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Ivy Thorn #1
The Fairy Tale Trap
Ivy has always been afraid of mirrors, but she never knew why. Then one of them sucks her into the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast.
All she wants is to find her way home. But when she tries to escape, Ivy breaks the wrong spell. Now Beast is not so gentle-on-the-inside, Beauty is falling for the wrong prince, and Ivy is no closer to figuring out how to get through the enchanted forest that traps her.
With magic mirrors, dancing fairies, a sadistic pixie, and other random fairy tale twists, Ivy doesn’t know what’s safe or who to trust. Can she escape the fairy tale trap?
All she wants is to find her way home. But when she tries to escape, Ivy breaks the wrong spell. Now Beast is not so gentle-on-the-inside, Beauty is falling for the wrong prince, and Ivy is no closer to figuring out how to get through the enchanted forest that traps her.
With magic mirrors, dancing fairies, a sadistic pixie, and other random fairy tale twists, Ivy doesn’t know what’s safe or who to trust. Can she escape the fairy tale trap?
150 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 16, 2011
About the author
Emily Casey
8 books45 followersI'm a writer from Tallahassee who chases three crazy kids around the house all day before collapsing in front of my computer.
I write everything from fairy tales to zombies, whatever's exciting to me. (The muse likes to bounce around.)
Other little tid-bits: I'm a dog person (I have a German Shepherd named Guybrush), I like to run (most of the time) and majored in Psychology (which explains why I'm a little nuts) with a minor in English (which explains the whole writing thing).
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 3, 2012
Sorry, I had to rate it. Those blank stars were getting to me.
May 19, 2019
I love fairy tale retellings. However, this wasn't really a retelling. It was more of a fairy tale that is changed by a new character.
Ivy
I loved Ivy. She isn't willing to sit around and let fate play its hand. She is determined to make her own fate. She is smart, independent and strong.
the pixie
I found the pixie to be so much fun. He really is devious and just wants to shake things up. He found Ivy to be smart and strong and wanted to see how she fared in this fairy tale.
Beauty
I didn't care for Beauty as much in this book and that was ok. I think it worked. Her complacency infuriated Ivy and made her even more determined. She didn't have much of a backbone but she did have a kind heart.
the Beast
I really wish the beast had more input in this book. The reader doesn't really get to know much of his thoughts except thru his diary before the events of his story. I was curious if he lost all conscious thought or not after Ivy's first attempt to break the spell. The author kind of implied it but the reader gets no real insight into the beast's thoughts. Was he just thinking "Supper, yum yum" or was there any real thoughts?
Overall, a great twist on a classic fairy tale. I am definitely looking forward to book 2. Will the same pixie be causing more trouble? Will he choose a new character or is Ivy in for another fairy tale? I am so very intrigued and can't wait to read the next one.
Ivy
I loved Ivy. She isn't willing to sit around and let fate play its hand. She is determined to make her own fate. She is smart, independent and strong.
the pixie
I found the pixie to be so much fun. He really is devious and just wants to shake things up. He found Ivy to be smart and strong and wanted to see how she fared in this fairy tale.
Beauty
I didn't care for Beauty as much in this book and that was ok. I think it worked. Her complacency infuriated Ivy and made her even more determined. She didn't have much of a backbone but she did have a kind heart.
the Beast
I really wish the beast had more input in this book. The reader doesn't really get to know much of his thoughts except thru his diary before the events of his story. I was curious if he lost all conscious thought or not after Ivy's first attempt to break the spell. The author kind of implied it but the reader gets no real insight into the beast's thoughts. Was he just thinking "Supper, yum yum" or was there any real thoughts?
Overall, a great twist on a classic fairy tale. I am definitely looking forward to book 2. Will the same pixie be causing more trouble? Will he choose a new character or is Ivy in for another fairy tale? I am so very intrigued and can't wait to read the next one.
September 28, 2021
If you know me well, I have a penchant for retold fairytales. Honestly, who doesn't? The story telling formula of girl meets boy, one (or both) of whom is royalty, and girl and boy fall in love is so universal and speaks to everyone in some way--in fact, it is so ubiquitous and so close to the heart of every human being, that, after mankind got tired of compiling such stories in the nineteenth century, it started making its own spins on them, changing and tweaking or even adding onto them during the twentieth century and lasting well into the twenty-first century. Hey, Disney made a whole franchise out of it. So it seems fairy tale retelling is here to stay.
And a good thing, too. If fairy tale retelling didn't exist, we wouldn't have a stash of soundtracks from Disney flicks (ssshhhh....). Gail Carson Levine, Robin McKinley, and Shannon Hale wouldn't know what to write (well, okay--they're geniuses, and they've written non-fairy tale retellings before, so they'd still figure out something, but imagine a world with no Ella Enchanted or The Goose Girl ! Take that and sing it, John Lennon). Drew Barrymore would have been out of work in 1997 when she could have been filming Ever After. And don't even get me started on other writerly folks like Jessica Day George and Juliet Marillier.
But thankfully, there are fairy tale retellings. And we will never tire of them. So when I heard about Emily Casey's The Fairy Tale Trap, the premise of the book definitely appealed to me. What fun! A "Beauty and the Beast" (my second favorite fairytale--the first is "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" which is basically the same thing but with a polar bear and lots and lots of snow) retelling, but with a modern-day girl thrown into the story.
