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From the Stories of Old: A Collection of Fairy Tale Retellings
In this international collection, new life is given to fairy tales, both classic and obscure.
Mythical creatures put the fairy in Fairy Tale. Mermaids, selkies, and ocean guardians experience the best and worst of humanity; sisters encounter an unusually friendly bear; a brave bride meets a silly goose; and a spinner of gold sets the record straight.
Urban fantasies modernize classics: a Frenchman learns the truth about magic, his past, and his girlfriend; a girl sets out to find love but receives a curse; and today’s naughty list makes Old Saint Nick not-so-jolly.
New worlds bring a fresh sense of wonder! In the future, a young woman fights for her people and herself; a bastard son finds acceptance in a world ruled by women; and a farmer’s wits win the heart of a frosty king.
Discover unexpected twists on old favorites, and fall in love with new tales and worlds to explore!
Mythical creatures put the fairy in Fairy Tale. Mermaids, selkies, and ocean guardians experience the best and worst of humanity; sisters encounter an unusually friendly bear; a brave bride meets a silly goose; and a spinner of gold sets the record straight.
Urban fantasies modernize classics: a Frenchman learns the truth about magic, his past, and his girlfriend; a girl sets out to find love but receives a curse; and today’s naughty list makes Old Saint Nick not-so-jolly.
New worlds bring a fresh sense of wonder! In the future, a young woman fights for her people and herself; a bastard son finds acceptance in a world ruled by women; and a farmer’s wits win the heart of a frosty king.
Discover unexpected twists on old favorites, and fall in love with new tales and worlds to explore!
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 7, 2016
About the author
Heather Hayden
13 books93 followersHeather Hayden is a writer, gamer, reader, editor, and computer geek, though not in any specific order.
She can’t remember when she first started tapping away at a keyboard but she’s grateful that those early attempts at writing are lost in the ancient format of floppy disc. She does miss that racing MS-DOS game she used to play, but has found other games to spend free time on, such as Final Fantasy XXIV and Magic the Gathering, when she has spare free time. A lot of her free time is spent reading her latest haul from the local library.
Heather wrote her first novel (which will never see the light of day) when she was fourteen, and published her first book, a YA science novella titled Augment, when she was twenty-one. She is now hard at work on her next publication, a YA fantasy novel.
When she’s not working on her current project, she can be found deep within the pages of a good book or questing somewhere in Eorzea.
At times, Heather ventures outside to hike with friends, go biking, or go swimming. She prefers ocean water over lake water, has a fear of heights, and is currently in search of a new bike (her old one, Cliffjumper, can no longer shift gears, which makes steep hills impossible.)
She also loves anime, listening to music, and chocolate, and finds writing about herself in the third person quite odd.
She can’t remember when she first started tapping away at a keyboard but she’s grateful that those early attempts at writing are lost in the ancient format of floppy disc. She does miss that racing MS-DOS game she used to play, but has found other games to spend free time on, such as Final Fantasy XXIV and Magic the Gathering, when she has spare free time. A lot of her free time is spent reading her latest haul from the local library.
Heather wrote her first novel (which will never see the light of day) when she was fourteen, and published her first book, a YA science novella titled Augment, when she was twenty-one. She is now hard at work on her next publication, a YA fantasy novel.
When she’s not working on her current project, she can be found deep within the pages of a good book or questing somewhere in Eorzea.
At times, Heather ventures outside to hike with friends, go biking, or go swimming. She prefers ocean water over lake water, has a fear of heights, and is currently in search of a new bike (her old one, Cliffjumper, can no longer shift gears, which makes steep hills impossible.)
She also loves anime, listening to music, and chocolate, and finds writing about herself in the third person quite odd.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
February 7, 2017
Best anthology I've ever read! I love the cover and hey, they're fairytale retellings so win-win for me!
There's something for everyone with these 13 stories. I'd put this probably at a YA level, which it was nice to have all the stories targetting the same age range. A good choice for me as an adult too as they're clean and that's what I like.
Matt Dewar's Female Warrior takes a post-apocalyptic twist on the Ballad of Mulan. The fight scenes were amazing and I loved the plot twist at the end and how it was handled.
Heather Hayden's selkie story is the first selkie story I've ever enjoyed. I normally HATE selkie stories because they're always about a mom who abandons her child(and possibly a good husband). Kiesel is a young selkie, who DOESN'T become a parent in the tale and for the first time I felt myself sad for a selkies plight without feeling like they pull a "worst parent" move.
Kelsie Engen's story has that delightfully mystical feel to it with the characters of Scarlett and Crystal. There's something about the sisters that is strong, and unique, while the story maintains an olden fairy-tale feel. (ie. the girls come across as self-sufficient and intelligent despite the setting being one where the FMC's are usually less independent.)
