Wildwood Dancing

Wildwood Dancing

By Juliet Marillier; Knopf 2006

Summary: High in the Transylvanian woods, at the castle Piscul Draculi, live five daughters and their doting father. It's an idyllic life for Jena, the second eldest, who spends her time exploring the mysterious forest with her constant companion, a most unusual frog. But best by far is the castle's hidden portal, known only to the sisters. Every Full Moon, they alone can pass through it into the enchanted world of the Other Kingdom. There they dance through the night with the fey creatures of this magical realm.

But their peace is shattered when Father falls ill and must go to the southern parts to recover, for that is when cousin Cezar arrives. Though he's there to help the girls survive the brutal winter, Jena suspects he has darker motives in store. Meanwhile, Jena's sister has fallen in love with a dangerous creature of the Other Kingdom--an impossible union it's up to Jena to stop.

When Cezar's grip of power begins to tighten, at stake is everything Jena loves: her home, her family, and the Other Kingdom she has come to cherish. To save her world, Jena will be tested in ways she can't imagine--tests of trust, strength, and true love.

My Review:  This is basically a retelling of The Twelve Dancing Princesses.  I thought it was an interesting take on the fantasy world. The Other Kingdom sounds like a magical place, but at times I thought it was a scary place. I was constantly worried for Jenna and her sisters.  Jenna is a smart girl and she really step ups to the plate and runs the household. She really takes care of her sisters which I thought was admirable.

The thing I found difficult about this book is the names of places and characters. But there is a glossary at the back to help those who struggle to be able to pronounce the words.  Overall I think it is a good book, not the greatest, but a good book.

Watch Out for: Enchanted creatures, magic, love, some kissing, and mild violence. 

Red Riding Hood

Red Riding Hood

Sarah Blakeley-Cartwright; Poppy 2011

Summary: Valerie's sister was beautiful, kind, and sweet. Now she is dead. Henry, the handsome son of the blacksmith, tries to console Valerie, but her wild heart beats fast for another: the outcast woodcutter, Peter, who offers Valerie another life far from home. 

After her sister's violent death, Valerie's world begins to spiral out of control. For generations, the Wolf has been kept at bay with a monthly sacrifice. But now no one is safe. When an expert Wolf hunter arrives, the villagers learn that the creature lives among them--it could be anyone in town. 

It soon becomes clear that Valerie is the only one who can hear the voice of the creature. The Wolf says she must surrender herself before the blood moon wanes...or everyone she loves will die.

My Review: GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!  That is just one of the many words I could say about this book. The only reason I read this was because the movie was coming out. I am a firm believer in reading the book before going to see the movie.  Well the writing isn’t that great but I started to like storyline until it ended suddenly! That’s right! It never finished instead it told me to go to this certain sight and finish it once the movie came out! UGH! I was so ticked I just went to watch the movie instead and never looked up the ending chapters. My best advice to those who are interested in this book is to just watch the movie.

Watch Out For: Very little cussing, drinking, violence, animal sacrifice, a terrorizing wolf, torture, and fighting.

Movie Trailer: 

Little Red Riding Hood

Little Red Riding Hood

By Charles Perrault

Summary: A girl called Little Red Riding Hood walks through the forest to deliver food to her sick grandmother. A wolf who wants to eat Little Red Riding Hood impersonates her grandmother, after eating her grandmother, and when Little Red comes in he eats her. A hunter comes to the rescue.

My Review: I actually am not the biggest fan of this fairytale because of the whole impersonating and eating everyone. But I guess it goes to so you not to speak to wolves.

Watch Out For:  The wolf, eating, impersonation, drowning, death.

The Little Mermaid

The Little Mermaid
By Hans Christian Anderson; C.A. Reitzel 1837 


Summary: When a mermaid turns 15, he or she is allowed to swim to the surface to watch the world above. Finally it is the Little Mermaid's turn. She sees a ship with a handsome prince, falls in love with him, and saves him from drowning in a storm. She longs for the prince and an eternal soul, so she visits the Sea Witch who sells her a potion in exchange for her tongue. By drinking the potion she will never be able to return to the sea. With her legs she will constantly feel like she is walking on sharp swords and will bleed. She will only get a soul if the prince loves her and marries her, but if not then the day he marries another, the Little Mermaid will die and turn into sea foam. 


