Fairytale Fridays ~ The Twelve Dancing Princesses

*trumpet fanfare*

It's that time again, where we gather around our massive tomes of fairytales and talk about retellings. 

Are you feeling the magic?  I'm feeling the magic.

Today, we take a look at what has been in my top three fairytales for as long as I can remember: The Twelve Dancing Princesses

 

This one has been beloved by me, as I said, for as long as I can recall.  I've figured out it's for these reasons: I have a younger sister and I've always wondered what it would be like having 10 more, I've been taking dance lessons since I was 2, and what little girl doesn't at some point dream of being a princess?  (The Barbie movie may have had something to do with it as well... *cough*)

 

But today we're looking at the book that I partially give credit for inspiring me to start writing retellings in the first place, "Princess of the Midnight Ball".

 

 

Author: Jessica Day George

 

Overview of the Story: Galen is a young soldier coming home from the war.  While working for his uncle, the head of the Royal Gardens, he decides to find the answer to the king's question - where do his twelve daughters go every night?

 

What I Thought: I love this book so much.  Every time I read it is like getting a warm hug.  It's so nostalgic and magical.  The princesses have a great relationship (even if I had to write down their names in age order so I could remember which was which xD).  Also, Rose and Galen. <3 <3 <3

 

Characters:

Rose - The eldest princess, she's kind of taken on the mother role to her sisters.  She has bravery in spades, and is ready to protect her sisters no matter what happens to her.

 

Galen - He knits.  He's a dork.  He stands up to the King Under-Stone.  Is there anything this guy can't do?

 

Favorite Quote: "My father was a career army man, sir.  I was there at the first engagement with Analousia, and took up my father's rifle when I was barely fifteen." "Saints preserve us," Doctor Kelling said, and squeezed Galen's shoulder. "What have we done to our youth?" 

 

How Does it Compare to the Original? Honestly, this is one of the closest retellings I've read. Not many others have the soldier who discovers the secret, so I love that.  It's probably the closest one that I've reviewed so far, so there's that.

 

Overall Rating: 5 knit chains out of 5

 

So have you read this book?  What did you think?  Do you have a favorite Twelve Dancing Princesses retelling? 

 

(and... *cough* have you seen the Barbie movie?)

 

~ Mia

Fairytale Friday ~ Beauty and the Beast

Should I have written this three days ago?

Yes, probably.

Am I now panicking because it's basically Saturday and this is supposed to be a Friday thing?

Absolutely.

But I would have just written this earlier today, but we were running around all day and I just...



I'm so exhausted.

BUT the show must go on, as they say, and so it is with great pleasure that I invite you to celebrate this, the second of our Fairytale Friday celebrations.

Today, we look at what is one of my all-time favorite fairytales: Beauty and the Beast!

 



It is a tale as old as time...

 

A song as old as rhyme...

 

... okay, I'll stop now.

 

I will readily admit, the Disney film truly sparked my love for this fairytale.  It's my all-time favorite Disney movie, and the title song is my all-time favorite Disney song (Angela Lansbury is queen, y'all).  But when I dug deeper, I found a story as just as beautiful as the one Disney wove. 

 

As it is one of my favorite fairytales, it has become one of my favorite to see retold.  And one of my favorite versions of this is "The Merchant's Daughter".

 

 

 

Author: Melanie Dickerson

 

Overview of the Story: Annabel grew up the daughter of a wealthy merchant, but when her father dies in destitution, it falls on her to save her family.  Indentured to the local lord who is rumored to be something of a beast, she learns to find room in her heart for love while she dodges the rather revolting Bailiff Tom.

 

What I Thought: This novel is a really sweet, magic-free take on the classic story.  Annabel is a really sweet girl, and even though her family treats her terribly, she relies on her faith to get her through.  And yes, that seems really feel-good, but it did make me feel good so yeah.

 

Characters:

Annabel - She's seriously.  So sweet. But at the same time, she is more than willing to stand up for herself and her family and will not be stopped.  Which I appreciate.

 

Ranulf - Poor, innocent, wonderful Ranulf.  Yes, he's gruff and angry but he reminds me of Disney's Beast in that he becomes so sweet when he realizes that wow, he can be that and still be cool. xD

 

Bailiff Tom - Ugh, don't get me started.  Disgusting, dude *shudders*

 

Favorite Quote: "Even though she was in a room full of people, an occurrence she had rarely ever experienced before, she had never felt so alone."

 

How Does It Compare to the Original? One of the most accurate I've seen in the fact that she's actually the daughter of a merchant.  But other than that... not much is the same?  However, it still retains the feel of the original.

 

Overall Rating: 5 angry villagers out of 5

 

I will warn you, this book isn't technically the first in the series.  That title belongs to "The Healer's Apprentice".  However, I personally think the first two books can be flipped around if you really wanted to.  But "The Healer's Apprentice" is pretty great too... but we'll deal with that in a few weeks xD

 

Favorite retelling of Beauty and the Beast?  Do you love the Disney film?  Fairytale you think I should tackle next?  Let me know down below!

 

~ Mia

Fairytale Friday ~ Cinderella

Come one, come all, to the first Fairytale Friday celebration! 

Are you excited?

I'm excited.

This week, we look at what is arguably the most famous of fairytales: Cinderella!

