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Romance a Medieval Fairytale #1-3
Once Upon a Time
Beauty and the Beast Retold: Enchantress Zuleika fled the wicked King Thorn's court to travel the world, helping those who need her magic most. A search for her merchant father's lost ships leads her to an enchanted island, where Prince Vardan is afflicted by the most powerful curse Zuleika has ever encountered. She's determined to try to reverse the spell. Can the enchanting beauty and the beastly prince break the spell?
Cinderella Retold: When the emperor's army comes recruiting, Mai sees it as the perfect escape from her stepmother and a lifetime of drudgery. Armed with her mother's armor and a pair of magic shoes, Mai marches off to war, only to find herself sharing a tent with the General's arrogant nephew, Prince Yi.
Goose Girl Retold: Princess Ava was sent to a neighboring kingdom as a lady-in-waiting to her sister, their future queen. Until a runaway horse, a case of amnesia, and a cold-hearted king conspire to bring her to the prince's attention. One thing is The prince must marry one of the princesses, or there will be war. Who will win the battle for the prince's heart?
Contains mature themes.
Cinderella Retold: When the emperor's army comes recruiting, Mai sees it as the perfect escape from her stepmother and a lifetime of drudgery. Armed with her mother's armor and a pair of magic shoes, Mai marches off to war, only to find herself sharing a tent with the General's arrogant nephew, Prince Yi.
Goose Girl Retold: Princess Ava was sent to a neighboring kingdom as a lady-in-waiting to her sister, their future queen. Until a runaway horse, a case of amnesia, and a cold-hearted king conspire to bring her to the prince's attention. One thing is The prince must marry one of the princesses, or there will be war. Who will win the battle for the prince's heart?
Contains mature themes.
Audible Audio
First published January 5, 2021
499 people are currently reading
902 people want to read
About the author
Demelza Carlton
933 books3,878 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Demelza Carlton has always loved the ocean, but on her first snorkelling trip she found she was afraid of fish.
She has since swum with sea lions, sharks and sea cucumbers and stood on spray-drenched cliffs over a seething sea as a seven-metre cyclonic swell surged in, shattering a shipwreck below.
Sensationalist spin? No - Demelza tends to take a camera with her so she can capture and share the moment later; shipwrecks, sharks and all.
Demelza now lives in Perth, Western Australia, the shark attack capital of the world.
The Ocean's Gift series was her first foray into fiction, followed by the Nightmares trilogy. She swears the Mel Goes to Hell series ambushed her on a crowded train and wouldn't leave her alone.
She has since swum with sea lions, sharks and sea cucumbers and stood on spray-drenched cliffs over a seething sea as a seven-metre cyclonic swell surged in, shattering a shipwreck below.
Sensationalist spin? No - Demelza tends to take a camera with her so she can capture and share the moment later; shipwrecks, sharks and all.
Demelza now lives in Perth, Western Australia, the shark attack capital of the world.
The Ocean's Gift series was her first foray into fiction, followed by the Nightmares trilogy. She swears the Mel Goes to Hell series ambushed her on a crowded train and wouldn't leave her alone.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
December 31, 2017
Read this before her screaming demon email.
This isn't anything she wrote. It's other people's stories put together in a collection to pimp her own stories. After each story there is a blurb for one of her retellings of original story.
Shilling. Don't bother, unless you can ignore the pimping afterwards.
This isn't anything she wrote. It's other people's stories put together in a collection to pimp her own stories. After each story there is a blurb for one of her retellings of original story.
Shilling. Don't bother, unless you can ignore the pimping afterwards.
July 8, 2024
Book One: interesting retelling of beauty and the beast. Four stars
Book Two: read like Mulan retelling but said it was Cinderella. Five stars
Book Three: wasn't familiar with the Goose girl but liked the story. Four stars
Book Two: read like Mulan retelling but said it was Cinderella. Five stars
Book Three: wasn't familiar with the Goose girl but liked the story. Four stars
December 18, 2021
I absolutely loved reading this book.
January 1, 2019
This was a fun way for the author to advertise her books and share some of the original stories of which one of her series are based upon. I have never read the originals of all but one of the books and so thoroughly enjoyed it. It will be fun to look back on after reading her retellings and see what she has used and what she changed in her retellings.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Want to read
July 19, 2018💝FREE on iBooks today (7/19/2018)!💝
March 14, 2021
I have included a separate review for each of the three books in this collection. I’m thankful that I received an ARC.
Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold
4 stars
I’m always impressed by the way Demelza Carlton takes the bones of a well-known fairytale and turns it into something completely different. She chooses to place it in a different world which reflects the same kinds of societal norms and customs of the time period associated with the original, but she injects elements of magic and creates a completely different world. The other thing that’s very clever is that she connects the various fairy tales through sometimes-tangential characters. For example, in this story, Zuleika is the daughter of Zoraida (Fall and Embellish) and the enchantress who turned a certain nasty prince into a frog. I wish she kept a flow chart of some sort on her website so I could remember all of the links.
