#Review - A Whole New World (Twisted Tales) by Liz Braswell #YA #Retellings

Series: A Twisted Tale # 1
Format: Hardcover, 376 pages
Release Date: September 1, 2015
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Adaptations

What if Jafar was the first one to summon the Genie?

When Jafar steals the Genie’s lamp, he uses his first two wishes to become sultan and the most powerful sorcerer in the world. Agrabah lives in fear, waiting for his third and final wish.

To stop the power-mad ruler, Aladdin and the deposed Princess Jasmine must unite the people of Agrabah in rebellion. But soon their fight for freedom threatens to tear the kingdom apart in a costly civil war.

What happens next? A Street Rat becomes a leader. A princess becomes a revolutionary. And readers will never look at the story of Aladdin in the same way again. 

A Whole New World, by author Liz Braswell, featuring Aladdin, kicks off a brand new YA line called Twisted Tales which takes classic Disney films and twists them into compelling, aged-up adventures. Each book will start off with the events of the familiar film before a "what if" moment is introduced, instantly propelling readers into an alternative history which develops the familiar, beloved characters in a fresh new way. The story almost assumes the reader is familiar with the Disney characters.

Unlike other fairytale retellings in the market, these books play upon recognizable Disney characters, worlds, and iconography, appealing to young and new adults who grew up with these stories and have a nostalgic attachment to them. This story features the same characters you would find in Aladdin. Aladdin, of course, Prince Jasmin, Genie, and Jafar. The story takes place in Agrabah. Aladdin is one of the Street Rats who live in the poorest section of town. It's filled with thieves, beggars, murderers and poor children who no one wants.

Aside from a few details like Aladdin's mom making a brief one-chapter appearance, this book sticks mostly to the 1992 movie. Then the twist happens. After a chance run-in with Princess Jasmine, Aladdin, a poor street rat, ends up arrested. An old man promises riches beyond his imagination, enough to even possibly buy himself into being a Prince and then eligible to marry Jasmine. All he has to do is get the old man an old lamp. One could say that at this point, things are going to get much darker.

When Jafar does not hold up his part of the bargain and takes the lamp for himself, chaos ensues in Aladdin's village, and Jasmine, Aladdin, Morgiana, and friends must rage a war against Jafar and his army, which includes zombies. Abu and Rajah were there as well, though Abu didn't have his same spunk. There is a whole new aspect of this story that may not appeal to those who watched the original movie. In fact, it's a bit offsetting. We know that no matter what happens, whether Jasmine becomes a rebel against Jafar, that the ending will likely be predictable.

I would say that if you want to read this book, borrow it from a friend, or the library. That way if it let's you down, you won't waste any money.

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#Review - Cinder & Glass by Melissa de la Cruz #YA #Fantasy #Retellings

Series: Standalone
Format: Hardcover, 336 pages
Release Date: March 8, 2022
Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Source: Library
Genre: Young Adult Fiction / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Adaptations

New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz pens a lush, swoon-worthy retelling of "Cinderella" set in lavish Versailles. Perfect for fans of Bridgerton and The Selection!

1682. The king sends out an invitation to all the maidens in France: their presence is requested at a number of balls and events that will be held in honor of the dashing Prince Louis, who must choose a bride.  

Cendrillon de Louvois has more grace, beauty, and charm than anyone else in France. While she was once the darling child of the king's favorite adviser, her father's death has turned her into the servant of her stepmother and cruel stepsisters--and at her own chateau, too!
 
Cendrillon--now called Cinder--manages to evade her stepmother and attend the ball, where she catches the eye of the handsome Prince Louis and his younger brother Auguste.
 
Even though Cendrillon has an immediate aversion to Louis, and a connection with Auguste, the only way to escape her stepmother is to compete with the other women at court for the Prince's hand.
 
Soon, as Cendrillon glows closer to Auguste and dislikes the prince more and more, she will have to decide if she can bear losing the boy she loves in order to leave a life she hates. 

With Cinder & Glass, author Melissa de la Cruz pens a lush, swoon-worthy retelling of "Cinderella" set in lavish Versailles. The year is 1682, and Cendrillon de Louvois is the only daughter of Michel le Tellier, le Marquis de Louvois. The Marquis and his daughter are moving to Versailles where Louis XIV (The Sun King) advisors call home. The only problem is Cinder's father is soon dead, and she ends up with a woman named Catherine who fits the bill of the evil stepmother to a tee.