 

Okay, yes, this is somewhat of a cliché place to start.  But let's admit, Cinderella is one of the first things to come to mind when we think "fairytale".  It's just become such a mainstay of our culture that not many even know where the story came from originally.  Multiple countries have their own version, the Grimm Brothers have a very interesting take, and most Americans are familiar with Charles Perrault's story (which was the one Walt Disney took on). 

 

With so many retellings of this classic story, it was hard to choose one to review.  So I chose two.  One book, one film.  (And I'm going to be honest, this story likely will come up again before this series of posts is over... I've just read so many xD)

 

But for today, we begin with "A Wish Made of Glass".

 

Author: Ashlee Willis

Overview of the Story: Isidore doesn't like that she must leave her home, especially when her new step-mother and step-sister take away all of her father's attention.  But the fey are calling to her, and the beautiful Blessing only wishes to be her friend.

What I Thought: This is a really great take on the Cinderella story.  Like.  Really great.  It's super interesting because it's not told from the view of "Cinderella", it's technically from the step-sister.  It's fascinating.  There isn't all that much magic, something I appreciate.  I mean... there's fey... so obviously there is magic, but... yeah.

Characters:
Isidore - Truly, she's a fascinating character.  A bit hard to relate to at times, as her motivation for doing what she does is a little twisted, but ultimately I found myself wanting her to succeed. 

Blessing - Sweet, beautiful, every Cinderella cliché wrapped up in one.  But she's truly very kind, and almost instantly adopts Isidore as her sister, even if Izzy doesn't feel the same way at first.

Favorite Quote: My mother's words sound in my mind. With every step they take, they tred upon their own hearts.  But that is what the slippers are, not what they look like.  So I say, "Moonlight."  Blessing sighs.  "Moonlight..." she whispers to herself.  I smile.  "Moonlight and prayers and glass and frost and wishes.  That's what they look like."

How Does it Compare to the Original? I do think this was based on the Perrault, but that doesn't include quite the same quality this does... I think ethereal would be a good word.  I was glued to the story, but not because it was full of action or anything, just because I wanted to know more about the fey and the story and what THE HECK WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

Overall Rating: 4.5 fey slippers out of 5



And because I promised you two reviews, we also have "Ever After":

 

(kind of a weird looking poster, but I didn't want the one where they're half-kissing like every other romance movie ever)

Overview of the Story: Set in the 14th century, this is the story of Danielle, a girl who meets the prince, and through a mistake, leads him to believe she is a proper Lady.  This is all made more difficult, of course, when she falls in love with him.
 

What I Thought: One of our family friends was shocked that my sister and I had never seen this film.  Apparently it's her favorite version of the Cinderella story (thus how we came to the subject), and she was determined that we would see it the next time we visited her home.  Sure enough, the next time we went over there, she was like "Let's watch Ever After!" and so we did.  And had to pause near the end because more than half of us had to pee. But anyway.
I thought this was a very interesting take.  It didn't have magic, which is what our friend loved most about it.  I like that this seems more plausible than most retellings.

Characters:
Danielle - Fabulously sassy child.  I love that she's not the average Cinderella.  She's willing to stand up for herself to her step-family, and while she knows that'll get her in trouble, she makes her voice known.  Plus, she gave us this fantastic scene:


Prince Henry - This guy's pretty fantastic.  A bit bratty, quite childish, but determined to marry the girl he loves... even before he knows who she actually is.

Favorite Quote: "Why that was pure genius!" "Yes, I shall go down in history as the man who opened a door."

How Does it Compare to the Original? It... it really doesn't?  Like I guess it's in a similar time period that the original was written in, but it's really completely different.  So... yeah. 

Overall Rating: 4 winged gowns out of 5



And so we come to then end of our first Fairytale Friday celebration.  Hopefully you enjoyed our time together.

Do you have a favorite retelling of Cinderella?  Have you read/watched these two?  *waves you toward the comment section*

~ Mia

Fairytale Fridays ~ An Overview

This thing is a thing I've been wanting to do for awhile.  I told myself, "Mia, if you ever get a blog, you will do the thing."

Today I said to myself, "Okay, Mia. It's Friday. Let's do this."

(and no, Mia is not my real name.  and yes, sometimes I refer to myself as Mia.  deal with it.)

 

So, what are Fairytale Fridays?



Well, if you haven't already figured it out, I am an avid reader of fairytales.  The magic, the romance, the DEATH.  *cough*  Have you read Grimm's?  Terrifying.

(There's this one called "The Robber's Bride" where a girl gets kidnapped by cannibalistic robbers and only escapes because of a raven's creepy chanting.  That one really freaked me out.)

But because I love fairytales and I love fairytale retellings (if you couldn't tell it from the 'about the writing' tab up there), I thought it would be cool to do a series of posts (who knows how long it'll be pffffft) where every week, I bring you a review of one of the many, many retellings I've read and loved.  And the reviews shall break down like this:

Overview of the Story:
What I Thought:
Characters:
Favorite Quote:
How Does it Compare to the Original?

Movies, books, you name it, I'll review it.  Because FAIRYTALES *throws glitter on you*

(if you would like more fairytale magic, check out my pinterest board: https://www.pinterest.com/grace_karlson/fairytales/ )

Have a favorite retelling? Let me know in the comments! I'm always looking for new takes on the old tales ^.^

~ Mia