Fairy tale

Review of A Rivalry of Hearts by Tessonja Odette

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Synopsis:
Two rival writers.
One prestigious publishing contract.
A bargain of hearts and desire.

They say never bargain with the fae. They also say don’t get drunk on fae wine. Yet romance author Edwina Danforth has managed a blunder with both on her first visit to the infamous faelands. Now she’s trapped in a magic-fueled bet she barely remembers with a man she’d be happier to forget. The terms? Whoever can bed the most lovers during their month-long dueling book tour wins a coveted publishing contract.

The win should be easy for Edwina. She’s known for penning scintillating tales of whirlwind romance. There’s just one problem: her imagination vastly exceeds her bedroom experience. But when failure means plummeting her career back into obscurity, losing isn’t an option.

Her handsome fae rival, William Haywood, poses an even greater challenge. Not only are his looks as aggravatingly perfect as his track record behind closed doors, but he has his own reasons for playing to win, and he won’t go down without a fight. Unless, of course, it’s a different kind of going down. In that case, he’s fair game.

Edwina and William clash in a rivalry of romance. But what happens when their objects of desire…turn out to be each other?

Review:
I was uncertain what to think of this novel and put it off for quite a time because I love Tessonja Odette and didn’t want to become sour of her if this book didn’t live up to the expectations I had from loving all of her other novels. That was a silly notion, because Odette did an amazing job putting a book tour through all of our favourite fairy tale haunts. I loved how there were plenty of bits of fairy tale magic without it being a direct retelling of any of the fairy tales. I absolutely adored the banter and connection between Edwina and William; no part of this book felt forced or out of place. This book certainly had me rooting for everyone, uncertain but hoping that somehow everyone gets exactly what they wish, want, and need. One of the things I adored about this book is that everyone is considered amazing just as they are; there is no desire or attempt to change things that might be considered unruly by human standards.

If it had been out at the time of finishing, I would have immediately started the second book in the series. This book is a no brainer for people who love romance and fairy tales and reading late into the night waiting to see if there’s a happy ever after on the horizon.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

What Comes of Attending the Commoner’s Ball by Elisabeth Aimee Brown

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Synopsis:
Hester Flanders went to the ball for the food. She didn’t expect a prince to follow her home.

If there’s one rule Hester learned during her country upbringing, it’s never accept a gift: that’s how the Folk get you. Although she’s left her farm behind, she can’t leave her superstitions, even if no one else in the capital city seems to care. Hardworking but hungry, she’s looking for loopholes, and the king’s annual Commoners Ball seems like the perfect way to get a free meal that’s not technically a gift—and it would have been, too, except a pesky prince took a shine to her.

Inglebert Lucas Chesingwick isn’t just the crown prince: he’s also practical, responsible, and very annoyed to see his younger brother causing a scene by flirting with a peasant at the ball. He can separate them for one night, but his mischievous brother is determined to see the poor girl again. And again. And for some reason, Lucas keeps running into her, too. If only there was some way he could help her …

The princes might mean well, but Hester knows better than to accept favors from anyone, even royalty—even if it’s cheese—and even if saying no breaks her heart. After all, just because the Folk have never been seen in the city doesn’t mean they’re not around …Cinderella meets Howl’s Moving Castle in this cozy fantasy romance from debut author Elisabeth Aimee Brown. Pick up your copy and whirl away into a whimsical story of glittering gaslamps, frisky Folk, and huggable hogs.

Review:
“People were meant ot rely on each other. Life is more than bargains.” (Page 193)

I LOVED this novel! The premise that it was like Cinderella meets Howl’s Moving Castle had me reaching out to grab a copy immediately, and that is very much exactly what the book read as. Hester was absolutely awesome from when we first meet her; plucky, with such sense of decorum and morals that seem completely out of place in the town she’s in. I loved both brothers, and Hugh very much is reminiscent of Howl in demeanor and eccentricity. I loved how Hester’s thoughts and morals from the superstitions where she grew up are so pivotal both in setting her apart from others in a bigger space, but also in her own safety from even the typical “owing” that is done between general friends. Hester has such good reasonings for what she’s doing and working towards, and all the characters had a truly great depth to them.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of How to Summon a Fairy Godmother by Laura J. Mayo

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Synopsis:
If a fairy godmother can get one sister into a marriage, getting another out of one should be easy… 

Lady Theodosia Balfour is screwed—with the Balfour estate on the verge of bankruptcy, and Theo’s royal stepsister spreading wicked rumors about her, Theo’s only path forward seems to be a forced betrothal a foul-tempered geezer who wishes only to use her as a brood mare. 