After Cendrillon begins mourning, she is forced to be her household’s main servant by her stepmother Catherine and stepsisters Severine and Alexandre and is no longer seen by those in court. Yes, this is a retelling of Cinderella, but with a twist. But things are going to change following closely in the steps of Cinderella. For the Grand Dauphin's 18th birthday, the King decides to send out invitations to all the maidens in France, and elsewhere. 

With help from her godmother, Lady Francoise, Cendrillon finds herself at the ball, dancing with Auguste, the Kings bastard son, as well Prince Louis. During the ball, the King announces that 25 women will participate in a selection process and will be narrowed down until only one woman is left standing. Cendrillon, going by the name Cinder, is one of the 25 chosen along with her stepsisters, but quickly flees the ball before her evil stepmother finds out that she left to attend the ball. 

Much to her dismay, as well as Catherine's, Louis seems intent spending more time with Cinder than the rest of the women, including her stepsisters. As Cinder continues in the competition, she grows closer to Auguste, the prince's brother, and finds herself disliking Prince Louis more and more each day. For the most part, Cinder & Glass sticks to the original script. That is until the author decides to do a Bachelor type contest where the Prince spends time with the 25 before eliminating one by one until only 1 is standing. 

I will say that there's quite a difference between stepsisters. One takes after her mother and is pure rotten to the core. One, Alexandre, ends up being more than her mothers daughter. She even finds love with one of Cinder's best friends and isn't all that rotten when it comes to stopping Cinder from finding happiness. Another great change to the story is the setting of 17th century France, with all the intrigue of the French court and the expectations of young ladies to go with it. Yes, Cinder is quite young (15) when the story begins, but she grows in character by the time the story is finished.

“The final name on the list is Lady Cinder. Lady Cinder, will you make yourself known to the court? A hearty congratulations are in order for our twenty-five lovely maidens. I can assure you that my son and I both eagerly await commencement of the courtship events.”

The king kept talking, but I couldn’t hear him over the rushing of blood in my ears. A cold sweat broke out on my skin as I sat frozen in place. My limbs felt so heavy and sluggish I didn’t think I could move them even if I wanted to.

I had only danced with Prince Louis once, and we barely talked for more than ten, maybe fifteen minutes. Just because I had a pretty dress and nice manners didn’t mean I was important, or that I would make a good queen. It didn’t make any sense. Why would the king allow the dauphin to put my name on the list?

But more important—did I even want to marry the dauphin? He was handsome and much more charming than when last we met, and he could offer me a life of luxury and security. He was the heir to France! The king’s word was law, and if I was his queen, my word would become law too.

I couldn’t stop the thoughts racing through my head. Marrying the dauphin would mean that Lady Catherine would no longer have power over me. But I didn’t need to marry the dauphin to escape my fate; I had Lady Françoise now…

And if Louis chose me, what about Auguste? How would he feel about this turn of events if he knew I was Lady Cinder?

It was ridiculous to worry about what Auguste thought. We were only friends. But it was best to avoid the drama entirely and live a peaceful life with Lady Françoise. When I had fully recovered and gotten my bearings, then I could consider coming back to the palace. But I had no interest in courting—much less marrying—the spoiled dauphin.

“The clock nears midnight, and the first day of the dauphin’s birthday celebration draws to a close.” The king’s voice cut cleanly through the excited chatter that had risen up after the reading of the list. “Before we depart to get some much-needed rest in preparation for the events to come, I would like the twenty-five maidens to come to the dais so that they can be introduced to the court. And to me. I’m sure we would all like to meet you before courtship proceedings begin in earnest tomorrow.”

Panic—sharp and icy—stabbed my stomach. The mass of courtiers undulated as girls began to emerge and climb the dais to speak with the king and the dauphin.

I couldn’t do it. Alexandre and Severine would be there. Lady Catherine would see me. Maybe if my godmother was with me I would know what to do, but I was too confused about how I wanted to proceed to even think about enduring a confrontation with my stepmother. I decided I would not present myself. It would be better if the king and the dauphin forgot all about me…

The courtiers were pushing forward to crowd around the dais, leaving this end of the hall increasingly empty. A particularly large group of nobles hurried toward the dais, leaving a wide-open path from my bench to the archway leading to the Salon of War. An opportunity like this couldn’t go to waste.

