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liltalone12's review against another edition
5.0
I picked up two books by Robin McKinley in 2011. Since then I have been trying to find an equal. A fantasy book that could capture my childish wonder and match my Adult intelligence. Wishes and Sorrows by Cindy Lynn Speer was that book for me. After reading two stories for this book of anthologies, I could not believe what I had stumbled on. I am in love with her writing. Cindy was able to retell these old fairytale but with a believable twist of her own. Even my less favorite fairy tale were able to shine with her voice added to it. Beautiful, creepy, and tear jerking in 30 pages or less!! I’m in LOVE <3 (5 out of 5)
bookdrgn's review against another edition
3.0
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Short stories and new interpretations on fairy tales. What could be wrong with that?
I normally dont have a problem with third person, when it moves the pace well but this had too many glue/filler words that slowed the pace, this one took some determination to finish.
Speer can set a scene well, her descriptions put you in the story, it was the telling, not showing that let it down.
"Every Word I Speak" was one I enjoyed, and "Can You Let Him Go" was great.
"The Jester's Heart" was deliciously dark, as was "Necklace of Rubies".
There were a few typos, some grammar issues but not enough to really detract from the stories themselves.
Negativity aside, these harken back to The Brothers Grimm, when fairy tales weren't fun songs and Disney. They would have fit in with the story telling of characters seen in tv show Once Upon A time.
While I didn't become immersed in "The Bell Witch and Queen of Vines", I did enjoy a heroine NOT being a distressed damsel, and choosing for herself.
This was a mixed bag for me. Some great retellings, some not so great. But if you like dark versions of fairy tales, I recommend giving it a go.
Short stories and new interpretations on fairy tales. What could be wrong with that?
I normally dont have a problem with third person, when it moves the pace well but this had too many glue/filler words that slowed the pace, this one took some determination to finish.
Speer can set a scene well, her descriptions put you in the story, it was the telling, not showing that let it down.
"Every Word I Speak" was one I enjoyed, and "Can You Let Him Go" was great.
"The Jester's Heart" was deliciously dark, as was "Necklace of Rubies".
There were a few typos, some grammar issues but not enough to really detract from the stories themselves.
Negativity aside, these harken back to The Brothers Grimm, when fairy tales weren't fun songs and Disney. They would have fit in with the story telling of characters seen in tv show Once Upon A time.
While I didn't become immersed in "The Bell Witch and Queen of Vines", I did enjoy a heroine NOT being a distressed damsel, and choosing for herself.
This was a mixed bag for me. Some great retellings, some not so great. But if you like dark versions of fairy tales, I recommend giving it a go.
renpuspita's review
4.0
3,5 stars
I never think at the first place that Wishes and Sorrow is an anthology, because when I request this one, I strucked by the haunting, eerie yet beautiful cover. When I read the first page, there are some introduction from Ms Speer about her short stories in this anthology. I read some, then decide to pass it because I don't want to be spoiled.
Wishes and Sorrows have 14 fantasy, urban fantasy and fairy tale re-telling short stories (with 1 is not story, more like research). All have "wishes" and "sorrow" themes that tied all the short stories. Some told from 3rd POV and some were from 1st POV. All the story focused on the women as the main characters with some have "Happy Ever After", some "Happily for Now", some have frustating cliffhanger and some end in the tragedy. Wow, such a rich collection, rite?
Of course not all short stories I love. My favorite are The Bell Witch and Queen of Vines, Every Word I Speak, A Necklace of Rubies and But Can You Let Him Go.
The Bell Witch and Queen of Vines is more like simple fantasy but I like how the heroine choose her own HEA and not damsel in distress that waiting for a knight in shining armor to save her. Quite opposite actualy.
Every Word I Speak is when a gift going awry. We often read a fairy tale when the poor main character gifted by some fairy and then live happily ever after. This is one of the "what if" scenario, what if the gift more like a curse?
A Necklace of Rubies is gory, full of mystery and also have gothic vibe. I almost afraid this will end in tragedy, but the ending is superb! I would love to read this one in full length novel because the premise is unique. This one is a retold of Mr Fox and Bluebeard fairy tale.
