Goodreads Description: Everyone thinks they know the real story behind the villains in fairy tales - evil, no two ways about it. But the villains themselves beg to differ. In Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling's new anthology for younger readers, you'll hear from the Giant's wife ("Jack and the Beanstalk"), Rumplestiltskin, the oldest of the Twelve Dancing Princesses, and many more. A stellar lineup of authors, including Garth Nix, Holly Black, Neil Gaiman and Nancy Farmer, makes sure that these old stories do new tricks!
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It is a bit difficult to review a short story collection, there are almost always stories you love, some you feel indifferent towards, and occasionally, one's you hate with a burning passion. But luckily for me, I liked pretty much all of the stories in this wee collection.
But let me give a break down of each story, what I rated it, and a few thoughts...
Wizards Apprentice by Delia Sherman ★★★
This is a retelling of 'The Wizard Outwitted' which is a Russian tale I had never heard of, but I very much enjoyed this story and would like to read more things by Delia Sherman.
An Unwelcome Guest by Garth Nix ★★★★
This was a wonderful retelling and twist to the Rapunzel tale, I've always thought that the witch in Rapunzel is at least a bit fair in how she responds, they were stealing from her, though I'm not sure the price of that should be a firstborn. But anyway, this short story looks at it in that way, but does make some changes, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Faery Tales by Wendy Froud ★★★
Rags and Riches bi Nina Kiriki Hoffman ★★★
Up the Down Beanstalk: A Wife Remembers by Peter S. Beagle ★★★★
The Shoes That Were Danced to Pieces by Ellen Kushner ★★★
Puss in Boots, the Sequel by Joseph Stanton ★★★
The Boy Who Cried Wolf by Holly Black ★★★
Troll by Jane Yolen ★★★★
Castle Othello Nancy Farmer ★★★
'Skin by Michael Cadnum ★★★
A Delicate Architecture by Catherynne M. Valente ★★★
This was a phenomenal story, it wasn't till the end that I realized it was a backstory for the witch from 'Hansel and Gretel', it was just magical and Catherynne Valente's writing is just goodness! Gah! ★★★★★
Molly by Midori Snyder
Observing the Formalities by Neil Gaiman ★★★★
The Cinderella Game by Kelly Link ★★
This last one was not enjoyable, not a fan of nasty little children, and I don't particularly think it was a good way to end the collection.
Overall, I highly recommend it and think it would be a good collection to start with for those who would like to get into Fairy-tale retellings!
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