I stood up and jumped from my seatto the parquet floor below. Pain radiated from my ankles up through my legs when I made impact with the floor, but I ignored it. Gathering my voluminous skirts into my arms, I dashed from the Hall of Mirrors, as fast as my slippers could take me.

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#Review - Sherwood by Meagan Spooner #YALit #Fantasy

Series: Standalone
Format: Hardcover, 480 pages
Release Date: March 19, 2019
Publisher: HarperTeen
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Adaptations

The Lady becomes the Legend in this gender-bending, action-packed, and highly romantic retelling of Robin Hood by the New York Times bestselling author of Hunted, Meagan Spooner.

Robin of Locksley is dead.

Maid Marian doesn’t know how she’ll go on, but the people of Locksley town, persecuted by the Sheriff of Nottingham, need a protector. And the dreadful Guy of Gisborne, the Sheriff’s right hand, wishes to step into Robin’s shoes as Lord of Locksley and Marian’s fiancé.

Who is there to stop them?

Marian never meant to tread in Robin’s footsteps—never intended to stand as a beacon of hope to those awaiting his triumphant return. But with a sweep of his green cloak and the flash of her sword, Marian makes the choice to become her own hero—Robin Hood.

 

Robin Hood is dead. Long live Lady Marian! That is pretty much the premise of this retelling by author Meagan Spooner. There have been numerous retellings of Robin Hood in the movies, including 2018's Robin Hood. Recent books include Scarlet by A.C. Gaughen, and The Forest Queen by Betsy Cornwell. But, this story takes a different twist on Robin Hood tale from the perspective of Marian. 

Lady Marian grew up with Robin of Locksley. As kids, they learned how to fight, and how to shoot bow and arrow. Marian was always a little faster to learn and a better shot. She was also taller. With Robin, she could be who she wanted to be. He didn't try to imprison her in the usual role for women of her time. He even took his time in asking Marian to marry him before joining King Richard's Crusades. 

Things change when news that Robin has died in the Holy Land in service to his king. While Marian is inconsolable over the loss of Robin, things change when her maid's brother Will Scarlett is arrested by the Sheriff of Nottingham's men. After discovering the injustices perpetrated by the Sheriff, and his men, she decides to do something about it. She finds Robin's signature cloak, the sword and bow he had made for her, and sets out to rescue Will. 

Her adversary is Guy of Gisborne who wants to take Robin's place both at Locksley and as Marian's new husband. One could say that she never intended to become Robin Hood, but once she saw how much hope Robin's reappearance brought to the people of Nottingham, she sets out on a dangerous path which can either lead to legendary status, or a quick death by hanging. Her crew includes Little John, Alan-a-Dale, Will Scarlet, her maid Elena, her stableman Midge (Much) and Frère Tuck. 

This story incorporates a bit of a back story with Marian and Robin growing up. Robin is also in Marian's head at times during the course of this story. Robin and Marian's relationship is legendary, so yes, I was absolutely saddened by the way this book opens. For years, I've read and watched movies where Robin was nearly indestructible. Marian as a main character was very interesting to read. She's headstrong, and very independent. She was so immersive and shows herself to be incredibly resourceful throughout the story. 

My only real complaint - I absolutely loathed the "mandatory love story". It didn't sit right with me in any way, and I had so much trouble with it through the whole novel. I cast my rating down a bit thanks to the ending and the forced romance. One could say, well, it was time or Marian to move on and find happiness. Or, one could say, just get over it! Read the book and make your own choices. That is my recommendation.

 

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#Review - The Warrior Maiden by Melanie Dickerson #YALit #Historical #Fiction

Series: Hagenheim # 9
Format: E-Galley, 320 pages
Release Date: February 5, 2019
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Source: Publisher
Genre: Young Adult / Fairy Tales & Folklore / Adaptations

Mulan isn't afraid to pretend to be a son and assume her father's soldier duties in war. But what happens when the handsome son of a duke discovers her secret?

