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ladytiara's review against another edition
4.0
Dearest is the latest installment in the saga of the Woodcutter sisters.This time it's the story of Friday Woodcutter, and the tale takes its inspiration from the Grimm Brothers' story "The Six Swans." This series is quite delightful, and Dearest is the best one yet.
Friday is the sister whose gift is love. She's more interesting than Sunday and less impulsive than Saturday (the previous two heroines). A heroine who is beloved by everyone could be insufferable, but Friday is charming. Everyone loves her because she puts so much love out into the world and she tries to take care of everyone around her. When the book opens, Friday has just washed up at her sister and brother-in-law's castle. The massive magical storm caused by her sister Saturday has resulted in much of her brother-in-law Rumbold's kingdom being under water, and the castle is filled with refugees. One night, Friday discovers seven young men sleeping in a tower in the castle. At dawn, they turn into swans. Friday has a instant bond with one of the young men, Tristan.
This isn't a strict retelling of the Grimm Brothers' story, and the author uses it more as a starting point for her own story. Yes, there's an enchantment and a curse, but the tale plays out a bit differently than expected. The focus is as much on Friday as it is on the seven brothers and their cursed sister. Friday realizes that she and Tristan have a deep connection and that she has a role to play in breaking the curse.
The stakes are high in this story. The kingdom is in bad shape because of the terrible storm and food is running low. The seven swans and their sister are in terrible danger from the people responsible for their enchantment. And through it all, Friday, best known for her excellent sewing skills, becomes a strong heroine and a leader. I really liked her, and while the romance happens fairly quickly, it worked within the context of the book. The high stakes and the magical goings on have a hand in the fast development of the relationship. I really enjoyed this book, and I'm interested to see where the series goes next.
I received an ARC from Amazon Vine.
Friday is the sister whose gift is love. She's more interesting than Sunday and less impulsive than Saturday (the previous two heroines). A heroine who is beloved by everyone could be insufferable, but Friday is charming. Everyone loves her because she puts so much love out into the world and she tries to take care of everyone around her. When the book opens, Friday has just washed up at her sister and brother-in-law's castle. The massive magical storm caused by her sister Saturday has resulted in much of her brother-in-law Rumbold's kingdom being under water, and the castle is filled with refugees. One night, Friday discovers seven young men sleeping in a tower in the castle. At dawn, they turn into swans. Friday has a instant bond with one of the young men, Tristan.
This isn't a strict retelling of the Grimm Brothers' story, and the author uses it more as a starting point for her own story. Yes, there's an enchantment and a curse, but the tale plays out a bit differently than expected. The focus is as much on Friday as it is on the seven brothers and their cursed sister. Friday realizes that she and Tristan have a deep connection and that she has a role to play in breaking the curse.
The stakes are high in this story. The kingdom is in bad shape because of the terrible storm and food is running low. The seven swans and their sister are in terrible danger from the people responsible for their enchantment. And through it all, Friday, best known for her excellent sewing skills, becomes a strong heroine and a leader. I really liked her, and while the romance happens fairly quickly, it worked within the context of the book. The high stakes and the magical goings on have a hand in the fast development of the relationship. I really enjoyed this book, and I'm interested to see where the series goes next.
I received an ARC from Amazon Vine.
chemwitch's review against another edition
1.0
I barely finished this one. The insta-love was literally the MAJOR plot point. Friday Woodcutter felt flat and uninteresting. Yeah, we get it, she's so good and loves everyone. Tristan felt wooden, like he was just there to be a love interest. Francois was the best character, and he barely spoke.
The worst of the three, in my opinion.
The worst of the three, in my opinion.
beastreader's review against another edition
5.0
I have been eyeing this series for a while but had yet to read any of the books in the series. I got the chance to check this series out with book three. Which by the way the book can be read as a stand alone novel. I have been reading more fairy tale themed books. This genre is going to go far and I hope more authors jump on this band wagon. Anyways back to this book.
I love the Woodcutter sisters. Although, with not having read the other books, Enchanted and Hero, I have not gotten to know the other sisters too well besides Friday who is the main one in this book. Yet, Sunday and Monday did make appearances as well. Sunday more so I kind of got to know her better as well.
The relationship between Friday and Tristan was genuine. In the way that it felt so real. I like how the author did not over do it with them professing their love or sharing intimate moments. It was PG but in a good way. I could not stop reading this book. I now want to go back and check out the other books in this series.
