Snow Whyte and the Queen of Mayhem by Melissa Lemon

Publication Date: 11/12/12
Publisher: Cedar Fort inc
Pages: 288
Target Audience: Teens/Young Adults
Genre: Fantasy/Retold Fairy-tale/Romance

Synopsis: Stuck in her family's apple orchards, Kat's got plenty of work to do and only pesky Jeremy to help. But when Jeremy convinces her to run away, Kat will discover that nothing---and no one---in her life is quite what it seems. Wonderfully re-imagined  this is the magical tale of Snow White as you've never read it before!

My Review: I loved this story to pieces :) I could leave my review there, but I won't. I'm a sucker for happy endings and an even bigger sucker for fairy-tales so you can imagine I was enthralled by this enchanting retelling of Snow White.

Some parts of the story remained the same for example, the mirror, the evil Queen and Snow White herself. But everything was twisted in such a great way. Kat is not the vulnerable Disney character who lies waiting to be kissed, the dwarves are not little men who go out and dig in a mine and the story itself is much harsher in parts with the stark realism the original tale lacked.
Danger follows the characters everywhere and the reader is given a constant reminder of exactly how dangerous a woman with an all-seeing mirror can be with all her hunting down of the 'rule breakers' in her kingdom without having to witness the rule breaking in person.

The romance side of it was brilliantly done and I loved the twist regarding Kat and Jeremy and the link between Kat and the man trapped in the Queen's mirror was amazing. I never saw it coming, nor did I guess the mystery surrounding Jeremy.
Some of my favourite scenes though were between Kat and the Dwarves and my personal favourite was Pokole (such a sweet little dude) and there were some scenes with those guys that nearly had me in tears.

All in all this story has a lovely ending with some cleverly thought out plot twists, a healthy dose of humour and some heartwarming romance that I think will be just perfect for these cold winter months. Grab a hot chocolate, some nice biscuits and curl up with this book :) 

8: The Previously Untold Story of the Previously Unknown 8th Dwarf by Michael Mullin

Release Date: 11/11/2010
Publisher: Gemiknight Studios
Pages: N/A
Target Audience: Kids/Teens/Young Adults
Genre: Fantasy/Fiction/Fairytale


Synopsis:
This is the previously untold story of the previously unknown 8th dwarf, named Creepy. He was banished to the basement for being different and , well, weird. Yet he played a vital - and of course previously unknown - role in the popular tale of Snow White (whose title character is an intruder Creepy refers to as "the Maid").


My Review:
I honestly loved this and though it's very short it is a delightful read that will bring a smile to your face. For those who love Snow White and the Seven Dwarves but thought that maybe there was more to the story than first appeared, this is a sure win.

I laughed through a lot of the verse but there were some points that struck a true cord with regards to prejudice and casting judgement. And man do I have a different opinion of those Dwarves and of Snow White. I think I will always want Snow White to end slightly differently in some way, Why should the perfect good-looking prince always get the girl? Love comes in many forms, something we should all bear in mind. 

Regardless of anything else and of how you feel about fairy tales or happy endings, this is a witty, clever and ultimately interesting take on a classic that, for many people, was a part of their childhood. And I am infinitely jealous of Mr Mullins poetic skill (my attempts at verse suck lol)

Cloaked by Alex Flinn

Target Audience: Teens/Young Adults
Genre: Fairytale/Romance/Fiction



I love Alex's books and I couldn't find a copy of Cloaked anywhere, that is until I went home to Sunderland for a week and took a trip to the Metrocentre. That place has one of the biggest Waterstones stores going and a lot of American imports. What do I find buried in the YA section? Yup! Cloaked in all it's hardback glory :-)
Anyway, before i delve into my review I'll give you a brief synopsis:

Johnny is a teenager who works in his mothers shoe repair shop trying to make ends meet. His father has been missing since he was very small and they make very little money. Things take a twisting turn when Princess Victoriana makes a visit to Miami and asks him to go on a quest to rescue her brother who has been transformed into a frog.  With the promise of enough money to allow him and his mother to live comfortably, Johnny sets out looking for the Prince armed with a magical cloak and with the help of animals that aren't quite what they seem.

I loved this!  I am a sucker for a fairytale retelling and this one had everything. Not only was this based on  'The Frog Prince' but it also has some elements of some other not so known tales like 'The Elves and the Shoemaker' and 'The Salad'.
I was truly fascinated by how all these elements came together to make a seamless and enchanting fairytale that any romantic will love. With everything from talking swans and foxes, magical spells, witches and giants there is literally something for everyone whether young or old, male or female.