It’s Beauty and the Beast retold, but in this version, “Belle” is more complex and driven by her desire to do right rather than a desire to save her father from being a prisoner. Likewise, there is more backstory on Vardan, the enchanted prince, and he’s a much nicer guy. I could have done without some of his internal struggle regarding his desire to kiss her because I think it could have been shown to the reader rather than told. And whenever he made a declaration followed by an exclamation point I found it unnecessarily emphatic because he was a “beast” and it would be scary. Some of the miscommunications were a bit exasperating. There was also a scene where Zuleika “imagines” Vardan coming to her rescue, but the very next chapter, he awakens from her dream to rescue her and the scene seems entirely different. This was a bit discombobulating.
Overall, although this wasn’t the best-written story in the series, it was enjoyable and I’m glad to have read it. I’d recommend it for anyone who enjoys Demelza Carlton’s retold fairy tales.
Dance: Cinderella Retold
4 stars
This is Cinderella retold as Mulan. Since I wasn't a big fan of Mulan, I was prepared to dislike this rendition of the story. What is it with women pretending to be men so they can go to war?
There are a couple of reasons this concept doesn't work for me. First of all, how can a soldier expect to disguise his or her gender while at war? On several occasions, the Prince removes his shirt to spar with Mai (aka Mao). Yet, Mao never removes his, and I think this could cause suspicion. Furthermore, they shared a tent!
Mai’s stepmother cast an illusion to make her appear as Mao, so that might explain why no one questioned the lack of facial hair, Adam's apple, or general appearance. What about when she had to urinate? And what about getting her period? Did the spell cover all of that?
Another issue I had was with the burns. They were described as pretty horrific, and the implication was that they were second-degree burns. As anyone who has experienced this can tell you, second-degree burns are extremely painful. I'm told third-degree burns kill the nerve tissue so you feel numb. I guess what I'm saying is that if there are actually any herbal drinks that will knock out that kind of pain, I'd like to know what they are!
Based on my critique, it might seem as if I didn't like this book. However, I really did enjoy it and, like any fairytale, I loved the HEA.
Fly: Goose Girl Retold
3 stars
Since I’m not very familiar with the original Goose Girl story, it’s hard for me to know how this may have been changed. Ava, a princess, is sent with her half-sister Lagle (who, for the record, is pretty nasty) as her lady’s maid on a journey to become empress to a kingdom with which their father’s kingdom is at war. During the journey, Lagle is injured and suffers a loss of her memory so Ava pretends to be the one sent to forge a peace. The emperor’s youngest son Yun (who, for the record, is much nicer than his nasty brothers) rescues Ava from a worse fate by marrying her. There are a lot of barbaric, evil people in this story, with the exception of Ava, Yun, and a few notable others. For this reason, I didn’t find this a terribly pleasant read.
There was a scene in which Ava said good-bye to her friend Bianca and her mother. As Ava’s mother died after giving birth to Ava, she made Bianca’s mother Militsa promise to care for her daughter. Here’s what was weird: “Militsa embraced Ava, in the fashion of the northern tribes, for such things were foreign to Ava’s own people. Yet she endured it, because she knew it was Militsa’s way of showing her love.” How is it possible that Ava knew what was foreign to her people when she has been raised in a foreign land? Militsa raised her as her own daughter, so there’s no reason to believe that Ava would be uncomfortable with a hug from her.
Ultimately, this was not my favorite of the fairy tale retellings and I wouldn’t recommend it as a standalone because I never really felt much for any of the characters and their fate was “whatever.” Yes, it’s creative and well told, but personally, I didn’t care for it.
Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold
4 stars
I’m always impressed by the way Demelza Carlton takes the bones of a well-known fairytale and turns it into something completely different. She chooses to place it in a different world which reflects the same kinds of societal norms and customs of the time period associated with the original, but she injects elements of magic and creates a completely different world. The other thing that’s very clever is that she connects the various fairy tales through sometimes-tangential characters. For example, in this story, Zuleika is the daughter of Zoraida (Fall and Embellish) and the enchantress who turned a certain nasty prince into a frog. I wish she kept a flow chart of some sort on her website so I could remember all of the links.
It’s Beauty and the Beast retold, but in this version, “Belle” is more complex and driven by her desire to do right rather than a desire to save her father from being a prisoner. Likewise, there is more backstory on Vardan, the enchanted prince, and he’s a much nicer guy. I could have done without some of his internal struggle regarding his desire to kiss her because I think it could have been shown to the reader rather than told. And whenever he made a declaration followed by an exclamation point I found it unnecessarily emphatic because he was a “beast” and it would be scary. Some of the miscommunications were a bit exasperating. There was also a scene where Zuleika “imagines” Vardan coming to her rescue, but the very next chapter, he awakens from her dream to rescue her and the scene seems entirely different. This was a bit discombobulating.
Overall, although this wasn’t the best-written story in the series, it was enjoyable and I’m glad to have read it. I’d recommend it for anyone who enjoys Demelza Carlton’s retold fairy tales.
Dance: Cinderella Retold
4 stars
This is Cinderella retold as Mulan. Since I wasn't a big fan of Mulan, I was prepared to dislike this rendition of the story. What is it with women pretending to be men so they can go to war?
There are a couple of reasons this concept doesn't work for me. First of all, how can a soldier expect to disguise his or her gender while at war? On several occasions, the Prince removes his shirt to spar with Mai (aka Mao). Yet, Mao never removes his, and I think this could cause suspicion. Furthermore, they shared a tent!
