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Blueblood: A Fairy Tale Revolution
Malorie Blackman retells 'Bluebeard'. A Fairy Tale Revolution is here to remix and revive our favourite stories. These twists on familiar tales make the perfect Christmas gift.'Please don't even try to get down to the basement. Just leave it alone - okay? Otherwise you'll ruin things for both of us...'Nia has met the man she wants to marry. Marcus is kind, clever and handsome, with a beard so dark it is nearly blue-black. Nia demands a single promise from him - that Marcus will never enter her study in the basement, her private space. But when Marcus's curiosity begins to mount Nia feels more and more uneasy. Will he betray her? Can he accept that no means no? Can a woman ever have a room of her own?
31 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 1, 2020
5 people are currently reading
200 people want to read
About the author
Malorie Blackman
156 books4,534 followersAn award-winning children's author, Malorie Blackman was honoured with an OBE in 2008. Her work has been adapted for TV and stage.
More information available at:
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British Council: Contemporary Authors
British Council: Encompass Culture
Channel 4 Learning: Book Box
More information available at:
Myspace
British Council: Contemporary Authors
British Council: Encompass Culture
Channel 4 Learning: Book Box
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 25, 2022
A retelling of the book Bluebeard which I haven't read.
This is a short book only 32 pages. It is a story about controlling husbands or partners, trust, paranoia and consequences. I can't say much about this book without giving too much away. I thought the book was really good considering the length of the book.
This is a short book only 32 pages. It is a story about controlling husbands or partners, trust, paranoia and consequences. I can't say much about this book without giving too much away. I thought the book was really good considering the length of the book.
October 1, 2020
Whilst I know this is a retelling, I cannot rightly compare it to the originally story because I never read the original fairy tale that this came from. However this has the same flavour as the original tales generally. It was dark and mysterious. Slightly gruesome. However all magic and misogyny has been replaced with science and feminism. This is a traditional cautionary tale with a fresh voice, exactly what you would want from a retelling.
June 14, 2024
Malorie Blackman’s feminist reimagining of Bluebeard’s fairy tale retells the story, gender swapping the roles but still filled with the original violence and brutality. I’ve never read Bluebeard’s tale, but a quick Google explains that Bluebeard gave his wife keys to all the rooms in his castle but forbade her to enter one of them. When she disobeys his request, she finds the bodies of his ex-wives. Similarly to this story, Nia’s ex-husbands keep mysteriously disappearing, although this doesn’t put Marcus off as he has his own issues keeping women around as he’s such a controlling jerk. Marcus who appears to be the perfect gentleman until his possessiveness and jealousy begins to surface. She requests that he does not enter her study in the basement, that she’ll share everything with him but that private space – what women doesn’t want a Room of One’s Own? In this cautionary tale, the consequences for betraying her request are revealed as ruthless, like Bluebeard’s wife Marcus cannot resist the temptation and soon finds there was a good reason to avoid the cellar. Nia explains that she hunts down abusive men and gives them the ending they deserve after she had been abused by her first husband and desires revenge.
This book can be read in the time it takes to have a cup of tea; at only 32 pages it will definitely be the shortest book I’ve read all year! The book’s design is really beautiful, it is formatted the same as a children’s picture book enhancing the ‘Fairy Tale’ storybook feel, the silhouettes used inside of the characters give an old-fashioned photo feel to it, although the colours used are so vibrant – the contrast works really well. Although this story is classed as a fairy tale, there is no magical elements used here, which I think would have taken away from the story’s message if there had been, however it seems unlike a fairytale because of this. Still, a great quick read of a heroine determined to take back control of her life.
This book can be read in the time it takes to have a cup of tea; at only 32 pages it will definitely be the shortest book I’ve read all year! The book’s design is really beautiful, it is formatted the same as a children’s picture book enhancing the ‘Fairy Tale’ storybook feel, the silhouettes used inside of the characters give an old-fashioned photo feel to it, although the colours used are so vibrant – the contrast works really well. Although this story is classed as a fairy tale, there is no magical elements used here, which I think would have taken away from the story’s message if there had been, however it seems unlike a fairytale because of this. Still, a great quick read of a heroine determined to take back control of her life.
April 11, 2021
This was very well written but a bit disturbing. I’m not entirely sure this is an appropriate fairytale for children, as the moral of the story is basically ‘murder is the way to go when consent is violated’... I’ve never read the original fairytale though, so that might be to blame for my opinion now.