The heroine, Ivy Thorn, is a military brat just trying to settle into the home she and her mother have just moved into while waiting for her father to return home. But moving is the least of Ivy's problems--when she's thrown into the tale of "Beauty and the Beast" against her will by a completely creepy and almost dictatorial pixie, things can only turn out to be more complicated. A mysterious spell, the enchanted prince (enchanted meaning, of course, in beast form), and the eponymous pretty gal continue to haunt Ivy as she makes her way through the tale, seemingly for the pure enjoyment of the pixie who just loves to throw monkey wrenches into the story to make the situation all the more twisted for Ivy.
The Fairy Tale Trap could be easily described as a mixture of Enchanted (but set backwards, with a twenty-first century girl thrown into a fairytale) and Spirited Away, with its strong female lead who must use her strengths if she wants to return home. (Both are fabulous movies, by the way, if you've never seen either.) I'm usually very critical when authors of fiction write novels about characters thrown into odd situations, as quite often, writers fall into the "that-character-would-never-think-or-act-like-that" or "things-would-never-work-out-that-way" follies of literature. However, Ms. Casey did a wonderful job portraying not only Ivy's emotions, but also how a young girl not too keen on fairy tales would react to being practically kidnapped and tossed into the plot of one. Ivy is a character readers will root for, as she's strong, smart, and, dare I say it, snarky (we love snark!). Ms. Casey is at the moment writing the follow-up to this novel, and I'm eager to find out what will become of dear Ivy! (As a side note: hooray for a person-of-color starring in a fantasy novel, much less a fairy tale retelling! As a POC myself, I find it pretty rare to find them in YA--so kudos to Ms. Casey for making Ivy one!)
And a good thing, too. If fairy tale retelling didn't exist, we wouldn't have a stash of soundtracks from Disney flicks (ssshhhh....). Gail Carson Levine, Robin McKinley, and Shannon Hale wouldn't know what to write (well, okay--they're geniuses, and they've written non-fairy tale retellings before, so they'd still figure out something, but imagine a world with no Ella Enchanted or The Goose Girl ! Take that and sing it, John Lennon). Drew Barrymore would have been out of work in 1997 when she could have been filming Ever After. And don't even get me started on other writerly folks like Jessica Day George and Juliet Marillier.
But thankfully, there are fairy tale retellings. And we will never tire of them. So when I heard about Emily Casey's The Fairy Tale Trap, the premise of the book definitely appealed to me. What fun! A "Beauty and the Beast" (my second favorite fairytale--the first is "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" which is basically the same thing but with a polar bear and lots and lots of snow) retelling, but with a modern-day girl thrown into the story.
The heroine, Ivy Thorn, is a military brat just trying to settle into the home she and her mother have just moved into while waiting for her father to return home. But moving is the least of Ivy's problems--when she's thrown into the tale of "Beauty and the Beast" against her will by a completely creepy and almost dictatorial pixie, things can only turn out to be more complicated. A mysterious spell, the enchanted prince (enchanted meaning, of course, in beast form), and the eponymous pretty gal continue to haunt Ivy as she makes her way through the tale, seemingly for the pure enjoyment of the pixie who just loves to throw monkey wrenches into the story to make the situation all the more twisted for Ivy.
The Fairy Tale Trap could be easily described as a mixture of Enchanted (but set backwards, with a twenty-first century girl thrown into a fairytale) and Spirited Away, with its strong female lead who must use her strengths if she wants to return home. (Both are fabulous movies, by the way, if you've never seen either.) I'm usually very critical when authors of fiction write novels about characters thrown into odd situations, as quite often, writers fall into the "that-character-would-never-think-or-act-like-that" or "things-would-never-work-out-that-way" follies of literature. However, Ms. Casey did a wonderful job portraying not only Ivy's emotions, but also how a young girl not too keen on fairy tales would react to being practically kidnapped and tossed into the plot of one. Ivy is a character readers will root for, as she's strong, smart, and, dare I say it, snarky (we love snark!). Ms. Casey is at the moment writing the follow-up to this novel, and I'm eager to find out what will become of dear Ivy! (As a side note: hooray for a person-of-color starring in a fantasy novel, much less a fairy tale retelling! As a POC myself, I find it pretty rare to find them in YA--so kudos to Ms. Casey for making Ivy one!)
February 15, 2012
Title: The Fairy Tale Trap.
Author: Emily Casey.
Genre: Retelling, Fairy Tale, Action/Adventure, Humorous.
Plot: Teenage military brat Ivy Thorn has moved again. She and her mom have spent most of her life moving – doing the same routine over and over again; settling down, sending out roots and then ripping them up again to relocate. Ivy really feels the stress of this latest move. Her first night in their new house, she searches for her picture of her father. When she can’t find it, she decides to call it a day and goes into the bathroom to brush her hair. A face not her own peers back out of the mirror at her and the next thing Ivy knows, she’s no longer in the bathroom.
Now stuck in a fairy tale – Beauty and the Beast no less – Ivy, with her sarcastic outlook on life, has to find a way around various annoying {or sometimes helpful but mostly annoying} spells, an enchanted forest, an idiotic prince, roses with sharp thorns, and a pixie with a bizarre sense of humor in order to get back home. When making a crucial decision backfires horribly, Ivy realizes she’s in over her head. With no idea how she got into the fairy tale in the first place, how is she to get back out?
Likes/Dislikes: Mrs. Casey has taken a creative spin to the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast and run with it as only she could. Giving her heroine a sarcastic tough-girl character with a soft center paired up with Beauty, the usual heroine of the tale now demoted to sidekick, was a new twist on the tale. The addition of Prince Ferguson is a hilarious one! I highly enjoyed the lively banter between Ivy and the obnoxious pixie. All in all, a very enjoyable book. Highly recommended for teens and up.
