REVIEW: The Land of Painted Caves by Jean M. Auel

THE LAND OF PAINTED CAVES concludes the story of Ayla, her mate Jondalar, and their little daughter, Jonayla, taking readers on a journey of discovery and adventure as Ayla struggles to find a balance between her duties as a new mother and her training to become a Zelandoni - one of the Ninth Cave community's spiritual leaders and healers. Once again, Jean Auel combines her brilliant narrative skills and appealing characters with a remarkable re-creation of the way life was lived thousands of years ago, rendering the terrain, dwelling places, longings, beliefs, creativity and daily lives of Ice Age Europeans as real to the reader as today's news.

I've put off writing this review for more than a month in order to make sense of my thoughts and feelings about The Land of Painted Caves by Jean Auel. And I think I've finally found the right words to describe how I felt about it.

I think it was always going to be difficult to live up to the high expectations that fans of this series would be expecting. And obviously I include myself in that. Waiting nearly a decade for the final instalment of a much loved series is always going to be hard-going. But while it was comforting to go back to the characters of Ayla and Jondalar and return to their story amongst the Zelandonii, it was also disappointing.

Reading it, it felt as though I were detached from the story and looking at these characters from a distance. It felt as though Auel was trying to show us too much of the history and the lives of Prehistoric people, and especially the artwork and significance of these painted caves dotted around Europe. As a reader, I wanted a more personal story. I wanted to read more of Ayla's struggle with being a mother, a wife, and a zelandoni-in-training rather than reading of her treks to one painted cave after another. I don't recall now if other books in the series had such a shifting perspective, but I'd have expected to have witnessed more of this story from Ayla's perspective.

Much of the story also felt very repititious. There's a great deal that is said over and over as Ayla meets new people, about her accent and her origins that as a fan from the beginning of the series I was already familiar with. I was very weary of reading the same information, and it felt like lazy story-telling. And while I've always enjoyed the many glimpses into the history and social practices and beliefs, it was too much in this book. It was only during the last 100 pages or so, when we see a massive and almost too-sudden problem arise between Ayla and Jondalar that I felt any real emotion for the story or these characters. And all too soon, the book has ended with so many questions unaswered.

I'm glad that I've read the book and learned of the outcome of Ayla and Jondalar, but I wonder if this story became too large in scope for Jean Auel. It feels like a bit of a let-down, and that really is quite disappointing.

REVIEW: Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini

Set on the island of Nantucket, STARCROSSED tells the tale of Helen Hamilton, a young woman whose destiny is forever altered when she meets Lucas Delos and tries to kill him in front of her entire high school. Which is terribly inconvenient, not only because Lucas is the most beautiful boy on the island, but also because Helen is so achingly shy she suffers physical pain whenever she is given too much attention.

Making matters worse, Helen is beginning to suspect she’s going crazy. Whenever she’s near Lucas or any member of his family she sees the ghostly apparitions of three women weeping bloody tears, and suffers the burden of an intense and irrational hate. She soon learns that she and Lucas are destined to play the leading roles in a Greek tragedy that the Three Fates insist on repeating over and over again throughout history. Like her namesake, Helen of Troy, she’s destined to start a war by falling in love. But even though Lucas and Helen can see their own star-crossed destiny, they’re still powerfully attracted to each other. Will they give up their personal happiness for the greater good, or risk it all to be together?

Oh WOW. This book, seriously, is amazing. Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini is so exciting and addictive reading that I stormed through the nearly 500 pages as quickly as is humanly possible. I was just so desperate to keep reading and find out what happens in the story and with these characters that I grew to love so much.

When I picked up Starcrossed I was really in the need for a romantic story to make me feel strongly and to just sweep me away, and this book did not disappoint me in that. It is was everything I could have wanted and more. With romance and long-standing feuds. It has family secrets and betrayal, friendships and super-powers. Like I said, this book? It's amazing. Plus the whole setting of Nantucket really added to the atmosphere with the stormy weather.

I feel as though retellings of Greek mythology is becoming all the rage nowadays, and I think for good reason. There's so much passion and adventure and thrilling stories from Greek mythology that how it can not be hugely fascinating to revisit? Such as the case with Starcrossed, as Helen and Lucas are modern reincarnations of characters from Greek myths, bound to each other and to a fate that is already been set aside for them. But will knowing what Fate has in store for them change the decisions of these two love-birds, as they fight against the chemistry and strong emotions that they have for each other? AHHHHHH! It's all very exciting.

Together with the swoon-worthy aspects of the romance, and the awesome action and fighting between demi-gods, there is also some really great characters here. I especially love Lucas and his entire family. Unlike Helen, the Delos family have grown up knowing what they are and what is in store for them and the responsibilities that each bears makes for some really interesting reading.

Honestly, I'm so excited about this book and seeing what comes next in the series. You all must go and read it! Highly recommended from me.

Zoe Marriott (Awesome Women)

To celebrate the end of my Fairy Tale Week (I do hope you've enjoyed it!) I Have the great pleasure of introducing Zoe Marriott to the blog today. Zoe is a great writer or fantasy and fairy tale re-tellings, so I'm thrilled to have her here today. You should have already read my review of the fantastic Shadows on the Moon, published in July.

If you'd like to know more about Zoe, please do visit the following sites:

Zoe's website
The Zoe-trope
Zoe on Facebook
Zoe on Twitter
Zoe's YouTube channel


Over to you, Zoe...

Can you tell me a little something about yourself?

I'm a writer of YA fantasies (you can find information here about my books The Swan Kingdom, Daughter of the Flames and Shadows on the Moon) and I'm in my late twenties. I love reading and writing more than anything - but I also love singing loudly, dancing around my living room, tramping bad temperedly through fields while muttering to myself, and playing with my nieces. I have a spaniel called Finn who I'm terribly soppy over, and two cats called Hero and Echo who I also love very dearly. I live on the East Coast of England, and at the moment I'm a full-time writer thanks to a grant from The Royal Literary Fund.

Did you have a role model growing up?

Not a real life one, no! I had many fictional role models, though. Mostly these came from the novels of Robin McKinley, Tamora Pierce and Diana Wynne Jones. I wish that Terry Pratchett had started writing YA novels when I was a teenager, because Tiffany Aching would have been my heroine.

Who do you look up to now?

So many women. I'm really lucky, I think, that are are so many awesome woman in the world right now, fighting to make their voices heard. Tamora Pierce, who practically invented YA fantasy for girls and continues to write unashamedly Feminist books. Sarah Rees Brennan (even though she's younger than I am!) for kicking homphobic/misogynistic *ss on her blog pretty much every week. N.K. Jemisin - an adult fantasy author - for educating readers in the funniest and most fascinating way via her involvement in RaceFail. Jean Kilbourne for her pioneering work on women's images in media and advertising. And more recently, Jenna Lyons, for painting her son's toenails pink and standing by it!

When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Oh no - this is so boring, but I wanted to be a writer! Honestly, pretty much from the first time I read a book. Not to say that I didn't *also* want to ride ponies, be a ballerina and a pop-star, but always a ballerina/pop-star who also wrote books.

Tell me something about the women in your life who have been an influence on you?

Well, it's tough really. I have a mother and an older sister, but the way they mostly influenced me (as the youngest girl in the family) was to do the opposite of what THEY did. For example, my sister and mother never wear make-up or high heels, and they've both always worn their hair short. So I started putting on make-up at age eleven, wore the highest high-heels I could find as soon as I could walk in them, and grew my hair and dyed it all kinds of colours. I've been a Goth, a Punk, a girlie girl and a hippie, all in an effort to be as different as I could.

When I got older and made friends, I found that the same thing happened. I always needed to be different - otherwise I felt like I was giving in somehow by conforming. I've never really known anyone in real life that I would allow to influence me. But I've been influenced by so many writers and so many fictional characters! I've listed many of them under the next question.

Who is your favourite fictional character? And why?

That's a mean question! I can't pick just one - I'll have to make a list. I love Jane Eyre for her unflinching integrity and ability to be true to herself. I love Lizzie Bennet for being able to laugh at the world and herself. I love Alanna from Tamora Pierce's Lioness Rampant series for being able to transition between male and female personalities with ease. I love Sabriel and Lirael from Garth Nix's Abhorsen books for the downright way they are willing to sacrifice themselves for their duty. I love Sophie from Diana Wynne Jones' Howl's Moving Castle for breaking free of everyone's expectations and doing what no one else could.