Mai’s stepmother cast an illusion to make her appear as Mao, so that might explain why no one questioned the lack of facial hair, Adam's apple, or general appearance. What about when she had to urinate? And what about getting her period? Did the spell cover all of that?
Another issue I had was with the burns. They were described as pretty horrific, and the implication was that they were second-degree burns. As anyone who has experienced this can tell you, second-degree burns are extremely painful. I'm told third-degree burns kill the nerve tissue so you feel numb. I guess what I'm saying is that if there are actually any herbal drinks that will knock out that kind of pain, I'd like to know what they are!
Based on my critique, it might seem as if I didn't like this book. However, I really did enjoy it and, like any fairytale, I loved the HEA.
Fly: Goose Girl Retold
3 stars
Since I’m not very familiar with the original Goose Girl story, it’s hard for me to know how this may have been changed. Ava, a princess, is sent with her half-sister Lagle (who, for the record, is pretty nasty) as her lady’s maid on a journey to become empress to a kingdom with which their father’s kingdom is at war. During the journey, Lagle is injured and suffers a loss of her memory so Ava pretends to be the one sent to forge a peace. The emperor’s youngest son Yun (who, for the record, is much nicer than his nasty brothers) rescues Ava from a worse fate by marrying her. There are a lot of barbaric, evil people in this story, with the exception of Ava, Yun, and a few notable others. For this reason, I didn’t find this a terribly pleasant read.
There was a scene in which Ava said good-bye to her friend Bianca and her mother. As Ava’s mother died after giving birth to Ava, she made Bianca’s mother Militsa promise to care for her daughter. Here’s what was weird: “Militsa embraced Ava, in the fashion of the northern tribes, for such things were foreign to Ava’s own people. Yet she endured it, because she knew it was Militsa’s way of showing her love.” How is it possible that Ava knew what was foreign to her people when she has been raised in a foreign land? Militsa raised her as her own daughter, so there’s no reason to believe that Ava would be uncomfortable with a hug from her.
Ultimately, this was not my favorite of the fairy tale retellings and I wouldn’t recommend it as a standalone because I never really felt much for any of the characters and their fate was “whatever.” Yes, it’s creative and well told, but personally, I didn’t care for it.
June 13, 2023
Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold (Book #01) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is the first book in the Romance a Medieval Fairytale Series and is an intriguing retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It was not my first book in the series that I have read and each story in the series has connections to another and share a world but they don't need to be read in chronological order to be enjoyed. I look forward to reading more of this series.
Series Character and Story Connections for Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold
Zuleika’s adventures as a fairy godmother continue in the next book in the series Dance: Cinderella Retold (Book #02)
That prince she turned into a frog continues in Kiss: Frog Prince Retold (Book #14)
The tale of Margareta, Vardan’s grandmother is in Silence: Little Mermaid Retold (#05)
Dance: Cinderella Retold (Book #02) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I really enjoyed this book and how it seemed to combine Cinderella and Mulan into a single character so well. I also look forward to reading more about this world and the characters in it.
Series Character and Story Connections for Dance: Cinderella Retold
Prince Yi's parents Yun and Ava's story is in Fly: Goose Girl Retold (Book 03)
Fly: Goose Girl Retold (Book 03) 🌟🌟🌟
I am not very familiar with the story Goose Girl that this was based on but I liked the characters of Ava and Gun as well as the Empress (Guns mother). I didn't like a lot of the other characters as this story had a lot of villains and dark elements in it but I look forward to reading the next book in this series and what happens with Ava's sister Bianca.
Series Character and Story Connections for Fly: Goose Girl Retold (Romance a Medieval Fairytale, #3)
The story of Yun and Ava's son is in Dance: Cinderella Retold (Book 02)
Bianca's story at the Summer Palace is in Revel: Twelve Dancing Princesses Retold (Book 04)
This is the first book in the Romance a Medieval Fairytale Series and is an intriguing retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It was not my first book in the series that I have read and each story in the series has connections to another and share a world but they don't need to be read in chronological order to be enjoyed. I look forward to reading more of this series.
Series Character and Story Connections for Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold
Zuleika’s adventures as a fairy godmother continue in the next book in the series Dance: Cinderella Retold (Book #02)
That prince she turned into a frog continues in Kiss: Frog Prince Retold (Book #14)
The tale of Margareta, Vardan’s grandmother is in Silence: Little Mermaid Retold (#05)
Dance: Cinderella Retold (Book #02) 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I really enjoyed this book and how it seemed to combine Cinderella and Mulan into a single character so well. I also look forward to reading more about this world and the characters in it.
Series Character and Story Connections for Dance: Cinderella Retold
Prince Yi's parents Yun and Ava's story is in Fly: Goose Girl Retold (Book 03)
Fly: Goose Girl Retold (Book 03) 🌟🌟🌟
I am not very familiar with the story Goose Girl that this was based on but I liked the characters of Ava and Gun as well as the Empress (Guns mother). I didn't like a lot of the other characters as this story had a lot of villains and dark elements in it but I look forward to reading the next book in this series and what happens with Ava's sister Bianca.