Rating: PG-12 and up for content and reading level.
Date Report Written: January 30, 2012.
I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in the above review are my own.
Author: Emily Casey.
Genre: Retelling, Fairy Tale, Action/Adventure, Humorous.
Plot: Teenage military brat Ivy Thorn has moved again. She and her mom have spent most of her life moving – doing the same routine over and over again; settling down, sending out roots and then ripping them up again to relocate. Ivy really feels the stress of this latest move. Her first night in their new house, she searches for her picture of her father. When she can’t find it, she decides to call it a day and goes into the bathroom to brush her hair. A face not her own peers back out of the mirror at her and the next thing Ivy knows, she’s no longer in the bathroom.
Now stuck in a fairy tale – Beauty and the Beast no less – Ivy, with her sarcastic outlook on life, has to find a way around various annoying {or sometimes helpful but mostly annoying} spells, an enchanted forest, an idiotic prince, roses with sharp thorns, and a pixie with a bizarre sense of humor in order to get back home. When making a crucial decision backfires horribly, Ivy realizes she’s in over her head. With no idea how she got into the fairy tale in the first place, how is she to get back out?
Likes/Dislikes: Mrs. Casey has taken a creative spin to the classic fairy tale Beauty and the Beast and run with it as only she could. Giving her heroine a sarcastic tough-girl character with a soft center paired up with Beauty, the usual heroine of the tale now demoted to sidekick, was a new twist on the tale. The addition of Prince Ferguson is a hilarious one! I highly enjoyed the lively banter between Ivy and the obnoxious pixie. All in all, a very enjoyable book. Highly recommended for teens and up.
Rating: PG-12 and up for content and reading level.
Date Report Written: January 30, 2012.
I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in the above review are my own.
January 23, 2012
Beauty and the Beast has always been my favorite fairy tale--although I'm only familiar with the Disney version--which is why I was excited to get the opportunity to read this book and participate in the blog tour. With The Fairy Tale Trap, Emily Casey takes the classic tale and injects a sarcastic teenager who is trapped in the tale and desperate to get home.
Ivy is a military brat and has just been carted away to a new house for the umpteenth time and is upset that she had to leave her friends and her life, when she's pulled through the mirror she finds herself in an enchanted forest. There she meets a pixie who tells her she must play out the fairy tale in order to return home.
I liked Casey's take on the fairy tale. As I've told you, I'm only familiar with the Disney version, so for me it was something unique and different and enchanting enough to keep me turning the pages. I also love the fact that there is nothing contained within the pages that would stop me from sharing this tale with my 8yo niece.
If I had one complaint it would be that it moves a little fast in the beginning. Ivy is sucked through the mirror and into the fairy tale world before I had chance to get my bearings and connect with the story. It was just a little jarring.
Other than that, this book is just adorable and incredibly funny. Ivy is snarky and hilarious, and had me laughing aloud.
Final Thoughts: Casey has written a magical tale with a loveable heroine that I recommend to fans of Beauty and the Beast and/or fairy tale retellings. They will love going along with Ivy as she's trapped in a castle far away from her family and discovers the true meaning of home.
Ivy is a military brat and has just been carted away to a new house for the umpteenth time and is upset that she had to leave her friends and her life, when she's pulled through the mirror she finds herself in an enchanted forest. There she meets a pixie who tells her she must play out the fairy tale in order to return home.
I liked Casey's take on the fairy tale. As I've told you, I'm only familiar with the Disney version, so for me it was something unique and different and enchanting enough to keep me turning the pages. I also love the fact that there is nothing contained within the pages that would stop me from sharing this tale with my 8yo niece.
If I had one complaint it would be that it moves a little fast in the beginning. Ivy is sucked through the mirror and into the fairy tale world before I had chance to get my bearings and connect with the story. It was just a little jarring.
Other than that, this book is just adorable and incredibly funny. Ivy is snarky and hilarious, and had me laughing aloud.
Final Thoughts: Casey has written a magical tale with a loveable heroine that I recommend to fans of Beauty and the Beast and/or fairy tale retellings. They will love going along with Ivy as she's trapped in a castle far away from her family and discovers the true meaning of home.
February 9, 2012
Ivy Thorn has been displeased with the way her life has been going for a very long time. Because her father works for the army, she's not exactly allowed to remain in one place for long. She's moved around so much she's lost track of where she's lived and how long they've stayed there.
The new move to their new place makes her realize just how much she hates moving. Inadvertently lashing out at her mother due to the fact that her treasured picture of her father has gone missing, Ivy thinks it can't get any worse. She soon founds out how wrong she is.
She's soon transported to a new world via the mirror in the bathroom, inciting her fear of mirrors as she recalls the face looking back at her within it. She desperately clamors to go back home, even though she knows it's not yet likely for her to do so. She's now a prisoner in an unknown world and all because of a wretched pixie.
With no other alternative but to march forward, she decides to play along with the pixie's games. Part of her hopes that in doing so, she'll be able to go back home. Tumbling around in a dark forest, she comes across a Beast intent on keeping her locked up within his castle. Once there, she meets Beauty whom Beast has also kept prisoner within the enchanted castle.
Ivy refuses to accept that she's supposed to amuse the pixie and remain in his world for time being. She's determined to thwart his plans at every turn and sets out to do just that. When she tries to undo the enchantments surrounding Beast and the castle, she sets loose a chain reaction of events that has her wishing she'd never done so in the first place.
