Alma AlexanderBesprekingen

I'm halfway through this book, but really enjoying it. I also have Volume 2 and I hope it is only a duology rather than a trilogy or even more. (Been caught with that several times....)

It has a very common and standard plotline for a fantasy novel. ie Throne usurped from young rightful King/Queen who goes into exile and develops their "powers" until the time is right to reclaim their throne.
Probably 2nd most common plot behind dwarf/elf/wizard/warrior/etc go on a quest to retrieve magical item and save the world as we know it.

I'm just finding it really well written, flowing well and easy to read. The usurper has not had a lot of front and centre "screen-time" as of yet, but to me feels more like a MacBeth type who sees his chance and is almost obliged to take it, rather than being a super-evil villain. And like MacBeth, once on the path he will be forced to commit increasingly atrocious acts to protect his position as King. This guy is basically Russell Crowe from the movie Gladiator, if he had actually taken the throne instead of the Emperor's son. Not the rightful heir, but arguably a better choice.

Likewise, another "villain" is a spoilt and stubborn bully. He takes no responsibility for his own actions and gets obsessed with vengeance once he is injured through a conflict that he initiates. Not an attractive character, but hardly super-evil.

So, although a common storyline, I'm finding the characters interesting and hopefully I keep enjoying it and it doesn't get too predictable.

Such an interesting idea absolutely squandered to the point that it made me angry. This is not about six astronauts. This is about on very obnoxious know it all who goes on long rants to the point where you lose interest. I gave up at chapter 9 with 6 hours left in the story. At that point I hated the main character and could not tell any of the astronauts apart because so little focus was on them. I will actively avoid this author in the future.

Like with all collection of stories, I liked some and didn't care for others. Towards the end I started enjoying some of the stories more. There were a few really good ones, but the ones at the beginning I didn't like, and they made me not want to continue with the book. Once I got over them, I really breezed through the rest of them. They do a great job of feeling like fairytales. There was something classic about the way they were written.

Thoroughly entertaining read! It goes from easily identifiable re- telling of stories (I kind of liked these new versions of "Disney Princesses" and familiar but not as easily identifiable ones. I was thrilled by the combo Frankenstein/Dorian Gray mash up. And the "twice promised" story was excellent.

I'd even like to read more about Aris.

If you like your fairy tales easy, hard, and ranging from scary to sci fi to fun..this is your book.

fantastically imaginative, well written, wish there was a sequel

I do so love Alma's writing. I took this to a doctor's appointment and didn't even notice when the doctor was delayed for hours. I was lost in Ms. Alexander's world!

I have loved all of Alma Alexander's books and this is no exception. She cleverly draws you into a world where all the cards are stacked precariously agains a relationship, yet it happens. And keeps trying to keep going. Can it? Only at the very end did you discover yes or no.

Five friends meet at their favorite college hangout 21 years later to compare notes and catch up. Although the Spanish Gardens hasn't changed, their lives certainly have and whether they are happy with their place in the world becomes the subject of the evening, not only in their conversation but also in their choices.

“Choose wisely.” Those are the words that send each person in this group of friends through the door to another life. At some point, they will remember everything and must choose which life they want to continue to live, leaving the other life behind forever. Will they choose to return to their current life or remain with their new life? Which is the wise choice?

These characters are richly drawn. I became totally enchanted with their individual stories. Possibilities for a second life, a different life, abound. Which one would they pick? I had to keep reading to find out.

All throughout their lives, their stories, their choices stood the mysterious Ariel, unobtrusively pushing them through the door.

In addition there lies the mystery of the night. Did the Mayans know something? Was this the end of the world? Would there be a tomorrow?

This is a wonderful reading experience, one that I highly recommend.

I received a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway. Now that I've discovered this author, I'll be purchasing more of her books.

Syai es un mítico reino chino donde existe un lenguaje, el jin-ashu, sólo conocido por mujeres y que las niñas aprenden desde pequeñas, así como una tradición milenaria transmitida de madres a hijas, el jin-shei, una hermandad que une más que los lazos de sangre y cuyos vínculos son más fuertes que la amistad. Las vidas de ocho mujeres de muy diferente linaje y condición se entrecruzarán en una sociedad clasista y estrictamente jerarquizada, y quedarán unidas por su juramento a esta hermandad, lo que cambiará su destino para siempre.

I read the book despite myself. I got through it, though I frequently wanted to throw it across the room. It's a good story about bullying. About being an immigrant. About teen angst. In fact there are many things that I can appreciate about it in an abstract sense. However, I still did not like it. I still don't really care about the characters at all. And I saw the final plot twist a mile out. Gah! Not the book I wanted it to be.

Overall, I thought this was fairly done - the stories did improve in quality as they progressed, so the last few were definitely the best. They successfully evoked the sort of autumnal atmosphere that many of the best fairy tales provide.

This was an interesting book that was a collection of short stories and the like. It was mostly retellings of fairy tales and such told in different and unique ways. I enjoy folklore and fairytales, but I had a hard time reading and getting through this book. The way that the stories were told and changed in the retellings and such just didn't click with me and I didn't like them much. If you like collections of short stories, fairy tales, and such and retellings of these types of stories, you might enjoy this, so feel free to check it out if that's your kind of thing.

I really appreciate the clarity of the prose in this book, and the playful retelling of familiar fairy tales and the reworking of fairy tale tropes. Several of these were real winners for me; Glowstick Girl as a retelling of the Little Matchstick Girl was a real gut punch of a story I can't stop thinking about. If I have any real criticism it's that, on the whole as a collection reading from start to finish, it felt a little disjointed. The book was divided into sections intended to give it some structure as you read through, which did help to frame these a bit better. Then again, maybe it's entirely apropos that reading straight through felt a little bit like getting lost in a strange woods.

