Z is for Zing

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.

zing: If you refer to the zing in someone or something, you mean the quality that makes them lively or interesting.

Collins English dictionary

In this case, fairy tale retellings.

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

Heart of the Forest (Darkwood Trilogy #0.5) by Anthea Sharp

Prince Kentry of Raine knows that if only he can capture the magical White Hart, the creature will grant his heart’s desire. Entering the depths of the Darkwood, he chases his quarry down … only to become lost in a mystical forest, where he must fight for his life at the side of a moon-haired maiden who may hold the answer to his dreams.

Check it out on Goodreads.

My Review

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.

About the Book I’ve Read

White as Frost (Darkwood Trilogy #1) by Anthea Sharp

Two sisters. One enchanted forest. And a hidden destiny that could doom them both…

Swept away to the castle beside the Darkwood, Rose Valrois finds herself in a world full of secrets and forbidden magic. There she meets her new stepsister, the enigmatic Princess Neeve, who will either become her best friend – or her worst enemy.

When Rose follows her stepsister into the enchanted shadows beneath the trees, she is beset by dangerous creatures and rescued by Thorne, the Dark Elf guardian of the forest, who binds her to the Darkwood and forbids her to speak of its mysteries.

Yet despite the danger surrounding her, Rose continues to risk everything in her quest for answers, until the day she steals into the depths of the forest and discovers the most perilous secret of all…

A fantasy fairy-tale from USA Today bestseller Anthea Sharp, weaving elements of Snow White & Rose Red with romance, magic, and dangerous secrets that will destroy a kingdom.

Check it out on Goodreads.

My Review

Not the Snow White retelling I expected – so much better! Though the girls are thirteen when the story starts, it is about their friendship growing over time. The book ends not long after both are sixteen.

Neeve is the daughter of the king of Raine – and half Dark Fae. Rose is the stepdaughter of the king of Raine – and though she doesn’t have magic, magical things tend to happen around her. Thorne is the Dark Elf guardian of the Darkwood – and the companion of the girls during their summer jaunts through the forest. Kian is a prince from another country fostering with the king of Raine – and pushes the girls to learn how to defend themselves with weapons.

Neeve with her sleek dark hair and pale complexion seems the polar opposite of Rose with her riotous red curls and bronze complexion. Neeve is cool and reserved while Rose is fiery and friendly. Yet the two build a bond that seems unbreakable and truly become sisters.

Yet the burning disease Rose experiences on her last two birthdays, nearly killing her, might be something so ominous that the sisters can’t overcome it.

Can’t wait to read the next book!

About the Book I’ve Read

Black as Night (Darkwood Trilogy #2) by Anthea Sharp

One princess. Two realms. And a reckless choice that could destroy kingdoms…

Rose Valrois has escaped the sorcerous red priests and returned to the castle beside the enchanted Darkwood, but her troubles are far from over. Her stepsister, Princess Neeve, is more secretive than ever, and as war threatens, Rose’s mother pushes her toward a political alliance, even as her heart is torn between a heroic prince and the Dark Elf guardian of the forest.

But when Neeve makes a terrible choice, the fate of two kingdoms hangs in the balance. Rose must risk her freedom, her world, and even her heart to save her sister. Can she bear to make that sacrifice? Does she even have the choice?

Book Two in the Darkwood Trilogy from USA Today bestselling author Anthea Sharp takes the reader into a lush fairytale blending elements of Snow White and Rose Red with romance, magic, and dangerous secrets that will change the fate of worlds.

Check it out on Goodreads.

My Review

The sisters are clearly destined to cause mayhem. At least they know what they want and will do what they must to get it – and to keep each other safe.

A thrilling adventure of magic, love, and travelling between worlds – and of sisterhood, of course.

So much became obvious that was a bit opaque in the previous book once certain events take place. But worse is still to come…

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.

Can’t wait to read the next book!

About the Book I’ve Read

Red as Flame (Darkwood Trilogy #3) by Anthea Sharp

Two worlds. A princess in exile. And the sorcerous flames that will consume everything…

Rose Valrois thought she’d sacrificed everything to save those she loves – but fate has other ideas. Now that the red priests have arrived, hidden truths are revealed that force Rose to make yet another impossible choice.

With her sister trapped in the magical land of the Dark Elves, and her heart given to the guardian of the Darkwood, Rose must travel deep into enemy territory to discover her own powerful magic, and find the answers she so desperately needs.

The final, anticipated book in the Darkwood Trilogy from USA Today bestselling author Anthea Sharp. A fantasy fairy-tale weaving elements of Snow White & Rose Red with romance, magic, and dangerous secrets that will destroy a kingdom.

Check it out on Goodreads.

My Review

Rose again sacrifices herself for those she loves, on an even grander scale than before.

The Red Priests and their cult-like attitude was a bit wearisome, but Rose and her defiance made it bearable.

It was interesting how everything the girls had seen in that first scrying vision came to pass – if not in quite the way they had at first interpreted it.

I liked that the White Stag was again in this book and that the hobnies repaid their debt in such a dramatic fashion. And I’m glad the Nightshade lord has found an equal partner in such a no-nonsense warrior.

A lot of interesting magic, worldbuilding, politics, and romance.

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.

A thrilling conclusion to the trilogy.

My Book

The Faery Tales Series Volume 7-9

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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*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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