I'm not sure if me not remembering anything about The Scarlet Letter helped or hindered me with this book, but for a retelling, I was pleasantly surprI'm not sure if me not remembering anything about The Scarlet Letter helped or hindered me with this book, but for a retelling, I was pleasantly surprised. Usually I despise retellings and it wasn't until after I picked it up that I was told it was a feminist retelling of The Scarlet Letter. The story centers around a young seamstress, Isobel Gamble, and her emigration from Scotland to Salem. Isobel is soon deserted by her husband after joining a ship in the New World as a medic, with no money and forced to figure out her own path. After meeting Nathanial Hawthorne, the two get closer and more romantically involved. What's the worst that could happen?
This book is a complete atmospheric read in every way. That being said, the slow build up once you get about 25% in doesn't move faster until the very end. The early chapters of this book really enrich the story's exposition and I was so ready to see what happens, but then it takes way too long for a build up. I enjoyed the spin on Nathaniel Hawhorne's character and I also enjoyed how beautifully set everything is. Although Hester is definitely leaning towards one of my more enjoyable retelling reads, it further proves that retellings are just not for me. ...more
Reluctant Immortals is the love child of Taylor Jenkins Reid and Paul Tremblay. I do not agree with the comparisons of Mexican Gothic AT ALL. I said wReluctant Immortals is the love child of Taylor Jenkins Reid and Paul Tremblay. I do not agree with the comparisons of Mexican Gothic AT ALL. I said what I said. I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would as it centers around women in classic fictional horror literature and is retold in a new environment—1960s Hollywood. The story centers around Lucy Westenra from Dracula and Bertha Mason (Bee) from Jane Eyre as immortal beings living with the demons of their past. Both Lucy and Bee are haunted by the ghosts of their past—Dracula and Rochester. It isn't until the return of another immortal that throws the ghosts of Lucy and Bee's pasts into the present.
I don't want to give too much information about this plot, because well, it's f'n weird. In a good way. In a fun way. In an intriguing way. I want you to enjoy the peculiarities of this book like I did because if I wasn't so caught off guard, this book would probably not have worked for me. This book is my first read by the author and honestly, Gwendolyn Kiste's writing is spectacular. Kiste knows how to tell a story! This story takes place in the 1960s, but the themes in this book cover both current day and the past before this time period. This character-driven horror is not for everyone, but if you need a palette cleanser from your typical thrillers, this is a fun one to escape with. ...more
Before anyone roasts me for giving a retelling five stars, just know that I've never read Jane Eyre, which is the basis for the upcoming novel, TheBefore anyone roasts me for giving a retelling five stars, just know that I've never read Jane Eyre, which is the basis for the upcoming novel, The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins. The story focuses on a 23 year old Jane, who is the neighborhood dog walker around the affluent neighborhood of Thornfield Estates, located in Birmingham, Alabama. Jane is hired by many of the rich housewives in the neighborhood to walk their dogs, but one day she stumbles across wealthy widower Eddie Rochester. Eddie has a construction business, paid for by his late wife, Bea. Eddie and Jane have a connection almost instantly, but as the two forge a relationship, both realize that their dark pasts have consequences on their future together. With Eddie's wife suspiciously missing during a boating accident that also killed her best friend and Jane with a hidden past unknown to anyone in her inner circle, how will the duo be able to keep their secrets hidden?
The Wife Upstairs is not original. It's a retelling and the subject matter is very obvious early on, if you're a fan of the genre. However, I absolutely loved it. I could not put it down and that really shines light to Rachel Hawkins' amazing writing style. The characters were very interesting and the dual point of views really help bridge the gap between how each character is thinking and how they're actually operating. I found the story not only intriguing, but immersive. It's a lighter mystery/thriller, so those hesitant to pick up the genre should have no problem reading. I definitely think readers of domestic thrillers should run and pick up this book. I can't speak to any similarities with Jane Eyre as I've never read it, but I truly enjoyed every minute of this story. ...more
Christina Henry is well-known in the publishing world for her dark, apocalyptic retellings of some of our favorite fairy tales. Her Chronicles of AlicChristina Henry is well-known in the publishing world for her dark, apocalyptic retellings of some of our favorite fairy tales. Her Chronicles of Alice duology was widely received and her other works have been enjoyed by many fans for years. I always think a good retelling, mixed with a little horror and fantasy could be fun, but I never seem to feel connected to them. Henry's The Girl in Red changed that for me.
Cordelia, nicknamed Red, is on an mission to get to her grandmother's remote cabin in the woods. Society has fallen, due to a mysterious viral outbreak that has decimated society. She's alone in this journey, but she is prepared to defend herself anyway possible. With society on the brink of extinction, survivors are desperate for survival, and Red's biggest threat isn't the virus—it's who's out there left.