I love the Woodcutter sisters. Although, with not having read the other books, Enchanted and Hero, I have not gotten to know the other sisters too well besides Friday who is the main one in this book. Yet, Sunday and Monday did make appearances as well. Sunday more so I kind of got to know her better as well.
The relationship between Friday and Tristan was genuine. In the way that it felt so real. I like how the author did not over do it with them professing their love or sharing intimate moments. It was PG but in a good way. I could not stop reading this book. I now want to go back and check out the other books in this series.
katetj's review against another edition
4.0
Can't wait! But I want to know what sister this book is on!!!
kamalafromtheglen's review against another edition
5.0
I started with this one so I was a little overwhelmed but since I love fairy tales it was exciting to see every little character being named after a story character...
melissasbookshelf's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this latest book in Alethea Kontis' fairytale series! Those who love fairytales will really enjoy this book and author. This story focuses on the sister, Friday. The story is a mash up of Peter Pan, the Wild Swans, the Goose Girl and several others as she weaves this fun tale full of magic, romance, and dastardly villains. This is a fun quick read suitable for middle grade readers and up.
100pagesaday's review against another edition
4.0
Friday Woodcutter, sister to Queen Sunday of a magical land finds herself overtaken by an impossible ocean. She is rescued by a squire and brought back to her kingdom to find that she was not the only one affected by the sudden appearance of an ocean. Now that her home is filled with refugees, Friday takes the responsibility of looking after the children and keeping them busy. Friday also befriends the mute kitchen girl, Rampion and discovers a secret that is kept high in a destroyed tower. Rampion’s seven brothers have been staying the tower. Rampion’s brothers are cursed to live as swans during the day and only return to men during the night, punishment for a choice Rampion made against a powerful ruler and his sorceress long ago. Friday is determined to help them break the curse with her own special magic, especially because she has fallen for Tristan, one of the brothers.
This is the third book in the Woodcutter Sister’s series (there is a sister for every day of the week), I haven’t read the other two books, but now I really want to. I didn’t feel like I had missed anything when began reading, but it was a little disorienting getting thrown into the world of magic, magic beings and many sisters. I did love the combination of all the fairy tales; this story focuses mainly on The Wild Swans and Goose Girl. Like the original fairy tales, not everything always came out perfect in the end. Friday was an interesting sister to get to know, as the poem says “Friday’s child is loving and giving…” Friday exceeds this expectation. Everybody loves Friday, she is willing to help with everything and even her magic is empathetic to the point of taking on other’s pain. The swan brothers when they are all together make for a comedic bunch. Tristan is the serious brother that Friday falls for- and is mostly instant love since they only see each other at night, but the romance was painted as genuine and this is a fairy tale. For any lover of fairy tales and re-tellings this would be a good series to pick up.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
This is the third book in the Woodcutter Sister’s series (there is a sister for every day of the week), I haven’t read the other two books, but now I really want to. I didn’t feel like I had missed anything when began reading, but it was a little disorienting getting thrown into the world of magic, magic beings and many sisters. I did love the combination of all the fairy tales; this story focuses mainly on The Wild Swans and Goose Girl. Like the original fairy tales, not everything always came out perfect in the end. Friday was an interesting sister to get to know, as the poem says “Friday’s child is loving and giving…” Friday exceeds this expectation. Everybody loves Friday, she is willing to help with everything and even her magic is empathetic to the point of taking on other’s pain. The swan brothers when they are all together make for a comedic bunch. Tristan is the serious brother that Friday falls for- and is mostly instant love since they only see each other at night, but the romance was painted as genuine and this is a fairy tale. For any lover of fairy tales and re-tellings this would be a good series to pick up.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
3.0
"There are miracles in all of us, you just have to find them."
This one was pretty adorable. I think I liked it more than book #2. I didn't know much about Friday (not that I remembered, anyway) so it was great to hear her story.
I love the twist on the fairy tale with the swans part. Lots of fun and good adventure in this one. I can't wait for the next....
This one was pretty adorable. I think I liked it more than book #2. I didn't know much about Friday (not that I remembered, anyway) so it was great to hear her story.
I love the twist on the fairy tale with the swans part. Lots of fun and good adventure in this one. I can't wait for the next....
bloomingrose92's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A retelling of the Six Swans with a Empath seamstress as the main character? Yes please! Friday is perhaps my favorite of the Woodcutter sisters so far.