4 stars
A fascinating collection that explores the would-bes and what-ifs of fairy tale villains. These stories provide alternate explanations and prequels to give insight into the thinking of some of the most notorious villains in the fairy tale world. From the troll under the bridge and the giantess in the sky to the woman in the infamous candy cottage. Some stick fairly closely to the source materials and others combine stories in a fun new way.
As with most collections, some worked wonderfully, while others fell a bit flat. My personal favorite was Catherynne M. Valente‘s “A Delicate Architecture”. She came at the story from such a unique perspective. It was a refreshing change of pace. I also enjoyed Garth Nix‘s “An Unwelcome Guest” for its interesting twist.
A great fit for those who enjoy fairy tale retellings, especially those that don’t shy away from the dark corners of the tales. Perfect for those who grew up on A Wolf at the Door: And Other Retold Fairy Tales and are looking for the next step in fairy tale retellings.
A unique read from some well-known fantasy authors. It was fun to read their takes on villain’s tales.