Series Character and Story Connections for Fly: Goose Girl Retold (Romance a Medieval Fairytale, #3)
The story of Yun and Ava's son is in Dance: Cinderella Retold (Book 02)
Bianca's story at the Summer Palace is in Revel: Twelve Dancing Princesses Retold (Book 04)
January 12, 2021
"A sword-wielding Cinderella. An enchanting Beauty. A villain who might not be so bad after all … Once upon a time, before the Brothers Grimm, when fairytales were romantic fantasies for entertaining adults and frightening children … Three twisted tales inspired by the classic fairytales … for adults who still love reading fairytales, though they're a little darker now, making that happily ever after so much sweeter."
This boxset includes:
1. ENCHANT: Beauty and the Beast Retold
I've read the reviews of this retelling of the Beauty and the Beast story. Although I understand some may have some issues with certain actions by the king, but this is a wonderful ADULT tale set in enchanted times. When the story involves good vs evil, there will be ADULT evil involved. When King Thorn demands the enchantress, Zuleika's mother, be brought before him with a needed curse or her children and family would pay the price, Zuleika, youngest daughter an enchantress herself, sets a curse upon a hand mirror as requested and appears before the king to take her dead mother's place. Afterward, the king proves to be dishonorable and not only holds Zuleika captive in his castle but informs her he not only owns and commands all the land but everyone in it and proceeds to take her by force placing a curse upon himself. Zuleika wants to take the cursed mirror back from the king when she uses magic to leave but decides she is more honor-bound than the man who rules the land. There are consequences both good and bad, but you have to read and follow what happens. This is a wonderfully told story with twists and turns. Truly an adult Beauty & the Beast with twists.
2. DANCE: Cinderella Retold
3. FLY: Goosegirl Retold
I've chosen to give a review on 'Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold' and couldn't be more thrilled to do so. I think there's a part of every romantic who still loves fairytales, regardless of age, and when a bit of erotic is added it only adds to the appeal. As I finish these books, I'll add to the review but most certainly wanted to get this review out so you would know it was well worth it.
This boxset includes:
1. ENCHANT: Beauty and the Beast Retold
I've read the reviews of this retelling of the Beauty and the Beast story. Although I understand some may have some issues with certain actions by the king, but this is a wonderful ADULT tale set in enchanted times. When the story involves good vs evil, there will be ADULT evil involved. When King Thorn demands the enchantress, Zuleika's mother, be brought before him with a needed curse or her children and family would pay the price, Zuleika, youngest daughter an enchantress herself, sets a curse upon a hand mirror as requested and appears before the king to take her dead mother's place. Afterward, the king proves to be dishonorable and not only holds Zuleika captive in his castle but informs her he not only owns and commands all the land but everyone in it and proceeds to take her by force placing a curse upon himself. Zuleika wants to take the cursed mirror back from the king when she uses magic to leave but decides she is more honor-bound than the man who rules the land. There are consequences both good and bad, but you have to read and follow what happens. This is a wonderfully told story with twists and turns. Truly an adult Beauty & the Beast with twists.
2. DANCE: Cinderella Retold
3. FLY: Goosegirl Retold
I've chosen to give a review on 'Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold' and couldn't be more thrilled to do so. I think there's a part of every romantic who still loves fairytales, regardless of age, and when a bit of erotic is added it only adds to the appeal. As I finish these books, I'll add to the review but most certainly wanted to get this review out so you would know it was well worth it.
January 12, 2021
📜Fine fairytale re-fashioning
All three stories were entertaining and a fresh transformation of classic fairytales.
Enchant
4🌟stars
Cruel enchantment of a really nice prince👑
🌹I liked the way author Demelza Carlton transformed the traditional Beauty and the Beast fairytale. Here the cursed prince is an unsuspecting innocent, good guy enchanted only thanks to his power-hungry brother and the beauty he falls for is a powerful sorceress who finds that she is the one who unwittingly cast the spell. Trust issues and secrets work to keep them apart while his invisible servants plot to push them into each other's arms.
The one jarring note was the unexpected heat at the story's end that did not quite jive with the story's fairytale vibe. Nevertheless it was a good, enjoyable story.
Dance
5🌟stars
Very well-written retold fairytale with a strong, independent heroine👍👍
Really enjoyed this well-written, retold fairy tale which seems to draw from Mulan and Cinderella. It's appropriate for adults and young people alike, a bit of war and disfigurement (the Chinese tradition of binding a little girl's feet) but not too graphic, and the romance is just that, feelings unacted upon. I like sensual stories but this does not need the heat.
Fly
5🌟stars
👑📜A heroine to admire & a prince to respect: good story😊
I don't recall ever reading the original fairytale on which this story is based but it really did not matter. I enjoyed the plot and Ava's spirit particularly. Yes, the story starts with war, rape and pillage, but I think it was a key backdrop to define Prince Arun's character and maybe set his brothers so far apart from him that the reader does not mind about their comeuppance! Here youngest royal siblings get their chance to shine and prove that birth order does not determine a child's worth, savvy or success.
It's a quick, easy, enjoyable read with a touch of sorcery and a slow build on the romance.
All three stories were entertaining and a fresh transformation of classic fairytales.
Enchant
4🌟stars
Cruel enchantment of a really nice prince👑
🌹I liked the way author Demelza Carlton transformed the traditional Beauty and the Beast fairytale. Here the cursed prince is an unsuspecting innocent, good guy enchanted only thanks to his power-hungry brother and the beauty he falls for is a powerful sorceress who finds that she is the one who unwittingly cast the spell. Trust issues and secrets work to keep them apart while his invisible servants plot to push them into each other's arms.