As time begins to dwindle and the Beast draws ever closer, Ivy accepts the fact that she must concede and play along in order to solve the puzzles set before her. She's intent on making things right in hopes of finally returning home. To do so, she must first come to terms with herself and the world that now looms before her.
This was such a new and refreshing take on the Beauty and the Beast story. The twists and turns were unexpected and kept my attention glued to each page as I sought to discover more about what was going on within the story. The magic and the lore was quite refreshing. I enjoyed the story very much and am looking forward to the next installment of this series.
The new move to their new place makes her realize just how much she hates moving. Inadvertently lashing out at her mother due to the fact that her treasured picture of her father has gone missing, Ivy thinks it can't get any worse. She soon founds out how wrong she is.
She's soon transported to a new world via the mirror in the bathroom, inciting her fear of mirrors as she recalls the face looking back at her within it. She desperately clamors to go back home, even though she knows it's not yet likely for her to do so. She's now a prisoner in an unknown world and all because of a wretched pixie.
With no other alternative but to march forward, she decides to play along with the pixie's games. Part of her hopes that in doing so, she'll be able to go back home. Tumbling around in a dark forest, she comes across a Beast intent on keeping her locked up within his castle. Once there, she meets Beauty whom Beast has also kept prisoner within the enchanted castle.
Ivy refuses to accept that she's supposed to amuse the pixie and remain in his world for time being. She's determined to thwart his plans at every turn and sets out to do just that. When she tries to undo the enchantments surrounding Beast and the castle, she sets loose a chain reaction of events that has her wishing she'd never done so in the first place.
As time begins to dwindle and the Beast draws ever closer, Ivy accepts the fact that she must concede and play along in order to solve the puzzles set before her. She's intent on making things right in hopes of finally returning home. To do so, she must first come to terms with herself and the world that now looms before her.
This was such a new and refreshing take on the Beauty and the Beast story. The twists and turns were unexpected and kept my attention glued to each page as I sought to discover more about what was going on within the story. The magic and the lore was quite refreshing. I enjoyed the story very much and am looking forward to the next installment of this series.
January 18, 2012
Currently giving away a copy of this. Enter before Valentines Day! To enter giveaway, please visit this link.
I received this novel for review.
Here is part of my review:
I really liked this tale. We are all familiar with Beauty and the Beast, and if you're me you've read at least a few retellings of fairy tales. I have not read one more entertaining or original as this one. One gold star earned for an amazing plot.
The novel traces the story of Ivy Thorn, who honestly has an attitude. Ivy is a military brat and has finally moved to a new home once again. I loved Ivy's character. It was very easy for me to relate to her story and her personality. The novel was told in first person and I really felt like I was hearing words come straight from her mouth. Casey's writing was excellent and her characterization honed to a fine art.
I loved the pesky pixie who caused Ivy to be thrown into the fairy tale. He was a character that I can't wait to learn more about.
Like I mentioned, this story wasn't like the Disney version or any other version of Beauty and the Beast that I'm familiar with. I loved that. I can't wait to see what's next for Ivy in the sequel.
This story is also fairly short. It's a quick read that was really enjoyable. I definitely recommend this novel.
In Summary: A beautifully written and original tale of Beauty and the Beast that fans of the original tale and fans of fantasy alike will love.
For an extended review, please visit this link.
I received this novel for review.
Here is part of my review:
I really liked this tale. We are all familiar with Beauty and the Beast, and if you're me you've read at least a few retellings of fairy tales. I have not read one more entertaining or original as this one. One gold star earned for an amazing plot.
The novel traces the story of Ivy Thorn, who honestly has an attitude. Ivy is a military brat and has finally moved to a new home once again. I loved Ivy's character. It was very easy for me to relate to her story and her personality. The novel was told in first person and I really felt like I was hearing words come straight from her mouth. Casey's writing was excellent and her characterization honed to a fine art.
I loved the pesky pixie who caused Ivy to be thrown into the fairy tale. He was a character that I can't wait to learn more about.
Like I mentioned, this story wasn't like the Disney version or any other version of Beauty and the Beast that I'm familiar with. I loved that. I can't wait to see what's next for Ivy in the sequel.
This story is also fairly short. It's a quick read that was really enjoyable. I definitely recommend this novel.
In Summary: A beautifully written and original tale of Beauty and the Beast that fans of the original tale and fans of fantasy alike will love.
For an extended review, please visit this link.
February 26, 2012
This was a fun novella! I am a big fan of fairy tales (especially Beauty and the Beast). The idea of having a "real" teenage girl getting dropped into the story of Beauty and the Beast is my idea of a perfect book.
This is a novella- not a full length novel. It is good to keep that in mind because the author doesn't go into great detail with conversations, setting, and background story of the main character. That is completely understandable- and yet one of the problems I have with novellas in general (I feel like I missed something).
I loved all of the unique twists that the story took and I how the story of "Beauty and the Beast" got completely messed up. What happens when the Beast... really is a beast? Horror story much? The one minor negative I had with the book was that it was set in first person present tense. This is just a personal preference, but I have a harder time getting into books that are written that way- but like I said, that is a personal thing.
If you are a fan of fairy tales, you will enjoy this novella- I am looking forward to more from this author in the future!
This is a novella- not a full length novel. It is good to keep that in mind because the author doesn't go into great detail with conversations, setting, and background story of the main character. That is completely understandable- and yet one of the problems I have with novellas in general (I feel like I missed something).
I loved all of the unique twists that the story took and I how the story of "Beauty and the Beast" got completely messed up. What happens when the Beast... really is a beast? Horror story much? The one minor negative I had with the book was that it was set in first person present tense. This is just a personal preference, but I have a harder time getting into books that are written that way- but like I said, that is a personal thing.
