Review of The Shadow Queen

Title: The Shadow Queen

Author: C.J. Redwine

Series: Ravenspire book 1

 

Chapters: 40 plus epilogue

Pages: 387

Genre: fanstay fairy tale retelling

Rating: 4 Stars

     Once Upon a Time made like Snow White. The Shadow Queen made me love her. Lorelai is not your typical Snow white character. She's willing to fight for her kingdom to take it back from the evil queen. To me The Shadow Queen is what would happen if you took Snow from Once and combined her with Emma from Once.

     Lorelai is Snow from the first seasons flash backs and Emma, because she's tough like Snow and has magic like Emma.  However that is where the similarities to Once end.  The evil queen in The Shadow Queen isn't a misunderstood victim, she's just plain evil there's no redeeming her.  

     However The Shadow Queen isn't a Once retelling it's an unique twist on the whole Snow White story.  It's a story that shows that princesses can save themselves that they aren't all damsels in distress.  

Review of A Whole New World

Title:  A Whole New World

Author: Liz Braswell

Series: Twisted Tales

Pages: 384

Genre:  Fairy tales retold

Rating: 4 stars

A Whole New World by Liz Braswell puts a twist on the story of Aladdin. With what if Jafar had gotten the lamp first instead of Aladdin. The story spins off from there and goes off on its own unique story.

In Liz Braswell's tell Jasmine is not a sheltered princess who longs for adventure. Instead she's a strong and determined young woman who is going to do whatever she has to in order to get her kingdom back.  Even if it means teaming up with a street rat named Aladdin.

I enjoyed this twist on the story of Aladdin and I can't wait for the next story in the twisted tales series, it's a Sleeping Beauty retelling.

Review of Crimson Bound

Title: Crimson Bound

Author: Rosamund Hodge

Pages: 448 Pages

Genre: fairy tales retold

Rating: 4 stars

     Crimson Bound is a fairy tale retelling of Little Red Riding hood, but with a twist. This Little Red Riding Hood is a lost little girl in the woods on her way to grandma's house. Rachelle is a fighter who is determined to save the kingdom whatever the cost. The first half of the book is a little confusing but once you reach the middle of the book it picks up.  

Review of The Isle of The Lost

Title: The Isle of the Lost

Author: Melissa De La Cruz

Series: Descendants book 1

 

Chapters: 27 plus epilogue

Pages: 311

Genre: fantasy

Rating: 4 stars

The Isle of the lost is the prequel novel to Disney's new movie the Descendants.  Which focuses on the children of Disney heroes' and villains.  The Isle of the lost focuses on one heroes child and four children of the villains.  Ben the son of the beast and Belle. Mal, the daughter of Malcficent, Evie the daughter of the Evil queen. Jay the son of Jafar, and Carolos the son of Cruella. 

I first I didn't know if I was going to like the book. But as I go into the book I actually enjoyed it. As a  Disney fan it was neat to read about the children of some of my favorite heroes and villains. Now that I have read Isle of the Lost I am looking forward to watch the Descendants. 

Review of The Princess Spy

Title: The Princess Spy

Author: Melanie Dickerson

Series: Fairy tales book 5

 

Chapters: 32 plus epilogue

Pages: 293

Genre: Christian fairy tale retelling, Christian romance, teen

Rating: 5 stars

The Princess Spy was a retelling of The Princess and the Frog. Which was one fairy tale I never really liked. But I loved this retelling. Colin the hero of this novel is the grandson of the hero of The Merchant's daughter and Margaretha is the younger sister of the heroes from The Captive Maiden and The Fairest Beauty.

In The Princess Spy the princess moves a little bit beyond the traditional fairy tale role. To the point that in many ways she becomes a hero in her own right.  Proving that she's more than a pretty face.

I enjoyed this book and there was a scene in chapter eight that reminded me a bit of The Princess Bride. Melanie's books keep getting better. I can't wait for her next book.  

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

Review of Roses

Title: Roses

Author: G.R. Mannering

Series: 

 

Chapters: 29 in five parts

Pages: 311

Genre: Teen fairy tales retold

Rating: 4 stars

Beauty has sliver skin and violet purple eyes

Beast

Roses is a Beauty and the Beast retelling that has elements from the classic fairy tale as well as the Disney movie. I have yet to see a Beauty and the Beast retelling that have combined the two.

Out of all the Beauty and the Beast retellings I have read this one is my favorite. I love how the author doesn’t give the her a name other than beauty. To help it stick to the  actual fairy tale but still unique. 

Review of Tear You Apart

Title: Tear You Apart

Author: Sarah Cross

Series: Beau Rivage book 2

 

Chapters: 48

Pages: 370

Genre: teen fairy tales retold

Rating: 4 stars

Tear You Apart is the sequel or companion novel to Kill Me Softy. You can read either book without reading the other. Tear You Apart is a Snow White retelling with a twelve dancing princess twist, and a Rumplestekin twist as well. Viv just happens to be the Snow White character, and her boyfriend is not the prince character instead Henley is the huntsman character.