January 30, 2022
A retelling of Blueblood with a twist. Having not read the original I was just going along for the ride and it was a clever story of controlling husbands and asking someone to respect their privacy and the consequences of such if they don't.
March 6, 2021
A great twist of the Bluebeard fairytale
September 27, 2024
Don’t be fool by the cover this is not quite the fairy tale you expect.
Very good twist at the end, despite it taking minutes to read I was gripped.
Never break a promise, it has consequences.
Very good twist at the end, despite it taking minutes to read I was gripped.
Never break a promise, it has consequences.
March 17, 2025
get out of my room i’m playing minecraft
July 29, 2022
Oh how I love Malorie Blackman
September 6, 2022
Remember the Bluebeard fairy tale? Well this is all that with a spin and even a big twist!
I was absolutely excited when I spotted this book over at Library #1. I just love retellings of fairy tales and I was excited to see something other than the same number, aka Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Little Mermaid, Rumpelstiltskin, you know the BIG ones. I quite liked the original story, yes, it was gruesome, but that is what fairy tales, the real ones, are. I was curious how this author had changed the story and also what would happen in the end.
In this book we get to meet Nia, a girl who has had a lot of husbands.. who just keep disappearing. She has a new man now, Marcus. Who is pretty OK, but we soon see that he is really possessive, like SUPER possessive. And also very curious. Because Nia has one rule. Just like Bluebeard had in the original. You cannot enter 1 room in the entire house. You cannot go there. You have a room for yourself. Nia has one for her. For Nia that is the cellar. She does her jewellery work there.. but given I knew the original I knew what else might be hiding there. I was very curious throughout the story if Marcus would keep up with not going there.. or if he would fall for it. I have to be honest, at one point in the story I kind of wished he would just go there because the man was aggravating. I mean, I get it, you want to spend plenty of time with your girl. But your girl has a life and work beside you. You cannot control all elements.
The later part of the book in which Nia goes to travel and Marcus gets very very curious? I will have to put it behind spoiler tags because I do need to talk about it. So in a way the story follows the Bluebeard fairy tale further, a secret room. However not much blood, instead there are pieces. Pieces of the past husbands. And then we get to learn all about Nia and what happened to her husbands and why she is doing this. It reminded me a bit of Death Note, just without the notebook, haha. But she is out for revenge. Trying to help women. Because her first husband was an abusive prick. Then when I thought things couldn’t get more OMG, we find out something about Nia and I was just WOWed, that was an amazing addition by the author and it was just perfect. So not just a retelling but something more. Oh yes.
This book was thankfully located at the YA section of my library. I am happy with that as I have seen on Goodreads that it has been tagged as Children’s. This is definitely NOT a children’s book. Too many words for one. Very mature for two.
I am a bit disappointed in the illustrations. I had hoped just a bit more than silhouettes/shadow play.
All in all, I flew through this amazing book and I enjoyed it a lot. I would recommend it.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I was absolutely excited when I spotted this book over at Library #1. I just love retellings of fairy tales and I was excited to see something other than the same number, aka Cinderella, Red Riding Hood, Little Mermaid, Rumpelstiltskin, you know the BIG ones. I quite liked the original story, yes, it was gruesome, but that is what fairy tales, the real ones, are. I was curious how this author had changed the story and also what would happen in the end.
In this book we get to meet Nia, a girl who has had a lot of husbands.. who just keep disappearing. She has a new man now, Marcus. Who is pretty OK, but we soon see that he is really possessive, like SUPER possessive. And also very curious. Because Nia has one rule. Just like Bluebeard had in the original. You cannot enter 1 room in the entire house. You cannot go there. You have a room for yourself. Nia has one for her. For Nia that is the cellar. She does her jewellery work there.. but given I knew the original I knew what else might be hiding there. I was very curious throughout the story if Marcus would keep up with not going there.. or if he would fall for it. I have to be honest, at one point in the story I kind of wished he would just go there because the man was aggravating. I mean, I get it, you want to spend plenty of time with your girl. But your girl has a life and work beside you. You cannot control all elements.
