...Sigh.
The first review of the year! Writing this one always feels fresh and hopeful to me and like it may set the tone of my reading year in a way. This was a very good one to start with. And the moral of this story appears to be: I will never tire of Beauty and the Beast retellings. A fact I was not unaware of, but that I am happy to have confirmed once more, this time after reading Brigid Kemmerer's A Curse So Dark and Lonely. My favorites tend to run the Robin McKinley way, with the most recent favorite retelling being Meagan Spooner's wonderful Hunted. But this is the first retelling of my favorite fairy tale that I've read that includes both traditional fantasy and modern contemporary settings. I didn't think it could work. Or, at least, I was skeptical that the one would interfere with the other or that the different dialogues might clash. How happy I was to find that the whole thing played out seamlessly. How happy I am to have discovered Brigid Kemmerer's writin…
Oooh, pretty covers. And new Eva Ibbotson! Do you know if that is a new release or a release with a differnet title like "The Secret Countess"? I don't recognise the title.
ReplyDeleteIgnore my question. I tracked it down myself. It's a reprint of "Magic Flutes" which is what I was hoping. Now they might do the audiobook like they did with "A Company of Swans" and "The Secret Countess"/"A Countess Below Stairs". I love those books and I loved listening to them, so I was hoping "Magic Flutes" would come out in reprint too.
ReplyDeleteVery cool news, Kerry. I haven't read MAGIC FLUTES yet. I discovered Ibbotson through these new reprints and have loved each one.
ReplyDeleteI have a nice copy of "A Company of Swans" but sad old paperbacks of "A Countess Below Stairs" and "Magic Flutes" with almost embarrassing covers. That means I keep being tempted by the new reprints, but don't really need new copies. It's the stories inside that count.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I am so easily seduced by shiny, new covers. No will power at all.
ReplyDeleteShe has really lucked out with her covers. I'm with you, Angie, I've only read her reprints so I'm glad they're bringing out more!
ReplyDeleteI'm interested in reading The Fetch (interesting premise,) and I absolutely cannot wait for Storm Glass. Not only did I love the Study series, when I contacted Maria Snyder about a library visit I found her to be incredibly warm and gracious, which is always a plus in a favored writer. And now when she does come for the visit I hope I don't start rambling like an idiot about Ari and Janco's antics. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm really looking forward to THE FETCH as I just loved Whitcomb's first novel, A CERTAIN SLANT OF LIGHT.
ReplyDeleteChelle, it's so fun when you contact and author and they're just as lovely as you thought they'd be. And I love Ari and Janco. It will be fun to see where this new series goes.
I just finished A Countess Below Stairs by Ibbotson yesterday! I haven't read the one you have a cover of.
ReplyDeleteI thought A COUNTESS BELOW STAIRS was delightful. Although A SONG FOR SUMMER and A COMPANY OF SWANS are still tied for my favorite Ibbotson. I didn't know there was another one coming out and I'm very excited!
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