The Goose and His Girl was one of the most original retellings of East of the Sun; West of the Moon that I've read. That's easily one of my top 2 fairytales, so I was happy to see a version of that. I winced when the poor goose started plucking his own feathers out. I can definitely see how that honking laugh would be grating.
I'd stay that Kris and Krampus scared the stockings off me, but I don't want to be put on the naughty list. (Okay, so this one was a bit dark for my taste as I'm a fluffy rainbow and unicorn person, but if you like darker tales than this one you'll love.)
Daughter of the Air took an interesting path with The Little Mermaid. Instead of retelling tale, this takes place after that story ends. Creative, and unique, my only complaint is that I don't understand why the Sons of Air create storms.
Her Dearest Treasure was my favorite romance retelling. I liked the wit of the FMC and I never stop loving how the story ends. To make a romance believable in so short a time is a true feat and I must take my hat off to the author.
Lots of stories I liked in here. Some are more up my alley than others, but they're all well-written and I can see the authors put a lot of time into making them.
There's also an amazing illustration for each story!!! They're so pretty and now I get to set this book on my shelf. If it ever gets produced in hardcover, I'm definitely going to buy one of those because that cover is made to be in hardcover.
There's something for everyone with these 13 stories. I'd put this probably at a YA level, which it was nice to have all the stories targetting the same age range. A good choice for me as an adult too as they're clean and that's what I like.
Matt Dewar's Female Warrior takes a post-apocalyptic twist on the Ballad of Mulan. The fight scenes were amazing and I loved the plot twist at the end and how it was handled.
Heather Hayden's selkie story is the first selkie story I've ever enjoyed. I normally HATE selkie stories because they're always about a mom who abandons her child(and possibly a good husband). Kiesel is a young selkie, who DOESN'T become a parent in the tale and for the first time I felt myself sad for a selkies plight without feeling like they pull a "worst parent" move.
Kelsie Engen's story has that delightfully mystical feel to it with the characters of Scarlett and Crystal. There's something about the sisters that is strong, and unique, while the story maintains an olden fairy-tale feel. (ie. the girls come across as self-sufficient and intelligent despite the setting being one where the FMC's are usually less independent.)
The Goose and His Girl was one of the most original retellings of East of the Sun; West of the Moon that I've read. That's easily one of my top 2 fairytales, so I was happy to see a version of that. I winced when the poor goose started plucking his own feathers out. I can definitely see how that honking laugh would be grating.
I'd stay that Kris and Krampus scared the stockings off me, but I don't want to be put on the naughty list. (Okay, so this one was a bit dark for my taste as I'm a fluffy rainbow and unicorn person, but if you like darker tales than this one you'll love.)
Daughter of the Air took an interesting path with The Little Mermaid. Instead of retelling tale, this takes place after that story ends. Creative, and unique, my only complaint is that I don't understand why the Sons of Air create storms.
Her Dearest Treasure was my favorite romance retelling. I liked the wit of the FMC and I never stop loving how the story ends. To make a romance believable in so short a time is a true feat and I must take my hat off to the author.
Lots of stories I liked in here. Some are more up my alley than others, but they're all well-written and I can see the authors put a lot of time into making them.
There's also an amazing illustration for each story!!! They're so pretty and now I get to set this book on my shelf. If it ever gets produced in hardcover, I'm definitely going to buy one of those because that cover is made to be in hardcover.
January 16, 2017
Fantastic Tales that touch the heart...
Fairy tales retellings have always been one of my favorite stories. They evoke a variety of emotions - hope, love, wonder, sadness - if they're written well.
'From the Stories of Old' is one of the best Fairy Tale anthologies I've read. Each story was fabulously written, touching my heart and leaving a lasting impression.
'The Miller's Daughter' by Katelyn Barbee is one of my favorites in the anthology. Instead of the usual story from the perspective of the girl forced to weave straw into gold, Ms. Barbee narrates the story from the POV of a young soldier in love with her. And believe me, this really changes things and makes an already charming fairy tale into something wonderful.
'The Female Warrior' by Matthew Dewar is another favorite of mine. It's a really well-written retelling of Mulan with a twist. I loved how it ended and the message it conveyed.
Most of my friends know that I'm a fan of lived-happily-forever-after kind of stories. But 'Beneath His Skin' by Ms. Heather Hayden hooked me despite the tragic, yet sweet, ending. Now it's one of the very few tragedies that I actually like.
I also loved Rose and Thorn, a modern take on Sleeping Beauty by Allie May. Especially her explanation on the source of magic and the surprise at the end.