What were you like as a teenager and how did you cope with all the changes that occurred?

I was...difficult, I think. I was horribly bullied at school and not very happy at home, so I closed up emotionally and lived inside the personna that my bullies thrust on me. I spent a very long time believing that I was introverted and freakish and just couldn't get on with people. I stopped trying. I self-harmed and punished myself, and trudged through the days in a grey haze. I only came alive when I was alone and no one could attack me. I coped by escaping into reading and writing, and I really think that books saved my life, mentally and physically. Reading about characters who were as isolated and different as me - for example Harry Crewe from The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley, or Kathleen from Diana Wynne Jone's Dogsbody - was the only evidence I had that I wasn't the only person in the whole world who felt that way.

If you had any advice for yourself as a teenager, what would you say?

It's not you - it's them. There's nothing wrong with you, and you don't have to be ashamed of who you are or the way you feel or the things you think.

Of the issues and concerns that women are faced with today, what's the area you most like reading/writing about?

I'm not sure I really LIKE reading or writing about women's issues and concerns, especially contemporary ones, because I wish that they didn't exist. I wish we lived in a world where everyone who isn't a straight white male wasn't constantly having to fight to be taken seriously and given basic human rights. I do like it when authors tackle the idea that woman have to get married to get a happy ending - I loved Kristin Cashore's Graceling for that reason - and I like it when I read books where women and girls redefine 'femininity' to mean 'strength, compassion, integrity, bravery' rather than something more to do with long hair and frilly dresses (not that long hair and frilly dresses aren't awesome too!). Most of all I like to read, and try to write, books where women and their stories are treated with respect and accorded importance, whether they run into battle screaming or spend their lives looking after their families.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

If anyone would like to ask me questions about writing or publishing, they can visit my blog at http://thezoe-trope.blogspot.com and leave them in the comments. I always do my best to answer! You can also get more in depth information about me and my books at www.zoemarriott.com.

Thanks for having me, Clover!

Authors of fairy tale retellings (Awesome Women)

When I think of authors who write fairy tale retellings, there are certain names that just keep popping up. Robin McKinley, Donna Jo Napoli, and Gail Carson Levine. I thought today, with the nearly finished Fairy Tale Week, that I might just write a little bit about these awesome women. It's actually been really fascinating to read about these women and some of their life experiences.


Robin McKinley - Though I don't recall a great deal about my experience reading Beauty, I do recall how I felt when I read it. And that's swept away. Robin McKinley has written quite a few fairy tale retellings in her time - as well as Beauty, she has written another retelling of The Beauty and the Beast fairy tale - Rose Daughter. There's also Spindle's End, a retelling of Sleeping Beauty (which I have but not have not read as yet!) and Deerskin and The Door in the Hedge.

What I love most is that Robin McKinley has created books with female characters with characteristics that Robin herself has felt that she possessed. So the girls are clumsy or bookish, with no interest in flirting or dating. Girls who might be plain but are strong and adventurous. She says she wanted to write strong women in fantasy books. I love that and can approve. Robin's lived in loads of different places and done many different jobs from editor to barn manager to full-time writer. She has published many other books aside from her fairy tale retellings as well and I had no idea she was married to another children's author, Peter Dickinson!



Donna Jo Napoli - I love this, getting to know more about an author. Donna Jo Napoli, of whose Zel I've reviewed this week, is the author of a vast amount of books for teens as well as middle grade and younger children. She is very well educated, getting both a BA and a PhD from Harvard and studying at MIT. As well as being an author she is also a professor of linguistics and she writes extensively within the subject.

Some of her fairy tale retellings include Zel, which I've reviewed this week. Beast a retelling of Beauty and the Beast, Bound a retelling of Cinderella, The Magic Circle a retelling of Hansel and Gretel from the viewpoint of the witch, and Spinners which retells Rumplestiltskin.


Gail Carson Levine - Honestly, this is fascinating. Apparently Gail Carson Levine grew up in a very creative house - her father owned an art studio, her mother was a teacher involved in writing plays for her students to perform and an older sister who's a painter. That had to have been an interesting household to live in. But she didn't go straight into writing books. Instead she studies philosophy and has an interest in acting before working for the government helping people to find jobs for many years.

She then starts taking writing classes but is rejected for nearly a decade before having any success (take heart out there all you aspiring authors!) And her first novel, Ella Enchanted, a retelling of Cinderella wins the Newbery Honor. Wow, I love it. It's like a fairy tale of writing and publishing. After reading and loving Ella Enchanted, I've also read Fairest, set in the same world as Ella Enchanted but is a retelling of Snow White. She has also written other Princess Tales and other magical books.

Do you, like me, love knowing more about some of your favourite authors or of the authors of your favourite books?

REVIEW: Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott

"On my fourteenth birthday when the sakura was in full bloom, the men came to kill us. We saw them come, Aimi and me. We were excited, because we did not know how to be frightened. We had never seen soldiers before."

Suzume is a shadow-weaver. She can create mantles of darkness and light, walk unseen in the middle of the day, change her face. She can be anyone she wants to be. Except herself.

Suzume died officially the day the Prince's men accused her father of treason. Now even she is no longer sure of her true identity.
Is she the girl of noble birth living under the tyranny of her mother’s new husband, Lord Terayama? A lowly drudge scraping a living in the ashes of Terayama’s kitchens? Or Yue, the most beautiful courtesan in the Moonlit Lands?

Everyone knows Yue is destined to capture the heart of a prince. Only she knows that she is determined to use his power to destroy Terayama.

And nothing will stop her. Not even love.

Here's a book that I really loved. I flew through Shadows on the Moon by Zoe Marriott, desperate to find out how it would end. It was really addictive reading for me, especially as it gave such a new and strong outlook on the Cinderella story. I loved the setting (a fantasy world similar to feudal Japan), Suzume's character, from her magical abilities to her vulnerability and especially her relationship with the beautiful and honourable Otieno (who is utterly swoon-worthy!).

Shadows on the Moon is a retelling of the fairy tale of Cinderella. I felt there were enough of the original story for it to be recognisable as such but also that there are enough differences to make this uniquely Zoe Marriott's own creation. The added elements to the story really blew me away. I really thought that the story really lends itself to be told in a magical Japan. I really loved every detail, from the way in which people dressed to life at court. And we see a great deal of the different area of life as Suzume transitions from happy farm girl to that of a noble daughter, followed by life as a kitchen drudge and to finally a beautiful courtesan.

It begins with Suzume as a young girl. She's playing happily with her cousin when officers storm her home, killing both her father and her cousin. Desperate to flee and save herself, Suzume ends up hiding in the kitchen amongst the ash. There, a servant, Youta, helps her to hide until Suzume's mother returns and it is safe. The trauma of witnessing the deaths of the people closest to Suzume has a really profound effect on her. It doesn't help that Suzume's mother refuses to speak of them and Suzume must hide her feelings and she must mourn privately and without the support of her only living relative. Suzume becomes quite depressed and begins to self-harm in an attempt at expressing some of her overwhelming emotions - of the grief of her loved ones, of her confusion and anger towards her mother, who quickly remarries.

But Suzume is strong, and is able to adapt, even when she learns a terrible secret and must abandon the life she knows to become a servant. And then again later, she must adjust again when she must flee her home for fear of her life. I thought the relationship between Suzume and her mother was wonderfully done, the complexity of that relationship was heart-breaking and very realistic to me. There's a selfishness to Suzume's mother that made me incredibly angry, especially when she stands by the cruelty of her husband and becomes complacent to his terrible deeds in order to protect her position and standing. I love it when an author writes so well that it makes me loathe a character so utterly as I did with Suzume's mother and of her new husband.

I also loved how Suzume's magical ability is shown gradually and how Suzume uses this gift in order to hide the emotions from her face while surrounded by her cold and distant mother and her vile and ruthless step-father. But once this terrible secret is uncovered however, Suzume makes it her life's purpose to avenge her father and cousin's death, using her shadow-weaving ability to make other changes in her life besides a neutral expression. She hatches a bigger and more elaborate plan involving the prince and the Shadow Ball.