But Can You Let Him Go? make me confused at first. Then with each story flowing told by some unnamed fairy, I realize that this is a retold of Cinderella fairy tale. What make this short story unique is how we will get the root of the tale, from an ancient civilization then to Egypt, Chinese, Ireland and then to our poor maiden Cinderella. All told from the "fairy godmother" view who in a quest to redeem herself for fallin' to the "prince" that supposed to marry "Cinderella".
Short stories like One Hundreed Eight Degrees, The Fortunate Ones, The Jester Heart, The Tower in the Desert, the Train and I am The Grey Lady are just okay for me, not memorable. While Remember, What Will I Do When the Dream is Over and The Taste of Cherries don't make sense at all. Remember is..what, I don't know what the story about, while Will I Do more like mediocre urban fantasy stories. The Taste of Cherries is more like a closing for a collection, an absurd short about longing.
I really like what Ms Speer deliver in this collection. Not all good, but I love her voice, especially when she write in 1st POV. Her take to the fairy tale is unique and even some don't end in HEA, still remarkable. I would love to read more of her work other than from this collection offered. If you like unusual fantasy and fairy tale retold, Wishes and Sorrow is a must read for you
e-ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review
I never think at the first place that Wishes and Sorrow is an anthology, because when I request this one, I strucked by the haunting, eerie yet beautiful cover. When I read the first page, there are some introduction from Ms Speer about her short stories in this anthology. I read some, then decide to pass it because I don't want to be spoiled.
Wishes and Sorrows have 14 fantasy, urban fantasy and fairy tale re-telling short stories (with 1 is not story, more like research). All have "wishes" and "sorrow" themes that tied all the short stories. Some told from 3rd POV and some were from 1st POV. All the story focused on the women as the main characters with some have "Happy Ever After", some "Happily for Now", some have frustating cliffhanger and some end in the tragedy. Wow, such a rich collection, rite?
Of course not all short stories I love. My favorite are The Bell Witch and Queen of Vines, Every Word I Speak, A Necklace of Rubies and But Can You Let Him Go.
The Bell Witch and Queen of Vines is more like simple fantasy but I like how the heroine choose her own HEA and not damsel in distress that waiting for a knight in shining armor to save her. Quite opposite actualy.
Every Word I Speak is when a gift going awry. We often read a fairy tale when the poor main character gifted by some fairy and then live happily ever after. This is one of the "what if" scenario, what if the gift more like a curse?
A Necklace of Rubies is gory, full of mystery and also have gothic vibe. I almost afraid this will end in tragedy, but the ending is superb! I would love to read this one in full length novel because the premise is unique. This one is a retold of Mr Fox and Bluebeard fairy tale.
But Can You Let Him Go? make me confused at first. Then with each story flowing told by some unnamed fairy, I realize that this is a retold of Cinderella fairy tale. What make this short story unique is how we will get the root of the tale, from an ancient civilization then to Egypt, Chinese, Ireland and then to our poor maiden Cinderella. All told from the "fairy godmother" view who in a quest to redeem herself for fallin' to the "prince" that supposed to marry "Cinderella".
Short stories like One Hundreed Eight Degrees, The Fortunate Ones, The Jester Heart, The Tower in the Desert, the Train and I am The Grey Lady are just okay for me, not memorable. While Remember, What Will I Do When the Dream is Over and The Taste of Cherries don't make sense at all. Remember is..what, I don't know what the story about, while Will I Do more like mediocre urban fantasy stories. The Taste of Cherries is more like a closing for a collection, an absurd short about longing.
I really like what Ms Speer deliver in this collection. Not all good, but I love her voice, especially when she write in 1st POV. Her take to the fairy tale is unique and even some don't end in HEA, still remarkable. I would love to read more of her work other than from this collection offered. If you like unusual fantasy and fairy tale retold, Wishes and Sorrow is a must read for you
e-ARC provided by NetGalley for honest review
linz's review against another edition
2.0
I received a copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Wishes and Sorrows is a collection of short stories of magic and myth. I have to admit that short stories are not my favorite thing to read, and that may have colored my opinion of this title just a bit. This collection wasn't bad, it just wasn't something that was really able to hold my interest.
