The award-winning editors of Snow White, Blood Red return us to distinctly adult realms of myth and the fantastic - with 18 wondrous works that clo...
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reviews
May 08, 2009
Katie
rated it: 
With a delightful exception or two, these are not sexually charged versions of traditional tales, despite the book's self-labeling as "adult". Rather, the reinvisioned stories deal with complex decisions, circumstances, and commentary that adults generally assume children lack the context and patience to understand. However, this is much more in line with the historic role of fairy tales: stories of supernatural horror, evil, and unjustice; how a misunderstanding can run away with yo
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Dec 03, 2009
Rachel
rated it: 
As with all story collections, there are some better than others in this, but all in all, it's a good mix.
The one story that I really want to comment on is "The Frog King, or Iron Henry" by Daniel Quinn, and that's because, sadly, I just don't get it. I know the story of the Frog Prince, I noticed the mirrored writing Quinn used, but I just couldn't grasp what the author was trying to say with this piece. Was the king injured as a frog, causing his memory problems? Was h More...
The one story that I really want to comment on is "The Frog King, or Iron Henry" by Daniel Quinn, and that's because, sadly, I just don't get it. I know the story of the Frog Prince, I noticed the mirrored writing Quinn used, but I just couldn't grasp what the author was trying to say with this piece. Was the king injured as a frog, causing his memory problems? Was h More...
Oct 06, 2010
Justin
rated it:
This is one of what I gather to be a whole host of “alternative fairy tale” short story collections. It has sat on my shelf for years, forlornly waiting to be read. I recently started picking at it, a story at a time, while reading other things. It’s solidly average-to-decent, but I actually liked it more than I thought I would.
As with most genre short story anthologies, the entries in this book all revolve around the common theme of turning a classic fairy tale on its head. The stor More...
As with most genre short story anthologies, the entries in this book all revolve around the common theme of turning a classic fairy tale on its head. The stor More...
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May 12, 2008
Izlinda
rated it: 
I am done with Black Thorn, White Rose and overall I liked it. :) The stories I really enjoyed were Stronger Than Time (Sleeping Beauty based), Somnus's Fair Maiden (Sleeping Beauty based), Tattercoats (big favorite for adults, with some sexual scenes and a wonderful message about trying to keep love in a relationship), Granny Rumple (Rumplestiltskin based with a twist about Jews), Godson (big fave - I think based on Cinderella and the fairy godmother), Silver and Gold (another big favorite; it'
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Aug 17, 2011
Samaire
rated it: 
Of the three collections I read by these editors, this was the most disappointing. Some of the stories were so obtuse as to be unrecognizable to the fairy tale that inspired the story. One of the stories even needed a glossary - LAME! If your 10 page short story needs a glossary, we have a problem. This took me forever to read, and quite frankly, I'm glad it's over. I think I'm done with short stories for a while.
May 24, 2009
Danielle
rated it:
I bought a copy of this because I wanted to read Peter Straub's 'Ashputtle' (which was great), and as a result was unthinkingly expecting that the rest of these 'adult' fairy-tales would have a horror flavour too. They don't, and once I got past that expectation I really enjoyed the collection. Some authors made up worlds for their retellings, while others explored historical or modern real-world settings. A favourite was Howard Waldrop's 'The Sawing Boys', which has the Bremen Town Musicians tr
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Jul 13, 2011
Cheryl in CC NV
rated it: 
I dunno. Objectively speaking this was probably very well-written and provocative. It just didn't do it for me. Part of the problem is that the editors' taste runs toward the creepy - and mine doesn't. Fans of the paranormal romances who want to broaden their reading might like it. It is a used MM pb, registered w/ bookcrossing, that I'm offering on swap.
Jul 30, 2010
Kimifly
rated it:
Unfortunately, there is an error in my copy of this book. One page is missing, while another is duplicated in it's place. Even with the missing page, I still enjoyed this collection of short stories.
Some of my favorites were "Stronger Than Time", "The Brown Bear Of Norway", "Granny Rumple" and "Godson".
Some of my favorites were "Stronger Than Time", "The Brown Bear Of Norway", "Granny Rumple" and "Godson".
Oct 01, 2010
Traveller
rated it:
There were probably a few stories that I would have given 4 stars, especially the last one, The Black Swan, which really drew me in.
Overall a pretty mixed bag, not all of the stories impressed me, but it's nice to see all the different authors' styles of writing.
Overall a pretty mixed bag, not all of the stories impressed me, but it's nice to see all the different authors' styles of writing.
Feb 29, 2008
Eileen
rated it:
A great collection of retold fairy tales from all sorts of different sci-fi/fantasy authors. I love Jane Yolen the best, but that's nothing new. I read Briar Rose in high school and it was one of the most moving things I've ever read.
Mar 23, 2008
Beth
rated it:
A collection of retold fairy tales by multiple authors. Something for everyone in this book. A great editing job by Datlow and Windling, a fantastic series of short story collections.
Sep 12, 2010
Rebekah
rated it:
Love re-imaginings of fairy tales!!! My Favorite Stories:
Stronger then Time by Patricia C. Wrede
Tattercoats by Midori Snyder
Silver and Gold by Ellen Steiber
Stronger then Time by Patricia C. Wrede
Tattercoats by Midori Snyder
Silver and Gold by Ellen Steiber
Sep 16, 2008
Jen
rated it:
Fairly decent. Almost as good as the first collection in this modern fairy tale series.
My favorite stories are "Tattercoats" and "Sweet Bruising Skin".
My favorite stories are "Tattercoats" and "Sweet Bruising Skin".
Aug 18, 2010
Debbie
rated it:
What can I say? Datlow and Windling have done it again. Funny, terrifying, creepy and sad - there's a revisionist firy tale for every taste in this gem.
Nov 02, 2008
Leslie
rated it:
liked this anthology a lot more than the previous snow white, blood red. favorite story was the frog prince by daniel quinn
Feb 11, 2012
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