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alexandramilne's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.5
theknepper's review against another edition
4.0
Thirty-six authors and artists create this anthology of chilling stories, dark poetry, and wonderfully, unsettling illustrations. Some of the works were disturbing, some were haunting, and a few, in true fairytale fashion, had a happily ever after. With a mixture of new tales and new takes on old classics, this book provides a fresh perspective on stories we all know and love and several unique stories that have their place alongside their timeless counterparts.
Not a single work in this compilation disappointed me, but there were, of course, some stand outs. Among my favourites were legends of a night girl, a cat-girl, an ex-court painter, a queen whose love is “unshatterable”, a library with terrifying secrets, an enchanting music box, a woman with a symbiotic relationship with her hair, a girl and a cat who forge an unlikely friendship, a “sweet” little woman, a man on a unicycle, and a cursed sleeping girl. Also, there is very familiar yarn of a brother and sister happening upon a house in the woods, this time with names Henry and Gerta, plus, a long awaited account of the pea’s side of the story.
The subtitle is apt: Contemporary Fairy Tales, Fables, and Folklore. This is a modern collection we can enjoy and share with future generations. Hopefully, like their predecessors the Brothers Grimm, these authors’ tales will stand the test of time.
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads.
Not a single work in this compilation disappointed me, but there were, of course, some stand outs. Among my favourites were legends of a night girl, a cat-girl, an ex-court painter, a queen whose love is “unshatterable”, a library with terrifying secrets, an enchanting music box, a woman with a symbiotic relationship with her hair, a girl and a cat who forge an unlikely friendship, a “sweet” little woman, a man on a unicycle, and a cursed sleeping girl. Also, there is very familiar yarn of a brother and sister happening upon a house in the woods, this time with names Henry and Gerta, plus, a long awaited account of the pea’s side of the story.
The subtitle is apt: Contemporary Fairy Tales, Fables, and Folklore. This is a modern collection we can enjoy and share with future generations. Hopefully, like their predecessors the Brothers Grimm, these authors’ tales will stand the test of time.
I received a free copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads.
avanders's review against another edition
4.0
Review based on ARC.
I love Grimm and I was very excited to win a copy of Modern Grimmoire through an early reviewer program. But I was not really sure what to expect -- would these be new takes on old stories? new stories? It was a combination. A very dark, very angry combination of, as the subtitle states, fairy tales, fables and folklore.
Overall, I was very happy with the anthology. It was a quick read, and each story very comfortably stands on its own. I would recommend to anyone who has a penchant for all things Grimm, for people who are interested in dark fairy tales, folklore, and fables, and for those with a stomach for the, well, grim. In other words, if the title is appealing to you, go ahead and pick it up. The book does the title and the cover justice.
The anthology is comprised of mostly stories, a few poems, and a handful of pictures. The stories were the heart and the focus of the book, and I separately review (though I do not summarize short stories) each on my blog at http://allbookreviewer.blogspot.com/2013/07/modern-grimmoire-contemporary-anthology.html.
There were a few standout stories that, in and of themselves, would make this book worth picking up and reading. The stories that were not as great (in my opinion), did not particularly detract from the whole, and overall, the anthology was particularly well written, edited, and composed.
The few standout stories:
The Ex-Court Painter, Goya, and the Princess, which tells the story of an ex-royal painter, who is called into Court to do a particularly sensitive and confidential job for the King. The painter is shuffled down to the basement, and is locked in a room to do his work. I will not spoil what the painting is of or how the story progresses, but this author did an excellent job of telling an intriguing and complete story in short order.
Night People, in Summer was another favorite that employed a sense of ghost telling and magical realism. The author took the ordinary daily life and added not only magic and supernatural intrigue, but also a light element of danger.
The Music Box, where the author took the modern and very relatable problem of dating, and added a magical twist that was fun and whimsical.
The Wolfman's New Gig, which was cute and dark at the same time. The author did a great job of keeping the reader just confused enough and intrigued enough to keep turning the page. The twists are well set up, and completely surprising and believable of the characters.