Some of the tales were commendable, some not so enchanting, and a couple were a struggle for me to finish. A few of the stories were pretty dark and modern, and didn't seem to fit the theme of the others, though I suppose they did fit the "sorrows" part of the title. It also includes a retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale, which was one of my favorite stories in this collection.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy short stories and fables.
Wishes and Sorrows is a collection of short stories of magic and myth. I have to admit that short stories are not my favorite thing to read, and that may have colored my opinion of this title just a bit. This collection wasn't bad, it just wasn't something that was really able to hold my interest.
Some of the tales were commendable, some not so enchanting, and a couple were a struggle for me to finish. A few of the stories were pretty dark and modern, and didn't seem to fit the theme of the others, though I suppose they did fit the "sorrows" part of the title. It also includes a retelling of the Cinderella fairy tale, which was one of my favorite stories in this collection.
I would recommend this to readers who enjoy short stories and fables.
lulustjames's review against another edition
5.0
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This book has been sitting in my TBR pile for a VERY LONG TIME. Every time I flipped through my library to see what I should choose to read next, Wishes and Sorrows by Cindy Lynn Speer would pop up and I would hesitate before swiping away. This is another of those times where a cover can be deceiving. I mean, the cover is GORGEOUS but also a little misleading. I kept putting this book off because I kept thinking it would be some long, overdrawn, very uppity type story and I was never in the mood to read that.
Finally, in an attempt to clear my galley TBR list, I thought I would give it a try and get it over with. Sweet gods in heaven, how could I have been so wrong about a book! Wishes and Sorrows was so amazing! I absolutely fell in love with it and all of the different stories within. Wishes and Sorrows is a collection of short stories, many of which can be divided into Wishes and Sorrows, ergo the title. They’re all a bit fantastical, tales including ghosts, ghouls, fae, witches, and more.
The collection starts with what is possibly my favourite tale of the book, The Bell Witch and the Queen of Vines. In it, we see an older woman, a town witch that uses bells and dancing to ward off evil spirits and creatures from the town to which she belongs. She befriends one of these “evil” creatures one day, a werewolf, who shares with her a warning — danger and death are actively following her. What happens? I won’t give it away but it does hold a bit of Greek mythology in it…
Another ghoulish favourite is A Necklace of Rubies. This story could actually be its own full length novel (which I would have loved to read). Here, we see the typical trope of a character being given everything in the world, all of the freedoms available, and yet, cannot keep themselves from doing the one thing that was forbidden. Yet, there is a turn which leads to an unpredictable (yet enjoyable) ending. Also, Don Joaquin is exquisitely delectable and I could definitely see him being a Man Crush Monday character.
On the Sorrows side of the collection, you have some truly horrific tales in Remember and The Train, both of which leave you feeling unsettled. The former is told in bits and pieces where the reader jumps to conclusions about a lover who is abusive or false, while the latter is a perverse rendition of Frankenstein.
On the whole, each of these stories are interesting, well written, and solid. More than half of them have me wanting to reread them already, which definitely earns Wishes and Sorrows five stars.
// I received this title for free in exchange for an honest review //
crystalm17's review against another edition
2.0
Note: I received a NetGalley free copy of “Wishes and Sorrows” by Cindy Lynn Speer in exchange for an honest review.
I still love fairy tale retellings but honestly I need to stop getting collections of short story fairy tales like this for one simple reason: when the stories are so short there’s really nothing all that new that can be said. It’s different when it’s a full book about one specific story because it means there’s a chance for the author to create a new background story, new information about the characters. That’s not really the case with 10-20 page stories.
There were a few segments that were more of an original idea/story than the others and while some of them were very interesting to read others were odd. I can’t remember the names of which ones stuck out but there were a few that just didn’t make sense at all, they were disjointed and kind of pointless. I understand the struggle of finding a balance between keeping a short story short and making an actual point because I’ve written some short stories myself but if you’re going to publish something in a collection I feel as though you should have to make it feel as though there was a reason for the story in the first place and some of these didn’t have that.