Mulan is trying to resign herself to marrying the village butcher for the good of her family, but her adventurous spirit just can't stand the thought. At the last minute, she pretends to be the son her father never had, assumes his duties as a soldier, and rides off to join the fight to protect the castle of her liege lord's ally from the besieging Teutonic Knights.

Wolfgang and his brother Steffan leave Hagenheim with several other soldiers to help their father's ally in Poland. When they arrive, Wolfgang is exasperated by the young soldier Mikolai who seems to either always be one step away from disaster . . . or showing Wolfgang up in embarrassing ways.

When Wolfgang discovers his former rival and reluctant friend Mikolai is actually a girl, he is determined to protect her. But battle is a dangerous place where anything can happen-and usually does.

When Mulan receives word that her mother has been accused of practicing witchcraft through her healing herbs and skills, Mulan's only thought is of defending her. Will she be able to trust Wolfgang to help? Or will sacrificing her own life be the only way to save her mother? 

 

The Warrior Maiden is the Ninth installment in author Melanie Dickinson's Hagenheim series. Each book features two different characters from book to book. This story is about an 18 year old girl named Mulan. Mulan enjoys horses and archery. She has been trained not by her father who is a soldier, but by her friend 12-year old Andrei who has followed her father around from battle field to battle field.

With her country, Lithuania, fighting against the Teutonic Knights, her father having passed away weeks ago, her mothers attempt at marrying her to a local butcher, and the fear of losing her home, Mulan makes a choice to leave home and pick up the name of Mikolai. With men’s clothes hiding her secret she sets off to prove her worth as a soldier but complications arise when she meets Wolfgang of Hagenheim.

She must work with Wolfgang, who just happens to be a Duke's son, to end the war and save the people she loves. Wolfgang and his brother Steffan are like yin and yang. Wolfgang joins with Duke Konrad's army to fight against the Knights. It is where he meets the fearless Mikolai who seems a bit too good to be true. Steffan wants to fight for the Teutonic Knights who claim that the Pope has given them and excuse to oppress people from countries like Lithuania and Poland. 

Steffan's actions in this book are reckless. He's hurting from an incident that took place when he and Wolfgang were children and has carried the baggage for years. The only question is whether or not the brothers will have to face each other in battle, and who will be standing in the end. The other question is what will happen once Mulan's secret is finally discovered. Under Christian dharma, women aren't allowed to fight as soldiers, nor are they allowed to wear men's clothing.

Melanie Dickinson is a new author to me. So, I wasn't aware that this was a Christian based series. I haven't read the first 8 books in this series. I learned, through reading this story, about other characters who have been featured in previous novels. I am not sure if I will go back and read any of the other books. I have become rather apathetic when it comes to Christian novels. I am a believer in God but I'm not afraid to question things that I have seen in my 6 decades of living. Nor am I afraid of calling out the Church for centuries of wrongdoing. With the rise of anti-Christianity in this country and other places, I do not believe that someone who is not a Christian will like this story.

Mulan, even though she is Chinese in birth, really doesn't bring a whole lot of Asian influence to the story. As the only woman with Mongolian decent in her village, she suffered unjustly because she did not look like everyone else. One of the puzzling aspects of this story is Mulan herself. In the beginning, she struggles to hit the broad side of a barn, and can barley carry a sword. Yet, when it comes to battle, she is a bright star who rushes head strong into danger without fear for her safety. Maybe a bit over the top which is why my rating is what it is.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Saturday #Review - Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook by Christina Henry #Fantasy #YALit

Series: Standalone
Format: Paperback, 304 pages
Release Date: July 4, 2017
Publisher: Berkley Books
Source: Publisher
Genre: Fantasy, Retellings

From the national bestselling author of Alice comes a familiar story with a dark hook—a tale about Peter Pan and the friend who became his nemesis, a nemesis who may not be the blackhearted villain Peter says he is…There is one version of my story that everyone knows. And then there is the truth. This is how it happened. How I went from being Peter Pan’s first—and favorite—lost boy to his greatest enemy. Peter brought me to his island because there were no rules and no grownups to make us mind. He brought boys from the Other Place to join in the fun, but Peter's idea of fun is sharper than a pirate’s sword. Because it’s never been all fun and games on the island. Our neighbors are pirates and monsters. Our toys are knife and stick and rock—the kinds of playthings that bite.  Peter promised we would all be young and happy forever. Peter lies.