The Girl in Red was a fun survival novel, and it wasn't as gruesomely dark at Alice, which was nice because it didn't have gratuitous rape or violence for no reason. I enjoyed following along with Red and her adventures, and the story ends on a note that could be interpreted in multiple ways. I did not love how the story ended, but I will probably be in the minority with that critique. As Red set out in her adventures, the characters crafted to keep the story going were enjoyable and personable—everyone served a purpose. The story has Before and After POV's, and I really enjoyed the After POV, but respected the author's choice to show how the outbreak crumbled society. If you enjoy dystopian novels, and want to read an interesting retelling, The Girl in Red may be your best bet. ...more
This will not be a long review, because I am disappointed that this book didn't live up to my expectations. I just think retellings aren't my thing, aThis will not be a long review, because I am disappointed that this book didn't live up to my expectations. I just think retellings aren't my thing, and this is the second time I've been disappointed by one. Last year, I read Heartless and I was bored stiff. This time around, Hocus Pocus & The All New Sequel was just not for me, in the slightest.
The book is broken into multiple parts, and Part I is the strongest. It is a complete retelling of the original movie that we've all come to know and love, however I didn't ask for a retelling of my favorite childhood movie. I wanted the book to initiate in the future as a sequel. Hocus Pocus & The All New Sequel is not a sequel at all—we dive into the characters from the movie and they're reinterpreted in their own way. We do get some of the movie quotes in here (Another Glorious Morning!, yaboos, etc.), but it still comes off too immature for fans of the 1990s movie. We are older, and should get something a little stronger to read. I understand that this book is for young adult readers, but still... ugh!
After Part I wraps up, I'm ready for the action! However, the plot felt forced and repetitive from the movie. Similar experiences happen in the sequel that have happened in the original, but changed up for the modern day. Without spoiling, the witches brooms get stolen again and a nostalgic situation occurs. It was funny, but so obviously repetitive. If the story isn't revisiting the movie, it's verging on the side of ridiculousness. After 500 pages, I just felt deflated. womp, womp I'm going to just give this book to my little sister, because I think she will enjoy it more than me....more
Joe Nesbø's Macbeth is a standalone retelling of William Shakespeare's Macbeth with a modern day, Joe Nesbø crime fiction spin that we all love anJoe Nesbø's Macbeth is a standalone retelling of William Shakespeare's Macbeth with a modern day, Joe Nesbø crime fiction spin that we all love and respect from the Stephen King of police drama novels. The novel starts sets the stage in the 1970s, in a destitute, crime and drug ridden town in rural Norway, where the townsfolk are ruled by addiction. Both drug ring leaders, Sweno and Hecate, are the supreme leaders of the organized crime and drug power in the town. Another ruler of the town is Lady, who owns and operates the town's casino, Inverness. After a successful crime bust, Macbeth is promoted to the Head of the Organized Crime Unit. Through manipulation and the thirst for power, the shift of balance in the crime force is completely descended. If you are a lover of William Shakespeare or the New York production of Sleep No More, I encourage you to check this story out.
My rating I am giving this story right down the middle 3 stars out of 5 and I'll tell you why. Although I'm not the biggest Shakespeare fan, I do enjoy Macbeth and was excited to pick up this retelling. I have broken down reasons why Joe Nesbø's upcoming book gets a right down the middle review for me.
1. The characters in this story are very similar to Shakespeare's story. Mainly, most of the characters are named exactly as their original counterparts, which at first was interesting, but then sort of bored me. I've read other retellings where the cast of character slightly deviate from the characterization in their original work and it has worked astoundingly for me. It allows the reader to not guess the next steps of each character and also not be bored by a story that they've read or heard already. It keeps the reader engaged, focused, and confused (but in a good way!). This was my main concern about this story and I felt the need to get that out there first before getting into the good stuff.
2. In contrast to the character originality, the story presented to us is uniquely defined and was masterfully done. Rather than the story be about royals and servants, this retelling involves crime units and drug lords–still interconnecting the main themes that you come to expect with this story: manipulation, power, greed. These centralized themes are portrayed perfectly from the moment you crack open the book, until the final chapter. Human behavior can be it's own worst enemy.
3. This was my first read by Jo Nesbø, but everyone I know has been raving about him for a long time so I figured, let me start off with a standalone and see what I thought. Jo Nesbø is truly an artist when it comes to creating the picture with words. I could picture exactly what Nesbø was describing and it was incredibly captivating for me. He can uniquely describe a setting better than most authors I've come across lately, and that is a skill that can't be taught
My final thoughts: If you've never read Macbeth or absolutely loved it, pick up this book! If you're hesitant because you know what happens already, or want something a little more original–maybe sit this one out. Retellings can be difficult to review, because everyone has a different emotional attachment to the story being reenacted and I truly believe that this story will also be polarizing.