The romance is beautifully told and I loved the relationship Johnny forms with his best friend Meg over the course of the story. Usually romances are love at first sight and this one was different and I loved it for that and I was also captivated by the journey both Meg and Johnny take together and the way things play out.  There are some scenes that are so hilariously funny I was almost doubled up laughing at some of the situations they got themselves into and as for kissing frogs? Well, I might try that myself ;-)

Honestly, if your going to read a fairytale this year make it this one. It's funny, romantic and one amazing adventure from start to finish and has more twists than a hedge maze. This is definitely going to be one of the books I keep for rereading.

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

Target Audience: Teens/Young Adults
Genre: Fairytale/Romance


***Contains a few Spoilers***

I have to admit that when i first started reading this, the prologue really got me stuck to it, and it really was a fantastic start (and very reminiscent of Little Red Riding Hood) but then i have to confess, i found it a bit slow going. Don't get me wrong, by far this book is not a bad novel, in fact for the most part i really liked it, but i did feel that the first part of the book dragged a bit.
In my case, i thought i could sense what conclusion the author was coming to (and i turned out to be right) but she drew it out a lot more than was necessary, and i found it a bit frustrating that in some instances it seemed like the hunting wolves cycle was being repeated an awful lot. Anyways...now i have that bit said, i'll now go on to tell you exactly why i gave this book four stars when i was clearly annoyed by a few things:

1. The characters were original and inventive. I loved the relationship between Scarlett and Rosie. Clearly devoted to one another and yet torn by their differences, watching them struggle to make their own choices made for fascinating and heart-warming reading, as they discover just what they might have to do to stay sisters. (You'll understand once you read it). Silas was another character i loved, and his divided loyalties between being Scarletts hunting partner and Rosie's boyfriend was wonderfully described and explained, and i have to admit he sounded amazing ;-).

2. The plot itself was very unique. Once the story took off, i have to admit i was captivated by the plot and the idea behind it.
After Rosie and Scarlett realise what the wolves are after and what marks that thing as unique (trying not to spoil things here) the story really takes off and i couldn't put it down.
I personally believe that the slow start was due to the fact it was a first in a series and the characters have to be set up (a pain but necessary unless you want readers to get very confused), and because of that, i have to commend Jackson Pearce for her inventive and original story.

3. Unique blend of genres. I find it unusual that i've commented on this as usually it's not something i think about, but i have to admit i had trouble classifying this as a particular genre, because the truth is it has elements of romance, horror, fantasy, legend, family drama and it's all wrapped up as an original and modern fairytale.
There's literally something for everyone (including people who like cats!)

So i'll now summarise. Although the beginning was a bit slow, i have to admit this is genuinely good read with a captivating and inventive plot that will activate the imaginations of the most un-imaginative people in existence. The characters are Kick-ass and are't afraid to get into trouble to do the right thing. I will most definately be reading the sequel!

Beastly by Alex Flinn

Target Audience: Teens/Young Adults

Genre: Fairytale/Romance/Fantasy

A book from one of my favourite genre's again, re-telling of a fairy tale, in this case Beauty and the Beast.

For the most part the story doesn't change much. You have a mean shallow guy that gets turned into a monster and has to find love within a time limit or the curse will become permanent. The main difference is that it is told from the beast's point of view and it is set in modern America and the guy is a high school student rather than a selfish prince.

I have to admit i really hated Kyle (the guy who gets turned into a beast) at the beginning, he is a shallow (insert choice of insult here) who cares for very little except having the hot girlfriend, looking amazing and being popular.
Sick of his selfish ways, a witch curses him and his life changes forever. She does offer him a reprieve. On the night he was cursed, at a dance he gave the rose he had to a girl who really appreciated it, taking this kind act into consideration she says that if he can get someone to love him for who he is, the spell would be broken.

What happens next is similar to the original, in the way that the beast stays locked up and a teenage girl ends up staying with him after her father gives her to him. (Her father really is a jerk!) What transpires is a story of slow burning friendship that deepens to love, and i couldn't help but love the story as it unfolded.

Yes, we all know the ending to Beauty and the Beast but that does not make it any less magical or the characters any less believable, and the whole story still manages to have a modern twist about it.
Give it a read and see for yourself :-)