And amidst Suzume's grief, and her obsession with revenge, the character of Otieno brings such hope and light to this story. I absolutely adore Otieno. There's just something very open and good about Otieno. I was completely won over by him from the first mention of him and description of his good lucks and his tattoos. Suzume and Otieno have one of these really powerful emotional connections and despite Suzume's changing position in society, they continue to cross paths and be drawn to each other. But even this love will not stand in the way of Suzume's mission. She is determined to sacrifice everything in order to attend the Shadow Ball and attract the eye of the Prince, even if that means giving up on love and her freedom.

I really and truly loved Shadows on the Moon. I love that even though Suzume has been rather unlucky with her mother and her step-father, she has gathered to her close friends, such as Youta and Akira who go above and beyond in their affection and their love for Suzume. I loved reading such a wonderful character as Suzume as she deals with her grief and her depression the only way she knows how. I think books that handle such topics of self-harm in such an open way are a much needed addition to the YA market. I love the subtle though quite kick-ass magical skills that Suzume possesses and that though there is wonderful and endearing romantic relationship, it isn't with the prince and that Suzume really doesn't make romance her number one priority.

This book is such a joy to read. It comes highly, highly recommended by me for lovers of Japanese culture, of fairy tale retellings, of strong female characters and of wonderful storytelling.

REVIEW: Zel by Donna Jo Napoli

Based on the fairy tale Rapunzel, the story is told in alternating chapters from the point of view of Zel, her mother, and the nobleman who pursues her, and delves into the psychological motivations of each of the characters.

Zel by Donna Jo Napoli is not at all what I'd expected. First, from that cover, I believed the book to be aimed at a much younger audience. It isn't. Zel is most definitely young adult as there are themes and topics covered in this book which are a little disturbing. Second, I thought that because this is quite the slim book, I'd zip right through it. That didn't happen either. The atmosphere of the book and some of the heavy emotions that are evoked made Zel a pretty dense read in parts. It isn't by any means light reading. And for the most part, I liked it, though it is a little bleak.

Zel, is of course, a retelling of the fairy tale Rapunzel where a young girl is locked away in a tower with no access but a window. Her mother visits her by day calling for Rapunzel to let down her hair. A prince falls in love with her and together they hatch a plan for escape.

The first part of the story, in which Zel is still quite innocent and believes her mother to be a good was my favourite. Zel and her mother visit a distant town to gather some supplies and there meets a prince. Zel's mother feels threatened by the prince and plans to hide Zel away in order to keep Zel safe and tied to her.

Since reading Zel, I can no longer think of the story of Rapunzel as anything but cruel and barbaric. Donna Jo Napoli's version of the story is told from each of the main character's viewpoints and really gets into their heads. The prince, who is desperate to locate the mysterious girl he met in the market at any costs. Zel's mother, who is unable to let go of her daughter so that she may lead her own life separate to her. You can really see in Zel's mother's head the twistedness and justifications for her actions. And then there's Zel. And with her perspective the reader can see quite clearly the effect that the isolation and confusion Zel must have felt being locked away during puberty without any company and her declining mental state.

It's quite a sad, little story. And while there is a happy ending of sorts, there is so much that is broken within Zel that the ending didn't quite live up to my expectations. Which might have been the point, I'm not sure? I think I'm still making up my mind about this book!

Guest Review: Beastly by Alex Flinn (Hayley from Read A Book On You)

Wonderfully, Hayley from Read A Book On You has kindly agreed to guest review Beastly by Alex Flinn today. If you don't already read and follow Hayley's blog, you really should! She and her blog are both marvellous. Thank you for this Hayley! :)


I was drawn to this book through my interest in fairytale retellings, and there are no surprises for guessing that ‘Beastly’, is a modern twist on ‘Beauty and the Beast’. I’ve always liked that particular fairytale, I think because the moral of loving people for who they are is one I can really support. I’m also a big fan of the Disney film, I mean come on, he gives her a library for crying out loud!

To begin with I wasn’t sure about the book, as the writing style is rather cheesy. The main character Kyle is a spoilt rich kid who is vacuous, obnoxious and incredibly judgemental. He finds amusement in mocking people for their ‘ugliness’ and invites a mysterious goth girl to the prom in order to make fun of her. This turns out to be a fatal error for him when she is a witch who puts a curse on him. Kyle is turned into a beast and given two years to fall in love and be loved in return in order to break the curse.

After an initially noxious and unsympathetic character is taught a lesson, things start to improve in the story. Forced into exile by his TV presenter Father, (albeit a five floor house in Brooklyn loaded with mod cons) Kyle starts to adjust to his new life of solitude. With only his housekeeper Magda and blind teacher come confidante Will, Kyle is lonely and despairing. He insists on changing his name to Adrian and spends his time trying unsuccessfully to date online, reading and tending roses, which soon becomes his obsession.

A twist of fate brings an intruder to the house, who bargains with Adrian and offers him his daughter. Knowing this could be his chance to find love, Adrian accepts the trade off and Lindy is brought to the home. Whilst slightly creepy that a young girl is then imprisoned, the book displays its strengths from this point on by developing the friendship between Lindy and Adrian. I really warmed to them both here and whilst I still felt Adrian as a character was too spoilt he does become a more empathetic person.

I won’t spoil the ending for anyone who is interested in reading, but needless to say everything comes together. As a retelling of ‘Beauty and the Beast’ this was a decent effort, although at times I found it perhaps too close to the original, which occasionally felt like certain plot points had been shoe horned in just to follow the originals path. ‘Beastly’ remains though a quick and lively read and is recommended for anyone with a soft spot for fairytales.

Guest Post: Top 5 fairytales I can't wait to read (Tammy from The Book Fairy's Haven)

Today I have the GREAT pleasure of introducing Tammy from The Book Fairy's Haven to my blog today. Not only is Tammy a wonderful person and friend, she is also one of my favourite ever bloggers. If you haven't come across The Book Fairy's Haven, you should really go check it out. Thank you so much for guest posting today, I'm honoured.

Over to you...

Top 5 fairytales I can't wait to read

For as long as I can remember, fairytales have always played a huge part in my life. Whether it was through TV, or through books, these (often) romantic tales of yonder, have perhaps caused me to view the world around me with rose-tinted goggles. Not that I mind really. Nor am I making excuses for it.

In fact, naive as it may be, these fairy tales still have me believing in:

- the power of strong, forthright and virtuous heroes and heroines,
- happily-ever-afters that keep me dreaming and believing in the potential of finding my own personal fairytale ending;
- and the wonderful storytelling that has always and will always keep me believing in a world where magic, mayhem and anything wonderful is often prone to occur.

In the spirit of Michelle's fabulous fairytale week (thank you so much for having me feature on your blog Michelle), here are 5 fairytale reads (not necessarily new reads) that I can't wait to read.


Heart's Blood by Juliet Marillier

I first discovered this author when a colleague of mine lent me a copy of Daughter of the Forest (a retelling of The Six Swans).

I fell in love with Marillier's writing almost immediately. Her heroines are absolutely incredible and she writes with a beautiful infusion of magic, myth and her own unique spin on folklore. Because of this Daughter of the Forest is without a doubt, one of my favourite fairytale retellings.

One of her most recent books is Heart's Blood, which is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast.

Considering that Beauty and the Beast is my favourite fairytale, I have no doubt that Marillier's take on it will be an absolute sensory feast for the eyes and the imagination. The book focuses around a young man named Anluan who has been crippled since childhood as part of a curse that has been running in his family and his home for years.

Shrouded in doom and gloom, Caitrin, a young scribe is sent to sort through old family documents at his home. Through this, she unexpectedly brings about changes that brings hope to a household despairing and living in dark shadows. But, in order for Anluan's true freedom, young Caitrin must unlock the mystery behind the web of sorcery woven in the past before Anluan loses his life - and they lose their love.

I can't wait to immerse myself in Juliet's magical worlds and can highly recommend her novels to anyone who genuinely loves a good fantasy romance with strong, resilient heroines who know who to survive against all odds and the incredibly well-rounded men who complete them.


