Whatever After: Genie In a Bottle

 

Whatever After: Genie In a Bottle (#9) by Sarah Mlynowski    176 pgs

Abby and her little brother, Jonah, have a magic mirror in their basement that takes them to different fairy tales, which they always wind up messing up. But sometimes, it's for the better: Snow White doesn't eat the apple, Cinderella gets a job she loves, etc.
In this enchanting ninth installment, the siblings fall into the story of Aladdin. They're excited to be in this world of magic carpets and genies, but making three wishes isn't so easy, and soon hilarities and hijinks ensue! 

This is a cute series. As long as the reader knows their fairy tales, they'll get the humor. I even learned that their is more to the Aladdin story than Disney had us believe:) I would recommend this to a young reader.

Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

 Half a Soul

Olivia Atwater

297 pages

 

I enjoyed this story very much. It has a nice ending with no loose ends. It is one of the few historical and fairy tale stories I've read where the woman not only saves herself and others, but doesn't compromise her sense of self.

 

 

It's difficult to find a husband in Regency England when you're a young lady with only half a soul.

Ever since she was cursed by a faerie, Theodora Ettings has had no sense of fear or embarrassment - a condition which makes her prone to accidental scandal. Dora hopes to be a quiet, sensible wallflower during the London Season - but when the strange, handsome and utterly uncouth Lord Sorcier discovers her condition, she is instead drawn into dangerous and peculiar faerie affairs.

If Dora's reputation can survive both her curse and her sudden connection with the least-liked man in all of high society, then she may yet reclaim her normal place in the world. . . but the longer Dora spends with Elias Wilder, the more she begins to suspect that one may indeed fall in love, even with only half a soul.

Cursebreakers Trilogy by Brigid Kemmerer

 

Cursebreakers Trilogy by Brigid Kemmerer
1) A Curse So Dark and Lonely - 512 pages
2) A Heart So Fierce and Broken - 480 pages
3) A Vow So Bold and Deadly - 416 pages

This retelling of Beauty and the Beast sucks the reader in immediately into the tale of the tortured Prince and the young women he takes to try and break his curse.  This isn't a story painted in bright Disney colors with dancing teacups.  This is a dark and angsty romance filled with violence and tragedy illuminating the depths of the bonds between people and how they can shine in the face of unimaginable evil.  

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

Stardust by Neil Gaiman
304 pages / 6 hrs, 23 mins

"Life moves at a leisurely pace in the tiny town of Wall--named after the imposing stone barrier which separates the town from a grassy meadow. Here, young Tristran Thorn has lost his heart to the beautiful Victoria Forester and for the coveted prize of her hand, Tristran vows to retrieve a fallen star and deliver it to his beloved. It is an oath that sends him over the ancient wall and into a world that is dangerous and strange beyond imagining..."  --from the publisher

This fairy tale is a fantastical story by an excellent storyteller. I recommend listening to it since the author is the reader.  I give it four out of five stars.

Once Upon a Goat by Dan Richards

Once Upon a Goat by Dan Richards, Pictures by Eric Barclay
34 pages

"Once upon a time, a very prim and proper king and queen begged their fairy godmother for a child. They'd prefer a boy, with glowing skin, bright eyes, and two roses for lips...but any kid will do. When they find themselves gifted with a baby goat (also known as a kid) instead, they can't imagine how he'll fit into their lives. But of course, it isn't long before he's part of the royal family."  --from the publisher

What a cute book!  I love the theme of trading a "perfect" life for a "messy" one that has more family members to love.  I think kids will enjoy the story and the illustrations.

Hans Christian Andersen's The Little Mermaid Adapted by Metaphrog

The Little Mermaid Adapted by Metaphrog, 77 pages

Metaphrog are John Chalmers and Sandra Marrs, award winning graphic novelists who beautifully adapted Hans Christian Andersen's classic tale, The Little Mermaid into a beautiful graphic novel.   Of course most people know Disney's version of this classic, but reading it again as the original fairytale is fun especially with the beautiful illustrations.  Nonetheless, I think it has a very sad ending in this version.

The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley

The Fairy-Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley 284 pages

The Fairy-Tale Detectives is the first book in the Sisters Grimm series.  The story begins with two sisters, Daphne and Sabrina, being sent to live with their grandmother (they were told was dead).  The two sisters have been in and out of foster homes ever since their parents' disappearance.  The girls find out that they have famous ancestors, the Brothers Grimm, who have written down stories of their interactions with mythical creatures, called Everafters.  For fans of fractured fairy-tales, you will enjoy this first book in the series.  My daughter read the entire series and to date claims it is one of her favorites.  I really enjoyed this light-hearted read.

The Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children by Keith McGowan

The Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children - Keith McGowan - 192 pages

Sol and Connie move to Grand Creek and find themselves in danger from neighbor Fay Holaderry.  Will they be able to escape her attempts to cook and eat them?

I picked the audiobook to listen to this month to fit the horror challenge as the case's back matter listed it as a horror book for children.  Turns out it is just a modern retelling of Hansel Gretel.  I didn't think it was very scary as it was pretty obvious from the beginning that the kids were going to escape unharmed.  Still, I did enjoy the audio and would recommend it to those who enjoy fairy tale retellings.

Stars Above by Marissa Meyer

Stars Above by Marissa Meyer -- 400 pages

This a collection of short stories from the Lunar Chronicles universe.

The Little Android: A retelling of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Little Mermaid,” set in the world of The Lunar Chronicles.
Glitches: The young Cinder tries to love her new family until her step-father is taken away by the plague. From this story comes the line referenced in "Cinder," "Don't leave me with this thing."
The Queen’s Army: Since they successfully crossed the genes of a wolf with a twelve-year-old boy, Queen Levana is forming an army of hybrid soldiers, but one is determined not to become the monster they have made of him.
Carswell’s Guide to Being Lucky: Thirteen-year-old Carswell Thorne has big plans involving a Rampion spaceship and a no-return trip out of Los Angeles.
The Keeper: The story of Michelle Benoit, Scarlet, and the young Princess Selene.
After Sunshine Passes By: The story of how Cress became the Queen's spy and ended up alone on a satellite.
The Princess and the Guard: It was the game that Winter and Jacin played as children before it became a reality. This is the story of Winter, her best friend, and her choice not to use her Lunar gift.
The Mechanic: In this prequel to Cinder, we see Kai and Cinder’s first meeting from Kai’s perspective.
Something Old, Something New: In this epilogue to Winter, friends gather for the wedding of the century... 

Soundless by Richelle Mead

Soundless by Richelle Mead - 272 pages

This stand-alone teen novel is from one of my favorite adult authors.  It's a pretty unique story that reads almost like an extended fairy tale.  The main character lives in isolated village high on a mountain where the inhabitants have lost their hearing over generations.  Daily life in the village is very regimented following a traditional Asian type hierarchy where everyone has their specific role to play.  The food supply to the village is compromised and that leads to a journey of discovery and rebellion with a sprinkling of forbidden romance.

The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman

The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman - 66 pages

This is a retelling of the Sleeping Beauty story with several major twists.  I usually love Neil Gaiman's writing for kids and teens. However, I was slightly disappointed by this story.  I believe it probably had to do with listening to it on audio.  The audio had sound effects that were very, very distracting from the story.  It also had odd pauses throughout the narration.  The twists were interesting so I think if I had read the print version I would have liked it better.

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica George

Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow by Jessica George  328 pages

Blessed—or cursed—with an ability to understand animals, the Lass (as she's known to her family) has always been an oddball. And when an isbjorn (polar bear) seeks her out, and promises that her family will become rich if only the Lass will accompany him to his castle, she doesn't hesitate. But the bear is not what he seems, nor is his castle, which is made of ice and inhabited by a silent staff of servents. Only a grueling journey on the backs of the four winds will reveal the truth: the bear is really a prince who's been enchanted by a troll queen, and the Lass must come up with a way to free him before he's forced to marry a troll princess.

Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge

Crimson Bound by Rosamund Hodge  441 pages

When Rachelle was 15, she was good - apprenticed to her aunt and in training to protect her village from dark magic. But she was also reckless - straying from the forest path in search of a way to free her world from the threat of eternal darkness. After an illicit meeting goes dreadfully wrong, Rachelle is forced to make a terrible choice that binds her to the very evil she had hoped to defeat.

Three years later Rachelle has given her life to serving the realm, fighting deadly creatures in a vain effort to atone. When the king orders her to guard his son, Armand - the man she hates most - Rachelle forces Armand to help her hunt for the legendary sword that might save their world. Together they navigate the opulent world of the courtly elite, where beauty and power reign, and no one can be trusted. And as the two become unexpected allies, they discover far-reaching conspiracies, hidden magic... and a love that may be their undoing. Within a palace built on unbelievable wealth and dangerous secrets, can Rachelle discover the truth and stop the fall of endless night?

The Princess Test by Gail Carson Levine

The Princess Test by Gail Carson Levine -- 91 pages

Lorelei, the blacksmith's daughter, is a good natured girl with all the kindness you could want, but she has one problem: everything must be just so. As a baby she was the only child ever to have silk diapers and milk from the mountain yaks. And as a young lady, she can hardly do anything without half killing herself. But she can embroider, and she can hang laundry.

