Book Review: A Grimm Legacy (Grimm Tales #1) by Janna Jennings

Patchwork Press
Published Jan 20th 2018
304 Pages

Enchanted castles and charming princes thought to exist only in stories come to life in this classically twisted fairy tale that combines the timeless quality of folktales with the challenges of the modern world. 

The woods of Elorium appear ordinary to Andi… until the birds start to talk and elves answer doors. Whisked out of her world along with three strangers, Andi finds herself the reluctant guest of Mr. Jackson, a perplexing millionaire who claims to be able to help them get home. The secrets he harbors, however, make it difficult to know just who to trust. 

When the group of teenagers discover that in this new world, fiction is anything but, and that they all have unexpected family ties to this fairy tale land, they must learn to rely on each other. The only way to survive evil fairies and giants intent on keeping them in Elorium is to rely on each other. 

Faced with characters short on whimsy and bent toward treachery, Andi, Quinn, Fredrick, and Dylan are forced to play their parts in unfinished fairy tales. But in Elorium, happily ever after is never guaranteed.- Goodreads

This was a wildly creative spin on the Brothers Grimm fairy tales and I am for it. Without giving too much away, because for whatever reason with this read it is so easy to do that, these teens are pulled into this world and are connected to each other and the world in some way. It isn’t as obvious as you think it is and I thought that it was really great that the author was able to hide that for so long.

Was there predictability? Absolutely. Did it take away from the book? Yes . . . I say that because without it, this would have been a stronger book.

The book is told in four points of view (each teen). However, some teens have a strong voice than the other. It is as if the author decided although they would all have a voice Andi and Fredrick would be the stronger ones. I felt that this was a weak point because it felt unbalanced. I enjoyed the heck out of reading each voice but it was clear who was favored within this story.

What I would have wanted from this book was more about the world. It wasn’t as detailed as I think it could have been and it was glossed over for the most part. I wanted something rich, bright and something that stands out in the setting. There wasn’t enough.

The author added a lot to the characters but didn’t follow through on those emotions and actions. I am hoping that in book two, she was able to do so. These kids are 16 ( I am pretty sure) so there was things that the author could have took the time to dig deeper on but again hoping that time was put in for book two.

Overall, I thought this was a solid story.

3 Pickles

 

Impatiently Waiting For: The Great Hunt by Wendy Higgins

HarperTeen
To Be Published March 8, 2016
416 Pages

Kill the beast. Win the girl.

A strange beast stirs fear in the kingdom of Lochlanach, terrorizing towns with its brutality and hunger. In an act of desperation, a proclamation is sent to all of Eurona—kill the creature and win the ultimate prize: the daughter of King Lochson’s hand in marriage.

Princess Aerity understands her duty to the kingdom though it pains her to imagine marrying a stranger. It would be foolish to set her sights on any particular man in the great hunt, but when a brooding local hunter, Paxton Seabolt, catches her attention, there’s no denying the unspoken lure between them…or his mysterious resentment.

Paxton is not keen on marriage. Nor does he care much for spoiled royals and their arcane laws. He’s determined to keep his focus on the task at hand—ridding the kingdom of the beast and protecting his family—yet Princess Aerity continues to challenge his notions with her unpredictability and charm. But as past secrets collide with present desires, dire choices threaten everything Paxton holds dear.

Inspired by the Grimm Brothers’ tale, “The Singing Bone,” New York Times bestselling author Wendy Higgins delivers a dark fantasy filled with rugged hunters, romantic tension, outlawed magic, and a princess willing to risk all to save her people. -Goodreads

NetGalley Review: Thorn by Intisar Khanani

Self Published
Published May 25, 2015
246 Pages

Alyrra may be a Princess but she has never been able to experience the luxury of the title. From her family’s abuse to the court’s contempt, Alyrra doesn’t have it easy and is considered a weakling.

So it comes to a surprise that she is being forced to marry a foreign prince with powerful enemies. During a magical attack, her soul is switched into another body and for once Alyrra may have a choice in her life. 

But with the Prince, whom she is not expecting to be, in grave danger, she must decide if the Prince’s life is worth more than her own. 

If you’ve been following my reviews, you know I love a good retelling. This story has the foundation of the mythology Goose Girl, originally written by the Brothers Grimm. It is a very basic and interesting story but Khanani elevates it with extreme care and depth.

Alyrra doesn’t have much personality. In the beginning, you see a fun girl that only her staff knows about. There is a particular light in her that makes you want to know more about her. But that quickly fades and she just becomes a slump on a log. Even when she decides that she isn’t going to fight for her rightful place, she just sits there. This new found freedom of choice is almost nonexistent and Alyrra just goes with the motions. She doesn’t fight, pout or even become a rebel, she just stays there. For most of the book it provided a bit of a boring read.

When things did pick up in the book it made for an exciting read but Alyrra was still a problem for me; even the Prince was boring. There was a lot of beating around the bush on Alyrra and the Prince’s part and it became frustrating to read.

I love the creativity in the book. This isn’t a simple retelling of a body switch but it evolves trust, power, untapped magic and a slightly complicated romance.  Thorn is its own fairy tale and although it uses Brothers Grimm theme it isn’t remotely the same.

I enjoyed this book. I wish there was more life to the characters but I enjoyed it.

3 Pickles