The one jarring note was the unexpected heat at the story's end that did not quite jive with the story's fairytale vibe. Nevertheless it was a good, enjoyable story.
Dance
5🌟stars
Very well-written retold fairytale with a strong, independent heroine👍👍
Really enjoyed this well-written, retold fairy tale which seems to draw from Mulan and Cinderella. It's appropriate for adults and young people alike, a bit of war and disfigurement (the Chinese tradition of binding a little girl's feet) but not too graphic, and the romance is just that, feelings unacted upon. I like sensual stories but this does not need the heat.
Fly
5🌟stars
👑📜A heroine to admire & a prince to respect: good story😊
I don't recall ever reading the original fairytale on which this story is based but it really did not matter. I enjoyed the plot and Ava's spirit particularly. Yes, the story starts with war, rape and pillage, but I think it was a key backdrop to define Prince Arun's character and maybe set his brothers so far apart from him that the reader does not mind about their comeuppance! Here youngest royal siblings get their chance to shine and prove that birth order does not determine a child's worth, savvy or success.
It's a quick, easy, enjoyable read with a touch of sorcery and a slow build on the romance.
February 11, 2021
If you enjoy your fairy tales dark, as they traditionally are, but with a happy ending instead of a tragedy, this is a great way to dive into a fantastic series. If you're a Disney princess addict, this really isn't for you. The backdrop for this entire series is very similar to our dark ages, just with magic and magical creatures (not a lot, just enough to make it different). Each book is standalone, but they all touch in some way or other. The women are powerful (magic) and use that to better themselves and those around them. To warn the queezy and tenderhearted, if the traditional fairy tale brand didn't do it, there are triggers here: women are treated as they were in the middle ages and it isn't pretty. There is also a mild open door intimate scene in each (to those reviewers who describe it as particularly detailed...you haven't been reading much romance), so be aware of that as well.
Enchant starts us off with Beauty and the Beast and the amazingly gifted Zuleika who touches many of the stories in this series in some way or other. Dance is a retelling of Cinderella with Mulan elements thrown in-I absolutely love when a woman can out swordplay a man in fair combat and Mai delivers. Fly is the less known Goose Girl retelling and is one of the darker tales for sure (Kiss is likely the darkest, in my opinion), but well done with Ava pulling out the strategy card to win the day.
All in all, these are wonderful re-imaginings of age old tales that have been done over so many times, yet these takes are all so unique. They are full of action, magic, adventure, romance, and a dose or two of tragedy.
Enchant starts us off with Beauty and the Beast and the amazingly gifted Zuleika who touches many of the stories in this series in some way or other. Dance is a retelling of Cinderella with Mulan elements thrown in-I absolutely love when a woman can out swordplay a man in fair combat and Mai delivers. Fly is the less known Goose Girl retelling and is one of the darker tales for sure (Kiss is likely the darkest, in my opinion), but well done with Ava pulling out the strategy card to win the day.
All in all, these are wonderful re-imaginings of age old tales that have been done over so many times, yet these takes are all so unique. They are full of action, magic, adventure, romance, and a dose or two of tragedy.
February 15, 2021
Fairytales retellings with intriguing and dark scenes, suspense, romance, violence and passion. Kept my attention hoping for a good HEA and enjoying sometimes hilarious and others strange situations that the protagonists were caught in
Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold
Being Beauty and the Beast one of my favorite stories, this retold caught my attention as soon as I saw it. Interesting with some suspense and funny scenes, the evil always lurking in the dark and the HEA, everything I was expecting from the author. Love the stories with imagination that entertain me and this retold was good.
Dance: Cinderella Retold
The story has Cinderella elements but for the most part it’s Mulan retelling but, either way I was very pleased while reading. Mulan always had been one of my favorite stories and the way the author was developing the adventure caught my attention since the beginning. Love fairy tales with its fantasy, magic and a little sassiness and this one kept me reading non-stop until the end. Loved how Mai’s character was portrayed. Strong, smart, witty and totally a warrior. I was relishing in the way Mai had the power and twists in the story. Good characters, suspense, good informative content, entertaining and detailed scenes, camaraderie and romance. Good written retelling that kept me enjoying all the time. Liked the fertile imagination of the author because I like to let my imagination run wild while reading.
Fly: Goose Girl Retold
Learning to fend for herself Princess Ava strengthened herself and achieved the almost impossible. With a well-meaning prince in a hostile and violent environment Goosegirl retelling was intense and dark.
Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold
Being Beauty and the Beast one of my favorite stories, this retold caught my attention as soon as I saw it. Interesting with some suspense and funny scenes, the evil always lurking in the dark and the HEA, everything I was expecting from the author. Love the stories with imagination that entertain me and this retold was good.
Dance: Cinderella Retold
The story has Cinderella elements but for the most part it’s Mulan retelling but, either way I was very pleased while reading. Mulan always had been one of my favorite stories and the way the author was developing the adventure caught my attention since the beginning. Love fairy tales with its fantasy, magic and a little sassiness and this one kept me reading non-stop until the end. Loved how Mai’s character was portrayed. Strong, smart, witty and totally a warrior. I was relishing in the way Mai had the power and twists in the story. Good characters, suspense, good informative content, entertaining and detailed scenes, camaraderie and romance. Good written retelling that kept me enjoying all the time. Liked the fertile imagination of the author because I like to let my imagination run wild while reading.
