Fairytales of Folkshore series by Lucy Tempest --> Restarting April 7th, 2021

[Kim]

I’m still catching up on some so I can easily wait. I didn’t want to hold you up though! Let’s plan for second week of September?

[Celia]

Btw I'll probably get to it by about Sept 12. Does this sound good?

[Kim]

Should be good. I’m currently reading Lady Smoke and that will at least take me through this week, if not more with work.

[Celia]

Kim wrote: "Should be good. I’m currently reading Lady Smoke and that will at least take me through this week, if not more with work."

Yeah, my reading is slowed down a bit too, with school.

[Celia]

I clearly have not started yet. I need to finish my current book, probably read Geekerella, and then I'll be good.

[Kim]

Girl you are not alone. September has been a rough reading month lol

[Celia]

Kim wrote: "Girl you are not alone. September has been a rough reading month lol"

Honestly. I've got school and I'm also involved in way too many challenges right now. I just need to keep posting every two weeks or so so the thread doesn't get archived, lol

[Celia]

Okay I finally started

28% (view spoiler)[So I really like where this is going. I had heard that Ornella plays more of a role in this one and that's fun to see playing out.

I honestly did not expect that Mr. Fairborn was a faerie, but I thought that he had married one. Although now that I think about it, the name "Fairborn" is a major hint, I guess.

Cant wait to see how this plays out! (hide spoiler)]

54% (view spoiler)[Okay so I didn't actually think Bonnie's family situation could be any more strange than Ada's, but clearly I was wrong on that front. I guess I read that last part wrong before I commented, but the story of his actual connection to Faerie is 10X weirder... he's basically the oldest person alive at the time?

Ella is also an amazing side character in this novel, and I feel like I will 100% be able to connect with her in . Her finding herself as part of a group who values her for her and not knowing what to do with these new people around her and this respect she suddenly earns just by being there, is definitely something I resonate with. I definitely want to know more about her family situation too. (hide spoiler)]

80% (view spoiler)[I have to stop reading this! But, as with many of the Beauty and the Beast retellings I've found, Bonnie and Leander are just so pure! Especially in that boat scene... my heart! (hide spoiler)]

100% (view spoiler)[I loved this, it was a rollercoaster of emotions, and honestly I was worried up until the end that the characters would not meet the happy ending I know I can expect and love in retellings. Another beautifully written installment! (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

started this one today, not too too far behind!

Beauty of Rosemead: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast

5% (view spoiler)[ where did her dad come from and is it really him?! maybe it's all the other twists from the last book but it feels shady. or i'm judging too early in the book haha (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

37% (view spoiler)[ so I got a bit ahead of myself judging the dad but apparently not by much. Fairy life indeed! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

58% (view spoiler)[ I think Bonnie is too easily rocked by her dad’s story. Like yea it’s pretty far fetched but also it doesn’t change anything about her relationship with him.

In other news, I’m excited for this Halloween style ball. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

76%

[Kim]

Beauty of Rosemead: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast

100% This ending was so much better than i had predicted! (view spoiler)[ the interaction with Spring Queen was way better than i thought. with so few pages left by the time they met i figured it was going to be anticlimactic. so glad to have been wrong. can't wait for Ella's book! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

Kim wrote: "Beauty of Rosemead: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast

100% This ending was so much better than i had predicted! [spoilers removed]"

at what point did you guess the spring queen was Etheliene?

[Kim]

Celia wrote: "Kim wrote: "Beauty of Rosemead: A Retelling of Beauty and the Beast

100% This ending was so much better than i had predicted! [spoilers removed]"

at what point did you guess the s..."

(view spoiler)[ when they were standing in front of her in the spring court. i felt soo silly for missing it, especially when i look back at her waving them off from their town village. (view spoiler)[

when do you think you'll start the next one? (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

when do you think you'll start the next one?

[Celia]

I need to see with some of my other challenges which use weekly rolls and stuff but I would be good to start at the beginning of November unless you wanted to do earlier.

[Kim]

November works for me too!

[Celia]

Working through some other books right now but hoping to start this soon.

[Kim]

i feel like i'm elbows deep in series and totally forgot we were gonna start this in november. hopefully next week!!

[Celia]

Yeah I get that. I'm in a series challenge in another group and we're finally getting to the 60 number range, and that means I can do what I've been waiting for and use for a 6 in series, so that's why I'm anxious to start.