Bring It, Bernadette, which I loved. At just over a page, this story packed a lot of punch and a lot of twisted psyche in.
The Library, which was another good ambiant, creepy story with lots of questions and few answers. Although the tale is left incomplete, it is done so at the right time and in the right way so as to leave the reader still thinking about the story, but satisfied. It was confusing, and weird, and just perfectly intriguing.
WIth regard to the pictures, they were fine - lending some ambiance to the stories. My favorite by a lot was They Say Once the Trees Begin to Tremble It Is Too Late by Steven Ehret, on page 180.
With regard to the poems, they were also fine - lending some ambiance to the stories. They were little views into the life of a Grimm character, or a brief explanation, or a slight twist on perspective. I will add that I particularly liked the snark in Colleen Michaels' The Pea Defends His Position. I will also add that the Four Grimm Tales, Revisited, by Erin Virgil, was a well-done, interesting twist on the four tales. Enough said in these four little mini-poems to twist the original stories completely around.
I love Grimm and I was very excited to win a copy of Modern Grimmoire through an early reviewer program. But I was not really sure what to expect -- would these be new takes on old stories? new stories? It was a combination. A very dark, very angry combination of, as the subtitle states, fairy tales, fables and folklore.
Overall, I was very happy with the anthology. It was a quick read, and each story very comfortably stands on its own. I would recommend to anyone who has a penchant for all things Grimm, for people who are interested in dark fairy tales, folklore, and fables, and for those with a stomach for the, well, grim. In other words, if the title is appealing to you, go ahead and pick it up. The book does the title and the cover justice.
The anthology is comprised of mostly stories, a few poems, and a handful of pictures. The stories were the heart and the focus of the book, and I separately review (though I do not summarize short stories) each on my blog at http://allbookreviewer.blogspot.com/2013/07/modern-grimmoire-contemporary-anthology.html.
There were a few standout stories that, in and of themselves, would make this book worth picking up and reading. The stories that were not as great (in my opinion), did not particularly detract from the whole, and overall, the anthology was particularly well written, edited, and composed.
The few standout stories:
The Ex-Court Painter, Goya, and the Princess, which tells the story of an ex-royal painter, who is called into Court to do a particularly sensitive and confidential job for the King. The painter is shuffled down to the basement, and is locked in a room to do his work. I will not spoil what the painting is of or how the story progresses, but this author did an excellent job of telling an intriguing and complete story in short order.
Night People, in Summer was another favorite that employed a sense of ghost telling and magical realism. The author took the ordinary daily life and added not only magic and supernatural intrigue, but also a light element of danger.
The Music Box, where the author took the modern and very relatable problem of dating, and added a magical twist that was fun and whimsical.
The Wolfman's New Gig, which was cute and dark at the same time. The author did a great job of keeping the reader just confused enough and intrigued enough to keep turning the page. The twists are well set up, and completely surprising and believable of the characters.
Bring It, Bernadette, which I loved. At just over a page, this story packed a lot of punch and a lot of twisted psyche in.
The Library, which was another good ambiant, creepy story with lots of questions and few answers. Although the tale is left incomplete, it is done so at the right time and in the right way so as to leave the reader still thinking about the story, but satisfied. It was confusing, and weird, and just perfectly intriguing.
WIth regard to the pictures, they were fine - lending some ambiance to the stories. My favorite by a lot was They Say Once the Trees Begin to Tremble It Is Too Late by Steven Ehret, on page 180.
With regard to the poems, they were also fine - lending some ambiance to the stories. They were little views into the life of a Grimm character, or a brief explanation, or a slight twist on perspective. I will add that I particularly liked the snark in Colleen Michaels' The Pea Defends His Position. I will also add that the Four Grimm Tales, Revisited, by Erin Virgil, was a well-done, interesting twist on the four tales. Enough said in these four little mini-poems to twist the original stories completely around.
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