Desperate for help, Theo clings to the only thing that might save her: the rumor of a fairy godmother. And after discovering a way to summon one, Theo thinks her prayers have been answered. But the fairy she meets isn’t at all what she imagined. Drop-dead gorgeous and slightly devious, Cecily of the Ash Fairies is much more interested in smoking her pipe than providing charitable magic to . Now, Theo must prove she’s good to gain Cecily’s trust (and magic), but proving goodness doesn’t seem to be all that easy. In fact, it all seems to be rather ridiculous…

Review:
“Prove to me that inside that nasty exterior is a good person just waiting to come out and I’ll help you.” (Chapter 7, Page 98)

Another Theo-named heroine… or is she an anti-heroine? I absolutely loved this take on what one of the stepsisters was really like, and what really went down when Cinderella was granted a magical night by a fairy godmother–with no price attached! Theo knows what she’s considered, and she knows that only she can control her own actions. While many are often quick to blame everyone involved, the stepmother and stepsisters, this book does a great job of showing nature versus nurture, and why sometimes people might need a kick to be good. I adored Theo’s interactions with a certain fae male. This book had great characterization and the descriptions were breathtaking, lovely, and really drew you into the moment as if it was actually in front of you. One of the things I thought made this book great was how none of the characters were likeable, really, and yet you still started to care about them and wanted to learn more of what happened/happens to them.

I highly recommend this book to any fairy tale fanatics out there.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯

Review of Frogkisser! by Garth Nix

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Synopsis:
Poor Princess Anya. Stuck living with her evil stepmother’s new husband, her evil step-stepfather. Plagued with an unfortunate ability to break curses with a magic-assisted kiss. And forced to go on the run when her step-stepfather decides to make the kingdom entirely his own.

Aided by a loyal talking dog, a boy thief trapped in the body of a newt, and some extraordinarily mischievous wizards, Anya sets off on a Quest that, if she plays it right, will ultimately free her land—and teach her a thing or two about the use of power, the effectiveness of a well-placed pucker, and the finding of friends in places both high and low.

Review:
Now this book sounds like a true fairytale, meant for everyone, and it is! The book is humorous and yet has a princess that has to work to keep herself safe and learn to do things on her own, while also learning to ask for help in the right way, at the right time, and who to trust. While there are quite humorous bits, there are also many characters that have very serious consequences or situations thrust upon them that both show that one cannot always control what happens, but also that making smart choices results in better futures. There is a moral and lesson for everyone who reads this story; it’s fun, it’s sweet, it’s cute.

It’s very much not what one thinks of when they would think of a Garth Nix book, especially if they had read the Abhorsen trilogy because this book is very much written for a younger audience. While Garth Nix had previously stated that he wouldn’t write down for younger readers, it would take a certain type of reader/person to read said trilogy because the depth involved. While these character all have good backstories, it’s written in a way that younger people could easily connect, understand, and resonate with what’s going on.

I immediately handed this book off to a good friend when I was finished because it’s a nice, sweet, fairy tale, light read for an adult, and I think it’s something that most younger people would enjoy and everyone would get something out of. I highly recommend this book, as I likely would all Garth Nix works.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Ten Thousand Stitches by Olivia Atwater

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Synopsis:
A housemaid needs some magical help when she falls for a high-society gentleman in this captivating historical fantasy full of wit, charm, and heart-fluttering romance.Effie has most inconveniently fallen in love with the dashing Mr. Benedict Ashbrooke. There’s only one problem: Effie is a housemaid, and a housemaid cannot marry a gentleman. It seems that Effie is out of luck until she stumbles into the faerie realm of Lord Blackthorn, who is only too eager to help her win Mr. Ashbrooke’s heart. All he asks in return is that Effie sew ten thousand stitches onto his favorite jacket.