Fly: Goose Girl Retold
Learning to fend for herself Princess Ava strengthened herself and achieved the almost impossible. With a well-meaning prince in a hostile and violent environment Goosegirl retelling was intense and dark.
April 7, 2022
3 fairy tales retold - Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella and The Goose Girl. All three are absolutely terrific. The stories are *way* different than the originals and I actually like them better.
"Enchant" is a retelling of Beauty & the Beast only the Beauty is the same one who accidentally cursed the Prince by creating a mirror for the king to give to his enemy and turn him into a Beast. Watching the two of them fall in love and her try to figure out how to break the curse was lovely but a wherectually breaking the curse was no fun at all. In this story she didn't have to agree to marry the Beast but depending on how many times the mirror had been used to protect his lands, blood had to be shed.
"Dance" was a combination of Cinderella and Mulan where Mai disguises herself as a boy and goes to war in her father's place, is assigned to the same unit as the Prince and becomes his BFF. There *is* a ball once they get back to the castle and Mai's stepmother shows up with the sisters in tow, papa having passed away.
"Fly" is the Goose Girl retold and pretty much the opposite of the original. Both girls are daughters of the king but the one going to marry the Emperor or one of his sons is the daughter of the queen who's a witch and the other girl is the daughter of his favorite concubine. Eldest daughter is a witch like her mom (spell that with a 'B') but her horse throws her and she gets amnesia. So younger daughter marries Emperor's youngest son. Unfortunately, Bridezilla regains her memory and makes a scene.
I think you'd enjoy all of them
"Enchant" is a retelling of Beauty & the Beast only the Beauty is the same one who accidentally cursed the Prince by creating a mirror for the king to give to his enemy and turn him into a Beast. Watching the two of them fall in love and her try to figure out how to break the curse was lovely but a wherectually breaking the curse was no fun at all. In this story she didn't have to agree to marry the Beast but depending on how many times the mirror had been used to protect his lands, blood had to be shed.
"Dance" was a combination of Cinderella and Mulan where Mai disguises herself as a boy and goes to war in her father's place, is assigned to the same unit as the Prince and becomes his BFF. There *is* a ball once they get back to the castle and Mai's stepmother shows up with the sisters in tow, papa having passed away.
"Fly" is the Goose Girl retold and pretty much the opposite of the original. Both girls are daughters of the king but the one going to marry the Emperor or one of his sons is the daughter of the queen who's a witch and the other girl is the daughter of his favorite concubine. Eldest daughter is a witch like her mom (spell that with a 'B') but her horse throws her and she gets amnesia. So younger daughter marries Emperor's youngest son. Unfortunately, Bridezilla regains her memory and makes a scene.
I think you'd enjoy all of them
July 16, 2023
This book is a collection of the retelling of three fairy stories for which I have given separate reviews below. Overall, I found them to be interesting reading.
Enchant - Beauty and the Beast Retold
This was a disappointment for me in that I was expecting some new tales but I had read "Enchant - Beauty and the Beast Retold" as part of "Mirrors and Monsters" so didn't read it again here. My observation about this story from my original reading was "Zuleika, who is Beauty, is .... a character who seems slightly thick in that I was forever wondering how long it would take her to join up in the dots in what had happened."! Apart from that it was a reasonable story
Dance - Cinderella Retold
This was quite a page-turner for a fairy story because, for most of the story, I was wondering how Mai, who had a spell cast on her so that she could look like a man and could join the army, was going to turn things around so that she could get together with Prince Yi for a HEA ending. Obviously, this does happen with many a twist along the way, Interestingly, there is a cross-over between this story and "Beauty and the Beast Retold" as Beauty (Zuleika) is the one that casts the spell for Mai.
Fly: Goose Girl Retold
I have never come across the fairy tale Goose Girl before so that in itself made this an interesting read. Without giving too much away this is in some ways a story of innocent identity theft! The situation that occurs in the story was one that you could believe in and that is what made this story so engaging.
Enchant - Beauty and the Beast Retold
This was a disappointment for me in that I was expecting some new tales but I had read "Enchant - Beauty and the Beast Retold" as part of "Mirrors and Monsters" so didn't read it again here. My observation about this story from my original reading was "Zuleika, who is Beauty, is .... a character who seems slightly thick in that I was forever wondering how long it would take her to join up in the dots in what had happened."! Apart from that it was a reasonable story
Dance - Cinderella Retold
This was quite a page-turner for a fairy story because, for most of the story, I was wondering how Mai, who had a spell cast on her so that she could look like a man and could join the army, was going to turn things around so that she could get together with Prince Yi for a HEA ending. Obviously, this does happen with many a twist along the way, Interestingly, there is a cross-over between this story and "Beauty and the Beast Retold" as Beauty (Zuleika) is the one that casts the spell for Mai.
Fly: Goose Girl Retold
I have never come across the fairy tale Goose Girl before so that in itself made this an interesting read. Without giving too much away this is in some ways a story of innocent identity theft! The situation that occurs in the story was one that you could believe in and that is what made this story so engaging.
