Next up in the tbr pile.

Grim versions of your favorite fairy tales.

"The Name" is a dark take on Rumpelstiltskin. Telling the story from the viewpoint of a heartbroken man, the author really changes things up and gives you a new view on this old story. I enjoyed it a lot.

"Blood and Bone" is an odd twist on Jack and the Beanstock about a devastating disease and the disturbing ingredient needed to prolong the lifespan of the afflicted. It's another grim tale, to be sure, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the first. The choices made by the lead protagonist weren't well thought out . . .

"A Bed of Peas" isn't the fairy tale you may think it might be. This one wasn't my favorite because I felt a disconnect and disinterest to the characters and storyline. It also wasn't grim enough for me ;)

"The Good Mother" more than makes up for the lack of grimness in the previous tale and is a truly imaginative take on a classic fairy tale. Sad, desperate and a great little read.

"The Voice of Love" is about a doomed prince and a mermaid. It just didn't grab me.

The rest of these tales are variants of the same. Classic fairy tales told from a very different perspective and all were fascinating to me.

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Adding to the Bizarre Fiction bookbox

This book came in the bizzare bookbox today. I read a few of the stories, as they are quick, easy read. They are quite original, providing an interesting twist to familiar tales, and sometimes it isn't until the end that I realize which fairy tale it's related to, in an "other side of the coin" way.

I will put this back in the box as I am taking a few other books already.

This looks great. Nice & small, too - easy to release!!!

From Amazon Editorial Review:
Based on the well-known fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm, Charles Perrault, and Hans Christian Andersen, these retellings will intrigue and disturb readers. From a futuristic "Little Red Riding Hood", in which giant clams and carnivorous beasts stalk humans, to the real reason why the giant in "Jack and the Beanstalk" needs to eat human bones to a version of "Snow White" told from the wicked stepmother's point of view, fans of fairy and folk tales will find much to interest them.

To be read and released for guinaveve's 2010 Keep Them Moving Challenge and Jare's 2010 Chills & Spills Read & Release Challenge - April's theme is Gaia’s revenge (animals, nature) and the above mentioned Little Red Riding Hood story about carnivorous beasts will be perfect for this challenge.

This was interesting but not too exciting. It's a slim volume and I was able to read it today in one sitting. My favorite was The Good Mother, which was a take on Little Red Riding Hood. Giant clams and turbulent oceans - perfect for this months Chills & Spills Challenge theme. I'm going for a walk in the park now and will release it there. Gotta hurry, the sun's about to set!

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

It's a beautiful evening and the park was full of people. Still, I managed to sneak this onto a picnic table by the gazebo near the track.