Once: Six Historically Inspired Fairytales//Review

Hey guys! I hope your week is going well! I've got a bit of a different post for you all today--a review. 

Overall rating: ~~3.5—4 Stars~~

Hehe, yeah, I'm still debating what to rate this overall. For now it's just gonna stay like this, since I can't decide whether it should be 3.5 or 4.

--The Mountain of the Wolf-4 stars--

I really enjoyed this re-telling of 'Little Red Riding Hood'! It did take me a while to get into it, but once I did, I couldn't put it down. The characters were all so very well done. Quincy was a dear, and while it took me a little while to understand Rosa Jean, I did so love her!
The bad guy was just downright creepy, and was very well done. He had tingles going down my spine as I read.
A wonderful, western take on a familiar fairy-tale!

--She but Sleepeth-2 stars--

Okay, so the writing here was lovely. Probably my favorite thing about this story. The word pictures were so beautiful, and the characters felt alive. Also, the setting and plot was intriguing. Such a unique take on Sleeping Beauty!
However, while I enjoyed the story, I didn't at all the magic and spells that seemed to be commonplace in the story. That made me quite uncomfortable. Also, the ending was tragic. It was not fairy-tale like at all! I sat there for a few minutes after finishing just like "What?!" That was NOT supposed to happen!
So, yes. A lovely writing style and all, but not a story I'd read again.

--Rumpled-4 stars--

Ahh, this was a lovely story! It definitely seemed to have more nods to fairy tale it was based on then the others did. I've never really enjoyed the story of "Rumpelstiltskin", but this re-telling as nothing short of amazing! I loved the character so much, and the setting- a sort of alternate America-was so fascinating!
The ending was satisfying, and the twist on the original tale that I hadn't even realized was happening had me sitting there like 'wow.' A beautiful story!

--Sweet Remembrance-4.5 stars--

Would you like to read a heartbreaking, beautiful tragedy, that hurts you just as you realize how precious it is?
Then read this.
It was so beautiful, and so, so sad. The flashbacks added so much to the story, and I found myself instantly connected to Romek and Kasia. And the music that flowed between the lines added so much to the story.
This is the kind of story that breaks you heart in two, yet at the same time, it holds a  beautiful, precious hope. I'm really not sure how else to describe it. This dealt with a harsh subject. There's mot any way to get around that fact. Yet, there were small sparks that shone through the darkness of the ghetto.
Because hope can be found, even if the darkest places.
So read it. Because it's amazing.
(1/2 star taken off because of there was one outright misuse of God's name by a German soldier)

--Death be not Proud-5 stars--

*gasps* THIS IS BEAUTIFUL! Okay, so it was basically a murder mystery. Thus it was a little morbid at times. But . . . *whispers* I kinda like murder mysteries. So this was just the perfect story for me.
It was a Snow White retelling, but the nods to the original fairy-tale were a bit hidden, so that made the hints all the more fun to look for.
Literally, I was trying to figure out who the murderer was until the last four pages. I was glued to the book, trying to fathom how in the world it would all be wrapped up!
And then when it was, and everything was made clear, it made me sit back and try and figure out what had just happened. A definite re-read . . . I'm still trying to process it all.
My favorite out of the whole collection! (Though "Sweet Remembrance" is a close second. ;))

--With Blossoms Gold-4 stars--

This was a lovely story, and a lovely end to the collection! A Rapunzel retelling, it was a definite twist on the original story!
I loved Ben. he was just so wild and reckless and amazing. My favorite part of the book was probably the brotherly conversations. *grins* I love sibling stories, brother ones especially, so I was thrilled when I realized this book had just that.  Also, the bantering exchanges were priceless, and they had me smiling throughout the book. I adored the fact that the author didn't dwell only on the romantic side of the story, but also put family relationships into the book. Those are so easily over looked, and I loved it!
The catacombs were fascinating as well, and I so loved that whole part of the story!

So yes, a lovely collection of historical fairy-tales!

~I received a copy from the authors in exchange for my honest review~