This a a collection of short stories, mostlly retold fairy tales. Favorites such as Rumplestilkson and the little mermaid are included. Although these are retold, the underlying dark the see are still present.

***I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was the first short-story collection I have ever read, and I don't think I could have picked a better book to start with.

My love of books began with classic fairytales that my parents read to me before going to bed - I adored the feeling I got when hearing a story for the first time, knowing that it was going to become a lifelong favorite. Reading this book has brought back that feeling that I haven’t experienced in years.

Alma Alexander has created a strong ensemble of short stories, each containing a unique style that leaves something for everyone, bringing worlds to life with her magical writing style. With unique retellings of classic fairytales such as Rumpelstiltskin (Rum-Pelt-Stilt’s-Skin), The Little Mermaid (Princess of Pain), and The Little Matchstick Girl (Glowstick Girl) as well as original stories such as Spiderhair, Twice Promised, and Vision, you won’t finish this book without finding a favorite.

This book is a one-way ticket to re-experiencing a fairytale for the first time.

I loved this book from the opening pages.
Lots of twists and turns and plotting going on.
A good way of learning a bit more about Roman times too

Strong start but last quarter of the book started to feel rushed and incomplete. Liked the well described Japanese culture.

A novel in short stories, about a retirement home for Superheroes, Third Class - mostly people who either had a power that manifested once and not since, or don't really control their powers. Some of the powers are weird - a woman who can "hear" music that hasn't been written yet, trailing after the person who's going to write it - and she tells them to write it. A time-bender, a seeress, a Maker, a psychometrist... each person we meet for one story. I don't remember many/any continuing characters, aside from Eddie the orderly who's in all of them. I figured out Eddie's secret before he admitted it; nicely done. The one problem I have is that exactly the same events happen in this world, which has superheroes, as happened in ours - from the Challenger disaster to 9/11 to the Women's March (and pussy hats). That's a major diversion (difference from our world) which apparently didn't change anything. We don't get to see any of the First or Second class heroes - there's a mention of two I can think of, depending on whether Thor counts as a superhero here (it's neither DC nor Marvel, as far as I can tell, but her own world). An interesting read and I do want to read the other books in the series.½

What a fantastic book! The culmination of several mythologies and religious premise into a terrific fantasy tale.

The adventure begins when Sabrina splits up from her boyfriend... Or is that really the beginning? Actually more the tipping point! This is definitely a must read!

*I received a copy of this book for free. The review is my own, honest, and unsolicited.

Cultural appreciation/cultural appropriation. It's a fine line, and a subjective one.



Unfortunately, this book ended up on the wrong side of that line, at least in my opinion. There was a definite Noble Savage vibe to much of the story. Which is too bad -- I really liked the main character, her frustration with being unable to live up to her family's expectations and her eventual acceptance of herself as she is. She doesn't have to change who she is to like herself, and that's a rare message.

"Go Through" is a poetic meditation on what's behind the doors and who we might become if we go through. It's beautiful and lyrical and left me feeling as if I wanted to roam.

Galathea Winthrop is the seventh child of a seventh daughter and a seventh son, and she is expected to be a prodigy of a mage. Her birth is front-page news. Everyone awaits the news of her first signs of the great magic that will surely be hers.

Little Thea proves to be a "magidim," i.e., apparently no magic at all. Ars Magica is the only subject she doesn't excel in at school.

Finally, as a teenager, after years of special classes and special teachers, her parents conclude they have no choice. Her father arranges one last "summer camp" of special tutoring, hoping to knock her magic loose at last, and if that doesn't work, she'll have to go to Wandless Academy, the school for those with no magic at all.

"Summer camp" gets moved up to April, and is nothing like what she expected.

When it's done and she returns home, her ideas have changed a lot, along with her feelings about going to Wandless Academy. And what she finds at Wandless brings new revelations.

This is a story of a teenager who has grown up disappointing the impossible expectations all around her, and discovering who she really is. Along the way, she also learns a lot more about her parents, her aunt, and the other adults around her.

It's a good plot, and good character development. I'd love to talk more about the "summer camp" experience, but what I'd say would be spoilerific, so I refrain.

Recommended.

I bought this audiobook.

I enjoyed this book, it had well-developed characters that behaved believably, and a really interesting story. I was a bit worried midway through when the main character got on a bit of a religion kick, but it turned out okay, just another facet in a compelling story.

Wings of Fire is an engaging, thought-provoking work of fantasy. The author's use of language is skilled, and characters and settings are well developed. Mythology and supernatural events combine to present an intriguing tale of good and evil. Highly readable and well paced.

I enjoyed this book and finished it quickly. This book is a creative mix of Russian mythology, Maori legends and Irish folklore centered around a modern day woman who's own past is more complicated than even she realizes. We meet a recently heart-broken Sabrina who finds herself accidentally in the middle of a fight. She is suddenly thrust into a world where the rich fantasy stories of her youth become her reality. Lake Manapouri becomes a magical place guarded over by a shape-shifting taniwha who battles against a vengeful rusalka. She meets fallen angels and selkies while discovering who she is. This story happens quickly, over the course of a day. And it reads just as quick too. Look, do unbelievable things happen? Yes. Do people fall in love way too easy? Yep, that happens too. But this is fantasy book....and fantasy books are first and foremost, escapism. It's a good one. I appreciate Book View Cafe and LibraryThing for the chance to read this book. *I received this book from LibraryThing in exchange for an honest review.