So out of the dozen or so stories there were maybe four really original ones, most of which didn’t make sense. The rest were more traditional and familiar, as though I’d read them before. And one story, the only one I really remember and enjoyed, was something I had read in a previous fairy tale collection. It’s called “Necklace of Rubies” and was a retelling of the story of Blackbeard. I especially loved this one because it was dark and creepy and it was based on a tale that wasn’t as common as some of the others.
From now on out I probably will not be requesting/reading fairy tale collections anymore just because, as I said earlier, the stories are too short to really offer anything new.
I still love fairy tale retellings but honestly I need to stop getting collections of short story fairy tales like this for one simple reason: when the stories are so short there’s really nothing all that new that can be said. It’s different when it’s a full book about one specific story because it means there’s a chance for the author to create a new background story, new information about the characters. That’s not really the case with 10-20 page stories.
There were a few segments that were more of an original idea/story than the others and while some of them were very interesting to read others were odd. I can’t remember the names of which ones stuck out but there were a few that just didn’t make sense at all, they were disjointed and kind of pointless. I understand the struggle of finding a balance between keeping a short story short and making an actual point because I’ve written some short stories myself but if you’re going to publish something in a collection I feel as though you should have to make it feel as though there was a reason for the story in the first place and some of these didn’t have that.
So out of the dozen or so stories there were maybe four really original ones, most of which didn’t make sense. The rest were more traditional and familiar, as though I’d read them before. And one story, the only one I really remember and enjoyed, was something I had read in a previous fairy tale collection. It’s called “Necklace of Rubies” and was a retelling of the story of Blackbeard. I especially loved this one because it was dark and creepy and it was based on a tale that wasn’t as common as some of the others.
From now on out I probably will not be requesting/reading fairy tale collections anymore just because, as I said earlier, the stories are too short to really offer anything new.
book_grinch's review against another edition
4.0
Arc provided by Dragonwell Publishing through Netgalley
Release Date: October 30th
With more sorrows than wishes in it _ or maybe I just got more caught on all the darker aspects _ this is a wonderful anthology made of stories capable of breaking our hearts, and of making us _ okay, myself _ wish that each and every one of them had been turned into a full length book. Because if a story is good enough, I will always find myself wanting more!
Also I have to mention this: I had already read some of these stories in another anthology...the thing is, I didn't enjoyed them as much back then, as I did now. Surprise! o_O
Apparently my taste _and its growth _ still has a long route ahead of it...*inserts awkward silence*
This being said, it does seem that these are the type of stories that just get better with a frequent re-reading.
The Bell Witch and The Queen Of Vines - 3.5 stars
With small traits of the famous "Eurydice" allegory _ amongst many other influences.. _ this Bell Witch, is the story of Aziza who is very much alive _unlike the other "Bell Witch poltergeist legend" . (of which I had never heard previous to reading this story).
Aziza is the wise woman of her...let's say "village", and the one who has the task of keeping ghosts and all things "that lurk in the night" away, and properly behaving.
"She called herself Aziza, and as she walked she rang softly, bells in her hair, around her ankles and waist and wrists, which was appropriate, for she was a bell witch."
The writing, it invokes the magic Aziza possesses in her life.
This is a dark story of crossroads and of second chances, with a little dash of romance provided with the introduction of "shameless" naked werewolf..... :)
_________
You people are probably getting the wrong idea with this, but, oh well, lol, go read it, and you'll find out what I am talking about ;)
Every Word I speak- 4 stars
When what was given as a blessing turns into a curse, what will Queen Sarah do with her life?
Dark and gritty, this is the author's take on a supposed happy ending....only instead of living a dream, our main character ends up living a nightmare.
I really liked this story, and I would love to know what happens next in a full length book!
p.s. Okay, a novella will also suffice :)
"I believe in devils, and sometimes in angels, but not in fairies."
One Hundred Eight Degrees - 3 Stars
A short that tells us the story of a time traveller, living with her head and heart in two different worlds.
"It was one hundred and eight quick steps to the bedroom.
She shut the door promising herself that tonight she'd dream of tomorrow."