Her Dearest Treasure by BC Marine was a treat to the mind. I loved the riddles offered by the king and the simple, yet profound answers given by the farmer's girl.
The Bear in the Forest by Kelsie Engen had a whimsical tone that really brought the forest and story to life.
All-in-all, I found this to be a very enjoyable read, an anthology where the authors seem to have put a lot of effort into creating fabulous stories and ensuring great quality.
Fairy tales retellings have always been one of my favorite stories. They evoke a variety of emotions - hope, love, wonder, sadness - if they're written well.
'From the Stories of Old' is one of the best Fairy Tale anthologies I've read. Each story was fabulously written, touching my heart and leaving a lasting impression.
'The Miller's Daughter' by Katelyn Barbee is one of my favorites in the anthology. Instead of the usual story from the perspective of the girl forced to weave straw into gold, Ms. Barbee narrates the story from the POV of a young soldier in love with her. And believe me, this really changes things and makes an already charming fairy tale into something wonderful.
'The Female Warrior' by Matthew Dewar is another favorite of mine. It's a really well-written retelling of Mulan with a twist. I loved how it ended and the message it conveyed.
Most of my friends know that I'm a fan of lived-happily-forever-after kind of stories. But 'Beneath His Skin' by Ms. Heather Hayden hooked me despite the tragic, yet sweet, ending. Now it's one of the very few tragedies that I actually like.
I also loved Rose and Thorn, a modern take on Sleeping Beauty by Allie May. Especially her explanation on the source of magic and the surprise at the end.
Her Dearest Treasure by BC Marine was a treat to the mind. I loved the riddles offered by the king and the simple, yet profound answers given by the farmer's girl.
The Bear in the Forest by Kelsie Engen had a whimsical tone that really brought the forest and story to life.
All-in-all, I found this to be a very enjoyable read, an anthology where the authors seem to have put a lot of effort into creating fabulous stories and ensuring great quality.
March 6, 2017
There is something for everyone in this eclectic mix of fairytale retellings. From rural to urban, ancient to modern, dark humour to bittersweet edges, it’s a unique collection.
My personal favourites included the more traditional retellings of Beneath his Skin and Daughter of the Air. I love a fairy-tale that feels ... UnDisneyfied ... If that’s a word. Something that draws on the feel of the fairy worlds as being unknown and slightly ominous, as in the original tales, rather than an automatic happy ending.
Another favourite was The Female Warrior, a retelling of Mulan in a post apocalyptic world. The mix of traditional tale and ruined world gels well, and post-apocalyptic/dystopian is one of my favourite genres.
Her Dearest Treasure draws on one of my own favourite fairytales, The Peasants Wise Daughter, and I thought it was a great homage to the tale.
Finally, I enjoyed The Glass Maker, with its gender swap take on Cinderella, in an Arabian style city – a favourite setting of mine.
A great book all round.
My personal favourites included the more traditional retellings of Beneath his Skin and Daughter of the Air. I love a fairy-tale that feels ... UnDisneyfied ... If that’s a word. Something that draws on the feel of the fairy worlds as being unknown and slightly ominous, as in the original tales, rather than an automatic happy ending.
Another favourite was The Female Warrior, a retelling of Mulan in a post apocalyptic world. The mix of traditional tale and ruined world gels well, and post-apocalyptic/dystopian is one of my favourite genres.
Her Dearest Treasure draws on one of my own favourite fairytales, The Peasants Wise Daughter, and I thought it was a great homage to the tale.
Finally, I enjoyed The Glass Maker, with its gender swap take on Cinderella, in an Arabian style city – a favourite setting of mine.
A great book all round.
February 23, 2017
From the Stories of Old collects a variety of short stories retelling classic fairy tales. I think people who haven't read many such collections would get more enjoyment out of it than those who read a ton of retellings (like myself). They're fairly straight forward retellings, without much subversions or twists. My absolute favorite was "The Glass Maker" by Mckayla Eaton, with a gender inversion of "Cinderella," and also some cool world building. I would read more in that setting. I also quite liked "The Bear in the Forest" by Kelsie Engen, a "Snow White and Rose Red" retelling, and "The Goose and His Girl" by Lynden Wade, a unique YA "Goose Girl" short story.
