Category Archives: Fairy Tale

April 19, 2023 · 8:39 pm

Darling Girl by Liz Michalski

Darling Girl by Liz Michalski

Darling Girl is a unique take on the Peter Pan story. It focuses on Wendy’s granddaughter and great-grandson and great-granddaughter. I really had no idea where the book was going through most of the time, but really enjoyed piecing the clues together as I read. While I could easily put it down, I always looked forward to picking it back up again to continue the story. I recommend it to adults who like the world of Neverland.

5 (out of 5) Stars
Books Read in 2023: 46
Pages Read in 2023: 15,352

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Filed under Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Reason: B&N Book Challenge, Reason: Book of the Month, Reason: Flourish & Blotts Reading Challenge, Reason: Grim Readers

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June 28, 2022 · 3:47 pm

Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelly

Beauty and the Beast: Lost in a Book by Jennifer Donnelly

Lost in a Book is a clever addition to the story of Beauty and the Beast. The timeline is the same and even includes the scene of Belle and the Beast ice skating. Added to it is a bet between Love and Death and an enchanted book Death tries to cheat with. Belle’s pull toward the book as a way to live in a perfect, magical world and escape the dreariness of the Beast’s castle as well as her frustration with the Beast’s interpersonal communication are written very well. I was sad when it ended. I would have liked to get all the way to the point where the Beast turns back into a prince, but I guess it’s okay to end where it did since we all know the (Disney) ending of Beauty and the Beast. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves Belle’s story.

5 (out of 5) Stars
Books Read in 2022: 65
Pages Read in 2022: 23,656
Graphic Novels: 1

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March 14, 2022 · 7:16 am

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson

Even though Tiger Lily is told from Tinker Bell’s point of view in first person, because she can read minds and zip around and watch things happen from tiny hiding places it feels more like third person omniscient. In Peter Pan, Tiger Lily is a minor character, but this puts her at the center and changes her relationship with Peter quite a bit. The bits of foreshadowing are obvious, but very well done at the same time. Even though the book is pretty light and easy, it has heavy parts as it delves a bit into being yourself (Tiger Lily’s father, the tribe’s shaman, is non-binary) and how trying to force yourself to be how others want you to be can have devastating consequences, how the English tried to change Natives, and rape. I recommend this book to teens and up, especially those who love the story of Peter Pan.

4 (out of 5) Stars
Books Read in 2022: 29
Pages Read in 2022: 10,027
Graphic Novels: 1

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Filed under Fairy Tale, Fantasy, Reason: LitHub Bingo, Reason: We Be Book'N, Young Adult

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August 26, 2019 · 6:07 pm

The Reflections of Queen Snow White by David Meredith

A twist on the old fairy tale, The Reflections of Queen Snow White sees Snow White as an old widow stumbling upon her stepmother’s mirror. Her life and strength are told in vignettes the mirror pushes her through. It’s well done and I enjoyed it a lot. The only problem is there are many words where the wrong one is used (such as shuttered vs. shuddered). I recommend it to people who enjoy new versions of fairy tales.

4 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2019: 101
Pages Read in 2019: 25,707
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)

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May 28, 2018 · 11:52 am

Beauty by Robin McKinley

A retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Beauty follows a plain-looking girl as she takes the place of her father to be held captive by a hideous, but kind, beast. Over time their friendship grows, though every night when he asks her to marry him, she declines. At times the book drags on and includes a bit too much description. It is a very sweet story and tells the fairy tale in a unique way. I recommend it to teens and adults.

4 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2018: 53
Pages Read in 2018: 13,179
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)

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December 12, 2017 · 2:17 pm

Robin Hood by Bob Blaisdell

Consisting of twelve stories, this is a book of Robin Hood tales aimed at young readers. The stories are short and simple. I highly recommend it to those who would like an introduction to Robin Hood.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2017: 164 (this book is not counted toward annual total)
Pages Read in 2017: 44,346
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)
Reason I Chose It: Pre-reading for Adrian for This School Year

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December 2, 2017 · 3:24 pm

Will in Scarlet by Matthew Cody

When Will Shackley’s castle is taken over by Sir Guy, Will ends up with the Merry Men in Sherwood Forest. He sheds his previous life to become Will Scarlet, but will not rest until he avenges the wrongs that have been done to him.

Will in Scarlet is a Robin Hood story, but instead of focusing on Robin, this one focuses on Will Scarlet. It’s an interesting twist on the typical stories. I found that I was totally drawn into the story. The character development was excellent. I highly recommend reading this book!

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2017: 161
Pages Read in 2017: 43,533
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)
Reason I Chose It: Pre-reading for Cameron for This School Year

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August 28, 2017 · 11:55 am

Chinese Fairy Tales by Frederick H. Martens

Chinese Fairy Tales is a collection of several short fairy tales from China. They are fun to read. Some have notes to clarify things that a western audience might not totally understand. I highly recommend it for children studying China!

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2017: 117 (this book is not counted toward annual total)
Pages Read in 2017: 32,126
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)
Reason I Chose It: Pre-reading for Fritz for Next School Year

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June 12, 2017 · 11:47 am

Politically Correct Bedtime Stories by James Finn Garner

Politically Correct Bedtime Stories is a collection of fairy tales and poems made hilariously politically correct. Some are changed better (and are more funny) than others. It is a fun, quick read. I recommend it!

4 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2017: 86
Pages Read in 2017: 23,750
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)
Reason I Chose It: Birthstone Bookology (P in PEARL)

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May 1, 2017 · 12:11 pm

Tales From Japan by Helen and William McAlpine

Tales from Japan contains nine foundational stories and fairy tales from ancient Japan. The stories are interesting and told so children can understand them. I recommend reading it to anyone, especially children, studying or interested in Japan.

5 (out of 5) Stars

Books Read in 2017: 57
Pages Read in 2017: 17,117
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks (more book reviews!)
Reason I Chose It: Assigned to Adrian for School

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