Effie has heard rumors about what happens to those who accept magical bargains. But life as a maid at Hartfield is so awful that she is willing to risk even her immortal soul for a chance at something better. Now she has one hundred days—and ten thousand stitches—to make Mr. Ashbrooke fall in love and propose…if Lord Blackthorn doesn’t wreck things by accident, that is. For Effie’s greatest obstacle might well be Lord Blackthorn’s overwhelmingly good intentions. 

An enchanting faerie tale set in Olivia Atwater’s magical version of Regency England, Ten Thousand Stitches is “a delightful, romantic romp” (Hannah Whitten) with a Cinderella twist and heaps of heart. 

Review:
“Why, her soul is made of the very finest thread I have ever seen!” (Chapter 10, page 138)

Effie does so much to try to be the best housemaid, and to keep her own anger in check. She pays attention to all the rules about the fae and other creatures and yet, she still ends up trapped in an agreement with one. I absolutely loved this story from start to finish. I thought that Effie was a sensible, likable character and I loved how everything developed and worked out. I loved the concept of how what you have too much of sometimes accidentally ends up spread to others, even if it isn’t complimentary. This world is truly amazing, and I was so grateful to get to step back into it.

Effie had such a great character arc where she truly learned and grew. It was awesome to see how she learned to harness her feelings and abilities for what is right, and to do what truly would make her happy in the long term.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Damsel by Elana K. Arnold

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Synopsis:
The rite has existed for as long as anyone can remember: When the king dies, his son the prince must venture out into the gray lands, slay a fierce dragon, and rescue a damsel to be his bride. This is the way things have always been.

When Ama wakes in the arms of Prince Emory, she knows none of this. She has no memory of what came before she was captured by the dragon or what horrors she faced in its lair. She knows only this handsome young man, the story he tells of her rescue, and her destiny of sitting on a throne beside him. It’s all like a dream, like something from a fairy tale.

As Ama follows Emory to the kingdom of Harding, however, she discovers that not all is as it seems. There is more to the legends of the dragons and the damsels than anyone knows, and the greatest threats may not be behind her, but around her, now, and closing in.

Review:
This book was very easy to fall into, and you’re very invested before you start to truly learn about Emory. From early on we learn that Emory will do whatever he wants and there will never be any recompense because he is considered infallible. While many may empathize with men being considered smarter, wiser, should be listened to and obeyed while women just do what they are told, it was outright frustrating seeing the things that were considered fine because it was what Emory (the now king) wanted.

I loved seeing Ama find herself, and that she never gave up on her curiosity and knowledge of herself and her origins. I found the ending absolute perfection after all the mistreatments seen throughout the book, and the implication that the monarchy would now change. While this book has won an award for excellence in young adult literature, one has to wonder if the contents of the novel are something that really resonate with young adults, and if so, why more isn’t being done to address such issues in the real world.

While I did like this book far more than Red Hood, I still do not think I would necessarily give this to a young adult. Certainly some are mature enough to read and understand it, but it might bring up more adult content than most may be comfortable with in younger teens and less mature older teens considering the very sexual references in this book.

Star rating: ✯✯✯

*This book was read in May, but reviewed in June.

Review of The Frost Gate: A Retelling of Snow White by Hanna Sandvig

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Synopsis:
Mirror mirror made of gold,
Here’s the story you were never told . . .

I’ve always suspected some sort of mystery surrounding my adoption—I mean, who doesn’t remember anything before they were five? But the tall, dark, axe-wielding fae huntsman showing up at my door yelling that I’m a lost princess and the Unseelie Queen is coming to kill me? That I didn’t see coming.

It’s hard to argue with a pack of evil wolves on your doorstep, so I grab my sword, my cookbook, and my seven chickens (yes, you heard me right), and follow him to Faerie. I’m all for not being eaten by wolves. I’m less excited about the fact that the huntsman seems to think I’m the only one who can defeat the Unseelie Queen and save Faerie. I’m not powerful or magical, even if my baking skills are legendary.