[Celia]

Probably doing this tomorrow, again because I finally have something that works in another group. I don't mind if you don't start it right away though

[Kim]

should get to this after thanksgiving; i work a grocery store so its crazy lol

[Celia]

That's fine. I ended up using a different book for the challenge I needed it for, so I'll get to it when I can as well.

[Kim]

starting today

[Celia]

Looks like you're ahead of me now. Enjoy.

[Kim]

43%

(view spoiler)[ loving this twist on Cinderella. not only is she edgy and a bit of a brat (not saying it isn't for good reason) but she's also semi-morbid. her convo with the winter king is crazy but so unique i loved it.

now for the tree piece... (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

84% (view spoiler)[ wow this story has got twists that never end. Sorcha (but is it?) and Aneira and who is this witch chick? it makes me think of twisted Dorothy (Oz). (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

100%

Celia you are gonna love this one!

(view spoiler)[ such a great ending, totally girl empowerment with cute romance pieces. i wonder how this will flow into the rest of the series or if this is the last we see Ella. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

Yay looking forward to it! I've been reading a fair amount of Cinderella retellings lately and they've all taken the story to new heights. Can't wait!

[Celia]

You were right, a quarter in and I'm so in love with this story.

25% (view spoiler)[I like that this needs less world-building now that we know the Winter Court from Beauty of Rosemead. Even in Bonnie's book, Ornella was struggling with her sense of self other than what people needed from her, and I connected to that even when the story wasn't in her perspective. I really appreciate her perspective so far. I've dealt with feeling like I'm only useful for what I can give, and have had to overcome that as well.

Also, curious to know if Ornella is a changeling, since that's what her stepfamily and Keenan keep referencing. I still don't exactly understand what that is. (hide spoiler)]

I have to stop now so I actually have something to read during work tomorrow evening and don't put all my energy into this. I'm so glad I'm getting into this one, though.

[Kim]

Celia wrote: "

You were right, a quarter in and I'm so in love with this story.

25% I like that this needs less world-building now that we kn..."

i'm so glad you're enjoying it!!

[Deanie]

I know I'm late to the series buddy read, but I'm working on getting caught up. I need a retelling of 1001 nights for the 2020 Retellings challenge, and this looks interesting. Plus, I love retold fairy tales.



22% (view spoiler)[ Interesting start. I like the premise, and the characters are interesting. I wonder if Adelaide is from Cahraman originally, since she's not a native of the town where she lives now. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanie]

50% (view spoiler)[ I know that Ada isn't here to become queen, but she would make an awesome one. Her impoverished background has taught her the compassion and selflessness most of the other candidates lack. (hide spoiler)]

75% (view spoiler)[ It is so obvious that Cyrus it the prince. But he and Ada have crazy chemistry. They're adorable. (hide spoiler)]

100% (view spoiler)[ Wait... that's the ending? I wasn't expecting such a cliffhanger. But it definitely makes me want to read the next book ASAP. (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

Yay Deanie! So glad you're joining us! It's honestly my new favorite series! Also, with that ending, I've literally instant-bought all the other books in the series after I finish one because they're so deep and intriguing. Again, glad you're joining us.

[Deanie]

25% (view spoiler)[ So far, it's more of the same from book one, which is a little disappointing given the cliffhanger ending. I was hoping for more. (hide spoiler)]

56% (view spoiler)[ Okay, now we're talking. So Fairuza hates magic, and has gotten herself and Ada trapped in a magic cave. Clearly, Ada is going to find the necklace and get them out... but why does Fairuza hate magic so much? (hide spoiler)]

75% (view spoiler)[ Tempest definitely knows how to build suspense. Poor Ada nearly died, and now she's running out of time to find the lamp. And can she give it over to Nariman if she finds it, knowing that she's giving power to an evil witch? (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

60% (view spoiler)[The number of fairytale adaptations they've managed to fit in this one is impressive. Of course, it's a Cinderella retelling, but it's also Frozen (but not necessarily the original Snow Queen story), with hints of Beauty and the Beast and Snow White as well.

So Ornella is a nymph, and quite possibly a stolen one. I need to know more about Dolora's involvement. Also, is she the assassin? Or someone working with her? (hide spoiler)]

75% (view spoiler)[OMG, that all happened so fast. There's a lot here that's reminiscent of Adelaide's lying and her ruse with Cyrus, except that the ones who are evil, actually seem to be this time.