Sweetly by Jackson Pearce

A companion novel to Sisters Red (a novel which I enjoyed even though I did have a bit of a problem with Scarlett's character), Sweetly is a modern adaptation of Hansel and Gretel. I love Jackson Pearce's writing and would really love to see just how she puts her unique spin on this timeless classic.

The book tells the story of Gretchen and her brother Ansel who, along with Gretchen's twin went looking for a witch in the forest and found a little more than they bargained for. Whatever it is they found, they lost along with their twin sister, who was never to be seen again.

Years after the incident, brother and sister find themselves moving into an almost ghost town into the heart and the home of a beautiful chocolatier who welcomes them with open arms. When signs that the witch is still lurking around become more and more prevalent, with the help of Samuel Reynolds (wonder if he's related to a certain Reynolds in Sisters Red), Gretchen decides that it's time to fight back.

I can't wait for this one. Adventure, sinister activities and a little romance thrown into the mix? Oh, Yes please. Plus, how creeptastically beautiful is the cover of Sweetly? I get the feeling this one's going to take us on one spookily atmospheric ride. And I've always been a fan of novels with a slightly sinister edge to it.


The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories by Angela Carter


I've had this book on my list of to-reads for years. It's a darker, gothic, violent, sensual and feminist take on classic fairytales which features retellings of classic tales like Bluebeard, Snow White, Little Red Riding Hood and Puss in Boots (amongst other fairytales).

I'm not normally a fan of books that could in some ways be considered erotic fiction, but I do love dark, sensual and atmospheric tales and this one has been described as having all those elements and more.

The Bloody Chamber contains a collection of short stories that each explore women in different and often subversive roles (which many have claimed) - something which adds a whole new slant on the innocent fairytales that I've come to know and love. I wish I could go into more detail about how the fairytale storylines each differ, but that would spoil the book for both you and me. One thing I have been warned about that it makes for grizzly reading in some parts, but the beautiful and alluring
word imagery is what has made this novel a winner for many people who have read this book.

Perhaps I'm giving away the fact that dark, twisty tales appeal to my inner being, but I really can't wait to get my hands on a copy of this book.



Midnight Pearls: A Retelling of "The Little Mermaid" by Debbie Viguié, Mahlon F. Craft

And now, for something a little lighter. Next to Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid would probably be my second favourite fairytale of all time. This YA retelling of The Little Mermaid caught my attention with its beautiful title (I'm a sucker for book with beautiful titles).

This book was released way back in 2006 and tells the story of a lone fisherman and his wife who raise a girl named Pearl, rescued from the sea.

Pearl is an unusual girl with silver hair, and wide, dark blue eyes - and as a young woman is shunned by most villagers.

The one person she does find a companion in is Prince James - but that friendship and budding romance is about to be tested when trouble emerges, an evil enchantment is unleashed and hints about Pearl's past threaten to come to the forefront.

Not a huge fan of the book's actual cover, but I must admit that I'm smitten by the sound of this book. I haven't actually read too many retellings of The Little Mermaid and this one seems as good as any place to get back into the swing of LM retellings.



Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica Day George

I was hugely disappointed with Sarah Beth Durst's retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon, novel Ice. I remember loving the fantastic world of glistening ice, her lyrical writing, but thought her story was structured in a way that was too fast-paced and not realistically portrayed enough for me (You can read my review here.)

Of course, I do love the story of East of the Sun and West of the Moon, so I really am looking forward to reading Jessica Day George's offering. I haven't read too many reviews of this one, so am not quite sure what to expect, but I am optimistic and am hoping for the same kind of world building in Durst's Ice, but just with better storytelling execution.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow is about a girl known to her family as Lass, who is gifted with the ability to understand animals. When a polar bear seeks her out and promises wealth to her family if she'll accompany him to his castle in return, she doesn't hesitate.

Of course, the bear and his castle of ice is not all that it seems and soon, Lass discovers that the bear is really a prince who's been enchanted by a troll queen and who might be forced to marry a troll princess unless she can come up with a way to free him.

Snow and Icy-landscape settings have always been some of my favourite kind of books to read so I'm really hoping that this one will not be as disappointing as I found Ice to be.

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There are just so many beautiful fairytales (original and modern adaptations) that are out there, that it's really difficult to narrow them down to just these five. One thing I can say though is that as long as these stories are told, I'll always keep reading.

And mostly, I'll always keep believing. Such is the power of those enchanting tales.

Fairy tale movies

I love fairy tale movies. I love being swept away into a fantasy setting with magical creatures, with romance and adventure and that fairy tale ending.

I think fairy tales and fairy tale retellings are having a bit of a surge in popularity possibly, with the recent release of the films Beastly and Red Riding Hood. Beastly, of course being the film adaptation of the book by Alex Flinn and is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. And Red Riding Hood has a film novelisation already published, written by Sarah Blakely-Cartwright. I have not seen either film, so cannot make any comment. (Though if you've seen either film, do let me know in comments!)

I can, however, share with you some of my favourite films with fairy tale elements. Let's begin.



I think my favourite of all time has to be The Princess Bride. I love everything about both the book, by William Goldman, and the film which was released in 1987. It's an unbelievably quotable movie and I find myself thinking of The Princess Bride quotes all the time in my every day life.

There's so many wonderful aspects of the film version. I remember being quite excited when I learnt that Andre the Giant was in it, as he was a favourite wrestler of my brother's. Despite being very young when I first saw the film (it was released when I was 5), I remember having an all-consuming crush on Cary Elwes, who plays Westley.

The romance between Buttercup and Westley is really wonderful. Especially the scene where Westley returns as the Dread Pirate Roberts, expecting to be reunited with his True Love and instead finds Buttercup to be engaged to another. They argue and Buttercup pushes Westley down the hill, and oh... You must watch it if you haven't already. But don't worry, it is isn't just a kissing film.

There's swordfights and magic and a duel of wits. There's a Cliff of Insanity and some of the most memorable characters and dialogue that you'll remember forever. I can't even recommend it enough.



Another favourite? Ever After, starring Drew Barrymore in this retelling of Cinderella. This film came out while I was still in high school and it really became a favourite amongst my circle of friends. It's a retelling of the fairy tale, Cinderella set in Renaissance France.

There are no fairies or talking mice in Ever After, but the magic of this film comes from Drew Barrymore's character taking on a more feminist role. She doesn't need any prince to save her, and she's quite the feisty young woman.



I recently watched Shrek with my boys, who absolutely loved this movie. The bit where Princess Fiona surprised us all by kicking ass when Robin Hood and his Merry Men attacked? My boys died laughing. They thought it was great fun, and so did I.

I think what I loved most about Shrek is the concept of beauty and image. Shrek is very obviously not the usual hero of a fairy tale. He's an ogre. He's big and green and not very pleasant. And though Princess Fiona appears to be a docile princess waiting for her true love's first kiss, she's hiding some secrets of her own. Her fight with the Merry Men, her curse when the sun sets. It's also quite a funny movie and kept me entertained!



I actually saw the film version of Stardust before I read the book by Neil Gaiman. It's quite good and it grabbed my interest enough that I really had to go out immediately and read the book. I preferred the subtle and less dramatic ending of the book however.

Still, the journey of Tristran into the hero of this story was a wonderful transformation as was the sweetness of the love story between him and Yvaine. Again, there's swordfighting and a ship that flies through air. There's a fallen star in the shape of Claire Danes and this really wonderful fantasy world. Highly entertaining.



And finally, Pan's Labyrinth is something different altogether. It's a lot darker in tone and content than the others that I've picked, but I definitely didn't want to only choose light, fluffy films. There's nothing light or fluffy about Pan's Labyrinth! It's set in fascist Spain and takes place in 1944. A young girl and her mother go to live with her new step-father, an army general who is incredibly brutal. She meets a mythical creature who lets her know how she can help her mother who is suffering through a difficult pregnancy. The girl must undergo three tasks in order to prove herself as the queen of a fairy tale world. It's quite grim in parts, but I really loved it.


And I don't think that any post about fairy tales in movies could be complete without some mention of the influence of Disney films on people's perceptions of fairy tales. Disney films are probably the first real introduction that I can remember of fairy tales, I'm sure it's probably the same for most people?

It's only recently that I understood that the Disney film adaptations are very different in tone and content to the original fairy tales. Still, I love them for their simplicity and the romantic nature of them and perhaps it's enough that if someone fell in love with a particular story that they might investigate further?