I know this may sound weird but I found myself actually wanting the “villain” the huntsman to win. Which may sound odd but after reading the book and seeing who the real villains are it will not seem weird. There has only been a few cases where I have be on the side of a villain and most of those have been movies and TV shows, but I think this is only the second time that it’s happened with a book.

I’ve also had a slight Once vibe with this book because the evil queen name just happens to be Regina.

Fans of Once and Fairy tale retellings will enjoy this book.

Review of Cinderella's Dress

Title: Cinderella’s Dress

Author: Shonna Slayton

 

Chapters: 41

Pages: 322

Genre: teen historical fiction fairy tale retold

Rating: 4 stars

Cinderella’s Dress is a retelling of Cinderella with a twist. This story doesn’t focus on Cinderella instead it focuses on the dress and the family that was trusted with protecting the dress.  It is set in New York during WWII. Kate Allen wants to design department store windows.  But her mother wants to be a model. Her father is overseas. Her brother is leaving for basic training along with her sort of beau. 

Then her great aunt and uncle show up with a truck calming that it contains Cinderella’s dress, and they are the protectors and keepers of the dress.

At first I didn’t think I would like it because I’ve never been a fan of Cinderella retellings. But I enjoyed this retelling because it didn’t really focus on Cinderella. And true to fairy tale retellings there’s a prince. 


I received a copy of this book from the author through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

Review of Kill Me Softly

Title: Kill Me Softly

Author: Sarah Cross

Series: Beau Rivage book 1

 

Chapters: 21

Pages: 331

Genre: Teen fairytale retelling

Rating: 3 stars (mainly due to the use of language)

Kill Me Sofly is a fairy tale retelling that is set in a fictional town called Beau Rivage that is a fairy tale town. Everyone is pretty much under a fairy tale cursed. Either as the one that is cursed or an honor bound which is basically the one who is supposed to break the curse.

MiraBelle or Mira is a girl who grew up away from Beau Rivage but wants to find about her the place where she was born. So on the eve of her sixteenth birthday she goes. Based on the cover I thought that it was going to be a Beauty and the Beast retelling instead it was actually a Sleeping Beauty retelling which was fine. It was actually the first fairy tale retelling that I have read. I really did enjoy in the book.  It was also neat to read about the other fairy tale characters in the town. I am looking forward to reading Tear You Apart which is a Snow White and huntsman retelling.

Review of The Captive Maiden

Title: The Captive Maiden

Author: Melanie Dickerson

Series: YA Romance Fairy Tales series

Chapters: 31

Pages: 284

Genre: Christian teen romance, fairy tale retelling

Rating: 4.5 stars

The Captive Maiden is another fairytale retelling by Melanie Dickerson. This one is a Cinderella retelling.  It is the sequel to The Fairest Beauty which was a Snow White retelling. I didn’t think I would like this because Cinderella has always been my least favorite fairy tale. But I loved The Captive Maiden, though it wasn’t my favorite of Melanie’s that will always be The Merchant’s Daughter because Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairy tale.

Valten the hero in this one is Gabe’s brother.  Gisele is the Cinderella character.  While it is a fairy tale retelling Melanie doesn’t focus on the magic of fairy tales instead her stories point to the power of faith and God’s amazing love.  While the stories are about love and true love she points towards the ultimate true love, the love of God. The love that God had for us to send his only Son to die for our salvation now that’s true love.

I am looking forward to reading Melanie’s next book The Princess Spy.  

I received a copy of this book from the publisher as part of a blog tour. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone. 

Review of Bellflower

Title: Bellflower

Author: Amber Stokes   

Series: The Hearts Srping 0.5

 

Genre: Historical Fiction fairy tale retold

Rating: 4 stars

     Bellflower is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast it is slightly darker than the fairy tale.  This short story is also darker and a little harder than the Heart’s Spring series that Amber writes but it is still a good read, though it is a short story. 

Review of Cruel Beauty

Title: A Cruel Beauty  

Author: Rosamund Hodge

Series: no

 

Chapters: 26

Pages: 273

Genre: fairy tales retold

Rating: 4 stars

Cruel Beauty is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast that combines pieces from all the versions of Beauty and Beast, including the Disney version at least in my opinion. As well as a few Greek myths and tells of assians. It is a fairy tale retold that has just about everything in it.

Fans of Beauty and the Beast will enjoy this. At first I didn’t think that I would like it, because it wasn’t something that I would normally read. But I when I read the line on the cover: her mission was to kill him her density was to love him. I was hooked. I wanted to read it by the third chapter I was even more hooked. To me it was one of the best Beauty and the Beast retellings that I have read in a while.

There were a few scenes that were on the edge but it never went into details and the two characters it involved were married. I would say that it is for older teens. But other than I can’t think of anything to keep me from recommending it. 