Christina Henry, who took on Alice in Wonderland in her own unique way and managed to knock it out of the ball park, returns with a new take on Peter Pan in Lost Boy: The True Story of Captain Hook. Before reading Lost Boy, do yourself a favor and pretend that you've never read J.M. Barrie's Peter Pan. Pretend that Lost Boy is instead the prequel to Barrie's novel, or if you must, a re-imaging of the tale that puts the focus on how one boy, best friend of Peter Pan once, became the diabolical Captain Hook who hasn't been given a real chance to tell his own side of things. 

The key character is Jamie. Jamie, at 8 years old, was the first boy that Peter Pan brought with him to Neverland. Peter promised him that he would never grow up, that he would always have adventures, and that they would be together forever. All he had to do is love Peter, and be his playmate always. Jamie worshiped Peter once, but he has seen the toll that Peter's games have taken on the Lost Boys. Jamie is the best fighter on the island. Boy are both scared of him, and respect him because he, in turn, teaches them how to survive, and he knows where all the bodies have been buried. 

As the years have dragged on, Jamie realizes that Peter isn't the boy he thought he knew. Especially when he takes on being a mentor for a boy named Charlie, and later a new arrival name Sal who is more than I can say. Peter truly believes that the boys are replaceable, and if he loses one, he can always steal another one. Just as long as that boy is presumed to be unwanted. Would I consider this story to be a villain redeemed by alternative facts never heard of before? Quite so.

So, I ask you to do yourself a favor. Open your mind to the possibility that everything that you've been told about Captain Hook is a lie written by Peter and even Disney. Captain Hook is the perfect fall guy for Peter to blame for his truly bizarre behaviors. Pick up and read this story with an open mind and a willingness to extend reality to the possibility that everything that you've heard about Peter Pan is just plain wrong, and that Peter wasn't a nice boy at all. If you can do that, you will enjoy a truly fantastical ride with plenty of action, suspense, and most of all, adventure the likes that we expect from Christina Henry. 

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#Monday Review - The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine #YALit #Fantasy @cjredwine @BalzerandBray

Series: Ravenspire # 2
Format: Ebook, 432 pages
Release Date: February 14, 2017
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Source: Edelweiss 
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Retelling

The world has turned upside down for Thad and Ari Glavan, the bastard twins of Súndraille’s king. Their mother was murdered. The royal family died mysteriously. And now Thad sits on the throne of a kingdom whose streets are suddenly overrun with violence he can’t stop.

Growing up ignored by the nobility, Ari never wanted to be a proper princess. And when Thad suddenly starts training Ari to take his place, she realizes that her brother’s ascension to the throne wasn’t fate. It was the work of a Wish Granter named Alistair Teague, who tricked Thad into wishing away both the safety of his people and his soul in exchange for the crown.

So Ari recruits the help of Thad’s enigmatic new weapons master, Sebastian Vaughn, to teach her how to fight Teague. With secret ties to Teague’s criminal empire, Sebastian might just hold the key to discovering Alistair’s weaknesses, saving Ari’s brother—and herself.

But Teague is ruthless and more than ready to destroy anyone who dares stand in his way—and now he has his sights set on the princess. And if Ari can’t outwit him, she’ll lose Sebastian, her brother…and her soul. 

"He'll grant you the deepest desire of your heart, but in ten years he'll return for your soul." 

The Wish Granter is the second installment in author C.J. Redwine's Ravenspire series, and an interesting twist on a German fairy tale called Rumpelstiltskin. The Wish Granter's key characters are Princess Arianna, Sebastian Vaughn, and Alistair Teague, aka the villain aka The Wish Granter. Arianna and Vaughn are thrown together to face off against a man who grants your hearts desire, and then comes back to collect your soul in (10) years. There is no getting out of the bargain you make with Teague. If you try, he will find a way to may you pay.

Arianna and her brother Prince Thaddeus are the bastard twins of the King of Súndraille. After the Queen gives birth to a son, they find themselves being hunted by the Queen's hunters who wants them dead. After their mother is killed, Thaddeus one desire is to make sure that Arianna is safe no matter what. So, in doing what's, he makes a wish and a deal with Teague. (3) weeks later, the Royal family is suddenly dead, and Thaddeus is King of Súndraille, while Arianna, who describes herself  as curvaceous, which terms means she has some meat on her bones, becomes a Princess who is expected to act way beyond what she was born into.