But the longer I stay in Faerie, the more I want to help its people. And the more time I spend with the terrifyingly handsome huntsman, the more I want to convince him that he’s who I need by my side while I do. He’d do anything to protect me, but it’s my heart he’s putting in danger.

Do I have what it takes to go from baking pies to saving kingdoms? Who will take care of the chickens if I fail?

Review:
One thing I absolutely love about the princesses and female main characters in Sandvig’s works is that they all have hopes, desires, dreams, and things they have spent their life doing- a plan they intended to follow for their life. It was incredibly amusing that Neve had an obsession with a particular fruit. I absolutely loved Kylian. I thought his development, motivations, and what he has done were all greatly thought out and fit the other books in the past series that he appeared in as well. It was great to see how well Kylian and Niamh support each other; strong where the other is weak, and always encouraging each other that they are more than they realize. Sometimes it can be hard when you feel like a big position or job is thrust upon you, but just because it is daunting doesn’t mean you aren’t the correct person for the job. In the end, Kylian and Niamh telling stories… just how precious.

I absolutely love this series of very likeable characters and very realistic situations/reactions of a startled human (or human like creature) being taken away from the life they’ve known. I would highly recommend Sandvig’s works to anyone who loves empowering female characters, fairy tale retellings, and happily ever afters. This book is, as stated on amazon, rather “cottagecore”. It’s a nice cozy romantasy, and I highly recommend it.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Tales of the Peculiar by Ransom Riggs

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Synopsis:
Before Miss Peregrine gave them a home, the story of peculiars was written in the Tales.
 
Wealthy cannibals who dine on the discarded limbs of peculiars. A fork-tongued princess. These are but a few of the truly brilliant stories in Tales of the Peculiar—the collection of fairy tales known to hide information about the peculiar world, including clues to the locations of time loops—first introduced by Ransom Riggs in his #1 bestselling Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series.
 
Riggs now invites you to share his secrets of peculiar history, with a collection of original stories in this deluxe volume of Tales of the Peculiar, as collected and annotated by Millard Nullings, ward of Miss Peregrine and scholar of all things peculiar. Featuring stunning illustrations from world-renowned woodcut artist Andrew Davidson this compelling and truly peculiar anthology is the perfect gift for not only fans, but for all booklovers.

Review:
If you are a lover, a connoisseur of fairy tales, folk tales and folklore this is a book you want to pick up. While fairy tale retellings are a genre of their own Riggs went forward and created his own set of peculiar tales, that whether or not you’re peculiar, offer quite a lot of insight to what is wrong, right, moral and just. The stories are at times somewhat reminiscent in the back of your mind to tales you may already know (The Fork-Tongued Princess and The Paper Bag Princess bare a striking moral resemblance) but they are all filled with knowledge and warnings to be careful of what you have, what you wish to accomplish, and the mark you may make on the world.

This was on the pile of “books I bought and never read for years so maybe I should get rid of them” but I picked it up and started reading it instead… needless to say, it won’t be returning to the pile. The hardcover edition of this book is also gorgeous, with gold leaves on the front, black and white pictures for every story, and a black ribbon to keep your place.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands by Heather Fawcett

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Synopsis:
When mysterious faeries from other realms appear at her university, curmudgeonly professor Emily Wilde must uncover their secrets before it’s too late, in this heartwarming, enchanting second installment of the Emily Wilde series.

Emily Wilde is a genius scholar of faerie folklore who just wrote the world’s first comprehensive encyclopaedia of faeries. She’s learned many of the secrets of the Hidden Ones on her adventures . . . and also from her fellow scholar and former rival Wendell Bambleby. 

Because Bambleby is more than infuriatingly charming. He’s an exiled faerie king on the run from his murderous mother and in search of a door back to his realm. And despite Emily’s feelings for Bambleby, she’s not ready to accept his proposal of marriage: Loving one of the Fair Folk comes with secrets and dangers. 

She also has a new project to focus on: a map of the realms of faerie. While she is preparing her research, Bambleby lands her in trouble yet again, when assassins sent by his mother invade Cambridge. Now Bambleby and Emily are on another adventure, this time to the picturesque Austrian Alps, where Emily believes they may find the door to Bambleby’s realm and the key to freeing him from his family’s dark plans.