Here are my reviews of individual stories:
"Beneath his Skin" by Heather Hayden: A selkie makes friends with a little human girl, but when the sea calls to him, he leaves, entrusting her with a magic that can bring him back every seven years. But when she uses the magic shortly after, he's captured. Well written story, though I thought the selkie was a little dense. 3.5/5
"Her Dearest Treasure by B.C. Marine: A retelling of "A Peasant's Wise Daughter," which is a pleasant surprise. I think I've only read one other retelling of that fairy tale, but it's such a good one. This version sticks pretty close to the original, with some magic to try and make the king have some motivation and not seem like such a jerk (always a hard thing to do with the kings). 3.5/5
"Daughter of the Air" by Renee Harvey: What happens when the Little Mermaid is turned into a creature of the air and must help people for 300 years before gaining a soul? This story explores one of her encounters, but it brings her too close for comfort to her past. 3/5
"Rose and Thorn" by Allie May: A modern interpretation of the Disney movie "Sleeping Beauty." Kind of odd that it used the Disney movie and not the fairy tale. 2.5/5
"The Bear in the Forest" by Kelsie Engen: A retelling of "Snow White and Rose Red." Two sisters are keepers of a forest, but after freeing a giant bear from a trap, they realize something weird is going on. Good tale. 4/5
"Mother's Gift" by Corinne Morier: A modern reinterpretation of "The Goose Girl." 2/5
"The Goose and His Girl" by Lynden Wade: Inspired by "East of the Sun, West of the Moon." This one was cute. A witch flees from a group of angry villagers, when a goose lands and speaks to her. She rides the talking goose far away, and the two fall in love. It's a unique retelling, and I thought it may have been inspired by an alternate version of East of the Sun, West of the Moon. 4/5
"The Princess of Atlantilus" by J.L. Bernard: A retelling of "The Little Mermaid." When a mermaid is kidnapped, a prince faces a difficult decision. 1.5/5
"Kris and Krampus" by Louise Ross: Its inspiration should be obvious by its title. Kris (good ole Santa) decides to go out in public, but finds himself surrounded by naughty children. Unfortunately, children influence his own personality. Cute idea. 3/5
"The Glass Maker" by Mckayla Eaton: A retelling of "Cinderella." This one's my favorite of the collection. A female general needs to find a husband, and a bastard, talented glass maker a purpose. At a masked ball, they meet, and both find an unexpected love, but not without complications. 4/5
"The Guardian's Secret" by Julian Elliot: A retelling of "Urashima Taro." So the day before I read this, I was telling my husband this fairy tale after we went and saw The Red Turtle. And then I got to the end, and forgot what was in the box! Glad I read this so I could tell my husband the end. :) 3/5
"The Miller's Daughter" by Katelyn Barbee: A retelling of "Rumpelstiltskin." As 99.99% of this tale's retellings go, Rumpelstiltskin got the short end of the stick in the Grimm's version of the tale. 2.5/5
"The Female Warrior" by Matthew Dewar: A retelling of "Mulan." The twist on this one is that it's happening in some kind of apocalypse. 2.5/5
This short story collection was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
Here are my reviews of individual stories:
"Beneath his Skin" by Heather Hayden: A selkie makes friends with a little human girl, but when the sea calls to him, he leaves, entrusting her with a magic that can bring him back every seven years. But when she uses the magic shortly after, he's captured. Well written story, though I thought the selkie was a little dense. 3.5/5
"Her Dearest Treasure by B.C. Marine: A retelling of "A Peasant's Wise Daughter," which is a pleasant surprise. I think I've only read one other retelling of that fairy tale, but it's such a good one. This version sticks pretty close to the original, with some magic to try and make the king have some motivation and not seem like such a jerk (always a hard thing to do with the kings). 3.5/5
"Daughter of the Air" by Renee Harvey: What happens when the Little Mermaid is turned into a creature of the air and must help people for 300 years before gaining a soul? This story explores one of her encounters, but it brings her too close for comfort to her past. 3/5
"Rose and Thorn" by Allie May: A modern interpretation of the Disney movie "Sleeping Beauty." Kind of odd that it used the Disney movie and not the fairy tale. 2.5/5
"The Bear in the Forest" by Kelsie Engen: A retelling of "Snow White and Rose Red." Two sisters are keepers of a forest, but after freeing a giant bear from a trap, they realize something weird is going on. Good tale. 4/5
"Mother's Gift" by Corinne Morier: A modern reinterpretation of "The Goose Girl." 2/5
"The Goose and His Girl" by Lynden Wade: Inspired by "East of the Sun, West of the Moon." This one was cute. A witch flees from a group of angry villagers, when a goose lands and speaks to her. She rides the talking goose far away, and the two fall in love. It's a unique retelling, and I thought it may have been inspired by an alternate version of East of the Sun, West of the Moon. 4/5
"The Princess of Atlantilus" by J.L. Bernard: A retelling of "The Little Mermaid." When a mermaid is kidnapped, a prince faces a difficult decision. 1.5/5
"Kris and Krampus" by Louise Ross: Its inspiration should be obvious by its title. Kris (good ole Santa) decides to go out in public, but finds himself surrounded by naughty children. Unfortunately, children influence his own personality. Cute idea. 3/5
"The Glass Maker" by Mckayla Eaton: A retelling of "Cinderella." This one's my favorite of the collection. A female general needs to find a husband, and a bastard, talented glass maker a purpose. At a masked ball, they meet, and both find an unexpected love, but not without complications. 4/5
"The Guardian's Secret" by Julian Elliot: A retelling of "Urashima Taro." So the day before I read this, I was telling my husband this fairy tale after we went and saw The Red Turtle. And then I got to the end, and forgot what was in the box! Glad I read this so I could tell my husband the end. :) 3/5
"The Miller's Daughter" by Katelyn Barbee: A retelling of "Rumpelstiltskin." As 99.99% of this tale's retellings go, Rumpelstiltskin got the short end of the stick in the Grimm's version of the tale. 2.5/5
"The Female Warrior" by Matthew Dewar: A retelling of "Mulan." The twist on this one is that it's happening in some kind of apocalypse. 2.5/5
This short story collection was given to me in exchange for an honest review.
