Tag: retelling

Book Review: The Deathly Grimm (The Forest Grimm Duology #2) by Kathryn Purdie

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: YA Fantasy
Length: 400 pages
Author: Kathryn Purdie
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Release Date: March 25th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The spellbinding sequel to Kathryn Purdie’s bestselling dark fairytale, where our main characters must return to the forest—and its monsters.

The story hasn’t ended yet.

After surviving the Forest Grimm and defeating the Wolf, Clara and Axel have made it back to their village, the one place they can be safe behind the forest’s borders. But when the forest itself begins luring in more villagers, it’s clear that Clara and Axel have only treated the symptoms of the forest’s curse, not the cause—and it’s getting worse.

Burdened with visions of the past and learning to navigate her fragile new relationship with Axel, Clara finds herself entering the forest with Axel yet again to discover the truth once and for all: the identity of the murderer who caused the curse. As they fight murderous woodsmen with incomprehensible riddles, ladies who will drag you into an eternal dance, and ghosts with the power to wield the forest against them, Clara and Axel realize the stakes are higher than ever. If they don’t survive the dark, deadly twists of the forest once more, not only will they never escape, they may also no longer have a home to escape to.

Romantic, eerie, and beautiful, The Deathly Grimm is the triumphant conclusion to Kathryn Purdie’s bestselling Forest Grimm duology.

Thank you to Wednesday Books for the gifted copy.

BETTER AS A STANDALONE.

And I rarely say that, but I mean it this time.

I had a hard time getting through this one because it felt very much the same as book one. Clara goes back into the woods, meets some fairytales that have gone awry, figures out who the bad guy is (who is obvious from the start) and saves the day. Which was practically what happened the first time.

There was also a forced issue in the romance. I think it was trying to add tension, yet it didn’t come across as such. I wanted to love them and that never happened.

It was overall just a dry read. I don’t have much to say because I hardly felt anything while reading other than I was ready to be finished with this book.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Fantasy
  • Language: low
  • Romance: closed door
  • Violence: moderate

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Book Review: Dust (Heirs of Neverland #1) by Kara Swanson

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Rating: ★★★☆
Audience: Urban Fantasy Retelling
Length: 348 pages
Author: Kara Swanson
Publisher: Enclave Escape
Release Date: July 21st, 2020
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

The truth about Neverland is far more dangerous than a fairy tale.

Claire Kenton believes the world is too dark for magic to be real—since her twin brother was stolen away as a child. Now Claire’s desperate search points to London… and a boy who shouldn’t exist.

Peter Pan is having a beastly time getting back to Neverland. Grounded in London and hunted by his own Lost Boys, Peter searches for the last hope of restoring his crumbling island: a lass with magic in her veins.

The girl who fears her own destiny is on a collision course with the boy who never wanted to grow up. The truth behind this fairy tale is about to unravel everything Claire thought she knew about Peter Pan—and herself.

PRETTY GOOD.

I’m new to Peter Pan retelling and this one was alright! I thought the concept was interesting and I liked how it was woven into a urban fantasy style plot. The dual POV with Peter Pan was great because it added another layer to the depth of the story.

The entire book just felt slow though. I kept waiting for *something* to pick up and I’m not sure it ever truly did. Seeing all of the other characters for the original story was cool. I liked how Swanson adapted them and the roles everyone played.

I’m undecided on the romance. I once again was wishing more something more to it. There’s some sweet romances and the expected conflicts. I don’t know yet if I’ll read book two.

Overall audience notes:

  • YA Urban Fantasy Retelling
  • Language: light
  • Romance: kisses
  • Violence: moderate
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: kidnapping, physical and magical altercations, loss of life

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Book Review: A Sea of Blood and Sapphire by Florence Gray

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Rating: ★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance Retelling
Length: 395 pages
Author: Florence Gray
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: May 15th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

As long as mermaids live, the sea will fill with blood.