You know, I can't even discuss the following Disney films in an intellectual way. I know that I should mention something about the passive roles these young girls are put into or roll my eyes at the focus on women getting married, but I just can't do it. I think of Beauty and the Beast, and I think of the ball room dance. When I think of The Little Mermaid, I think of Ariel singing her heart out. So I'm just going to add a few YouTube clips here instead.




Once Upon a Dream from Sleeping Beauty (I'm not entirely familiar with this film actually!)



Tale as Old as Time from The Beauty and the Beast



Bippity Boppity Boo from Cinderella



Part of Your World from The Little Mermaid



Someday My Prince Will Come from Snow White and Seven Dwarves

Also, a film that I really wanted to see but didn't get a chance to watch at the cinema ... Tangled.

So, tell me: what is YOUR favourite fairy tale movie?

REVIEW: Ice by Sarah Beth Durst

When Cassie was a little girl, her grandmother told her a fairy tale about her mother, who made a deal with the Polar Bear King and was swept away to the ends of the earth. Now that Cassie is older, she knows the story was a nice way of saying her mother had died. Cassie lives with her father at an Arctic research station, is determined to become a scientist, and has no time for make-believe.

Then, on her eighteenth birthday, Cassie comes face-to-face with a polar bear who speaks to her. He tells her that her mother is alive, imprisoned at the ends of the earth. And he can bring her back — if Cassie will agree to be his bride.

That is the beginning of Cassie's own real-life fairy tale, one that sends her on an unbelievable journey across the brutal Arctic, through the Canadian boreal forest, and on the back of the North Wind to the land east of the sun and west of the moon. Before it is over, the world she knows will be swept away, and everything she holds dear will be taken from her — until she discovers the true meaning of love and family in the magical realm of Ice.

Ice by Sarah Beth Durst really surprised me with how much I was able to fall into the story and how much I ended up feeling for the characters. I've not read the original fairy tale, East of Sun West of the Moon at all, so I had no idea really what to expect. All I knew of the premise was that a girl falls in love with a polar bear and I just wasn't sure how much I could believe in such a thing. But it seemed to really work, especially as their relationship changed gradually because of actual time spent together, talking.

Cassie has lived her entire life on a research centre with her father and a bunch of scientists. It's all she's known and she can only see becoming a scientist and tracking polar bears as her future. And then on her 18th birthday, her whole world crumbles around her as she learns that the fairy tale that her grandmother has told her since she was little is real - that her mother made a deal years ago with the Polar Bear King and is now imprisoned faraway. Cassie has the power to free this mother she's never known, but only by giving herself in marriage to a polar bear.

I really loved Cassie's character. She's strong and brave and is willing to give up her freedom in order to save another. And despite going off to live in luxury in the polar bear's castle (his name is Bear, which I found to be adorable!), she isn't content to just sit around, looking pretty. Instead, she comes up with a way for her to work, help the polar bears and spend more time with Bear, who she has come to gradually love.

But all does not remain perfect forever. After a lapse in trust, Bear is taken prisoner and Cassie is determined to go to the ends of the earth (and beyond) in order to free him. She must travel to east of the sun, and west of the moon to bargain with those that have taken Bear. It's a difficult and dangerous journey with many obstacles in the way, but her love for Bear and in order to protect the souls of the Artic polar bears keeps her from giving up.

Like I said, I love the strength of Cassie, her strong will and her need to be of use and to be helpful. I love that though she loves Bear, she isn't able to fully be content until she has a purpose in her life, though there was a bit towards the end that made me feel a little uncomfortable. I much preferred the first half of the book with all the world-building, where Cassie is still figuring stuff out and getting to know Bear whereas the second half is more focused on Cassie's daring adventure. I thought Cassie's relationship with Bear to be utterly sweet and I was entirely surprised how much I found the scientific elements of tracking bears and the research done in her father's centre to be so interesting.

I was thoroughly entertained with this book, and I think I'll now have to read the original fairy tale!

Favourite fairy tale books and retellings

I'm really sorry, but this is quite the long post! It wasn't my intention to write loads about my favourite fairy tales, but I guess I've read and enjoyed more fairy tale books than I'd imagined. This list of favourites are obviously aside from the reviews that will be posted throughout the week, all of which I've greatly enjoyed.

I've organised this post into three parts, fairy tale books that have elements of the fairy tale about them but are original stories; fairy tale retellings, which are modern takes on an old story; and the third part is a collection of books from the other two categories but which I've not read myself. Please do feel free to share with us in comments some of your own favourite fairy tale books!


Fairy tale books


The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly - I read this book before I started properly book blogging, but it is the blogging community that alerted me to its presence. I really loved the story and one boy's journey through a world populated by fairy tale creatures, some quite disturbing. While it did drag slightly towards the end, it was a book that I stayed up way past my bedtime reading in order to finish.


The Princess Bride by William Goldman - This is one of my all-time favourite books. I will be talking a bit more in detail about the film adaptation tomorrow though. In a nutshell, I love everything about this story. I love the romance between Buttercup and Westley, I love the elements of magic, I love the wonderful characters and especially the dialogue. There really is something for everyone in this story and I really cannot recommend it enough.


Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones - I ADORE Howl's Moving Castle, I really do. I came quite late to the party with this one, and only read it after I'd seen the film adaptation. I preferred the book, though thought the movie quite good as well. I love Sophie's character and after reading the brilliance of this book, I am determined to read more of Diana Wynne Jones, of whom I'm ashamed to admit that I've read very little. This book contains everything I want in a fairy tale story, evil enchantments, a magical castle, brilliant world-building and even better characters.



Stardust by Neil Gaiman - I don't think it's any surprise really, that I'm a massive Neil Gaiman fan. And I do so much love Stardust. I love the journey that Tristran takes, his slow and steady feelings for Yvaine. I love the witches and the princes and how they all collide in the very non-dramatic ending. I talk a bit more about the film adaptation tomorrow, but this story is fantastic, one of my favourites.




Fairy tale retellings


Oops. I seem to have chosen two retellings of Beauty and the Beast and two retellings of Cinderella. I'm obviously not very widely read in the fairy tale retellings department! Or perhaps I'm just not aware of those stories that are adaptations of (to me, anyway!) less known fairy tales. Perhaps you could educate me in the comments section? Much appreciated :)


Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine - I read Ella Enchanted well before I started this blog. In fact, I was still working in a bookshop when I read this book and I submitted a small review of it to head office who promptly printed out a little card and shipped my review to every bookstore in the chain. So for that reason alone, I have fond memories of this book. But it's also really cute and fun. I remember the fun world that Ella lives in a lot more than I remember her character or the story, to be honest. It is aimed at a younger audience, and I think I would have *loved* this book if I'd read it when I was younger.


Beauty by Robin McKinley - I read Beauty a very long time ago. A lot of the details have escaped me, but I do remember the feeling that I had whilst reading it. I was absolutely swept away into the story and the characters. I think there's something sort of comforting about reading a story that you already know like you do with a fairy tale retelling. Especially of a fairy tale so widely known as Beauty and the Beast. I've also read somewhere, that fairy tale retellings are so satisfying because they usually provide a background and more meat to the stories, whereas the original tales are pretty sparse on the word counts.


Beastly by Alex Flinn - I remember thinking that the beginning of Beastly by Alex Flinn was a bit silly. I didn't really get on with the fairy-tale chatroom thing at all, but I stuck with the story and found this retelling of Beauty and the Beast from the perspective of the Beast to be fun and entertaining. I liked that the setting is very contemporary, in a modern day New York. There's been a recent film adaptation released, I haven't seen it!


Ash by Malina Lo - Ash by Malinda Lo was a book I mostly picked up because of the gorgeous cover. I did know that it is a retelling of Cinderella, but I wasn't aware that the major twist for the retelling is that our main character has no real interest in Prince Charming. In fact, she fell in love with Kaisa, the huntress. I think there really needs to be more well-written and gay love stories in YA. I think that'd be fantastic.


