthology is fairytales for adults, a remake of some of the favourite tales but with a dark twist.
Whenever I read an anthology I always have my favourites, and this was no exception. For the purpose of this review I will just mention the ones I loved the most.
Ugly Scars by RL Weeks, a retelling of The Ugly Duckling. Milly Swann and Tom and very much in love, but Tom has a dark secret. This story involves the skinning of people and the creation of a creature which reminded me of Frankenstein’s Monster.
Path of Thorns by Terri Nixon, Hansel and Gretel, my favourite tale retold. Ellie and Jack are brother and sister and live in a workhouse, they are sent out to work but after they escape they come across the fairy folk of the forest, where Ellie has a major decision to make.
Beauty and the Beast within by Mike Kehoe. The story follows closely to the main story of Beauty and the Beast, but the major twist the author puts in this story was really unexpected and was a great alternative ending to this favourite tale.
Pin by JL Clayton. A female puppet and black magic what is the worst that could happen. I enjoyed how the author threw in other favourites to the story, Jim Cricket, a rotting helper of the dark fairy and the song that is played in the movie “When you wish upon a star”. JL has said that she will write a novel about Pin and I really hope she does.
Prince’s Recreant by Steve Evans, what an unusual retelling of the Princess and the Pea. Involving gruesome games which resulted in deaths. This story held my interest from start to finish and I loved the twist at the end.
Skinderella by Lauretta L Kehoe. I loved the way that the ugly sisters tried to make themselves beautiful so they could marry the prince, and their mother was one sick individual.
There were a couple of fairytales that I had not heard off but this did not stop me enjoying the book. Each author had their own style of writing and I could not fault any of the stories. RL Weeks did a great job getting these authors together and whilst the majority I knew and have read. I am glad that I have found a few new authors for me to follow.
If you like your fairytales dark and twisted, then get this book. I hope that there will be another Once upon a time in the near future. Brilliant stories.
Published 24th September 2016
299 pages
Reviewed by Yvonne Davies
Like the majority of children, I grew up with fairytales and I still have my collection on my bookshelf. This anthology is fairytales for adults, a remake of some of the favourite tales but with a dark twist.
Whenever I read an anthology I always have my favourites, and this was no exception. For the purpose of this review I will just mention the ones I loved the most.
Ugly Scars by RL Weeks, a retelling of The Ugly Duckling. Milly Swann and Tom and very much in love, but Tom has a dark secret. This story involves the skinning of people and the creation of a creature which reminded me of Frankenstein’s Monster.
Path of Thorns by Terri Nixon, Hansel and Gretel, my favourite tale retold. Ellie and Jack are brother and sister and live in a workhouse, they are sent out to work but after they escape they come across the fairy folk of the forest, where Ellie has a major decision to make.
Beauty and the Beast within by Mike Kehoe. The story follows closely to the main story of Beauty and the Beast, but the major twist the author puts in this story was really unexpected and was a great alternative ending to this favourite tale.
Pin by JL Clayton. A female puppet and black magic what is the worst that could happen. I enjoyed how the author threw in other favourites to the story, Jim Cricket, a rotting helper of the dark fairy and the song that is played in the movie “When you wish upon a star”. JL has said that she will write a novel about Pin and I really hope she does.
Prince’s Recreant by Steve Evans, what an unusual retelling of the Princess and the Pea. Involving gruesome games which resulted in deaths. This story held my interest from start to finish and I loved the twist at the end.
Skinderella by Lauretta L Kehoe. I loved the way that the ugly sisters tried to make themselves beautiful so they could marry the prince, and their mother was one sick individual.
There were a couple of fairytales that I had not heard off but this did not stop me enjoying the book. Each author had their own style of writing and I could not fault any of the stories. RL Weeks did a great job getting these authors together and whilst the majority I knew and have read. I am glad that I have found a few new authors for me to follow.
If you like your fairytales dark and twisted, then get this book. I hope that there will be another Once upon a time in the near future. Brilliant stories.