But, in making his wish, Thaddeus is manipulated to the point where he is a King with no real standing. Nobody really trusts Thad. They question whether or not he had anything to do with the Royal families demise. Nobody except for his own sister who finds out about the wish, and Teague, and makes her plans to help Thaddeus break is agreement without losing his soul in the process. Teague now has an in towards all of the (7) Kingdoms that make up this world. Teague is also a Fae who has been living off the high horse for 200 years. He knows everything there is about tricking people into doing what he wants them to do.

I really liked Arianna. I liked that she considers herself a bit on the chunky side. I loved that she is eager to bake, and have fun, as well as find a way to defeat Teague which leads to some interesting twists and surprises. I love that she isn't just thrust into the spotlight, and becomes everyone's darling Princess. I love her connection to her best friend Cleo, and Mama Eleni. Ari is really good at baking, and numbers, and no so good at handling weapons, which makes Sebastian all that more important in the general scheme of things.

Sebastian is a character who knows a thing or two about living in squalor, having a father who is brutal, a mother who is addicted, and losing a brother thanks to Teague's business dealings. He becomes the King's weapon's master where he meets Arianna. Sebastian is a man of little words, but enough experience to understand Arianna's goals. Sebastian is curious about Arianna's request to make certain weapons. He becomes caught up in her desire to help find a way to defeat Teague and break his hold over her brother, and the kingdom of  Súndraille which has seen a dramatic uptick in violence.

The Wish Granter is told in the third person narrative rotating between Ari, Sebastian, and of course, Teague who really is a twisted sort of villain. You can call this a retelling, if you like. Or, you can say that the author made her own tale of a man who grants wishes, and takes souls without any reservation or hesitation. Even though it's not like the original story, Redwine still manages to write about fascinating characters, and twisted villains who face off against those who are more than up to the task of winning. I am all in regarding the romance. It is rather sweet, and yes I know that I normally don't use that word. The romance doesn't hinder the story. It enhances it, and makes it more intriguing to know that two characters can find a way to find chemistry when things are not exactly copacetic. 

While The Wish Granter may be the second installment in Ravenspire series, it is actually a standalone within the series itself. 

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#Tuesday Review - Heartstone by Elle Katharine White #Epic #Fantasy #Retelling @HarperVoyagerUS

Series: Standalone
Format: Hardcover, 352 pages
Release Date: January 17, 2017
Publisher: Harper Voyager

Source: Edelweiss
Genre: Epic, Fantasy, Retelling

A debut historical fantasy that recasts Jane Austen’s beloved Pride and Prejudice in an imaginative world of wyverns, dragons, and the warriors who fight alongside them against the monsters that threaten the kingdom: gryphons, direwolves, lamias, banshees, and lindworms.

They say a Rider in possession of a good blade must be in want of a monster to slay—and Merybourne Manor has plenty of monsters.

Passionate, headstrong Aliza Bentaine knows this all too well; she’s already lost one sister to the invading gryphons. So when Lord Merybourne hires a band of Riders to hunt down the horde, Aliza is relieved her home will soon be safe again.

Her relief is short-lived. With the arrival of the haughty and handsome dragonrider, Alastair Daired, Aliza expects a battle; what she doesn’t expect is a romantic clash of wills, pitting words and wit against the pride of an ancient house. Nor does she anticipate the mystery that follows them from Merybourne Manor, its roots running deep as the foundations of the kingdom itself, where something old and dreadful slumbers . . . something far more sinister than gryphons.

It’s a war Aliza is ill-prepared to wage, on a battlefield she’s never known before: one spanning kingdoms, class lines, and the curious nature of her own heart.  Elle Katharine White infuses elements of Austen’s beloved novel with her own brand of magic, crafting a modern epic fantasy that conjures a familiar yet wondrously unique new world.

Elle Katharine White's Heartstone is a story that reimages Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. This is a world where there are two types of beings exist; Tekari, sworn enemies of humans, and Shani, friends of humans. There is something dangerous coming, and nobody quite knows what it wants. Instead of using zombies to tell her story as in Pride & Prejudice & Zombies, White uses a variety of beings from gryphon's, gnomes, wyverns, hobgoblins, & dragons. 

