From the Bookshelf of Once Upon a Time...…

The Fire Rose (Elemental Masters, #0)

Mercedes Lackey

Start date: June 1, 2024

Finish date: June 30, 2024

Discussion: Retelling & Fractured Tales

Why we're reading this: June 2024 Group Read
09/29/22 nominated by Shanna
January 2015 Group Read
[close] June 2024 Group Read
09/29/22 nominated by Shanna
January 2015 Group Read

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Showing 2 of 19 topics — 285 comments total

Retelling & Fractured Tales

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By Gem , Belle · 5 posts · 13 views

last updated Jul 16, 2025 04:59PM

Hook's Little Mermaid (The Untold Stories) by Susanna Lynn - May 2025
By Gem , Belle · 3 posts · 11 views

last updated Jun 04, 2025 07:42PM

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What Members Thought

Jan 20, 2015 Rachmi rated it really liked it

Shelves: paranormal, romance, retelling-and-or-inspired-by

3.5 stars

This Beauty and the Beast retelling reminds me of Jane Eyre, in a way. Rose, the heroine, is like Jane Eyre, is so determine to have the same position with Jason Cameron, the hero, even when he is her employer. She's highly educated, smart and witty and a bookworm too. I cannot help not to love her. Jason is also easy to love, though I have to admit that I don't like the way he’s keeping an eye on her. It isn't a good thing to do, if you ask me.

These lovable main characters make me enjo ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jun 21, 2024 Susan Chapek rated it really liked it

Shelves: fairy-tales-and-classics-retold, historical-fiction, standout-fantasy, 2021-into-the-forest-challenge

Three cheers for a romantic conflict that can't be solved by having the couple talk the problem through, or indeed solved by anything other than the grandest gestures and greatest sacrifices. (By the way, I'm breaking my rule and giving it stars, because I really enjoyed re-reading it.)

More cheers for the intricate world of elemental magick, meshing perfectly with both the fairy tale tropes (invisible servants, beast, magic mirror, etc.) and the real-world events (San Francisco in 1906).
...more

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Jun 23, 2023 Cheryl added it · review of another edition

Won't rate because I didn't read all of it; skipped the parts about Paul du Mond; I find that nastiness too upsetting. Don't like that the girl doesn't have glasses on the cover of my trade pb edition. Do like that the beast (view spoiler). Do like the setting, though I'm not sure but it seems a few bits are anachronistic (don't remember atm which bothered me the most, sorry). Don't like the casual sexism: Cameron and R ...more

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Oct 11, 2024 Erin rated it it was ok

Shelves: literature, myths-and-fairy-tales

Another book I read so you don't have to! Go ahead and judge this book by its cover. It has no redeeming qualities. Absolutely dull, insanely paced, no plot or ending to speak of. Don't waste your time. Robin McKinley shouldn't even be mentioned in the same paragraph as this atrocity, but I bring her up to suggest her works if you are looking for a beauty and the beast retelling, because life is too short for you to read this. ...more

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