October 30, 2018
This is my third read anthology by the Just-Us League group of authors, although it's their first published one, and like the other collections, it's consistently good quality all throughout; there's no story too bad as to merit a rating below 4 from me. All these authors really know how to spin a tale, and amongst them I should commend some for having stories in the three anthologies that I liked: B. C. Marine, Louise Ross, Lynden Wade, and J. E. Klimov, plus Renée Harvey as a honourable mention. These four authors (all new to me, so extra points to the anthology series for introucing them) I'm definitely going to keep an eye on.
As for the stories, it's 13 retellings of known and not-so-known fairy tales again, from which my favourites were:
Beneath his Skin by Heather Hayden
Not a retelling of any particular tale but rather an original story inspired by the legend of the Selkie people. In this one, instead of the usual Selkie maiden, it's a male of their kind who's the protagonist. The story starts off sweet and you're lured into believing it'll be another nice little romance, but it turns tragic quickly, and the ending isn't exactly fairy tale-ish. Worth the tears you might shed, though!
Her Dearest Treasure by B. C. Marine
A retelling of an obscure fairy tale, "The Peasant's Wise Daughter," that I've sadly not read nor had heard about before. The heroine is wonderful, so clever and resourceful that the story is another one that makes you think the hero who gets her is too lucky for his shoes. In this case, more so given that the hero is at one time unfair and judgy. It's a nice and clean romantic story.
Daughter of the Air by Renée Harvey
This one is for all those of us who think the ultimate fate of the Little Mermaid from the original Andersen tale is too grim and undeserved. In this retelling, the mermaid is working through her redemption towards the goal of getting her humanity and soul she was denied when the prince chose another. Its beginning fools you a wee, wee bit towards hoping for another chance at a prince for the poor girl, but... well, I am not telling the spoiler. Suffice to say it's bittersweet.
The Goose and His Girl by Lynden Wade
A cheerier take on "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" sans trolls and sans quest, and with a different animal that still keeps faithful to the themes of the source tale. Both characters are snarky and hilarious, and there's time for them to grow fond of each other before the romance hits the page. The fact that it's the girl all on her own that solves the issues that arise, is also a bonus detail. I do think this story could be expanded on, because of the hints about the Goose's origins and people intrigued me.
All the above get 5 stars. Besides these, honourable mentions for three additional stories that, while not exactly up my alley, are quite good and it'd be unfair not to mention them on grounds of personal taste: The Glass Maker by Mckayla Eaton, a retelling of "Cinderella" in a world that looks like a mix of a Middle-Eastern country + Venice and with a male in the role of the ash-girl; The Guardian's Secret by J. E. Klimov, based on the Japanese tale of the fisherman Urashima Taro (Note to Ms Klimov, if she ever reads this review: Please, please, do publish your own anthology of retold Japanese tales! Or at least, do write a full novel retelling one! It'd be quite unique, a welcome change from all-Western retellings, and you've already a sure reader in me); and The Female Warrior by Matthew Dewar, a retelling of "Mulan" that seems to be a reader favourite but that I was rather unimpressed by, because it didn't appear as anything more than a simple change of places (from China to post-Apocalyptic Earth) and because the plot was "solved" too quickly for plausibility.
As for the stories, it's 13 retellings of known and not-so-known fairy tales again, from which my favourites were:
Beneath his Skin by Heather Hayden
Not a retelling of any particular tale but rather an original story inspired by the legend of the Selkie people. In this one, instead of the usual Selkie maiden, it's a male of their kind who's the protagonist. The story starts off sweet and you're lured into believing it'll be another nice little romance, but it turns tragic quickly, and the ending isn't exactly fairy tale-ish. Worth the tears you might shed, though!