23-year old Aliza Bentaine, her three sisters (Moira, Angelina (Anjey), Leyda) and her parents, Moira & Robert, live in Merybourne Manor on the small island of Arle. As the second oldest daughter, and one who doesn't take her own beauty as something to strut around and preen about, Aliza has been trained as a herbmaster and healer under her Uncle Gregory. She is also a fairly talented artist who loves to indulge in woolgathering. Due to ever increasing attacks by gryphons, and the loss of Aliza's youngest sister Katarina, Lord Merybourne hires hunters to come in and rid the island of the gryphons.

The Riders, as they are called, are led by Alastair Daired. Daired belongs to the House Pendragon which has an impressive history of Riders & their Shani. Daired's Shani is a dragon named Akarra. Each of the riders are attached to what are called Shani. Nobody is supposed to ride someone else's Shani. After eliminating Arle of Gryphons, everyone seems to relax. They even start to have parties, and Aliza travels a bit to see her Aunt & Uncle. 

That is until Aliza meets a mysterious hooded man with a warning. That is until something even more dangerous rises up and threatens to devour everything and everyone its path. While Arlean's, Riders, and Rangers battle for their very lives, Aliza must make a life or death choice to save the man she has fallen hard for. There is also romance between Anjey and another rider named Brysney, while the youngest daughters are as different as fire and ice. Leyda wants an adventure, while Moira is the book smart know it all on almost all subject. I actually found myself connecting to Moira's character because she is a social wallflower just like me. She rather read books, than socialize with others.  

Heartstone is told in the first person narrative by Aliza. One could say that Aliza is this story's Elizabeth, while Daired, the dark, handsome, grouchy, & arrogant male protagonist, can be compared to Darcy, but with his own Dragon. While there may be an eventual connection between Aliza and Daired, they are separated by his family, his duty, and his not so intentional cruelty that puts her off. Heartstone takes some unusual roads to the finish line. A finish line that will see the most socially awkward proposal ever.  

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#Saturday Review - Stealing Snow by Danielle Paige #YALit #Fantasy #Retelling

Series: Stealing Snow # 1
Format: Kindle, 375 pages
Release Date: September 20th 2016
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Source: Publisher
Genre: YA, Fantasy, Retelling

First kisses sometimes wake slumbering princesses, undo spells, and spark happily ever afters.

Mine broke Bale.

Seventeen-year-old Snow has spent her life locked in Whittaker Psychiatric—but she isn’t crazy. And that’s not the worst of it. Her very first kiss proves anything but innocent…when Bale, her only love, turns violent.

Despite Snow knowing that Bale would never truly hurt her, he is taken away—dashing her last hope for any sort of future in the mental ward she calls home. With nowhere else to turn, Snow finds herself drawn to a strange new orderly who whispers secrets in the night about a mysterious past and a kingdom that’s hers for the taking—if only she can find her way past the iron gates to the Tree that has been haunting her dreams.

Beyond the Tree lies Algid, a land far away from the real world, frozen by a ruthless king. And there too await the River Witch, a village boy named Kai, the charming thief Jagger, and a prophecy that Snow will save them all.

Stealing Snow, by author Danielle Paige, is the first installment in the authors Stealing Snow series. Stealing Snow is apparently based on Hans Christian Anderson's The Snow Queen. It is said to be source material for Disney's Frozen. Paige's version features 17-year old Snow Yardley who has spent a majority of her life interned at Whittaker Psychiatric Institute. Snow has web-like tattoos, and white streaks in her hair. Scars apparently came after trying to walk through a mirror. Mirror, Mirror on the wall.....

She's a pretty decent sketcher which keeps her from totally being like other residents of Whittaker. In order to keep things interesting, she even names her 7 pills after the Seven Dwarves. Each pill is equal to a separate emotion. After her boyfriend Bale, who she kissed and thought she broke, is taken away, she is visited by a new intern named Jagger. Jagger hints that Snow's pills are hiding who she really is. He also suggests that Snow find a way to escape and travel beyond the tree to a land called Algid. 