January 8, 2021
Enchant: 5 stars
For me, this was an absolutely fantastic and engaging book: tension, action, great characters, evil brother. However, it is not a children's story. Nonetheless, I plan to continue reading the book set as I am not what most would consider a child. Demelza Carlton is a wonderful writer.
Dance: 5 stars
A fantastic tale. While it has the elements of Cinderella, they definitely have been rearranged in a manner wholly different but exceedingly fine.
Fly: 5 stars
Demelza Carlton is a fantastic storyteller. I am unfamiliar with the original story, but having read some of her other works, I suspect that there are significant deviations. Nonetheless, I wholeheartedly recommend this story. I found the back and forth between Ava's and Yun's stories worked exceptionally well.
Action-packed. Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Great world building. Happily Ever After. Haunting. Inspirational. Page-turner. Romantic. Scary. Steamy. Twisted. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.
I received a copy of this book from a third party website. This is my honest review.
For me, this was an absolutely fantastic and engaging book: tension, action, great characters, evil brother. However, it is not a children's story. Nonetheless, I plan to continue reading the book set as I am not what most would consider a child. Demelza Carlton is a wonderful writer.
Dance: 5 stars
A fantastic tale. While it has the elements of Cinderella, they definitely have been rearranged in a manner wholly different but exceedingly fine.
Fly: 5 stars
Demelza Carlton is a fantastic storyteller. I am unfamiliar with the original story, but having read some of her other works, I suspect that there are significant deviations. Nonetheless, I wholeheartedly recommend this story. I found the back and forth between Ava's and Yun's stories worked exceptionally well.
Action-packed. Easy-to-read. Entertaining. Great world building. Happily Ever After. Haunting. Inspirational. Page-turner. Romantic. Scary. Steamy. Twisted. Unpredictable. Whimsical. Wonderful characters.
I received a copy of this book from a third party website. This is my honest review.
January 6, 2021
Demelza Carlton's twisted fairy tales are among my favourite fantasy stories and the three included in this box set are some of her best.
In Enchant, this beauty isn't a helpless maiden but a powerful enchantress, determined to undo the beast's spell.
In Dance, the disguised daughter of an oriental lord goes to fulfill her father's obligation to provide soldiers to the king's war effort. This careful melding of Mulan with the classic Cinderella is probably my favourite of all of Carleton's fairytales.
And finally, in Fly, a king sends his first wife's daughter to marry a neighbouring prince and a daughter by a concubine to be her lady in waiting but things go awry when the intended bride is injured and suffers from amnesia. Maidens, handsome princes, magic and, of course, geese figure in this retelling of the tale of the Goose Girl.
I loved all of these stories and who wouldn't love the great price.
If you love classic fairy tales or medieval fantasy, this collection needs to be on your buy list.
In Enchant, this beauty isn't a helpless maiden but a powerful enchantress, determined to undo the beast's spell.
In Dance, the disguised daughter of an oriental lord goes to fulfill her father's obligation to provide soldiers to the king's war effort. This careful melding of Mulan with the classic Cinderella is probably my favourite of all of Carleton's fairytales.
And finally, in Fly, a king sends his first wife's daughter to marry a neighbouring prince and a daughter by a concubine to be her lady in waiting but things go awry when the intended bride is injured and suffers from amnesia. Maidens, handsome princes, magic and, of course, geese figure in this retelling of the tale of the Goose Girl.
I loved all of these stories and who wouldn't love the great price.
If you love classic fairy tales or medieval fantasy, this collection needs to be on your buy list.
January 5, 2021
I enjoy fairy tales and finding someone who can retell the classics in a way that makes them fresh and fascinating is an event. This author has a knack for taking classic tales and mixing them up with other fairy tales, other cultures, and other explanations for certain choices to create stories that remind us of the classic she is retelling while giving us new tales to savour. Beauty as the enchantress who cursed the Beast; Cinderella as Mulan; the Goose Girl as the villain - these twists really make these stories shine.
February 25, 2022
Enchanting and sweet
I love fairy tales mostly the happy Disney version. Grimm's version are too brutal and horrific. Demelza's version twists and tweaks the old classics in another way. I enjoy her version even though the second story Dance reminds me more Mulan with a Cinderella ending. I do like the character crossover reference of the enchantress, Lady Zuleika. All three have the Oriental vibe which is refreshing and uncommon with most fairytales. Very good "feel good" read.
I love fairy tales mostly the happy Disney version. Grimm's version are too brutal and horrific. Demelza's version twists and tweaks the old classics in another way. I enjoy her version even though the second story Dance reminds me more Mulan with a Cinderella ending. I do like the character crossover reference of the enchantress, Lady Zuleika. All three have the Oriental vibe which is refreshing and uncommon with most fairytales. Very good "feel good" read.
April 19, 2022
Well crafted adaptations of traditional fairy stories with a different kind of happy endings. There is a bit of continuity with recurring characters and different settings with imaginative main characters in each separate story. Plenty of blood and a bit of sex with the heroines always in control of their fate in the end. Cinderella and Beauty and the Beast are familiar but the goose girl one was a new one on me but still an entertaining read.
July 8, 2023
Interesting concept
Three "reimagined" fairytales set in medieval Asia.
Beauty and the Beast wherever meet Zieluka who unknowingly dooms the kings brother and his people on an island to a curse of invisiblity but through love alk is changed.