Macbeth will be released in April 2018. I was provided an advanced copy in exchange for my honest review....more
This will be the shortest review I'll ever write. Christina Henry's Alice takes place in a dystopian world, where civilization is split up betweenThis will be the shortest review I'll ever write. Christina Henry's Alice takes place in a dystopian world, where civilization is split up between the elite and protected New City, and the apocalyptic, destitute Old City. Alice is sent to a mental institution following her rape, and meets a man who calls himself Hatcher. The two escape and venture out to safety to New City, with conflict on the way. We meet Christina Henry's interpretation of the classic characters from Alice in Wonderland, but this is no ordinary retelling.
The reason why I'm ranking this story so low is that it's a fantasy retelling, with dark and deep-rooted storylines that don't stick. I didn't know whether or not to follow the dark, horror plotlines, or stick with the fantasy aspect. I just felt that this story tried too hard to go evil, and just was a mess of plotholes from beginning to end. This is my second retelling that I've read and both have been a disaster for me, so I will not venture out in the genre going forward. I hope you enjoy Alice more than I did! I seem to be in the minority here, so please don't use my review as a foundation in your decision in picking this up. ...more
"The night was cold but gentle like a x-rated metaphor." - what? Edgar Cantero's "Meddling Kids" successfully combines Scooby Doo nostalgia with a X-f"The night was cold but gentle like a x-rated metaphor." - what? Edgar Cantero's "Meddling Kids" successfully combines Scooby Doo nostalgia with a X-files-esque vibe. Andrea (Andy), Kerri, Nate, and a weimaraner named Tim (couldn't Edgar come up with something more interesting than Tim?) decide to pick up an old case that was apparently closed. Each of the main characters in this story cannot seem to get over the night in question and decide to see if there's anything that they missed.
What "Meddling Kids" does well is engaging the audience with a very unique storyline infused with a Scooby Doo satire. The story is extremely humorous and I caught myself laughing at some of the jokes that the characters pulled. Nate hands down was my favorite character and the way the book deals with mental illness is refreshing.
What I could not tolerate about this novel was Cantero's odd use of similes and metaphors. It really took away from the story for me, and it became very frustrating. Cantero also switches writing styles throughout the story, engaging in different ways to allocate character discussions. Both these writing styles completely threw me off and continually got me off track with the story.
SPOILERS FOR THE NEXT PART-
As a gay man, I found it incredibly offensive to showcase a character in the LGBT community trying to win over a straight friend romantically. It's hard enough as it is to come to terms with your sexuality, and I believe storylines like this can lead to homophobic beliefs of how the LGBT community is perceived by mainstream/hetero-media. That could be just me, but it completely took a star off this book for me....more
I feel awkward about writing a review for Heartless because it's not that this is a bad book, I just didn't enjoy it. I should stick with what I enjoyI feel awkward about writing a review for Heartless because it's not that this is a bad book, I just didn't enjoy it. I should stick with what I enjoy, which are thrillers, suspense, mysteries, and horrors. Heartless was just not my cup of tea (pun intended). Now that that is out of the way, let me get to the story and what I liked and didn't like out of it. Possible spoilers - depending on what you deem a spoiler.
The main character, Catherine Pinkerton, daughter of the Marquess and Marchioness of the land of Hearts. Catherine aspires to open a bakery with her servant, Mary Ann, and through society's sexist views on woman, has trouble doing so. She captures the heart of the King, while at the same time falling for another man. What is Catherine to do?
What I enjoyed: I loved how Meyer was able to take a familiar world and build upon it. All the main characters (besides Alice) from Lewis Carroll's masterpiece have been weaved in throughout the story and they are beautifully represented throughout the book. I also enjoyed references to Edgar Allen Poe's Raven, and the interpretation of Fates appearing as three sisters. Both Disney's and Lewis Carroll's Queen of Hearts is considered ridiculous - she isn't taken very seriously and people become scared of her illogical sentence of self. In Heartless, Meyer stops before this actually happens but the reader can quickly follow what is to come.
What I would have liked more: I felt that the book could have been reduced in size by 200 pages. The first 70% of the book was incredibly slow and mainly consisted of dialogue between Catherine, her parents, Mary Ann, and Jest. I would have enjoyed having a twist or some kind of intense storyline to show Catherine's struggle with her mental stability.
Long story short, 2 stars for a creative and "cute" storyline about love and tragedy, minus 1 star for lagging too much, and minus 2 stars for having a lack of captivating moments (for me).
That being said, I'm sticking to what I enjoy best.
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