If you are a fan of fairy tales, you will enjoy this novella- I am looking forward to more from this author in the future!
January 13, 2012
It's a lovely story despite the fact that Ivy is a little unlikeable at the beginning. She's so preoccupied that she simply assumes the words of some of the other characters. Thankfully, the author made her realize she was wrong. It was a fun read too, and it twisted one of my most favored fairy tales. I'm looking forward to the sequels, because I don't think the little elf-gnome-pixie-whatever will leave her alone.
June 1, 2012
This was a very interesting take on one of my favorite fairy tales. As a fairy tale lover (and book lover in general), I have often read retellings of my favorite stories. Most seem formulaic and predictable. Not The Fairy Tale Trap! You never know what is going to happen next and are left guessing how the story will end. The main character, Ivy, is not your typical fairy tale character. She is real, sarcastic, and interesting. I can't wait for the sequel! Highly recommended!
Shelved as 'freebie'
November 4, 2020I wasn't feeling this. The main character is the sort of annoying teenager that I don't like reading about. Since this was one of those kindle books I picked up for 99 cents many years ago, I don't feel too bad about dropping it. DNF @ 6%
Shelved as 'dnf'
October 27, 2022Not finding the main character very likable.
January 29, 2012
The Fairy Tale Trap is a debut novel by self-published author, Emily Casey. As the title suggests, it is a fairy tale adaptation- this time for Beauty and the Beast.
Personally, I only know the Disney version; the one with music, singing furniture and a nice little battle to round off the ending tragically. It’s been dramatized, but this book opened my mind to how much so. Thankfully and intelligently, and original version of the story had been included at the end to show how the story links in with the book and how Ivy inadvertently changes the story. There are other things added in addition to Ivy’s story concerning things a reader wouldn’t really abide by reading- my favourite being the ‘comfort spells’ that explain why there is food, water and clothing. What can often be inexplicable in a Fairy Tale is made explicable here- to wonderful effect.
The premise of the story is that Ivy Thorn- our protagonist- is stolen by a pixie (not a fairy) and finds herself in the well-recognised tale solely for this pixie’s amusement. It’s a sadistic idea (like how I see reality television programs) and is made worse by the kidnapping element. As a military man’s daughter, she is used to leaving people and things behind but never so absolutely or with so much force. She does have moments of weakness, but at no point does she become whiny. Like any good heroine she turns this ill-fortune into her motivation to succeed in escaping this nightmare.
Yet the story isn’t solely Beauty and the Beast. This is a series of books so there are other elements and characters involved that we learn only little about- such as the pixie or woman in white. We can make intelligent guesses about them and know enough to be content, but they are still shrouded in mystery on the whole;
The writing is fluid, and I found myself laughing on occasion. It’s never laugh-out-loud funny, but a witty comment that leaves a smile on your face. I think there were some hiccups in the tone that jolted me out of the story. About a quarter of the way through, I noticed two similar phrases ("how charming” and “how lovely” I think) being used near one another and I noticed overly much. Yet there was none of this jolting at the end, so it wasn’t ruined at all.
It’s written in first person which-despite a deep-seated aversion to it- I always find more immersive. The same happens here and it’s easy to be drawn in. It’s a fast paced story and it’s only accentuated by first person. I constantly found myself saying “Just one more chapter” until I had no choice but to stop. The fact it’s a short book means you could finish it soon, and you are aware of this. It’s also very visual, so I can see everything, but still lets me fill in details.
A great debut novel that I’d recommend to readers of any kind of fantastical taste. I tend not to read Fairy Tale re-workings, but this was an encouraging introduction to the area.
Personally, I only know the Disney version; the one with music, singing furniture and a nice little battle to round off the ending tragically. It’s been dramatized, but this book opened my mind to how much so. Thankfully and intelligently, and original version of the story had been included at the end to show how the story links in with the book and how Ivy inadvertently changes the story. There are other things added in addition to Ivy’s story concerning things a reader wouldn’t really abide by reading- my favourite being the ‘comfort spells’ that explain why there is food, water and clothing. What can often be inexplicable in a Fairy Tale is made explicable here- to wonderful effect.
The premise of the story is that Ivy Thorn- our protagonist- is stolen by a pixie (not a fairy) and finds herself in the well-recognised tale solely for this pixie’s amusement. It’s a sadistic idea (like how I see reality television programs) and is made worse by the kidnapping element. As a military man’s daughter, she is used to leaving people and things behind but never so absolutely or with so much force. She does have moments of weakness, but at no point does she become whiny. Like any good heroine she turns this ill-fortune into her motivation to succeed in escaping this nightmare.
Yet the story isn’t solely Beauty and the Beast. This is a series of books so there are other elements and characters involved that we learn only little about- such as the pixie or woman in white. We can make intelligent guesses about them and know enough to be content, but they are still shrouded in mystery on the whole;
The writing is fluid, and I found myself laughing on occasion. It’s never laugh-out-loud funny, but a witty comment that leaves a smile on your face. I think there were some hiccups in the tone that jolted me out of the story. About a quarter of the way through, I noticed two similar phrases ("how charming” and “how lovely” I think) being used near one another and I noticed overly much. Yet there was none of this jolting at the end, so it wasn’t ruined at all.