On the night of Amaris’ eighteenth birthday, she is finally free to surface from the depths of the Sapphire Sea, but when she joins her pack, she’s horrified by the barbaric hunt. She knows the cost of saving her mortal enemy’s life, but she can’t bring herself to join in on the bloodshed.

Amaris is left with no choice but to consult the sea witch in order to escape from her father’s wrath. She soon finds that there are worse things than being the predator, gambling her soul and becoming the prey.

Hans Christian Andersen’s story of The Little Mermaid with a dark and compelling twist, this new adult fantasy novel will leave every reader swept away in the tides of magic, mermaids, and romance.

LET DOWN.

I was really excited for this release when I saw it floating around and now I’m here to say that it wasn’t worth it. This is clearly a The Little Mermaid retelling but attempting to make it adult with little success. I know others might enjoy more of these aspects, so take my thoughts how you will.

For one, I wish it had eventually turned into its own story. I didn’t feel like anything really new was added to the retelling. Every direct component was there and more or less like the original. Just add in awkward innuendo and romance book tangents that didn’t fit the plot and you’re there. Along with that was the heavy use of modern language that took me out of the book. I’m in a fantasy world and too often these small things kept adding up adding to my displeasure overall. I thought some of the world building pieces were cool, and I wish those had been fleshed out more for a more complete story.

Different parts of the romance worked for me. There’s decent banter and I understood the enemies to lovers. For a standalone the pacing and slow burn nature did fit well. But I officially do not like epilogues that are there only to add another *love* scene, it’s just not necessary.

Meh. I’m bummed. Moving on.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance Retelling
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: innuendo, 2-3 almost scenes, 2 open door; low – med. explicit
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of loved ones, whipping, near death experiences, murder, small battle themes

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Book Review: One Iridescent Night (The Iridescent Series #1) by Brianne Wik

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Fantasy Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Brianne Wik
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: June 29th, 2021
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

When the clock strikes twelve, the magic is just beginning.

Between her cruel family, the loss of her mother, and the unexpected departure of her best friend Liam, young Evelyn was forced to endure a life full of loneliness, anxiety and mistreatment. 

Seven years later, seventeen-year-old Evelyn discovers that one magical night can shift everything she thought she knew.

Reunited with an all-grown-up (and oh-so-handsome) Liam, Evelyn finds herself unexpectedly introduced to her mysteriously magical grandmother that she never knew she had, and the dashing Prince Ryker, that she never thought she’d like. Caught between love and fear, Evelyn is thrust into a world she’s never known, with new threats she never expected and new changes she doesn’t understand.

Welcome to a world made dangerous by hidden magic, where a young girl must find her place and her voice while trying to survive the trauma she’s endured most of her life. One Iridescent Night takes you on an enchanted journey filled with hope, romance, and mystery.

INTRIGUED.

I’ll be the first person to say love triangles aren’t really my thing. I have to be in the right mood to deal with the drama that arises inevitably when so many parties are involved. I have had this sitting on my kindle for months and the mood hit and HERE WE ARE. I CAN’T DECIDE WHO I LIKE MORE.

I feel like both of the love interests are balanced well. I’m kind of waiting for one of them to snap (more or less) and to see some differentiation within Ryker and Liam. I’m hoping with the expansion of plot in the next book we’ll see some tough decisions made and that will give both of them larger character dynamics.

Evy was a good FMC. She’s on the softer side (nothing wrong with that! Just a note) and also carries that strength too. Going through hell and back and being able to find hope and mercy too is a pretty incredible feat.

I don’t know the last time I read a Cinderella retelling. With that fact I really liked this one! There’s clear allusions, yet it strays enough to keep things interesting and not a worn down fairy tale. I am very much interested enough to see how book two goes.

Overall audience notes:

  • Fantasy Romance
  • Language: very little
  • Romance: kisses + very light innuendo
  • Violence: medium
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: domestic abuse, child abuse, whipping, loss of loved ones (on and off page)

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