And the assassin was Sorcha? I did not see that coming. Does this mean Keenan is involved? And why does Yulian think it was Ella? Was Dolora in on it, and did she maybe create a glamour that would make her or her daughters look like Ella? (hide spoiler)]

FINISHED (view spoiler)[Wow! This was probably the most exciting yet of the Fairytales of Folkshore stories. I'm reminded why this series is so close to my heart every time I read. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanie]

100% (view spoiler)[ Now that is an ending... I'm definitely reading the third book ASAP. And I can't wait to read Bonnie's Beauty and the Beast story. (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

Deanie wrote: "

100% [spoilers removed]"

It's SO GOOD

[Deanie]

Aah, so now she's wearing a gold dress because she's going to be queen!

25% (view spoiler)[Aw... they love each other. They're too cute. But what is going to happen when he finds out who she really is? (hide spoiler)]

53% (view spoiler)[ Well, it looks like their love is stronger than anything else. And her mom is alive? That's a twist I didn't see coming. If only her dad wasn't such a jerk. Maybe he was under a spell too? (hide spoiler)]

76% (view spoiler)[ They saved Ayman! Yay. Now they've almost got the whole band back together. Time to kick evil witch butt. (hide spoiler)]

100% (view spoiler)[ Oh, such a great ending. And everyone in Cahraman lives happily ever after. I'm glad that Nariman at least has to live with what she's done... but I'm glad she's not consumed by her negativity anymore. Now on to Bonnie, and Fairuza, and Ella, right? (hide spoiler)]

My dilemma now. I want to read the rest of these books right now but...
(1) I have no challenges in this group to I need double buddy read points for
(2) I have several books to read for other challenges before the end of the year.

[Celia]

Deanie,
Did you look at the date this chat was started? We've kept it going in its original thread for six months, continuing to post updates so it doesn't die. I think we can do the same, especially as more books come out. Take your time.

[Kim]

Dreamer of Briarfell 25% (view spoiler)[ I’m surprised Fairuza has fallen under the spell so early in the book. Also did not see that Robin Hood would be her match but I like it. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

59% (view spoiler)[ very cool twist. Also makes me wish I was fairy royalty to not only have magic but also have all problems turned into tasks/quests performed by mortals for my gain. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

Definitely getting to Dreamer of Briarfell: A Retelling of Sleeping Beauty early next month!

[Kim]

75% (view spoiler)[ I am just flying through this one. I actually feel like it could end too soon! And what happened to Ariane and what cool Greco twist can we expect for Cora?! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

100% (view spoiler)[ i'm definitely more of a beauty and the beast fan but i enjoy the original sleeping beauty. this was so much better than even that! i really really enjoyed this book. it helps that we got to see the growth of Fairuza from Ada's story but even the challenges were super interesting. plus how could you not love the slightly creepy twist on the story and the super fun ending. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

...I just realized this was the last one!! I feel bereft haha

[Deanie]

25% (view spoiler)[ Aah. Castor = Gaston.

"I hadn’t fixed anything. I’d only ruined all our lives in a different way." Poor Bonnie. Though it does play into the "Beauty and the Beast" story, since Belle is fairly sheltered before her beastly adventure. (hide spoiler)]

50% (view spoiler)[ I love that Bonnie reads, even if she hasn't been allowed to have adventures up to this point. Who would have guessed that her knowledge of natural pharmacology would come in handy? (hide spoiler)]

75% (view spoiler)[I really like Jessamine. I hope she and Clancy get to get together despite their differing royal statuses. (hide spoiler)]

100% (view spoiler)[Leander really is an idiot, isn't he? Like Bonnie would ever let him leave her behind. Their self-sacrifice for each other is kind of adorable. (hide spoiler)]

[Deanie]

There she is, on the cover, in the infamous yellow dress.

25% (view spoiler)[ Wow. Forced to compete in a crazy game just because... the Fairies really suck. (hide spoiler)]

50% (view spoiler)[ Wow. Again. It's just one shock after another for poor Bonnie. From not knowing anything about her family, to knowing way too much... (hide spoiler)]

75% (view spoiler)[ So, are Keenan and Ella going to be the next couple? Because I thought Ella and Yulin were the MC's in her book... could be wrong...

And yes, Leander is still an idiot for trying to leave her behind. When will he learn? (hide spoiler)]

100% (view spoiler)[ Aw... what an ending. Now all that's left is for Ella and Fairuza to find their happy endings too. (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

Kim wrote: "...I just realized this was the last one!! I feel bereft haha"

The series isn't over yet though, she's still working on them.