Snow finds herself in Algid where apparently things are not as they might appear. First, there are a whole lot of people frozen. Second, she is the long long princess. Third, there are prophecies involving her future and that of the King of the land who just happens to be her real father. Things take an interesting twist with the introduction of Nepenthe, the River witch, along with Kai and Gerda. If you are one of the lucky ones who has actually read the Snow Queen, you will be familiar with Gerda's name. She is also a very unique character in her ability to shape shift. 

Snow faces a dysfunctional family that wants to kill her. She needs to find a missing mirror that was broken into pieces by witches and may be the key to defeating her father, the King. She has to find a way to help Bale, or leave him behind. Especially since Bale has been caught up in his own hell. And, she has to deal with the fact that she has been lied to her entire life, and not that life needs to move in a direction that she will need to follow if she hopes to stay alive, and away from the real threat from her father and his followers. 

Have to say that I am perfectly fine with reading retellings. I am perfectly fine with authors taking a bit of artistic twists and making them their own. I have not read Paige's Dorothy Must Die series. I will, most likely, in the future. I can say that I would have liked more world building. I would have like less of the romance, and more of Snow learning about her abilities and not just running off to a bunch of thieves called Robber Girls. The story itself is complex because you really need to understand what the story is based on. You could make comparisons to Snow White, but I haven't seen any indication of dwarves, except the pills that is. If you think this story will be easy, peasy for Snow, you totally need to read the last part of the story. Cliffhanger anyone?

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#Monday Review - Heartless by Marissa Meyer #YALit, #Fantasy, #Retellings @marissa_meyer @FeiwelFriends

Series: Standalone
Format: Hardcover, 449 pages
Release Date: November 8, 2016
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends

Source: Library
Genre: Fantasy, YA, Retellings

Catherine may be one of the most desired girls in Wonderland and a favorite of the unmarried King, but her interests lie elsewhere. A talented baker, she wants to open a shop and create delectable pastries. But for her mother, such a goal is unthinkable for a woman who could be a queen.

At a royal ball where Cath is expected to receive the King’s marriage proposal, she meets handsome and mysterious Jest. For the first time, she feels the pull of true attraction. At the risk of offending the King and infuriating her parents, she and Jest enter into a secret courtship.

Cath is determined to choose her own destiny. But in a land thriving with magic, madness, and monsters, fate has other plans.

Author Marissa Meyer, best known for her Lunar Chronicles series, takes on one of the more iconic villains of all time. The Queen of Hearts from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. Before she became the monarch who is best known for saying, "Off with their heads!" Lady Catherine Pinkerton dreamed of being the best baker in the Kingdom of Hearts. Catherine was so good at baking, that she caught the eye of the King of Hearts as well as others such as the Knave of Hearts. Catherine also had a curious ability to dream about something, and have it appear in real life.

There have been numerous recreations that have featured Alice, Cheshire, the Mad Hatter, and others. Meyer does a brilliant job of leading Lady Catherine from wannabe baker, into the Queen who turned her Kingdom upside down. You really have to feel the emotions that Meyer puts her character through. She's basically has her heart set on pushing ahead with her best friend Mary Ann in opening a bakery. One could say that life throws you curveballs more times than it gives you breaks. Cath's curveball just happened to be her parents who pushed her into a loveless marriage to the King of Hearts.

Cath has her own romantic interest in Jest, the Court Joker who brings a whole new side to her character. She has her own hopes and dreams. Even after being forced into wearing a bright red dress to a black and white ball, Cath would rather not have anything to do with her parents attempts at pushing her into marriage. From a wild tea party with Jest, to an unforgivable twist that will break readers hearts to pieces, Cath slowly realizes that things cannot be the way she wants them to be. Cath's relationship with her parents is one that I wouldn't want to wish on anyone.

All villains have a back story. They don't just come out of the womb ready to behead everyone who sneezes the wrong way. I believe that all good stories are the ones that search for reasons why good people turn towards the darkness. Most of us know the story of Anakin Skywalker who later became Darth Vader. We can even add Disney's Maleficent, who was good, until she was pushed to her breaking point and became a villain. Alice in Wonderland has been a cult classic for generations because of Alice's confrontation with the Queen of Hearts. 

In closing, Heartless is a story that will keep readers entertained from the first page until the story comes to a breath taking conclusion. Meyer's definitely has her own world building and style when it comes to retellings. 

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