My Review: This is an awful fairytale. The whole things made me very upset and sad. The Little Mermaid was an idiotic teenager who thought she knew what she was doing when it came to deciding her fate, but ended up dying. Who gives a random Sea Witch her tongue?! I was really confused by her thought process. Teenagers....you give them an inch and they swim all over-Sebastian. Yeah I must say this wasn't my favorite fairytale. 


Watch Out For: Nudity, being called dumb, tongue being cut off, blood, bargaining with the Sea Witch, and suicide.

Heckedy Peg

Heckedy Peg
by Audrey Wood; Harcourt Brace Jovanovich 1987

Summary: A mother saves her seven children named Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Heckedy Peg, a witch who has changed them into different kinds of food.

My Review: I officially love the couple Audrey Wood and her husband Don Wood! Their books have interesting stories that keep you enthralled and guessing the whole time. This of all their book is the most dramatic and a tad bit scary. Heckedy Peg is one scary old woman. I was terrified! The illustrations are unbelievable. Each page is full of intricate detail and color. I really enjoyed this book because of the pictures.

Watch Out For: Heckedy Peg, Magic, abduction,  and mentioning of eating the children.

The Princess and the Pea

The Princess and the Pea
By Hans Christian Andersen;C. A. Reitzel 1835

Summary: A prince wants to marry a princess, but has some difficulties because he cannot be determine if they are real princesses. On a stormy night a young woman comes to the castle claiming to a be a princess.The prince's mother decides to test the young woman by putting a pea under 20 mattresses and featherbeds for the night. Only a real princess has the sensitivity to feel a pea through a large amount of bedding.

My Review: This is such a fun story. I've always loved this story because I dreamed of being a princess when I was little. I have to admit that I did try putting a pea under my bed, but alas I felt nothing.

The Steadfast Tin Soldier

 The Steadfast Tin Soldier
by Hans Christian Andersen;C. A. Reitzel 1838

Summary: A tin toy soldier with who stands on a single leg sees a paper ballerina with a spangle on her sash, who stands on one leg also. They fall in love. A troll warns the soldier to take his eyes off the ballerina, but the soldier ignores this warning. When the soldier falls from the windowsill the soldier finds himself in a wild adventure which leads him back home to the ballerina for an epic ending. 

My Review: This is one of my favorite fairytales. I love the love story between the ballerina and the tin soldier. I think it is one of those tragically beautiful stories that lift up your heart.

Things to Watch Out For: Fire, Troll, a rat, a fish being caught and cut open, and evil little boys.

The Ugly Duckling

The Ugly Duckling
By Hans Christian Andersen;C.A. Reitzel 1843

Summary: An ugly duckling is born  and recieves abuse from the farmyard neighbors. He wanders  alone for some time trying to find his place in the world. He is taking in by some and rejected by others. He suffers through a long winter and comes to find himself in the spring.

My Review: I think that this is an incredibly sad story. When I read this version of the ugly duckling I felt so sorry for him. I don't like it when he has to suffer from the abuse of the other animals, humans, and himself. The ending always makes me happy because through a journey of self discovery and trials you come to realize how beautiful you really are. I adore this fairy-tale!


Things to Watch Out For: verbal and physical abuse from humans and framyard animals,hunters, shooting, vows of rather to be killed instead of suffering

Beauty

Beauty: A retelling of the story 

Beauty & the Beast

By Robin McKinley; HarperTrophy 1978

Summary: Beauty has never liked her nick name. She has always thought she was the plainest girl in the family. She is thin, awkward, and undersized. When her father comes home with a strange tale about an enchanted castle with a beast inside and about the terrible promise he has made with the Beast. Beauty must go to the castle and tame the Beast.

My Review: I actually stayed up all night to finish this book. I have always been drawn to the tale of Beauty and the Beast because of its enchanting tale. I have this special attachment to Beauty because she is a lover of books and she works hard. The Beast to me has always been attractive even though he is a monster who wears clothes!

Things to Watch Out For: The Beast on occasions, enchantments, threats, unusual arrangements.

Cinderella

Cinderella 
K.Y.Craft- Chronicle Books 2000


Summary:Cinderella is a forever-loved story about a maiden  who is mistreated by her stepmother and stepsisters, meets her fairy godmother, and has a magical night.


My Review: Cinderella has always been a fairytale favorite for me. I love the glass slippers, the pumpkin that turns into a carriage, the stroke of midnight, and happily ever afters. I loved the illustrations in this re-telling especially. I thought that they were well done.


Things to Watch Out For: Evil stepmothers and stepsisters and magic.