Zelah Green by Vanessa Curtis - I've recently read Zelah Green by Vanessa Curtis and really loved it. This book is a retelling of Snow White told in a contemporary setting with our main character suffering from obsessive compulsive disorder and instead of being sent off to the woods to be killed and being rescused by dwarves, in this, Zelah is sent off to a youth home for those suffering from mental illnesses. I've not seen a great deal of YA books that deal with OCD so for that reason alone I'd have picked it up. Knowing that it is also a fairy-tale retelling was just icing on the cake. I look forward to reading the sequel and any other books by Vanessa Curtis...



Others, that I haven't read but heard are good


Goose Girl by Shannon Hale - I've included this book on this list, mostly because I have it checked out from the library currently. I've heard really good things about Shannon Hale and she has written quite a few fairy tale retellings and I really wanted to review one of her books for this week. Sadly, it was not to be. I still hope to read this book though. Has anyone else read it or anything by Shannon Hale? Where's a good place to start?


The Swan Kingdom by Zoe Marriott - I will be reviewing another of Zoe's books during the course of this week, Shadows on the Moon, but as I was at the library the other day, I did spot this book. The Swan Kingdom is another fairy tale retelling, a different take on Wild Swans (of which I have not read the original)! As I loved Shadows on the Moon so much, I am very keen to read more books by Zoe Marriott. Didn't quite have the time to get to it this week, but look out for a review of this one soon.


Beast by Donna Jo Napoli - I will be reviewing another book by Donna Jo Napoli this week, Zel. But I've had Beast on my wishlist for quite some time now, so I thought I'd include it here on this list. Beast is apparently a retelling of Beauty and the Beast from the perspective of the prince as he recounts the events that led up to being transformed into a beast.


What are your favourite fairy tale books and retellings? Have you read any of the books I've listed? What did you think?

REVIEW: Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris--the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts ferociously alongside her. But even as more girls' bodies pile up in the city and the Fenris seem to be gaining power, Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves. She finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax and Scarlett's only friend--but does loving him mean betraying her sister and all that they've worked for?

I've had Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce on my shelves for a long time unread. I'm not sure if the paranormal aspects of it was the reason (I swing wildly between loving and hating books with vampires and werewolves etc) or if the controversy that came up about some of the more (I thought) minor aspects of the book was putting me off. Once I started planning my Fairy Tale week, I knew for certain that it had become time to see for myself what I thought of this book.

And I have to say, I really enjoyed it. I thought it was immensely readable. Whenever I put Sisters Red down, I always wanted to get back into it straight away. And despite some feelings of discomfort surrounding the controversial bits, it wasn't nearly enough to stop me from enjoying the characters, the action, the romance or the storyline.

Sisters Red is a very loose retelling of the fairy tale, Little Red Riding Hood. But Jackson Pearce mixed it up quite a bit and in this story, we meet two sisters, Scarlett and Rosie. When they are both quite young, the two girls are at their grandmother's house when a werewolf attacks. In order to protect her sister and herself, Scarlett stands to fight the werewolf head on.

Years later, and Scarlett and Rosie are 18 and 16 and are no longer innocent young girls. They've spent their lives training and fighting in order to rid their town of werewolves. Together, with a neighbour boy, Silas, the three make a pretty intimidating trio with their fighting and weapons expertise. But the scars, both emotional and physical, that Scarlett carry after that first bloody werewolf attack has changed her. She sees only the hunt and the fight and can't fathom why or how anyone else who knows the danger that werewolves pose can do or focus on anything else.

Rosie doesn't feel the same way, but her gratitude towards Scarlett for saving her life at the cost of so much makes her feel beholden to her sister. Her love for her sister keeps her from living the life that she longs for. When more werewolves swarm the area and begin causing more trouble, Scarlett, Rosie and Silas move to the city in order to cause maximum damamge. And while some of the research during this part of the story is a little tedious, it is balanced out a bit with Rosie's attempts at widening her hobbies from knife-throwing to making out with Silas and taking classes at a local community centre.

There is lots of wonderful fighting scenes within the book. Very brutal and gory, Pearce didn't shy away from blood or causing injury to her main characters. It was pretty awesome, really. But fighting scenes and action aside, I thought the thing that grabbed my interest the most is the relationships between the two sisters and the relationship of each sister with Silas. I loved the complex nature of their friendships and this bond between sisters. Also, I found the growing love interest between Silas and Rosie to be incredibly sweet and though the 'twist' is something I could see coming, I still loved the build-up towards the end.

I'm really glad that I finally read this book!

Giveaway: Living With Feet Too Big For A Glass Slipper by Lynne Tapper

The lovely people over at Midas kindly sent me Living With Feet Too Big For A Glass Slipper by Lynne Tapper for my fairy tale week. I was really hoping to be able to read and review it in time for this week, but unfortunately I wasn't able to. Life really got in the way (everyone wish me good luck, my third uni assignment is due tomorrow!!) so I thought the best thing to do would be host a giveaway!

I will be giving away my own paperback copy of the book and because funds are low, I'm going to have to restrict this giveaway to UK only! I'm really sorry to my international readers - next time, I promise.

So you have until Sunday the 29th of May to enter. Just fill in the form below and I will let random.org choose a winner in a week's time. Good luck to you all!


Welcome to the mythical kingdom of It Is What It Is, where everything is as it seems and people are the perfect performers in the game of life. In the year of 1212 B.R., Before Reason, the beautiful Princess Innocent is born in the Royal Borough of Look At Me, one of the many Drama Districts that constitute the Kingdom. Having been raise on the propaganda of the fairytale, Princess Innocent is ill-prepared for her life's journey when she leaves the castle to find her one true prince. Unfortunately she finds Prince Badboy, Captain Unavailable, Lord Lie-A-Lot and Prince Rescue-Me, among others. Both a parody of the fairytale and modern-day satire on the search for love in all the weird and wacky places, Innocent's fraught journey captures the essence of what it is to be fantastically human. A whimsical tale of magical realism that takes readers on a journey to a mythical Kingdom, Living with Feet Too Big for a Glass Slipper is the first of five in The It Is What It Is Chronicles. It is illustrated by Monica Alesina.


THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED, THE WINNER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THANK YOU.

REVIEW: Reckless by Cornelia Funke

Beyond the mirror, the darkest fairy tales come alive. . . .

For years, Jacob Reckless has enjoyed the Mirrorworld’s secrets and treasures.

Not anymore.

His younger brother has followed him.

Now dark magic will turn the boy to beast, break the heart of the girl he loves, and destroy everything Jacob holds most dear. . . .

Unless he can find a way to stop it.

A review of this book was originally posted at Mostly Reading YA's blog for Translation month in April though I have made some alterations to it in order to highlight the book's fairy tale elements.

I have to admit, I've had Reckless by Cornelia Funke on my shelves unread since I bought it new and in hardback just after it was published. I heard that Cornelia Funke would be speaking at the Bath Children's Literary Festival last year and I wanted to have a copy for myself to read. Hearing her speak about her characters, some of her aims for the book and a bit about her writing process really had me excited to read the book. She spoke of reading the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm and how her characters Jacob and Will are named after the Grimm brothers, which is something that I found quite interesting.

At the event in Bath, Cornelia Funke came out wearing this beautiful dress. She said that a costume designer had made is especially for her after reading an early draft of Reckless. It was made very intricately with lace and different fabrics in order to convey the magical atmosphere of Mirrorworld. Cornelia Funke spoke quite a bit about the 'flavour' of Mirrorworld that she was hoping to convey within the pages of Reckless, and after reading the book, I can say that the dress was absolutely perfect. There's something very grim and sinister about Mirrorworld.

Reckless by Cornelia Funke is the story of two brothers, Jacob and Will Reckless. After their father dies, Jacob, the older of the two brothers, discovers a magical world hidden behind a mirror in his father's office. This world is a place of magic, and mythical creatures. The fairy tales that we all know and love are real in this world, though very sinister and darker than you'd imagine them to be. For years, Jacob has travelled to this Mirrorworld, leaving behind his family and his fears for longer and longer stretches of time, instead choosing to live in this world of fantasy. That is, until one day Will follows him and is cursed by the Black Fairy. This curse is slowly turning into Will into goyl, his skin hardening into stone.