It’s written in first person which-despite a deep-seated aversion to it- I always find more immersive. The same happens here and it’s easy to be drawn in. It’s a fast paced story and it’s only accentuated by first person. I constantly found myself saying “Just one more chapter” until I had no choice but to stop. The fact it’s a short book means you could finish it soon, and you are aware of this. It’s also very visual, so I can see everything, but still lets me fill in details.
A great debut novel that I’d recommend to readers of any kind of fantastical taste. I tend not to read Fairy Tale re-workings, but this was an encouraging introduction to the area.
August 17, 2012
I rather enjoyed that ("that" being the book).
The book was a witty, enjoyable read about a Ms. Ivy Thorn being dropped into the tale of Beauty and the Beast by a sadistic Pixie who gets his kicks kidnapping children.
I have a love-hate relationship with the main protagonist, Ivy. She starts off as bit of a selfish brat, and definitely has more than her share of What the Hell, Hero?moments--but she does acknowledge her mistakes and do her best to make it right. There's enough redeeming moments to have her worm her way into good graces by the end, and she still holds onto that self-sufficient spunk. Ivy's a very independent figure who foils Beauty, who's independent but longing for companionship anyway, and they work well off each other. It also helps that Ivy's thoughts tend to be downright hilarious--she's very fond of witty quips and observations.
Beauty & Beast steal the book though, both well adapted from their stories with just enough uniqueness to tie them to this novel. Beauty has this mixture of common sense & motherly nature mixed with genuine naiveté that's hard to put into words, but it works very well. Beast is just cute with sort of this sarcastic quirkiness hiding under his fur. You can practically see the eyebrow pop and the wit behind the wolf-snout. They have a lot of chemistry even without their destiny in the way & I was rooting for them.
And of course there's quite a bit of adventure, action and fun as Ivy runs from the Beast when he has a bit of trouble getting a grip on himself. Not to mention Ivy & Beauty tag-teaming be it in the palace or the enchanted woods.
The pixie has his moments, but up until a slight reveal toward the end concerning his involvement with Ivy's life is pretty standard as the floating annoyance. At the very least you agree with Ivy that his face should be bashed into a mirror a vey hundred times.
If I had any complaints, it would be Prince Ferguson. Imagine Prince Edward from Disney's Enchanted--only less adorkable and more pathetic. I know his purpose in the story, but I almost felt it would have worked better if he was a bit more attractive/likable. But that's a personal preference, and I can admit that.
Closing note? I enjoyed it. Book made me laugh, I ended up liking the main character even though I started out just laughing at her misfortunes, and I enjoyed that Ms. Casey attached a copy of the original Beauty & The Beast at the end of the book. Good stuff all around.
The book was a witty, enjoyable read about a Ms. Ivy Thorn being dropped into the tale of Beauty and the Beast by a sadistic Pixie who gets his kicks kidnapping children.
I have a love-hate relationship with the main protagonist, Ivy. She starts off as bit of a selfish brat, and definitely has more than her share of What the Hell, Hero?moments--but she does acknowledge her mistakes and do her best to make it right. There's enough redeeming moments to have her worm her way into good graces by the end, and she still holds onto that self-sufficient spunk. Ivy's a very independent figure who foils Beauty, who's independent but longing for companionship anyway, and they work well off each other. It also helps that Ivy's thoughts tend to be downright hilarious--she's very fond of witty quips and observations.
Beauty & Beast steal the book though, both well adapted from their stories with just enough uniqueness to tie them to this novel. Beauty has this mixture of common sense & motherly nature mixed with genuine naiveté that's hard to put into words, but it works very well. Beast is just cute with sort of this sarcastic quirkiness hiding under his fur. You can practically see the eyebrow pop and the wit behind the wolf-snout. They have a lot of chemistry even without their destiny in the way & I was rooting for them.
And of course there's quite a bit of adventure, action and fun as Ivy runs from the Beast when he has a bit of trouble getting a grip on himself. Not to mention Ivy & Beauty tag-teaming be it in the palace or the enchanted woods.
The pixie has his moments, but up until a slight reveal toward the end concerning his involvement with Ivy's life is pretty standard as the floating annoyance. At the very least you agree with Ivy that his face should be bashed into a mirror a vey hundred times.
If I had any complaints, it would be Prince Ferguson. Imagine Prince Edward from Disney's Enchanted--only less adorkable and more pathetic. I know his purpose in the story, but I almost felt it would have worked better if he was a bit more attractive/likable. But that's a personal preference, and I can admit that.
Closing note? I enjoyed it. Book made me laugh, I ended up liking the main character even though I started out just laughing at her misfortunes, and I enjoyed that Ms. Casey attached a copy of the original Beauty & The Beast at the end of the book. Good stuff all around.
February 7, 2013
Thoughts:
So I went into this thinking it would be a pretty straight forward Beauty and the Beast retelling. And while that’s kind of what it is, I think the more accurate definition is fractured fairy tale. And yes, there is a difference. Like remember the fractured fairy tales from Rocky & Bullwinkle? It’s kinda like that. Really, I just want to warn you in case you’re a HUGE fan of Beauty and the Beast like me, and expect a more straight forward retelling. I think I would have enjoyed this a tad more if I had known that going in.
My other complaint about this book is that it felt a tad rushed at certain points. The beginning action starts almost too quickly. I really wished I had gotten to know Ivy and her family situation a bit better before being dropped into the fairy tale stuff. There are also a couple of things that are never actually explained to the reader. I would have liked a little more depth and detail. It’s not huge stuff. Casey definitely knows how to write a tight story. But an added sentence or chapter here and there would make this book feel much more complete.