Her Dearest Treasure by B. C. Marine
A retelling of an obscure fairy tale, "The Peasant's Wise Daughter," that I've sadly not read nor had heard about before. The heroine is wonderful, so clever and resourceful that the story is another one that makes you think the hero who gets her is too lucky for his shoes. In this case, more so given that the hero is at one time unfair and judgy. It's a nice and clean romantic story.
Daughter of the Air by Renée Harvey
This one is for all those of us who think the ultimate fate of the Little Mermaid from the original Andersen tale is too grim and undeserved. In this retelling, the mermaid is working through her redemption towards the goal of getting her humanity and soul she was denied when the prince chose another. Its beginning fools you a wee, wee bit towards hoping for another chance at a prince for the poor girl, but... well, I am not telling the spoiler. Suffice to say it's bittersweet.
The Goose and His Girl by Lynden Wade
A cheerier take on "East of the Sun, West of the Moon" sans trolls and sans quest, and with a different animal that still keeps faithful to the themes of the source tale. Both characters are snarky and hilarious, and there's time for them to grow fond of each other before the romance hits the page. The fact that it's the girl all on her own that solves the issues that arise, is also a bonus detail. I do think this story could be expanded on, because of the hints about the Goose's origins and people intrigued me.
All the above get 5 stars. Besides these, honourable mentions for three additional stories that, while not exactly up my alley, are quite good and it'd be unfair not to mention them on grounds of personal taste: The Glass Maker by Mckayla Eaton, a retelling of "Cinderella" in a world that looks like a mix of a Middle-Eastern country + Venice and with a male in the role of the ash-girl; The Guardian's Secret by J. E. Klimov, based on the Japanese tale of the fisherman Urashima Taro (Note to Ms Klimov, if she ever reads this review: Please, please, do publish your own anthology of retold Japanese tales! Or at least, do write a full novel retelling one! It'd be quite unique, a welcome change from all-Western retellings, and you've already a sure reader in me); and The Female Warrior by Matthew Dewar, a retelling of "Mulan" that seems to be a reader favourite but that I was rather unimpressed by, because it didn't appear as anything more than a simple change of places (from China to post-Apocalyptic Earth) and because the plot was "solved" too quickly for plausibility.
May 22, 2017
From the 'Just Us League,' a group of authors dedicated to the craft of telling stories, comes Volume 1 of From the Stories of Old.
Here, we see traditional fairy-tales given a modern make-over, featuring characters ranging from humans and Selkies to goblins and mermaids.
Each author has their own unique style, which helped them to stand out from their colleagues. One of my favourite re-tellings was The Glass Maker, a delightful twist on Cinderella, with a male playing the Cinders role.
I was struck by the beauty of the thirteen tales involved. Each held its own and together, they provided hours of on the edge of your seat reading.
I would recommend this collection for lovers of Fantasy, mythology, and Fairy tales.
Rated 4 stars.
August 19, 2017
So many lovely retellings of classic stories! My favorites (subject to the weather and what I had for lunch, because keeps changing) are currently "The Miller's Daughter" (retelling of Rumplestiltskin) and "The Glass Maker" (variation of Cinderella).
March 24, 2017
Short and sweet, The Bear in the Forest, by Kelsie Engen is filled with adventure, magic, curses and two girls, willing to do anything to protect the forest.
Crystal and Scarlett are sisters, promised to care for the forest and its animals as Keepers. When they find a bear, trapped in a poacher's snare, they do what they do best. Little did they know they were stepping into a feud , over 200 years old.
The story is short but very well written. It's included in a book filled with excellent stories. The book, From the Stories of Old, you'll find more than any one person's share of danger and heroes. I read the entire book, but it was the author, Kelsie Engen, I was looking for. I'm happy I did.
Also, if you read From the Stories of Old, in its entirety, you will LOVE Kris and Krampus! That story is hilarious and evil! {Insert evil laughter!}
*Full Review: http://www.areneehunt.com/the-reviews...
From the Stories of Old, Vol. 1 A JL Anthology:
The Bear in the Forest
Kelsie Engen
Rowanwood Publishing, LLC
2016
Crystal and Scarlett are sisters, promised to care for the forest and its animals as Keepers. When they find a bear, trapped in a poacher's snare, they do what they do best. Little did they know they were stepping into a feud , over 200 years old.
The story is short but very well written. It's included in a book filled with excellent stories. The book, From the Stories of Old, you'll find more than any one person's share of danger and heroes. I read the entire book, but it was the author, Kelsie Engen, I was looking for. I'm happy I did.