The later part of the book in which Nia goes to travel and Marcus gets very very curious? I will have to put it behind spoiler tags because I do need to talk about it. So in a way the story follows the Bluebeard fairy tale further, a secret room. However not much blood, instead there are pieces. Pieces of the past husbands. And then we get to learn all about Nia and what happened to her husbands and why she is doing this. It reminded me a bit of Death Note, just without the notebook, haha. But she is out for revenge. Trying to help women. Because her first husband was an abusive prick. Then when I thought things couldn’t get more OMG, we find out something about Nia and I was just WOWed, that was an amazing addition by the author and it was just perfect. So not just a retelling but something more. Oh yes.
This book was thankfully located at the YA section of my library. I am happy with that as I have seen on Goodreads that it has been tagged as Children’s. This is definitely NOT a children’s book. Too many words for one. Very mature for two.
I am a bit disappointed in the illustrations. I had hoped just a bit more than silhouettes/shadow play.
All in all, I flew through this amazing book and I enjoyed it a lot. I would recommend it.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 25, 2021
trigger warning
Nia and Marcus are going to marry, ignoring all nay-sayers, and he moves into her mansion.
Finally, everything seems perfect. Or does it?
Since this one isn't long, I don't want to reveal too much.
The illustrations are gorgeous, the backgrounds in prominent tones of red, while Marcus and Nia are only shown as silhuettes, giving you the freedom to fill them in for yourself, and imagine how they look, what their ethnicity is. I saw them as white, but that is my default if I have no information, and this being a retelling of an European fairy tale probably did it's part in that.
As to characterisation, we're also given the bare bones.
The plot is pretty straightforward, but not boring, as you're wondering how closely the author adheres to the original tale. I liked it, and want to read more of this series - which is great, as I have another one here.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
Nia and Marcus are going to marry, ignoring all nay-sayers, and he moves into her mansion.
Finally, everything seems perfect. Or does it?
Since this one isn't long, I don't want to reveal too much.
The illustrations are gorgeous, the backgrounds in prominent tones of red, while Marcus and Nia are only shown as silhuettes, giving you the freedom to fill them in for yourself, and imagine how they look, what their ethnicity is. I saw them as white, but that is my default if I have no information, and this being a retelling of an European fairy tale probably did it's part in that.
As to characterisation, we're also given the bare bones.
The plot is pretty straightforward, but not boring, as you're wondering how closely the author adheres to the original tale. I liked it, and want to read more of this series - which is great, as I have another one here.
The arc was provided by the publisher.
February 3, 2022
This is my first Malorie Blackman book and it was a very enjoyable retelling of Blackbeard. This fairytale has always intrigued and unsettled me and I enjoyed the way Blackman reworked it and made it her own.
I looked forward to learning what the secrets were and enjoyed the themes the story discussed such as control and manipulation in a relationship, trust, irony in the face of punishment. They all made me think.
I would like to try Blackman's other works as I didn't feel this gave enough of an example of her writing style and I'm eager to try more. I've been wanting to read Noughts and Crosses, in particular, for the longest time, so maybe that will be next.
I loved the silhouette illustration style, in combination with the bold red of the scenery. It added to the mysterious air and tension, not being able to see character facial expressions.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
I looked forward to learning what the secrets were and enjoyed the themes the story discussed such as control and manipulation in a relationship, trust, irony in the face of punishment. They all made me think.
I would like to try Blackman's other works as I didn't feel this gave enough of an example of her writing style and I'm eager to try more. I've been wanting to read Noughts and Crosses, in particular, for the longest time, so maybe that will be next.
I loved the silhouette illustration style, in combination with the bold red of the scenery. It added to the mysterious air and tension, not being able to see character facial expressions.
Pick it up, give it a go and enjoy! >(^_^)<
Gén
April 10, 2022
I appreciated this updating of the Blackbeard story but I have to admit I'm not totally certain who it's for. The gender dynamics and descriptions of emotionally and physically abusive relationships just don't seem like they're aimed at kids and its short length and simplicity makes it an odd stand-alone volume for adults, much more likely to be at home among other similarly-themed stories in a collection. The modern updating and empowering murders are a little bit grisly, but satisfying for the reader who just wants to see the heroine be smart enough to be both three steps ahead of her shady husband and too unsentimental to fall for his manipulations. There is a decided lack of magic or magical realism so it's hard to really call this a fairy tale, even with the allusions to the original tale. Still, if you don't mind a little (fictional) death and maiming, this story is just a little bit cathartic.