Jacob, together with the vixen, Fox, and Clara, the girl who is in love with Will, travel on this dangerous race-against-time in order to save Will from transforming into stone forever. This journey will take them into the forest, where a hideous Tailor, dressed in the skin of his victims hunts them and to Sleeping Beauty's castle where the princess still lies waiting for her true love's kiss. Mirrorworld is in a perilous time, a war brewing between fairies and goyl and Will as the Jade Goyl plays a pivotal role.

Though Reckless is a little slow to begin and it may be hard to find your feet immediately within its pages, it is quite an exciting read. With Will slowing losing his humanity and Jacob taking greater and greater risks in order to save his little brother, I felt like there was great urgency moving the story along. I think the gloomy atmosphere of Mirrorworld that is created through the dark aspects of the magic that lives there is balanced nicely with the love of Clara for Will and the devotion of Fox. By the end of the novel, I began to really feel emotionally invested in these main characters despite there not being much development as you would expect for the first book in the series.

I'm really quite glad I read Reckless and I look forward to where Cornelia Funke will take this story next.

Why fairy tale week?

Welcome to Fairy Tale Week here at Fluttering Butterflies!

Before I started this whole fairy tale week, I thought that I only liked fairy tales a little bit. No more than the average person, I thought. My intentions for the week were primarily in order to read through some fairy tale retelling books I'd had on my shelf for ages and I figured that a 'fairy tale week' would be a bit of fun and a great excuse to power through these books.

And then I started writing posts for it and compiling lists of my favourite fairy tales books and movies and it made me realise just HOW MUCH I've adored fairy tales in any format since I was a very little girl. I'm very excited about the next few days' posts and sharing with you some of the books and movies I've loved, but first, I thought I'd talk a little bit about fairy tales.

When I was in the planning stages of this themed week, someone did mention reading a book about fairies in conjunction with Fairy Tale Week. It really got me thinking, because I don't generally associate fairy books with fairy tales. Sure, fairy tale books sometimes (usually?) contain fairies, but not exclusively, I would say. There are some great books about fairies out there, but those aren't the books that I will be looking at this week.



No, for me, fairy tales have magical elements to them. Any kind of magical creature, from fairies to mermaids to beasts under a spell to enchantments and trolls and dwarves. There is usually some adventure and romance along the way. There's castles and princesses and scary villians. It may look at a moral dilemma or a fight between good and evil. It might just be thoroughly entertaining. It may or may not (though my preference is definitely FOR) begin with 'Once upon a time' and my preference is that it will end up with '...And they lived happily ever after.' Though, of course, it isn't always the case.



When I think of fairy tales, I usually think of the Brothers Grimm or Hans Christian Anderson. Despite my growing awareness of my interest in fairy tales, I admit to not having read either. I've made a big attempt at rectifying that this week in order to flesh out some of reviews and posts but it's certainly something that I will look into further after this week has finished.

Of course Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm were the first to collect together fairy tales and other such stories and while at first kept them in the same tradition as they were originally told but the stories were later changed in order to make the stories more widely accepted. This first collection of German stories spurred people in other nations to collect their own country's stories together, like the Danish Hans Christian Anderson. And of course, in light of the changes that were made to the stories in order to make them more widely acceptable for the time , modern writers have provided us with some wonderful retellings which balance out some of the gender inequalities which were present at the time of gathering together these fairy tales.

So why fairy tale week? Because I love stories. I love the magical elements to fairy tales. I love the ways in which old stories can be told in different ways and show us new things we'd never thought of. I grew up with fairy tales being quite sweet and romantic and I love how reading some fairy tales that haven't been watered down for children are able to shock me. I especially love fairy tale endings. I love that someone who has been through a lot of crap (like me! like everyone, really!) can still have a happy ending. Fairy tale endings give me hope.

But the thing I love the most, probably? Is when in a fairy tale, characters find a place to belong. Usually with a prince charming of some sort, which is nice, but I also really value the place they find amongst friends or family, as that is what I've strived for the most during my life. Belonging.

What do fairy tales mean to you and why do you love them?

IMM 29

In my mailbox is a weekly meme hosted by Kristi of The Story Siren in which bloggers share with their readers the books that have arrived in their homes over the past week. I really look forward to seeing other people's books and really have a lot of fun with my IMM posts, so thank you Kristi.


Passion by Lauren Kate - Before Luce and Daniel met at Sword & Cross and fought immortals at Shoreline, they lived many lives. . . .

Since THAT ending of Torment, I've been absolutely dying to read the next part in Daniel and Luce's story. I know that this is more of a prequel and we have another whole YEAR to get to the next part, I am still happy to at least have Passion to keep me company.

I'm really looking forward to reading this one and it shall my next on my reading pile, I should think.

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The Truth About Celia Frost by Paula Rawsthorne - Celia Frost is a freak. At least that is what everyone thinks. Her life is ruled by a rare disorder that means she could bleed to death from the slightest cut, confining her to a gloomy bubble of safety. No friends. No fun. No life. But when a knife attack on Celia has unexpected consequences, her mum reacts strangely. Suddenly they are on the run. Why is her mum so scared? Someone out there knows and when they find Celia, she is going to wish the truth was a lie... A buried secret; a gripping manhunt; a dangerous deceit: what is the truth about Celia Frost? A page-turning thriller that s impossible to put down.

I have heard really excellent things about this book. One of my favourite bloggers lists this amongst her favourite books all year, so pretty high praise! It sounds pretty good and again I did a little dance when it turned up in the post :)

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Defiance by Lili St Crow - The heart-stopping fourth novel in New York Times bestselling author Lili St. Crow's Strange Angels series.

Now that sixteen-year-old Dru's worst fears have come true and Sergej has kidnapped her best friend Graves, she'll have to go on a suicidal rescue mission to bring him back in one piece.
That is, if she can put all of Christophe's training to good use, defeat her mother's traitor, Anna, once and for all, and manage to survive another day . . .

This book has been bounced around for a little while until finally showing up! A huge thank you to Kirsty of The Overflowing Library for sending it to me via Lyndsey from Heaven, Hell and Purgatory Book Reviews! It got here in the end :)

I do really love the Strange Angels series and Dru Anderson. I can't wait to get started on this book.

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Pretty Twisted by Gina Blaxhill - Ros has a secret crush on Jonathan. Jonathan is massively hung up on Freya (even after she dumps him). And Freya? Well, Freya is a beautiful enigma. Even more so when she goes missing without a trace..."Pretty Twisted" is narrated in alternating chapters by Jonathan (16) and Ros (14) who meet online at a time when things are going sour for Jonathan. His stunning girlfriend, Freya, is away at college and they are growing apart - consequently, he is struggling with his own sense of identity. Ros is also experiencing some problems - one of her friends is dating an older man whose strange behaviour gives Ros cause for concern. Meanwhile, the local news has been reporting some kidnappings of teenage girls. So when Freya dumps Jonathan, then seems to disappear off the face of the earth, he enlists Ros' (somewhat reluctant) help in tracking down the girl he still loves. With danger lurking around every corner, their stories become inextricably linked in a way nobody could have predicted...

This book wasn't expected at all, it just showed up. Sounds like it'd be a kind of disturbing (twisted?) read. Not entirely convinced yet, but I'm sure I'll end up giving it a go.

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An Act of Love by Alan Gibbons - Childhood friends Chris and Imran celebrate the Millenium as inseparable blood brothers, they are both seven years old. But by 2011 their lives have taken very different paths. One has joined the Army and served in Afghanistan, the other is a potential jihad recruit. They are no longer friends, and there are bitter wounds between them which remain unhealed. Will their childhood bond be strong enough to overcome an extremist plot? In a highly-charged, honest and life affirming story, told in flashback from both Chris and Imran's viewpoint, Alan Gibbon's cleverly explores the very real issue of terrorism that affects everyone today.

This sounds like it'd be quite fascinating and emotional to read. Thank you to Nina from Orion for sending it to me!

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Hidden by Miriam Halahmy - "Hidden" is the first in a cycle of three novels set on Hayling Island, off the South Coast of England, near the Isle of Wight. Each novel is stand alone but a minor character in the previous novel becomes the major character in the next. "Hidden" is a brave novel, tackling the issues surrounding Middle-Eastern immigration into the UK through the eyes of a British teenager. "Hidden" is a literary, coming-of-age novel dealing with judgement, courage, preconceptions and the difficulty of sorting right from wrong. "Hidden" is humorous, yet hard-hitting and speaks with a voice which teenagers will connect with. Fourteen year old Alix lives at the bottom of Hayling Island near the beach. It is a quiet backwater, far removed from world events such as war, terror and refugees. Alix has never even given a thought to asylum seekers, she has enough problems of her own: Dad has a new life that doesn't include her, Grandpa is dead and Mum is helpless and needy. But when Alix sees the local gang shouting racist abuse at Samir, the foreign boy in her class, she finds herself sticks up for him and they become friends. Alix begins to learn about the life Samir has left behind in Iraq, which isn't all about suicide bombers but centred on playing football in the street with friends, going to school and helping his Mum with the shopping. Then one day on the beach Alix and Samir pull a drowning man out of the incoming tide: Mohammed, an illegal immigrant and a student. Mohammed has been tortured by the militia in Iraq for helping the allied forces and has spent all his money to escape. Alone, helpless, and desperate not to be deported, Mohammed's destiny lies in Alix and Samir's hands. Samir knows that life as an immigrant can be cruel, but he begs Alix to help him hide Mohammed. However, hiding an injured refugee is fraught with difficulties and Lindy Bellows, the bad girl at school is already sniffing around. Lindy's brother, Terrence, is in the racist gang. How long before Lindy gives them away? Faced with the biggest moral dilemma of her life, what will Alix do, and who can she trust? As Alix weighs up her own commitments versus those of a helpless stranger; human rights issues versus the law; and finally what you can see versus what is hidden, the reader is taken on an extraordinarily gripping journey through a moral minefield of decisions to discover, with Alix, that knowing right from wrong isn't always easy.

I won Hidden in a Twitter giveaway from the lovely Savita Kalhan, author of The Long Weekend. I'd had my eye on Hidden for a little while and am thrilled and excited to have won :) Thank you Savita!

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Alanna by Tamora Pierce - Alan of Trebond, the best warrior in the palace, is harboring a big secret: he is really a she - Alanna. But when her prince is felled by an illness, Alanna has no choice but to use her healing magic - even if it means ruining her career.

Tamora Pierce is one of those authors that I've always heard good things about. I now feel like I've missed out somehow by having never read any of her books, so I thought I really must do something to rectify the situation. I chose Alanna as my first Tamora Pierce read, because Alanna sounds very much like an awesome female fictional character! :)

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Mad Love by Suzanne Selfors - When you're the daughter of the bestselling Queen of Romance, life should be pretty good. But 16-year-old Alice Amorous has been living a lie ever since her mother was secretly hospitalized for mental illness. After putting on a brave front for months, time is running out. The next book is overdue, and the Queen can't write it. Alice needs a story for her mother—and she needs one fast.

That's when she meets Errol, a strange boy who claims to be Cupid, who insists that Alice write about the greatest love story in history: his tragic relationship with Psyche. As Alice begins to hear Errol's voice in her head and see things she can't explain, she must face the truth—that she's either inherited her mother's madness, or Errol is for real.

Mad Love was not a book that I was expecting, but it really sounds quite good. As you all may know (?) I do love a story with an element of mental illness, so I'm really looking forward to getting started with this one.

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Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck - Passion. Fate. Loyalty.

Would you risk it all to change your destiny?

The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she’d be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world. But that’s exactly what happened. Face-to-face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever.

Tiger’s Curse is the exciting first volume in an epic fantasy-romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.

OOH! What a gorgeous cover that is! I'm really looking forward to this book. Epic fantasy-romance? I'm so there. I hope Tiger's Curse is as exciting as I expect it to be :)

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The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens - Kate, Michael, and Emma have been in one orphanage after another for the last ten years, passed along like lost baggage.

Yet these unwanted children are more remarkable than they could possibly imagine. Ripped from their parents as babies, they are being protected from a horrible evil of devastating power, an evil they know nothing about.

Until now.

Before long, Kate, Michael, and Emma are on a journey to dangerous and secret corners of the world...a journey of allies and enemies, of magic and mayhem. And—if an ancient prophesy is correct—what they do can change history, and it is up to them to set things right.

Oh, I'm quite excited about this one! The Emerald Atlas sounds like the kind of fantasy adventure that I love to fall into and get swept away by. I'm very much looking forward to this one.

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Outside In by Maria V. Snyder - Me? A Leader? Okay, I did prove that there's more to Inside than we knew. That a whole world exists beyond this cube we live in. And finding that led to a major rebellion - between worker scrubs like me and the snobby uppers who rule our world. Make that ruled. Because of me, we're free. I thought that meant I was off the hook, and could go off on my own again - while still touching base with Riley, of course. He's the one upper I think I can trust. But then we learned that there's outside and then there is Outside. And something from Outside wants In.

And Outside In! I'm being very spoilt for choice this week. This is the sequel to Inside Out, which I read and reviewed earlier this year. I really loved and it's always a treat to return to great characters and a different world! Look out for my review soon.

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Die For Me by Amy Plum - My life had always been blissfully, wonderfully normal. But it only took one moment to change everything.

Suddenly, my sister, Georgia, and I were orphans. We put our lives into storage and moved to Paris to live with my grandparents. And I knew my shattered heart, my shattered life, would never feel normal again. Then I met Vincent.

Mysterious, sexy, and unnervingly charming, Vincent Delacroix appeared out of nowhere and swept me off my feet. Just like that, I was in danger of losing my heart all over again. But I was ready to let it happen.

Of course, nothing is ever that easy. Because Vincent is no normal human. He has a terrifying destiny, one that puts his life at risk every day. He also has enemies . . . immortal, murderous enemies who are determined to destroy him and all of his kind.

While I'm fighting to piece together the remnants of my life, can I risk putting my heart—as well as my life and my family's—in jeopardy for a chance at love?

How gorgeous is the cover for Die For Me? I've been dying to read this one for awhile, so I'm very excited to now have a copy waiting for me once I'm able to navigate through my stacks and stacks of TBR piles. Wasn't I supposed to be on a book-acquiring ban?!

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The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter - It's always been just Kate and her mom—and her mother is dying. Her last wish? To move back to her childhood home. So Kate's going to start at a new school with no friends, no other family and the fear her mother won't live past the fall.

Then she meets Henry. Dark. Tortured. And mesmerizing. He claims to be Hades, god of the Underworld—and if she accepts his bargain, he'll keep her mother alive while Kate tries to pass seven tests.

Kate is sure he's crazy—until she sees him bring a girl back from the dead. Now saving her mother seems crazily possible. If she succeeds, she'll become Henry's future bride, and a goddess.

I can't say that I've heard much about this one. I saw it briefly on NetGalley, but I didn't request it. When I saw that two of my favourite book bloggers, Sya and Vivienne have opposing viewpoints on the book, I thought that I really must read The Goddess Test to see where I stood on the matter.

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Wintercraft: Blackwatch by Jenna Burtenshaw - Kate has escaped the clutches of the High Council and Silas has left Albion for the continent. But their lives are forever linked and as the veil weakens, causing Albion's skilled to fear for everyone's safety, Silas and Kate find themselves drawn together by the mysterious and corrupt Dalliah Grey.

YAY! I was a massive fan of the first book in the Wintercraft series, so I'm hugely excited to read this follow-up. I really can't wait to get back to these characters (especially Silas!) and this world to see what happens next.

A big thank you to Vivienne at Serendipity from which I won this book in a giveaway. Can't wait! :)

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Burned by Ellen Hopkins - Raised in a religious -- yet abusive -- family, Pattyn Von Stratten starts asking questions -- about God, a woman's role, sex, love. She experiences the first stirrings of passion, but when her father catches her in a compromising position, events spiral out of control. Pattyn is sent to live with an aunt in the wilds of Nevada to find salvation and redemption. What she finds instead is love and acceptance -- until she realizes that her old demons will not let her go.

I'm a massive fan of Ellen Hopkins, I really am. I've been trying to track down copies of all of her books, so I was thrilled to see Burned show up on ReadItSwapIt. This book sounds just as emotional and moving as Ellen's other works and I look forward to reading it and more verse novels in the future!

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And those are the books which made their way into my possession recently. What books have you recieved lately?