She is hanging laundry one day when Prince Nicholas rides by.

King Humphrey has decided it is time for Prince Nicholas to marry and to marry only the finest princess, but Nicholas has already fallen in love with Lorelei.
While Lorelei's nanny, Trudy is plotting harm against Lorelie, Prince Nicholas' parents are devising a ginormous test for the princess who would want to marry him.

Gail Carson Levine re-imagines fairy tales in a charming and humorous way for young girls, and in my case, older girls as well.

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes

As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes -- 272 pages

For those who fell in love with the movie The Princess Bride, Cary Elwes, who played Westley, tells us his side of all that went into the making of it. From R.O.U.S.s and Giants to Sword-Fighting and knocking Westley out with a sword hilt, it is pretty exciting and just plain hilarious. 

This book brought back many memories and let me know more about the actors and directors of one of my favorite movies. 

The only negative thing I have to say about it is that Cary Elwes gives us a lot of backstory every time he meets with someone. "They were in this movie, this movie, this movie, and backstage in this movie, this movie, and this movie." I had to struggle through or skim over all the listing in order to get to the movie I was really interested in hearing about. 

The Scarecrow and His Servant by Philip Pullman

The Scarecrow and His Servant by Philip Pullman - 229 pages

One night a lightning strike animates a scarecrow.  The next morning a young boy, Jack, become the servant of Lord Scarecrow and they set off to make their fortune.  They have various adventures including facing brigands, acting in a play, leading a battle, and becoming castaways on a deserted island.  All while being chased by the lawyers of the family trying to make certain Lord Scarecrow never claims his inheritance.

I listened to this on audio.  It took a really long time for me to get into the story.  I don't think it was until the fourth and final CD that I really cared what happened to either Jack or the Scarecrow.  What mainly bothered me was how whiny Jack was.  He was always on the brink of starving to death even though he had only missed maybe one or two meals the entire story.

The Mostly True Story of Jack by Kelly Barnhill

The Mostly True Story of Jack by Kelly Barnhill - 323 pages

Jack is sent to live with his aunt and uncle in Hazelwood, Iowa when his parents decide to divorce.  Hazelwood is a new experience for Jack.  It is the first time that he is ever noticed by anyone -- bullies, adults, and friends.  It also seems to be a town with secrets that all center around Jack.

This is a difficult book to explain.  However, I sometimes think those are the best kind of books.  This was a truly unique fairy tale that I really enjoyed reading.  While I guessed parts of the final outcome, I was still surprised by several elements.  I do think that some might take issue with the fact that the ending is not a happy ending - a truly unusual thing in a children's book.

Wayfarer: A Tale of Beauty and Madness by Lili St. Crow

Wayfarer by Lili St. Crow - 348 pages
A Tale of Beauty and Madness - 2

Ellie's life is horrible since her father died.  Her mother makes her wrong non-stop at home charming shoes to be sold in her business.  The littlest thing will set her stepmother off leading to severe beatings.  Things only get worse when her stepmother's sister comes to live with them, a local boy returns home from boarding school, and her friends try to save her.  But not one can save Ellie . . . except maybe Auntie, the nice old lady who lives near school and teaches Ellie about charming.
This is the second fairy tale retelling by Lili St. Crow after Nameless, her retelling of Sleeping Beauty.  This book retells Cinderella.  I also got a few hints of Hansel and Gretel in the mix.  Overall I enjoyed this book.  The one thing that bothered me was the "wimpyness" of the main character Ellie.  I know it was realistic in the portrayal of abused children being too afraid to get help, but it got very annoying after a while.

Wayfarer by Lili St. Crow

Wayfarer by Lili St. Crow  348 pages

Ellie Sinder is a Charmer—the most powerful of her age that St. Juno's Academy has ever seen. But Ellie's stepmother, Laurissa, wields manipulation and abuse to force Ellie to work her spells ever more intensely, for Laurissa's profit.
Then a train from over the Wastelands arrives in New Haven, bearing on it golden boy Avery Fletcher, newly returned from prep school, wearing a sweater Ellie'd love to bury her face in and a smile as bright as his blond hair. Avery's arrival sets Laurissa off on a dark and dangerous scheme—and this time the soul up for grabs is Ellie's.

The Princess Test by Gail Carson Levine

The Princess Test by Gail Carson Levine - 91 pages

Prince Nicholas must find a princess to marry.  His parents has devised a series of tests to determine a true princess.  However, Prince Nicholas only wants to marry Lorelei, the blacksmith's daughter.
This is one of the books in Levine's Princess Tales series.  It is a retelling of the Princess and the Pea.