I liked it, but I think it could have worked better with a little more information about her home country.
Remember - 4 Stars
A story made of missing pieces and unknown truths. The human mind and all it's secrets.
"Tears flowed again, but they were happy tears.
Perhaps it was her tears that drew him, the tall, slender shadow that separated itself from the wall and arched over her. He was all black except where the moon reflected in his gold eyes."
The Train - 4 Stars
“You have my heart,” Seagal says. He’s weeping now, his face red and angry. “I want it back.”
What if someone brought you back from the dead?
For how long, would you, "the creation", comply with the rules given to you?
Frankenstein reinvented.
The Tower In The Desert - 4.5 Stars
Finally, after quite a number of dark tales, here is one that doesn't end with people being killed,insane or just plainly miserable!
Yay :)
Besides that _lol_ it was a pretty good story, and yes, the dragon fooled me as well.
Sneaky dragon....
"She was… a princess of our lands, she was to marry our Sultan, but the… his pet monster… he kidnapped her.
“Pet monster?”
“A mage… a man of great power,” Dameer said softly. “Everyone was terrified of him. Everyone. Except her.”
A Necklace of Rubies -4.5 Stars
He is handsome, he is mysterious....and people say that he killed his previous wife! o_O
How can Tessa resist?
"Bluebeard" meets "Beauty and the Beast"...meets "East of the Sun"?
Suffice to say there are ghosts, axes and blood!
A perfect Halloween treat.
"Such a tiny, harmless, innocent key. Such a plain door. Just take a peek, prove them all wrong, no one would ever, ever know…"
What Will I do When The Dream Is Over - 3.5 Stars
A short urban fantasy story about the balance of the world, and the role two people play in it.
A story of fate, duty and love.
I think it could have used a little more descriptions regarding some scenes...
Sometimes I had a little bit of difficulty "seeing them" in my head, like for instance the scene in which both "girls" fall into a trap.
Also could have done without the whole "must be a virgin in order to use a unicorn as a means of transportation", lol, but besides that, it was an enjoyable tale.
“It was all a dream, and beyond our control.”
The Fortunate Ones - 4.5 Stars
I am just going to cry now...
" She wrapped her fingers around the bar. Inside her stomach, the coin burned.
“You’re my fortune, now.” she informed it, and let go of the ledge.
This is a story about a woman who is the victim of her husband's violence,and all the "ifs" our mind can make up in order to survive..
TW's, for "domestic violence".
The Jester's Heart - 3.5 Stars
"There is a place in the woods, a tight knot of brambles and dead willow trees that the gardeners want to cut, but neither the Queen nor I will permit it. In the center of this knot, there is a marble bench that no longer magically opens, and in the compartment rests a Jester’s Staff."
Dark, dark, and darker...
I could have used a little more information about the Jester's staff, some basic background, but overall it was an extremely disturbing and creepy story.
I Am The Grey Lady - 4 Stars
I really hope that this edition that I am reading _a supposed arc _ will undergo some serious editing before being published.
As it was, the story is pretty compelling to read with ghosts and time travels, but the numerous typos did manage during numerous times, to break its fluidity.
“Oh, no. You don’t realize that you’re dead, do you?”
But Can You Let Him Go -4.5 Stars
A very ambitious Cinderella retelling that manages to give its readers a number of different takes of the famous fairy tale, all of this while telling a single story.
"This is me. The caution in your tale, the one with the thousand guises."
The Taste Of Cherries - 3.5 Stars
As far as I am concerned, the story doesn't matter as much as the pure gorgeous prose of this one.
"I will sit in the sun and dream in the warmth. Dream of petals as soft as a baby’s cheek, as light as the laughter of love. They will be pink and sweet, drifting through my hands like grains of sand. I will shelve all regrets away, and concentrate on remembering the taste of cherries."
All in all, a wonderful anthology sure to make every "fairy tale addict" and "lover of fine prose" _please, please, let it all be properly edited by now with the typos removed, or people will have my head! _ a very happy reader!
Now I am just going to bother BookDepository until they have the paperback edition! :)
Oh, and the cover is gorgeous!
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