U is for Upon

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 Wish by various authors

Dreaming of a magical world? Your wish is our command! These sixteen fairytale retellings from bestselling authors will sweep you away into enchanted lands where wishes have the power to change lives. With wistful twists on Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and more, you’ll be enthralled by these all-new tales. Just be careful what you wish for…

Check it out on Goodreads.

My Review

A great collection of stories – I only had to DNF one as pandemics are still a bit of a trigger for me. “The Dreamer’s Curse” and “Wish Upon a Straw” were my favourite stories.

The Dust Wish

An enjoyable story. I liked the magic of the mountain. And Rabbit is adorable. Who knew not sweeping a room properly could yield so much good fortune?

Ashes to Ashes

I liked the idea of Cynder as a bounty hunter. I do wonder about the backstory of her stepmother and father…

Wallina

I liked this Thumbelina retelling with trolls, pegasus and a sorcerer.

Wicked Winds

An interesting Wizard of Oz story. I liked the horse the most.

The Fairest Shop of them All

A delightful tale with unsavoury fairytale characters shopping at the millenary shop. The dog is so cute!

Immortal Wish

An interesting take on the Little Mermaid, but it’s only the beginning of the character’s story, so feels incomplete.

Unseen

Loads of repetitive words. And a pandemic. DNF

First Snow

A frosty retelling of the Seven Ravens. I liked the Winter King.

The Dreamer’s Curse

My favourite story in this anthology so far. Returning to the City of Wishes world with a Sleeping Beauty retelling was loads of fun.

Lady of the Lake

An interesting take on the magic of Arthurian lore. Not sure I like Viviane, though.

The Wishing Thorn

I liked that the story included blackthorn trees and the Lunantishidhe. The story should prompt those who keep secrets and wait too long to do what they really want, to just get it done and not keep secrets from those they love.

Woven from Pure Starlight

An interesting Rapunzel retelling. I liked how the hair was used.

Last Wish

An interesting tale about how climate change affected the People, Coyote’s wife, and animals. Quite an enjoyable story.

Heart of the Forest

Great world-building, vivid descriptions and loads of action in this short tale of chasing after a dream only to find a better one. Quite enjoyable.

Pin Oak’s Wish

The unnecessary use of italics through the story – especially the end – messed with my eyes and detracted from my enjoyment of reading it. The story skips around a lot, but ends well.

Wish Upon a Straw

A delightful retelling of Rumpelstiltskin – with dragons!

My Book

Unseen (Faery Tales series #2)

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?

You can now support my time in producing book review posts (buying books, reading, writing reviews and everything else involved) by buying me a coffee. This can be a once-off thing, or you can buy me coffee again in the future at your discretion.

*FYI, my reviews are my honest opinion and if something bothers me, I tell it straight. How else will anything change? My opinions are based on being a voracious reader and book buyer, not an attack on the author.*

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