REVIEW: Kill the Farm Boy by Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne

Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, a hero, the Chosen One, was born . . . and so begins every fairy tale ever told.

This is not that fairy tale.

There is a Chosen One, but he is unlike any One who has ever been Chosened.

And there is a faraway kingdom, but you have never been to a magical world quite like the land of Pell.

There, a plucky farm boy will find more than he's bargained for on his quest to awaken the sleeping princess in her cursed tower. First there's the Dark Lord who wishes for the boy's untimely death . . . and also very fine cheese. Then there's a bard without a song in her heart but with a very adorable and fuzzy tail, an assassin who fears not the night but is terrified of chickens, and a mighty fighter more frightened of her sword than of her chain-mail bikini. This journey will lead to sinister umlauts, a trash-talking goat, the Dread Necromancer Steve, and a strange and wondrous journey to the most peculiar "happily ever after" that ever once-upon-a-timed.

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Kill the Farm Boy is hilarious and over the top.  I love the idea of this as a pun driven twisted fairy tale. What isn't to love: an unlikely Chosen One, talking animals, magic, and an adventurous journey filled with twists and turns.  Dawson along with one of my favs Hearne, write a "punilicious" tale that was a much needed breath of fresh air.  I dare any reader to not laugh out loud.

As fun as Kill the Farm Boy is to read and experience in text, once again, I have to hand it to Luke Daniels as the narrator of the audiobook.  He's outdone himself with this one--creating truly unique characters that bring the narrative to life.  Listening in the card, I know that other drivers must have thought I was a madwoman.  I laughed so hard I cried. All the characters were a hoot but I have a soft spot for Gustave  the goat;)

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: The Emerald Circus by Jane Yolen

*Thanks to Netgalley and Tachyon for an ARC in exchange for a review*

Enter the Emerald Circus and be astonished by the transformations of your favorite tales. Ringmaster and internationally bestselling author Jane Yolen (Briar Rose, Sister Emily’s Lightship) spins modern fantasy classics in tales that go well beyond Wonderland and Oz, down the rabbit hole and back again.

Where is Wendy? Leading a labor strike against the Lost Boys, of course! A girl blown away from Kansas returns as a sophisticate with unusual gymnastic abilities. A talented apprentice, forging her first sword, is suddenly left to the mercies of Merlin. Alice’s infamous nemesis has jaws and claws, but also lacks the essential: a sense of humor.

Witty and bold, and unexpected, these tales go well beyond the rabbit hole and back again.

Table of Contents

Andersen’s Witch - I enjoyed this one and it's rift on Hans Christian Andersen
Lost Girls - quite possibly my favorite of the whole book besides the reimaginings of Oz and Alice.
Tough Alice - LOVED IT!
Blown Away - LOVED IT!
A Knot of Toads - I was very surprised by this story but enjoyed it.
The Quiet Monk - not a standout for me as a reader
The Bird - quite mysterious, loved the Poe vibe!
Belle Bloody Merciless Dame - just okay for me
Jewel in the Toad Queen’s Crown - same, just okay not a favorite
A Gift of Magicians - not a standout for me as a reader
Rabbit Hole - another favorite.
Our Lady of the Greenwood - a spin on Robin Hood
The Confession of Brother Blaise - not a standout for me as a reader
Wonder Land - short but packs a punch.
Evian Steel - extremely intriguing and engaging, sort of a prequel to King Arthur
Sister Emily’s Lightship - Emily Dickinson!!!! 

Overall, this was a well written collection of stories.  Yolen is a master of her craft.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

REVIEW: Red Queen by Christina Henry

*Thank you Netgalley and Ace for a copy in exchange for a review*

Expected publication: July 12, 2016

Back with the second entry in the Chronicles of Alice series, Henry continues the dark adventures of Alice and Hatcher in this reimagining of Alice in Wonderland. Having escaped the City, Alice hopes to discover a lush world of green where she can find peace no longer haunted by her past with the Rabbit, Cheshire or the Jabberwocky.  In pursuit of Hatcher's long thought lost daughter, Jenny, they instead find a land charred by ash.

Determined in their quest, they journey deep into a dark and twisted forest into the clutches of the mad White Queen, her goblin and destructive magic of the cruel Black King. Alice must learn to trust herself and hone her own inner magic if she and Hatcher are meant to survive.

Henry builds a complex world and darkly expands on some rather infamous characters while delving into this new and imaginative retelling.  In addition to the Alice overtures, there are echoes of other fairy tales. I love the dark, descriptive imagery and this version of Alice is extremely interesting in her strength despite a horrible past. She and Hatcher are certainly survivors and complement each other in their brokenness.

I look forward to the next chapter of their tale and to see where their journey leads. After certain events, I have my predictions that some villains aren't as forgotten as they would like them to be.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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REVIEW: Alice by Christina Henry

Disclaimer: I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for a review

Christina Henry's Alice is a decidedly dark retelling of Lewis Carol's classic Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. Within dilapidated buildings and amongst desperate peoples, there is an asylum in the Old City where the walls echo with the screams of those tortured inside. Alice has been locked away for some ten years, following her reappearance after a prolonged abduction.  All she remembers is a tea party, long ears and blood. However, her parents dismissed ramblings and had her committed.

The asylum in and of itself is a place filled with horrors. Nonetheless, Alice finds solace when she discovers Hatcher, a fellow patient with an equally troubling past.  Troubles escalate when a lethal fire brings their imprisonment to an end; however, it unleashes the Jabberwocky and sets other events in motion.  Alice, with Hatcher at her side, must embark on a series of dark and twisted adventures in hopes of defeating the Jabberwocky, and discovering the truth regarding her new-found abilities and her missing memories at the evil hand of the Rabbit.

I am a huge fan of twisted fairy tales.  Henry's re-envisioning of this classic is uniquely dark and twisted and as such plays homage to the original tale.  The sinister natures of many of our well beloved characters had me on the edge of my seat.  This is certainly a tale for adults with descriptive physical violence as well as sexual assault.

While at present this appears to be a standalone novel, there is significant potential for a continuation of the story. I enjoyed this and would read additional titles in the series.

Final rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Follow the author on Twitter: @C_Henry_Author

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