The artwork was very cool, I loved how it took over the page.

What happens when the toy develops desires of its own? When Water Sang Fire, 4/5: This story meandered for awhile and I had trouble staying focused on it, but when it found its footing, it turned into a dark, rewarding take on a familiar childhood story.Īyama and the Thorn Wood: 5/5 WHOA! This story was great, it hit Cinderella with a touch of the Greek Myth of the Minotaur, and just whoa, It blended amazing. The Soldier Prince, 5/5: An ingenious twist on all the tales of toys come to life through the power of a child's imagination. Little Knife, 5/5: A cautionary tale about the power of nature, the arrogance of men, and the danger of treating women as commodities. so dig in & enjoy the shivers down your spine. I can't say much more without giving everything away.

I figured out the twist early on, but I have to admit it was a great twist! The Witch of Duva, 5/5: A decidedly adult fairy tale, the story revolves around evil hiding in plain sight and the subversion of expectations. The Too-Clever Fox, 4/5: This is a fable about a clever fox, traps, loneliness and friendship - but not in the ways you'd expect. Ayama and the Thorn Wood, 4/5: A story about two rejected outsiders that draws from Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and the myth of the Minotaur. Lauren Fortgang was a wonderful narrator, with a note of childlike wonder in her voice that enhanced the feel of fairy tales being told around a fire on a chilly night. The stories are dark and chilling, exploring themes of female empowerment, loyalty and being careful what you wish for. You don't need to have read any of the Grishaverse novels to enjoy the six fables in this collection, all of which borrow elements from familiar stories and serve them up with a twist.

The language of thorns illustrations