Review of Beast and Beauty

Title: Of Beast and Beauty

Author: Stacey Jay

 

Chapters: 29 plus prologue and epilogue

Pages: 391

Genre: Teen Dyspitoa, fairy tales retold

Rating: 4.5 stars

     Of Beast and Beauty is a retelling of the classic fairy tale Beauty and Beast. It is also set in the future. However there is a twist “beauty” is actually the princess; Princess Isra doesn’t realize that she is beautiful she thinks that she is blind because of an accident. Gem is the “beast” he is the one that is being held prisoner by “beauty”.

     While Of Beast and Beauty sticks to the main points of the story Stacey Jay puts her own unique twist on the story and makes it her own. Of Beast and Beauty is an unique and wonderful read. I would suggest this to any fan of Beauty and the Beast. However there is some language in the book but it is still worth a read.

Review of The Fairest Beauty

Title:  The Fairest Beauty

 Author:  Melanie Dickerson

Chapters:  29 plus Epilogue

Pages: 335

Genre:  Christian Teen Historical Fiction, retold fairy tales

Rating: 5 stars

          The Fairest Beauty is the sequel in many senses to The Healer’s Apprentice Gabehart or Gabe is Rose and Wihelm’s son. He decides against his parents’ wishes to go recue Duke Baldwin’s daughter Sophie who just happens to be his brother’s bride to be.

          The Fairest Beauty is a retelling of Snow White. That I enjoyed more the actual fairy tale I love that Melanie focuses on faith in God and Jesus as the ones who help to fight off evil. Not the magic that is in the fairy tales that her novels are based on.

Review of The Healer's Apprentice

Title:  The Healer’s Apprentice

 Author:  Melanie Dickerson

Chapters: 28

Pages: 261

Genre: Christian Historical teen fiction fairy tales retold

Rating:  5 stars

          The Healer’s Apprentice is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty that I loved more than the actual fairy tale. Just like with The Merchant’s Daughter Melanie Dickerson makes sure that faith is at the center of the story.  Who needs fairy tales when you can have a story that it full of God’s love.

          Rose is a healer’s apprentice  who doesn’t realize that she is a princess.  A quote at the end that Rose makes sums it up, that regardless of who her parents were she was God’s daughter and a princess all along. I loved that quote and I loved The Healer’s Apprentice. 

Review of The Merchant's Daughter

Title: The Merchant’s Daughter

Author: Melanie Dickerson

Series:   sort of she has one other book out with similar themes.

Chapters: 21 plus epilogue

Pages: 270

Genre: Teen Christian Historical Fiction, Fairy tales retold

Rating: 5 stars

     The Merchant’s Daugther by Melanie Dickerson is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast with a Christian theme. It is the first book that I have read by Melanie Dickerson.

     Annabel Chapman is a Merchant’s daughter whose father has died and her family can’t pay the debt they owe. Annabel agrees to go in her brother’s place. She becomes a servant in lord Randulf Le Wyse house in order to escape the advances of Ballief Tom Atte Water. Annabel is taken under the wing of Mistress Eustacia. Annabel only planned to be a servant but she finds so much more.

I loved The Merchant Daughter, mainly because Beauty and the Beast was my favorite fairy tale growing up. Since Beauty and the Beast was the fairy tale that stressed the importance of what was on the inside. Which makes it the perfect fairy tale to retold with a Christian theme.

I enjoyed The Merchant’s Daughter by Melanie Dickerson and I plan to read more of her books

Review of Bewitching

Title: Bewitching

Author: Alex Flinn

Series:   sort of

Chapters:

Pages: 342

Genre: Fairy tales retold

Rating: 4 ½ stars

     Bewitching is sort of a sequel to Beastly in a way it is sort of Kendra’s story. It is also a retelling of Cinderella with a twist. Kendra befriends Emma who is sort of the Cinderella in the story. While Emma is suppose to be Cinderella she’s not the most beautiful girl in her school, but she is the only one who befriends Kendra. Lisette is the evil step-sister and the only thing that fits with the Cinderella story is that she is the evil step sister.

     I liked the retold fairy tale, even if Cinderella wasn’t really my favorite as a child. I loved that Alex gave more of Kendra’s story. You find out what happened to her to make her the way that she is, and why she made the choices she made. After reading Bewitching it seems to me like it’s just the first in a series of books about Kendra. Kendra is the witch from Beastly; which is also a movie all and all I enjoyed the book. However it wasn’t my favorite by Alex Flinn, Beastly is still my favorite by her. 

Review of Entwined

Title: Entwined

Author: Heather Dixon

Series:  

Chapters: 30

Pages: 472

Genre: Teen fairy tales retold

Rating: 4 ½ stars

     Entwined is a retelling of the twelve dancing Princesses. Each of the twelve princesses loves to dance. Azela is the oldest princes and heir to the throne.

     When the kingdom goes into a year of mourning the girls are probhited from to dancing. They find a secret room to dance and dance the night away. Like the classic fairy tale there is an evil that the princess has to face. Through technically no prince in the story there still is a hero.