But with new relationships for the prickly Emily to navigate and dangerous Folk lurking in every forest and hollow, Emily must unravel the mysterious workings of faerie doors and of her own heart.

Review:
“I may not be a miller’s daughter, but you are not so different from the Folk as you think, Your Highness.” (Page 309)

My goodness, what a whirlwind and wonderful adventure. Not only do Emily and Wendell end up on an amazing journey, but a few more characters find their way close to the couple. The language was impeccable, the worldbuilding doubly so. While Emily still doesn’t do well with people, it was a blessed change to see her become a bit more than the mousy scholar many believe her to be- a bit more assertive and less likely to take crap from both humans and fae alike. Wendell’s tricks of fae magic (especially regarding pencils) were quite ingenious and amusing.

There were more new fae creatures and information learned that was always interesting, much like the first book. The descriptions were marvelous and truly brought forth the creatures to life. It was interesting to see what others might desire to do if they were leading the expedition and how some may go about creating goodwill in case one needs to return to the same place later. Seeing how Emily puts together a mystery in front of her and by force of will follows it to the end is marvelous.

The nature of people was more of a subject in this novel than perhaps the last, and it becomes easy to see that while quite different by human standards, that might be what makes Emily and Wendell so great together. They are the antithesis to the other. While people may be one way with those they care about, there is still a certain level of intimidation and dominance people can have even without magic, and it is interesting to see how abilities might be underestimated given one’s station in life; even if their personality/will/might may be stronger.

All in all this was a brilliant second book that leaves you both happy but desperately yearning for a third book, in which Emily and Wendell’s adventures will continue.

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯

Review of Emily Wilde’s Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Heather Hawcett

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Synopsis:
Cambridge professor Emily Wilde is good at many things: She is the foremost expert on the study of faeries. She is a genius scholar and a meticulous researcher who is writing the world’s first encyclopaedia of faerie lore. But Emily Wilde is not good at people. She could never make small talk at a party—or even get invited to one. And she prefers the company of her books, her dog, Shadow, and the Fair Folk to other people.

So when she arrives in the hardscrabble village of Hrafnsvik, Emily has no intention of befriending the gruff townsfolk. Nor does she care to spend time with another new arrival: her dashing and insufferably handsome academic rival Wendell Bambleby, who manages to charm the townsfolk, muddle Emily’s research, and utterly confound and frustrate her.

But as Emily gets closer and closer to uncovering the secrets of the Hidden Ones—the most elusive of all faeries—lurking in the shadowy forest outside the town, she also finds herself on the trail of another mystery: Who is Wendell Bambleby, and what does he really want? To find the answer, she’ll have to unlock the greatest mystery of all—her own heart.

Review:
I cannot say enough good things about this book. This book is the quintessential fantasy adventure; it has adventure, a strong female protagonist, romance, and growth. It was impossible to put down, and even though you start off knowing that Emily doesn’t do well with people, you find yourself hoping that she changes. From the start Emily is off to work and we’re left with a less than desirable portrait of Bambleby, but throughout the novel we learn that not everything is as it appears. Emily has widely studied the fae, which makes her more knowledgeable about how to deal with them than most, leaving others wondering if she is magical herself. Her own response is, “One doesn’t need magic if one knows enough stories.” (page 195) While on quite the journey, there are still many lessons to be learned along the way for all involved, one being that if you’re a person in power, people model themselves to behave in a similar way to you so you must be conscious of that.

This book is also quite unique in that it is written entirely as a journal of Emily’s adventures trying to learn more of the fae; a style that hasn’t been widely used. This book is Edwardian, and has footnotes of Emily’s “dryadology”, serving as additional information about the creatures/fae situations that people may not be familiar with. It is well written, well paced, with quite a lot of Scandinavian folklore entwined and while there is a hint of a romantic subplot it does not detract from the overall fantasy plot of the novel.

All in all this story is a wonderful return to fairytales and what can happen when humans deal with the fae. I highly recommend this for anyone who loves enchanting stories of fae, those who study them, and those who grow to open themselves to more. Book two of Emily Wilde’s adventures is out tomorrow, and I cannot wait to start reading it!

Star rating: ✯✯✯✯✯