Not bad, a basic collection of fairytale retellings with a feminist twist. Overall enjoyable, but not doing anything groundbreaking that hasn't been done before. Some of the stories were very well executed (Pondwater, Sisterhood of the Sea) but others lacked a but of subtlety I think this collection could've benefitted from.

Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with an eARC for a honest review.

This book had an excellent premise, but the execution fell short for me. While the stories were promising, the author often told the message rather than showing it through the narrative. I wanted to see more feminine rage rather than been told of it. Some of the more modern fairytales felt out of place, and I wish certain stories had been more fleshed out to create a deeper, more immersive experience. The writing itself was strong, but overall, I was left wanting more substance and emotional engagement.

This is a short collection of modernized fairy tales with a feminist slant. If that sounds like something you want, you’ll probably enjoy. I found most of the stories overbearing and lacking subtlety. I enjoy a feminist message, but I don’t need to be smacked over the head with it. Luckily, these stories were short, so it was easy to get through to the parts that I did like.

The woodcut illustrations are gorgeous, both on the cover and before each story. My favorite of the stories was the first - From a Damsel to a Dragon. I found it very reminiscent of old fairy tales, with an air of magic and mystery. I had hoped that it would set the tone for the rest of the stories, but was mildly disappointed.

Thank you to Hannah Birss, Victory Editing, and NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a fun little collection of fairytales with a feminist twist. I liked a lot of the ideas, especially the stories that handled the themes in a more subtle way. Those made me think without feeling too heavy-handed. A few of them were a bit too on-the-nose for me, which pulled me out of the story a bit, but overall the concept was solid.

The modern-day stories felt kind of out of place, though. They didn’t quite fit with the rest of the collection, which mostly leaned into that classic fairytale vibe. I think keeping them all in that timeless setting would have made the message even stronger,and maybe even more impactful,by showing how little some things have really changed.
Some stories definitely worked better than others, but there were a few really creative takes that I hadn’t seen before, which I appreciated. It wasn’t the most amazing read, but it was quick, different, and had some clever moments.

Overall, I’d give this one 3 stars. It had a cool concept and a few standout stories, even if it didn’t totally blow me away.

Thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for providing me with an eARC.

This was a great collection of fairy tale retellings. I liked the way the endings were changed without affecting the main premise of the stories. But the final stories got a bit too preachy for me. I wanted more showing and less telling. I wasn't a fan of random modern day elements popping into the story for no reason at all when it was not necessarily a modern day retelling. This would be great for anyone looking for a collection of fairy tale retellings with a feminist touch.

I was provided with a free copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author and publisher for allowing me to read!

Feminine rage at its very finest. This is a collection of short stories, taking classic fairytales we know and love and challenging the “damsels in distress” arc. I was drawn to this book by its gorgeous cover and was delighted to find even more beautiful illustrations inside.

A quick read, but one not to be missed, especially if you’re bored of men always being the hero….