The retelling of Cinderella combines with the story of Mulan and features Zieluka.
The retelling of The Goose girl brings in names from the previous story.
With all the crossover of people and names these are standalone stories.
Three "reimagined" fairytales set in medieval Asia.
Beauty and the Beast wherever meet Zieluka who unknowingly dooms the kings brother and his people on an island to a curse of invisiblity but through love alk is changed.
The retelling of Cinderella combines with the story of Mulan and features Zieluka.
The retelling of The Goose girl brings in names from the previous story.
With all the crossover of people and names these are standalone stories.
February 12, 2025
This collects the first three books in Demelza Carlton's Romance a Medieval Fairytale series.
Enchant: a Beauty and the Beast retelling. My favourite of the three.
Dance: described as a Cinderella retelling but it felt like a Mulan retelling
Fly: a retelling of a less familiar to me fairytale, Goose Girl
Although they can be separate stories, they do share a common link and I would be willing to check out more of the series.
Enchant: a Beauty and the Beast retelling. My favourite of the three.
Dance: described as a Cinderella retelling but it felt like a Mulan retelling
Fly: a retelling of a less familiar to me fairytale, Goose Girl
Although they can be separate stories, they do share a common link and I would be willing to check out more of the series.
February 24, 2021
Great reimaginings
These are written so well the unbelievable aspect of fairy tales is gone. OK, magic is a little unbelievable but Demelza makes it believable, common place or at least expected. And with a hint of modern insight, who is to say witches were just very good naturopaths with great observation?
These are written so well the unbelievable aspect of fairy tales is gone. OK, magic is a little unbelievable but Demelza makes it believable, common place or at least expected. And with a hint of modern insight, who is to say witches were just very good naturopaths with great observation?
April 24, 2022
Not for the kids
Interesting take on story. Nice how they link together making you think you know what's going to happen. It just doesn't!!! Witchcraft, supernatural. Escape from reality.
Characters could be formed a little better and histories remembered. I want to carry on with the series.
Interesting take on story. Nice how they link together making you think you know what's going to happen. It just doesn't!!! Witchcraft, supernatural. Escape from reality.
Characters could be formed a little better and histories remembered. I want to carry on with the series.
August 23, 2023
Clunkiest sh*t I ever read. The grammar and spelling errors throughout the entire book are appalling. But what’s worse is that this book acts as an advertisement for other books by this author with previews of literally 22 OTHER BOOKS. It’s completely absurd - I’m angry I spent time reading this nonsense.
July 24, 2025
Honestly starting a book off with RAPE is a bold move.. the entire Beauty and the beast story was very slow paced and kinda boring..
They talked about the curse the ENTIRE book. I mean every 3 sentences it was brought up
There was little to no romance and they were entire toooo polite to each other..
And
They talked about the curse the ENTIRE book. I mean every 3 sentences it was brought up
There was little to no romance and they were entire toooo polite to each other..
And
February 15, 2021
I voluntarily read and reviewed this as an ARC
These are not your childhood stories but adult retellings that are sure to please. Intrigue, villains, and fought hard for happy endings. Demelza Carlton delivers characters I could sink into and experience all the feels.
These are not your childhood stories but adult retellings that are sure to please. Intrigue, villains, and fought hard for happy endings. Demelza Carlton delivers characters I could sink into and experience all the feels.
June 23, 2021
Series of Fairy Tales
Beauty & Beast (Zuleika & Varden); Cinderella (Mai & Yi); Goose girl (Ava & Yun). A series of tales based on Grimm's fairy tales. Magic plays a role in most of these stories.
Characterization and plotting are excellent.
Beauty & Beast (Zuleika & Varden); Cinderella (Mai & Yi); Goose girl (Ava & Yun). A series of tales based on Grimm's fairy tales. Magic plays a role in most of these stories.
Characterization and plotting are excellent.
February 26, 2022
Once Upon A Time by Demelza Carlton – The first three books in the medieval fairy tale series was free this week, so if you would like a fun introduction to this world this is perfect! My reviews for each book are posted as well! Happy Reading!
February 28, 2022
Original, & Yet…
The stories in this collection - retelling 'Beauty & the Beast' 'Cinderella' & 'Goose Girl' - start with an excellent revision & then in the 2nd retelling, gets muddled with another fairy tale & then … the tale is completely confused.…
The stories in this collection - retelling 'Beauty & the Beast' 'Cinderella' & 'Goose Girl' - start with an excellent revision & then in the 2nd retelling, gets muddled with another fairy tale & then … the tale is completely confused.…
April 8, 2022
Three great stories in one book
If you loved fairy stories as a child, then feed the child within with these three well written, reimagined ones! It is bliss when stories are so well written and edited that you can simply just lose yourself in the words.
If you loved fairy stories as a child, then feed the child within with these three well written, reimagined ones! It is bliss when stories are so well written and edited that you can simply just lose yourself in the words.
May 31, 2022
Old , yet new !!!
What a Treat !!!! Each tale was lovingly written and yet so different , that it felt new !!! I enjoyed each and every word !!! Would definitely read more from this author !!!
What a Treat !!!! Each tale was lovingly written and yet so different , that it felt new !!! I enjoyed each and every word !!! Would definitely read more from this author !!!
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