Having said all that, I still highly enjoyed this book. It’s a hilarious and quirky romp through an otherwise known terrain. Casey definitely takes a unique approach to telling her story, and having read quite a few fairy tale retellings, I applaud her for that.
Favorite Things:
1. Ivy. I didn’t really care for her in the beginning, but she grew on me and by the end I was rooting for her non-stop.
2. The evil pixie. He’s sinister and creepy. I like sinister and creepy in my fairy tales.
3. Prince Ferguson. This guy is a tool. But he’s hilarious fun to read.
4. Ivy has a phobia of mirrors. I kind of identify with this. I mean, I don’t have a phobia, but one of my worst nightmares is looking up into a mirror and seeing someone behind me. *shudders*
5. The fact that this retelling was so VERY different. Love it.
Final Thoughts:
I need the sequel because I has questions! The biggest one is about the pixie. WHY does he find Ivy so interesting? Why did he kidnap her and force her to be a player in a fairy tale? And possibly the most important questions, what is he going to do next?! I mean, I guess pixie’s don’t actually need reasons to be stupid/mean/evil, but really, I’d like a reason. ;)
This review first posted at my blog: kristenevey.com
So I went into this thinking it would be a pretty straight forward Beauty and the Beast retelling. And while that’s kind of what it is, I think the more accurate definition is fractured fairy tale. And yes, there is a difference. Like remember the fractured fairy tales from Rocky & Bullwinkle? It’s kinda like that. Really, I just want to warn you in case you’re a HUGE fan of Beauty and the Beast like me, and expect a more straight forward retelling. I think I would have enjoyed this a tad more if I had known that going in.
My other complaint about this book is that it felt a tad rushed at certain points. The beginning action starts almost too quickly. I really wished I had gotten to know Ivy and her family situation a bit better before being dropped into the fairy tale stuff. There are also a couple of things that are never actually explained to the reader. I would have liked a little more depth and detail. It’s not huge stuff. Casey definitely knows how to write a tight story. But an added sentence or chapter here and there would make this book feel much more complete.
Having said all that, I still highly enjoyed this book. It’s a hilarious and quirky romp through an otherwise known terrain. Casey definitely takes a unique approach to telling her story, and having read quite a few fairy tale retellings, I applaud her for that.
Favorite Things:
1. Ivy. I didn’t really care for her in the beginning, but she grew on me and by the end I was rooting for her non-stop.
2. The evil pixie. He’s sinister and creepy. I like sinister and creepy in my fairy tales.
3. Prince Ferguson. This guy is a tool. But he’s hilarious fun to read.
4. Ivy has a phobia of mirrors. I kind of identify with this. I mean, I don’t have a phobia, but one of my worst nightmares is looking up into a mirror and seeing someone behind me. *shudders*
5. The fact that this retelling was so VERY different. Love it.
Final Thoughts:
I need the sequel because I has questions! The biggest one is about the pixie. WHY does he find Ivy so interesting? Why did he kidnap her and force her to be a player in a fairy tale? And possibly the most important questions, what is he going to do next?! I mean, I guess pixie’s don’t actually need reasons to be stupid/mean/evil, but really, I’d like a reason. ;)
This review first posted at my blog: kristenevey.com
February 24, 2012
More of my reviews can be found on my blog: Literary Exploration
I’ve always been a sucker for fairy-tale rewrites so I was really excited when I found out that Emily Casey was having a blog tour for her book, The Fairy Tale Trap. The fairy tale that Casey focuses on specifically is Beauty and the Beast (which is in theaters right now!!) and it is one of my favorites. The book is fairly short, just shy of 200 pages, but overall it was a quick enjoyable read.
Ivy Thorn (haha fae reference anyone?) is trapped by a devilish pixie in the classic story of Beauty and the Beast. I do feel like Ivy’s character is kind of rushed. Really, she’s only at home for about 10 pages before she’s whisked off into the mythical world of the fae. I felt like her character could have been developed a little more thoroughly before the evil pixie stole her. She’s definitely a kick ass heroine, trying to escape from her prison in the woods, while constantly fighting off a rabid beast. I wish there were more fae elements though, just because I love the fae so much!
The story itself is interesting enough. It’s very short, only about 180 pages, and most of it covers Ivy’s attempts to escape from the enchanted castle where she’s being kept. I felt like the story was a bit rushed, and that Casey could have gone more in depth into why the Pixie chose Ivy, and maybe covered some of Beauty’s back story. Also, some things didn’t make much sense to me. Some characters seemed to appear out of nowhere for no real reason.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed the story. It was quick, entertaining, and had enough action to keep me going. I do wish that some things were elaborated on, and I wish the characters were developed a little better. I’m definitely glad I got the chance to read this one. If you’re a lover of the fae, fairy tale retellings, and adventure than this one is for you!!
I’ve always been a sucker for fairy-tale rewrites so I was really excited when I found out that Emily Casey was having a blog tour for her book, The Fairy Tale Trap. The fairy tale that Casey focuses on specifically is Beauty and the Beast (which is in theaters right now!!) and it is one of my favorites. The book is fairly short, just shy of 200 pages, but overall it was a quick enjoyable read.
Ivy Thorn (haha fae reference anyone?) is trapped by a devilish pixie in the classic story of Beauty and the Beast. I do feel like Ivy’s character is kind of rushed. Really, she’s only at home for about 10 pages before she’s whisked off into the mythical world of the fae. I felt like her character could have been developed a little more thoroughly before the evil pixie stole her. She’s definitely a kick ass heroine, trying to escape from her prison in the woods, while constantly fighting off a rabid beast. I wish there were more fae elements though, just because I love the fae so much!