May 29, 2022
A funny, interesting twist on the folktale Bluebeard. While children will not see the charm of this tale as adults do, there are still some important life lessons/morales presented in this tale.
I shared both stories with my 7 year old daughter and she enjoyed Blackman’s version SO much more.
The original story left readers with the following life lessons:
1. Women should not be curious
2. Women should follow their husband’s instructions
3. Women should listen to their brothers
4. A woman needs to be saved by a man
This story addresses the patriarchal bulls*** of the original by putting the story in today’s time and giving the reader Bluebeard (Marcus) and Bluebeard’s wife (Nia - she didn’t even have a NAME in the original!) perspectives.
I won’t give any spoilers, but the morals in this story are very different - so have a read!
Hoping to read more reimagined fairytales/folktales by the author.
I shared both stories with my 7 year old daughter and she enjoyed Blackman’s version SO much more.
The original story left readers with the following life lessons:
1. Women should not be curious
2. Women should follow their husband’s instructions
3. Women should listen to their brothers
4. A woman needs to be saved by a man
This story addresses the patriarchal bulls*** of the original by putting the story in today’s time and giving the reader Bluebeard (Marcus) and Bluebeard’s wife (Nia - she didn’t even have a NAME in the original!) perspectives.
I won’t give any spoilers, but the morals in this story are very different - so have a read!
Hoping to read more reimagined fairytales/folktales by the author.
June 12, 2021
Reflections and lessons learned:
A quick search of the original tale set up the perfect creepy background for this read, and the moral dilemma that I’ve often thought about - how much should people live in each other’s lives as a couple? Is it healthy to have private space and things that the other doesn’t know about… maybe not from this example. Good old secrets and lies… Wonderful use of illustrations, modernisation and suspense - and the switch changed nothing about the moral stand within as its the power dynamic that rules
A quick search of the original tale set up the perfect creepy background for this read, and the moral dilemma that I’ve often thought about - how much should people live in each other’s lives as a couple? Is it healthy to have private space and things that the other doesn’t know about… maybe not from this example. Good old secrets and lies… Wonderful use of illustrations, modernisation and suspense - and the switch changed nothing about the moral stand within as its the power dynamic that rules
June 29, 2021
So bad it made me angry.
August 27, 2021
Loved this book so much! I work in a library and saw it on the YA shelf. It caught my eye and was surprised to see its a picture book for adults! I adored the cleverly written 'revolutionary' fairy tale. The story was well told and I really had a big shock at the end. I had so many questions after and it really did make me think about womens rights and the grisly grimms fairy tales of my childhood, where little red hiding hood was eaten by the big bad wolf. Brilliant book, i hope Malorie Blackman does more picture book like this!
July 1, 2022
An interesting update, well written with interesting illustrations. Possibly spoiled slightly by having read and loved the Bluebeard adaptation in Dierdre Sullivan's Tangleweed and Brine, which was super weird but also (strangely) quite romantic and beautiful.
This would be a good one for sixth form discussions on feminism in literature!
This would be a good one for sixth form discussions on feminism in literature!
January 12, 2024
Great YA retelling of the fairytale of Blackbeard from a feminist standpoint. Lots to say about coercive relationships and asks how far can you go to pursue justice before you cross over to the other side. Great silhouette artwork as well. Lots of depth for "just" a graphic novel.
March 4, 2021
Read in one night, was a good little short story and twist on the original.
Read
June 26, 2021
Trigger & Content Warnings
Domestic abuse
Drugging
Domestic abuse
Drugging
November 9, 2021
Was wondering where the story was going when the trophies were mentioned! Fortunately it wasn't what I feared and I can definitely put the book in the school library.
November 24, 2021
There is some sort of satisfaction in reading this book. Honestly I think every wife would have wished they could do what Nia does at least once in their lives
December 13, 2021
Quirky and engaging sophisticated picture book
January 21, 2022
A clever retelling of an old tale with a modern twist.
February 10, 2022
Perfect twist about the claim to have "a room of our own". No other explanation. Loved it.
April 24, 2022
An intriguing retelling by the ever wonderful Malorie Blackman
October 17, 2022
Bluebeard has got to be one of my favourite fairytales and this retelling does it beautifully.
November 16, 2022
This is a really excellent feminist retelling of Bluebeard. The ending is good and the two viewpoints is excellent.
January 21, 2023
Such an interesting take on blue beard, really enjoyed
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews