Fairy Tale Reteelings

Review of Peppermint and Pentacles: A Steampunk Fairy Tale by Melanie Karsak

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Peppermint and Pentacles: A Steampunk Fairy Tale (Steampunk Red Riding Hood Book 3) by [Melanie Karsak]

Synopsis:
Up on the housetop werewolves howl
Out jumps good old Agent Louvel
Down through the chimney chasing monsters quick
Feeling far less jolly than Old Saint Nick

Red Cape Society Agent Clemeny Louvel is used to chasing werewolves across London. But when she’s reassigned to a special case just days before Christmas, she learns that she’ll need more than a silver bullet to keep everyone on the nice list.


Review:
Finally we get to see a nice decent amount of grandmere Louvel! I always enjoyed her “oranges and lemons!” exclamation but I hadn’t known where it was from. This has been one of my absolute favourite books in the series, because I noticed what was happening before the characters told you, and it was just so festive and fun. I really enjoy seeing the characters relationships developing and how the people interact. I know in some reviews of previous books in this series people have complained that she uses modern language and that takes away from the “steampunk” side of things being Victorian, but to me the setting is what gives it the Victorian vibe, the steampunk elements are from the contraptions, and honestly, I find myself deeply entrenched, wanting more, more, more. I am going to be quite sad when I finish this series(which will likely be today or tomorrow at this rate).

Review of Pearl of Magic: A Little Mermaid Romance by Emily Deady

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Pearl of Magic: A Little Mermaid Romance (Fairy Tale Royals Book 3) by [Emily Deady]

Synopsis:
Life in captivity is horrible.

But pretending to be a prisoner is worse. 

Aizel is a Majis and, against her will, a spy. She is supposed to be uncovering secrets for a cruel king, but spends most of her time listening to the haughty, self-absorbed musings of her captor, Prince Erich. 

It would be much less frustrating if she could at least complain about it, but the king has silenced her, taking away her voice so that she cannot wield her magic. 

If she fails to gather information from Erich, her family will be killed. But if she reports back to the king, her people’s only hope for freedom will be exterminated. Can she find a way to communicate with her captor and convince him of the truth about the Majis?

Review:
My goodness does this story have depth! Erich is the last born son, and as such, he finds himself not thought of and respected as his older brothers, and although he does have to act the part of a prince, he doesn’t enjoy having to squelch his self to be prim and proper. Aizel is the opposite, with lots of responsibility and guilt at not being more capable than she is. Both are good protagonists with a lot of depth and growth throughout the story. Both have to overcome obstacles and learn to see beyond the information they’ve had propagated throughout their lives.

I quite enjoyed all of the time alone that we got to witness, and how Erich and Aizel interact with their horses, and the mention of how one is with their horse tends to give an insight to how they are as a person. This may be my favourite in the series so far, though I truly loved A Shard of Glass. I absolutely adore how all of these stories are woven together within one family, but how each story gives more insights on parts of the story we read in previous novels in the series.

Star Rating: ✯✯✯✯✯