Also, if you read From the Stories of Old, in its entirety, you will LOVE Kris and Krampus! That story is hilarious and evil! {Insert evil laughter!}
*Full Review: http://www.areneehunt.com/the-reviews...
From the Stories of Old, Vol. 1 A JL Anthology:
The Bear in the Forest
Kelsie Engen
Rowanwood Publishing, LLC
2016
May 25, 2017
Absolutely wonderful!~ Original fairy tales, with beautiful artwork to go along with!
August 2, 2017
Nice collection of fairy tale re-tellings. The other reviewers went into specifics so I won't duplicate their efforts, but if you're a fan of fairy tales, this is a must-have for your collection.
March 21, 2022
I enjoyed the mashups of fairytales. It was a good read!
May 9, 2020
Decent retelling
I'm a sucker for fairytale retellings so obviously I grabbed this one. Most of the stories were ok, although I really really liked "Daughter of Air" (one of the two TLM retelling in this collection) simply because this is the first retelling I've read where it picks up after the events of the original tale. It was very creative. I also really like the Rumplestitskin retelling.
I'm a sucker for fairytale retellings so obviously I grabbed this one. Most of the stories were ok, although I really really liked "Daughter of Air" (one of the two TLM retelling in this collection) simply because this is the first retelling I've read where it picks up after the events of the original tale. It was very creative. I also really like the Rumplestitskin retelling.
February 5, 2022
Some of the stories I really enjoyed and some of them were just okay.
September 11, 2023
13 twisty & original YA/NA fairytale retellings in this anthology - loved it!
This is an anthology of 13 fairy tale retellings, some well-known, others less so. I liked how the authors invited readers to read the tales first and guess the retelling after. The chapter art before each story was a nice touch.
My faves, in order of originality of the twistyness - btw, lots of heartbreak in this set:
5/5⭐️The Glass Maker by Mckayla Eaton - a gender-swapped glasscrafter Cinderella retelling - the most life-affirming in the bunch - loved the gender swapping & other reworks - a crafts festival instead of a ball, a glass mask instead of slipper. Adored the gender swapping of boys crafting while girls go to war - coz magic is only for girls, ya know.
5/5⭐️The Miller’s Daughter by Katelyn Barbee - a Rumpletiltskin retelling mashed up with King Midas myth - where the wizard is the good guy and the evil king is a gold-loving goblin - loved it!
5/5⭐️The Goose and his Girl by Lynden Wade - east of the sun west of the moon retelling with elements of The Ugly Duckling and 12 Swans - modern and whimsical. Loved the snarky repartees and the Goose talking to the girl. (The carrying the girl off away from danger reminded me a bit of Thumbelina & her swallow.) Loved the bit where the guy cursed himself - he wished to be a goose. Despite forgoing the rule of three traditional in fairytales, I loved this original tale. It’s more of a mashup of several and not really a Goose Girl retelling (though it has a goose in it).
5/5⭐️Daughter of the Air by Renee Harvey - story of the Little Mermaid AFTER she became sea foam and transitions to a being who can control the wind at high seas. I loved the melancholy reunion and that the Little Mermaid finally got closure.
5/5⭐️Beneath his Skin by Heather Hayden - Selkie story - reverse Ariel - the girl betraying the merman - circus - heartbreaking - then she lets him go returning his skin
5/5⭐️The Princess of Alantilus by J.L. Bernard - the Litte Mermaid next gen - aww, such a heartbreaking tale. Loved what the author did with what the mermaid traded her voice for.
5/5⭐️Rose and Thorn by Allie May - sleeping beauty - Philippe Chevalier and Rose De La Fontaine - loved what the author did with the spindle and the good-evil-neutral of fairyborn daughters was brill! And awww…that ending. Lengths someone evil would go to not to be evil. Happy AND sad.
4.5/5⭐️Her Dearest Treasure by B.C. Marine - Peasant’s Wise Daughter mashup with Rumple - loved how Sonia took charge and wooed the king but dark undertones of owing things to people who helped you in hardship when the help can destroy where you’ve gotten to in life
4/5⭐️ The Guardian’s Secret by J.E. Klimov - a mashup of gender-swapped Little Mermaid and the Pandora myth with a dystopian ending
4/5⭐️The Bear in the Forest by Kelsie Engen - a sweet snow white& rose red retelling along the traditional lines but a were-warlock replacing the hangry dwarf.
3.5⭐️Mother’s Gift by Corinne Morier - goose girl in modern setting with Hollywood bold&beautiful instead of the fairytale kings&princes with a switcharoo artefact. Pts deducted as the kissing scene sprang up at me out of nowhere. Loved what the author did with Falada - switching a horse for a brother and substituting beheading with death threats.
