Scan barcode
kathydavie's review
5.0
A free eShort for children (of all ages!) from TOR Books.
My Take
This was cute, and definitely with a twist for this little girl who only wanted a pony for her birthday...and got a tiny demon instead.
It’s the realities of childhood with parents requiring proof of responsibility, their “lies” and how easily children seen through them, the meanness of other children, and how one child lords it over others---psychologically and physically.
What frustrated me about this story is that Corwin gives us all these tidbits but never does enlighten us. Was Mathilde plotting something with Ix’Thor? Did she know what his true plans were? What about her parents?
What I loved was how very normal it seemed. Everyone has pets which have to be fed, which sometimes escape and must be caught. The “pet” store owner and his concerns. The oohs and aahs of the children. The threats and promises of parents who set responsibility before their children and make the proper care of a pet a contingency for getting what one’s heart truly desires.
Do read this one, you can’t help but get a kick out of it!
The Story
What little girl doesn’t want a pony? And Mathilde is no different.
The Characters
Mathilde has her birthday coming up. Her parents are too much like parents everywhere. Nana is Mrs. Clark, the grandmother she thought would understand.
Ix’Thor is a tiny Demon Lord, the Master of the Venomous Pits of Karthoom. One without horns.
Becky Hamilton is the nasty little girl, always rubbing it in and being sneaky. Sally is her younger sister; Kathy Hamilton is her mother. Robby Ferguson is one of the children at Mathilde’s birthday party.
My Cover
The cover is cute with a so very innocent-looking Mathilde in her long blonde hair and pink dress communing with the cloak-clad, floating Ix’Thor, holding a ball of fire in one hand, his sword in the other.
The title seems a metaphor, the contrast between demon and little girl, “Brimstone and Marmalade”.
My Take
This was cute, and definitely with a twist for this little girl who only wanted a pony for her birthday...and got a tiny demon instead.
It’s the realities of childhood with parents requiring proof of responsibility, their “lies” and how easily children seen through them, the meanness of other children, and how one child lords it over others---psychologically and physically.
What frustrated me about this story is that Corwin gives us all these tidbits but never does enlighten us. Was Mathilde plotting something with Ix’Thor? Did she know what his true plans were? What about her parents?
What I loved was how very normal it seemed. Everyone has pets which have to be fed, which sometimes escape and must be caught. The “pet” store owner and his concerns. The oohs and aahs of the children. The threats and promises of parents who set responsibility before their children and make the proper care of a pet a contingency for getting what one’s heart truly desires.
Do read this one, you can’t help but get a kick out of it!
The Story
What little girl doesn’t want a pony? And Mathilde is no different.
The Characters
Mathilde has her birthday coming up. Her parents are too much like parents everywhere. Nana is Mrs. Clark, the grandmother she thought would understand.
Ix’Thor is a tiny Demon Lord, the Master of the Venomous Pits of Karthoom. One without horns.
Becky Hamilton is the nasty little girl, always rubbing it in and being sneaky. Sally is her younger sister; Kathy Hamilton is her mother. Robby Ferguson is one of the children at Mathilde’s birthday party.
My Cover
The cover is cute with a so very innocent-looking Mathilde in her long blonde hair and pink dress communing with the cloak-clad, floating Ix’Thor, holding a ball of fire in one hand, his sword in the other.
The title seems a metaphor, the contrast between demon and little girl, “Brimstone and Marmalade”.
phoenix2's review
4.0
That was a cute read!! I loved how the author actually embraced his young character and her POV was an original children POV and not an adult trying to remember how it was to be a child. The story was sweet, touching and, even though it was short, the writer managed to make his characters likable and make the reader engaged to the story.
dherzey's review
4.0
Aww...I never would have thought that demons could be this adorable. Sad ending though *cries*. But fuck the ponies, I want a demon pet like Ix'thor!
arachnichemist's review
4.0
This was a really fun story to read. I was a little skeptical at first, but it quickly grew on me. Plus the demon is pretty dam awesome and I wouldn't mind one myself.
sasha_in_a_box's review
5.0
A little girl wanted a pony for her birthday, but instead she gets a demon. Just so she can show that she's responsible enough for a potential pony. Will she learn to appreciate her new pet's tendency to periodically ask for her soul, or will she never know the joy of crushing your enemy's skulls?
Funny, sad, and very charming. I LOVE IT. And need one of my own.
Funny, sad, and very charming. I LOVE IT. And need one of my own.
jimmyscott_31's review
5.0
Such a beautifully written short story! Even though it only lasted a few pages you really got to sympathise with the characters. Recommended to everyone.
devynreadsnovels's review
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Death
fantasyaddict's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sjj169's review
4.0
Heck..I wonder if my mom will get me a demon for a pet if I'm really good. My husband says no more animals.
How great would it be to have a pet that yells IX’THOR DEMANDS SACRIFICE! when he is hungry?
How great would it be to have a pet that yells IX’THOR DEMANDS SACRIFICE! when he is hungry?