O is for Once
I’m doing folklore and book review posts to reach and please a larger audience. Previous years have shown select interest in both and to minimise blogging throughout the year, I’m focusing my efforts on April.
Focusing on an A to Z of my TBR (to be read) list, each letter will have books starting with that letter on my list, a book I’ve read and reviewed (with the review!) and one of my books matching the letter with a link about more info about the book.
I chose the books this year quite randomly from my Goodreads Want to Read page. Some are quite creatively added to letters.
If you’d rather check out my folklore post for today, go here.
You can read reviews for from previous years for this letter here and here, and my year-end reviews here, here, here and, most recently, here.
My TBR
About the Book I’ve Read
Once Upon a Curse by various authors
Seventeen magical stories from NY Times and USA Today bestsellers and award-winning authors that will entice you to the darker side of faerie tales. More Grimm than Disney, in this collection you’ll find twists on Snow White, Hansel & Gretel, Rumplestilstskin, The Snow Queen, Cinderella, The Pied Piper, Alice in Wonderland, and Red Riding Hood, plus new tales paying homage to the old traditions.
Shadows cannot exist without light, however, and you’ll find enough happily-ever-afters to lift your spirits in this anthology full of adventure, dark powers, and ultimately the enduring power of true love.
YARROW, STURDY AND BRIGHT by Devon Monk – Sweet music cannot hide a wicked heart…
FAE HORSE by Anthea Sharp – Faerie bargains can grant any desire, but be careful what you wish for.
THE QUEEN OF FROST AND DARKNESS by Christine Pope – Her heart is the only thing colder than a Russian winter….
BONES by Yasmine Galenorn – Sometimes, your most cherished dream can turn out to be a nightmare.
MAGIC AFTER MIDNIGHT by C. Gockel – The Wicked Stepmother is about to meet her match…
DANCE WITH THE DEVIL by Donna Augustine – When the devil makes a deal with a dancer, he gets more than he bargained for.
NO GIFT OF WORDS by Annie Bellet – Never steal from a witch…
THE GRIM BROTHER by Audrey Faye – Not all walks in the wood end well…
BEAUTY INSIDE BEAST by Danielle Monsch – Happily Ever After ain’t guaranteed when Once Upon a Time is here.
FAESCORNED by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson – The Morrigan, Celtic goddess of war and strife, must relive a painful memory that reminds her of what she can never have.
DRAWN TO THE BRINK by Tara Maya – Sajiana’s job is to hunt down monsters brought alive from paintings. She never expected to meet one so handsome… or to need his help.
THE VARIANCE COURT by Alexia Purdy – Anna, a struggling college student, discovers a mysterious ring that turns her quiet life chaotic when the ring’s magic doesn’t do what it’s told.
THE MORRIGAN by Phaedra Weldon – A young man discovers he has leprechaun blood – and is wanted by dark faerie forces.
ALICE by Julia Crane – A twisted tale of Alice and Wonderland. Facing madness and an ominous prophecy, Alice chooses to follow her heart despite knowing her world is about to change forever.
STILL RED by Sabrina Locke – When the Hunters come, can there be any escape?
THE FINAL STRAW by Jennifer Blackstream – To banish a gold-spinning demon, first you must guess his name…
THE UNICORN HUNTER by Alethea Kontis – Only Snow White knows what really happened in the forest…
Check it out on Goodreads.
My Review
Yarrow, Sturdy and Bright
So much detail in this dark fairytale. And a lot of fun to read!
Fae Horse
I’ve read this story before as a standalone short story. Here’s my review:
An eerie tale of a young woman forced to flee for her life, only to end up bargaining with a puca – a fae horse. A dark, thrilling read that readers of dark fantasy will love.
Queen of Frost and Darkness
A dark frost queen retelling with intriguing side characters.
Bones
One of the darker, more disturbing fairytales in this anthology, though an intriguing read.
Magic After Midnight
Such a perfect vampire tale – PWF, going by the age – and a lot of fun to read.
Dance with the Devil
I liked the ballet, the writing was good and the twist unexpected. But… It’s one thing to mess about with ancient pantheons of dead religions, and quite another to do so with living religions – even in the guise of a Faustian bargain.
No Gift of Words
Reads like a fable of wanting the wrong things. A good story.
The Grim Brother
A rather chilling Hansel and Gretel retelling.
Beauty Inside Beast
An interesting, if confusing and possibly unfinished, Beauty and the Beast retelling. The italics gave me eyestrain.
Faescorned
A sad tale about the Morrigan (as most tales about her are).
Drawn to the Brink
I liked the strange magic of pictures becoming real.
The Variance Court
So much telling going on… DNF.
The Morrigan
An exciting story with an interesting take on Celtic mythology. I’d like to read more in this world.
Alice
The poor thing is mad – and I can’t handle that right now. DNF.
The Final Straw
A fae possessed by a demon? No thanks. DNF.
The Unicorn Hunter
A demon waited for her – and the title – made this another DNF.
An interesting collection of stories, some with authors whose work I’d read again.
I had a problem with the italics as it messes with my eyes and head, making it difficult to read and enjoy the book. Authors and publishers: please consider the neurodivergent when making decisions about italics so books are accessible to all.
My Book
Once… Tales, Myths and Legends of Faerie
Remember that you can request all of my books from your local library!
I hope you enjoyed this. For more books I’ve read and reviewed, check out either my Pinterest board about reviews or my Goodreads profile. Alternatively, you can check out my reviews on BookBub. Have you read any of the books? Loved or hated any of them?
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Once again we have some similar authors on our TBRs.
I will have to check out your book, but I will need to wait until I am done with a current character profile. She is a half-human/half-fae who ascended the throne of her grandmother, the Faerie Queen of Swords. So I am avoiding all books about faeries and the like until then.
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Tim Brannan, The Other Side blog
2024 A to Z of Dungeons & Dragons, Celebrating 50 Years of D&D
Have fun writing! I hope you like my book once you get around to it.