3/5⭐️ Kris and Krumpus by Louise Ross - retelling of Struwwelpeter, a lesser know fairytale - modern horror retelling where Santa lives amongst humans in our times. Dying the beard was a brill move. Severing a thumb and melting a girl’s skin off coz they’re on the naughty list - was not. Brrr… But if you like horrific retellings, then this one’s up your alley.
3/5⭐️The Female Warrior by Matthew Dewar - retelling ofMulan I couldn’t quite get into, maybe the style isn’t my cuppa and maybe coz it was the last story & I was tired.
Overall, a fab anthology. Recommended for lovers of darker and twistier (but not really cruel or horrifying) fairytale retellings - mixed bag of YA/NA.
This is an anthology of 13 fairy tale retellings, some well-known, others less so. I liked how the authors invited readers to read the tales first and guess the retelling after. The chapter art before each story was a nice touch.
My faves, in order of originality of the twistyness - btw, lots of heartbreak in this set:
5/5⭐️The Glass Maker by Mckayla Eaton - a gender-swapped glasscrafter Cinderella retelling - the most life-affirming in the bunch - loved the gender swapping & other reworks - a crafts festival instead of a ball, a glass mask instead of slipper. Adored the gender swapping of boys crafting while girls go to war - coz magic is only for girls, ya know.
5/5⭐️The Miller’s Daughter by Katelyn Barbee - a Rumpletiltskin retelling mashed up with King Midas myth - where the wizard is the good guy and the evil king is a gold-loving goblin - loved it!
5/5⭐️The Goose and his Girl by Lynden Wade - east of the sun west of the moon retelling with elements of The Ugly Duckling and 12 Swans - modern and whimsical. Loved the snarky repartees and the Goose talking to the girl. (The carrying the girl off away from danger reminded me a bit of Thumbelina & her swallow.) Loved the bit where the guy cursed himself - he wished to be a goose. Despite forgoing the rule of three traditional in fairytales, I loved this original tale. It’s more of a mashup of several and not really a Goose Girl retelling (though it has a goose in it).
5/5⭐️Daughter of the Air by Renee Harvey - story of the Little Mermaid AFTER she became sea foam and transitions to a being who can control the wind at high seas. I loved the melancholy reunion and that the Little Mermaid finally got closure.
5/5⭐️Beneath his Skin by Heather Hayden - Selkie story - reverse Ariel - the girl betraying the merman - circus - heartbreaking - then she lets him go returning his skin
5/5⭐️The Princess of Alantilus by J.L. Bernard - the Litte Mermaid next gen - aww, such a heartbreaking tale. Loved what the author did with what the mermaid traded her voice for.
5/5⭐️Rose and Thorn by Allie May - sleeping beauty - Philippe Chevalier and Rose De La Fontaine - loved what the author did with the spindle and the good-evil-neutral of fairyborn daughters was brill! And awww…that ending. Lengths someone evil would go to not to be evil. Happy AND sad.
4.5/5⭐️Her Dearest Treasure by B.C. Marine - Peasant’s Wise Daughter mashup with Rumple - loved how Sonia took charge and wooed the king but dark undertones of owing things to people who helped you in hardship when the help can destroy where you’ve gotten to in life
4/5⭐️ The Guardian’s Secret by J.E. Klimov - a mashup of gender-swapped Little Mermaid and the Pandora myth with a dystopian ending
4/5⭐️The Bear in the Forest by Kelsie Engen - a sweet snow white& rose red retelling along the traditional lines but a were-warlock replacing the hangry dwarf.
3.5⭐️Mother’s Gift by Corinne Morier - goose girl in modern setting with Hollywood bold&beautiful instead of the fairytale kings&princes with a switcharoo artefact. Pts deducted as the kissing scene sprang up at me out of nowhere. Loved what the author did with Falada - switching a horse for a brother and substituting beheading with death threats.
3/5⭐️ Kris and Krumpus by Louise Ross - retelling of Struwwelpeter, a lesser know fairytale - modern horror retelling where Santa lives amongst humans in our times. Dying the beard was a brill move. Severing a thumb and melting a girl’s skin off coz they’re on the naughty list - was not. Brrr… But if you like horrific retellings, then this one’s up your alley.
3/5⭐️The Female Warrior by Matthew Dewar - retelling ofMulan I couldn’t quite get into, maybe the style isn’t my cuppa and maybe coz it was the last story & I was tired.
Overall, a fab anthology. Recommended for lovers of darker and twistier (but not really cruel or horrifying) fairytale retellings - mixed bag of YA/NA.
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