The story itself is interesting enough. It’s very short, only about 180 pages, and most of it covers Ivy’s attempts to escape from the enchanted castle where she’s being kept. I felt like the story was a bit rushed, and that Casey could have gone more in depth into why the Pixie chose Ivy, and maybe covered some of Beauty’s back story. Also, some things didn’t make much sense to me. Some characters seemed to appear out of nowhere for no real reason.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed the story. It was quick, entertaining, and had enough action to keep me going. I do wish that some things were elaborated on, and I wish the characters were developed a little better. I’m definitely glad I got the chance to read this one. If you’re a lover of the fae, fairy tale retellings, and adventure than this one is for you!!
Read
November 2, 2021Ivy is ripped from her home and sucked into the tale of Beauty and the Beast. Emily takes the story of Beauty and the Beast and spins an original creative story that’s all her own. The world that Emily was able to create was colorful, magical, and intriguing, along with fast-paced twist and turns that keeps your interest. A Pesky pixie (who I would have loved to smack around a little) despite my feeling this way I did enjoy the character popping in and out of the story. Beast who goes from semi-gentle to crazed animal , and teenager Ivy Thorn fighting to get back home. The characters blend well together and complement each other
The Fairy Tale Trap is quick fun read, and it’s nothing like your typical fairy tale.
Thanks Ivy Thorn for the crazy adventure. I’ll be seeing you in The Fairy Tale Twist
The Fairy Tale Trap is quick fun read, and it’s nothing like your typical fairy tale.
Thanks Ivy Thorn for the crazy adventure. I’ll be seeing you in The Fairy Tale Twist
December 20, 2012
When one looks at the premises, you would say that this book was inspired by ABC's Drama, Once Upon a Time, clearly gluing itself to the series premises of a fairy tale revamp. However, the story is strikingly different from the show, as it finds one character - Ivy Thorn - finding her way through one of the most familiar fairy tales - Beauty and The Beast. And, for one, doesn't feature the clichéd (clichéd because it works!) history of a savior but, yes, the story of a young girl/boy trapped as a result of an evil character's machinations and self-amusement.
Smart, funny, and with the tiny - not so tiny - bit of sarcasm to make Ivy the most lovable person in the world, The Fairy Tale Trap traps itself around your hand, as you clung to know whatever deviations and dangers Ivy will have to thorn away in order to get back, preferably save, home.
Smart, funny, and with the tiny - not so tiny - bit of sarcasm to make Ivy the most lovable person in the world, The Fairy Tale Trap traps itself around your hand, as you clung to know whatever deviations and dangers Ivy will have to thorn away in order to get back, preferably save, home.
March 19, 2012
From the moment I picked up my kindle and started reading, I was hooked. The storyline was enchanting and pulled me along with it the entire time. I actually felt I was right there with Ivy when she was running in the forest trying to get away from Beast, I too, was literally gasping for air.
Emily Casey you have a wonderful gift. You took the characters of the Beauty and the Beast Fable and totally made them your own. I loved that there were bits and pieces from the original tales but twisted into your own.
I'm very eager to read your next installment in the Ivy Thorn Series.
Well Done Emily Casey!
Emily Casey you have a wonderful gift. You took the characters of the Beauty and the Beast Fable and totally made them your own. I loved that there were bits and pieces from the original tales but twisted into your own.
I'm very eager to read your next installment in the Ivy Thorn Series.
Well Done Emily Casey!
February 11, 2012
I enjoyed this book a great deal, it was a fun, quick read. The fairy tale element is similar to what you'd expect from a Gail Carson Levine book, with the Alice-isk addition of someone from the real world popping in for a visit. My only complaints are that Ivy's lovable snark on one or two occasions overrides what I would assume would be more realistic reactions of fear or anger to the situations presented. But then I kept asking myself could this just be a quirk of the character? At any rate, fun fast read. I will be reading more of Emily's work in the future.
May 23, 2014
The plot moves along quickly, but the story could definitely use some fleshing out. It has some genuinely funny moments and some creepy moments. The author has mastered the art of ending a chapter with a cliffhanger that keeps you reading. I will continue reading the series. I want to see how everything turns out. One part that bothered me was when Ivy questions why her mother would be so upset after she's been missing for a day. You're her daughter and you've vanished with no trace but a busted mirror. She's freaking out, Ivy, because that's what parents do when children disappear!
February 11, 2012
4 out of 5 stars*
I really enjoyed the premise of the series--especially the reveal that happens toward the end concerning mirrors. I have always loved the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale, and I love that Ivy, in an attempt to make everything better and go back home, ends up making everything harder. O:) I'm definitely keeping my eye out for the sequel. :)
*review copy from the author
I really enjoyed the premise of the series--especially the reveal that happens toward the end concerning mirrors. I have always loved the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale, and I love that Ivy, in an attempt to make everything better and go back home, ends up making everything harder. O:) I'm definitely keeping my eye out for the sequel. :)
*review copy from the author
December 25, 2011
I think Emily did a good job with her first novel. I'm excited to continue reading her works as her writing matures.
January 8, 2012
A good book for fairy tale enthusiasts and adventure seekers alike. A clever twist of a childhood classic that even manages to keep the reader guessing.
March 27, 2015
It must be hard for a narcissist to be afraid of mirrors. Sure glad not to be Ivy!
July 21, 2015
I didn't make it very far.
The preoccupation with the chamber pot put an end to my already failing interest.
The preoccupation with the chamber pot put an end to my already failing interest.
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