The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories

by Ekta R. Garg

Have you ever wondered why Jack and Jill needed that pail of water in the first place? Or how Sleeping Beauty managed to prick her finger despite a royal order to destroy every spindle in the kingdom?

Fairy tales and nursery rhymes have given us some of the most iconic characters and images in storytelling; think Cinderella’s glass slipper or Jack’s oversized beanstalk. But what about the in-between moments? The ones that never made it to the page?

In this enchanting micro-collection of short stories, award-winning author Ekta R. Garg explores the untold scenes between the lines of some of our most loved tales. Find out what the Wicked Witch of the East was doing in the road before Dorothy’s house fell on her. Learn where Goldilocks came from. Meet the conmen who convinced the emperor he had new clothes and more.

Rediscover the wit, heart, and magic of the classics, and see them as you’ve never seen them before in The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories.

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories

97 pages, Paperback

First published August 12, 2025

About the author

Armed with her MSJ in magazine publishing from Northwestern University, Ekta started her career in niche publishing in 2005 and has written and edited about everything from healthcare to home improvement to Hindi films. She became a freelance editor in 2011 and currently is a writing contest judge for the Florida Writers Association and the Saturday Writers chapter of the Missouri Writers Guild. Ekta also conducts writing workshops for her local library and hosts Biblio Breakdown, a podcast where she examines books to offer writing exercises.

Ekta began reviewing books for Bookpleasures.com in 2011 and reviews for them as well as her own site. She blogs at The Write Edge (http://thewriteedge.wordpress.com) and posts original writing, book reviews, and her adventures with the craft.

Her award-winning holiday novella, _The Truth About Elves_, and her original fairy tale for grownups, _In the Heart of the Linden Wood_, are available from Atmosphere Press.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy

I enjoyed this. It took me a minute to get stuck into properly, but the twists on the fairytale stories I grew up with was intriguing and interesting.

Each story started with a question about the story we know, and left you pondering afterwards on the intention of the original story.

Would recommend for those who like to think about the back stories of those characters.

[Joyffree · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever asked yourself Why?
How? Or what came after?

What was Goldi doing in the forest to start with?
Or what happened after the Piper took all the children?

Questions that only led me to more questions

I became curiouser and curiouser as I began to descend Garg’s rabbit hole.

The author took some creative liberties with the fairy tales and combined a couple in her book of short stories.

Goldi and Beauty was one of my favorite rewrites, though Jack ‘n Jill was right up there.

A few of the dastardly villains poked at my heartstrings, and some of the leading ladies were not as innocent as the originals portrayed them.



Overall, a fun and unique way to revisit some of our favorite fairytales

Also, I really enjoyed seeing someone else's spin on what led to the events or the aftermath of the characters' choices.

[Feathered Quill Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories, writer Ekta R. Garg presents an enchanting and insightful collection that transports readers into richly imagined worlds, where themes of power, identity, and fate intersect. With every story, Garg draws inspiration from fairy tales and classic fantasy, while simultaneously infusing her stories with a contemporary emotional depth that is both timeless and refreshingly original.

In “The Witch’s Apprentice,” a bold young apprentice takes her fate into her own hands, choosing her mentor and demanding to be released from the Spell of Inhibition. The stakes are high: only by completing a selfless act and defending it before the High Council can she earn her place in the Witch’s Guild. Denied a proper test, the apprentice forges her path through time, armed with The Witch’s Complete Guide to Safety and Security in Travels. Her journey leads her to a new and completely unexpected life. This story cleverly weaves together themes of self-empowerment, irony, and transformation.

In “The Honor of Emperors and Thieves,” the annual arrival of a legendary band of thieves disrupts the routine of a quiet town. Their code of honor and wealth make them impossible to turn away. Among them, Simon and Samuel rise to infamy by fooling the emperor himself, leaving the entire kingdom stunned as their ruler struts through the streets in nothing at all. Their clever ruse earns them the crown of “kings of thieves” and hints at their next scheme, involving none other than some mysterious magic beans. With biting satire and rich world-building, this story reimagines a classic tale with mischief and flair.

“The Beauty Before She Sleeps” takes on a more reflective tone. Princess Talia, who has been sheltered her entire life, challenges her boundaries and ventures outside her kingdom for the first time. Talia encounters a strange portal that she had previously passed by without issue. This time, it yanked her in forcefully, only to spit her back out shortly after. As she bends over a riverbank to catch her breath, her heart races. Reflected in the water's surface was not the princess she recognized, but a version of herself that bore a striking resemblance to Goldilocks.

What distinguishes this collection is not merely the imaginative narratives but the depth of significance lurking beneath the surface. Recurring themes of power, transformation, self-discovery, and altruism weave the stories together in a cohesive and fulfilling manner. Readers are likely to reflect on the destinies of Garg’s characters long after they have reached the last page. Garg’s poetic writing style and engaging storytelling are enhanced by her considerate approach to character development. Whether set in enchanted forests or distant realms, her characters confront decisions that resonate profoundly, even within their fantastical settings.

This collection stems from the author's innate curiosity. Fascinated by the overlooked aspects of classic nursery rhymes and fairy tales, Garg pondered the question "Why?" and allowed that inquiry to shape her narrative. The outcome is a series of stories that preserve the allure of the originals while providing enhanced emotional and psychological understanding. The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories is essential reading for those who appreciate their fairy tales infused with depth, emotion, and a hint of surprise. It is ideal for readers who have always been curious about what lies just beyond “happily ever after.”

Quill says: The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories is a captivating and reflective collection that reinvents well-known stories with enchantment, wit, and deep emotional understanding.

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

Childhood is full of lullabies, nursery rhymes, and fairy tales, but do you ever wonder what the characters are up to in the story of their lives that didn’t make it into folklore? Author Ekta R. Garg fills in the blanks as she weaves a magical collection of short stories, full of some of the most whimsical characters in The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories.

Opening each story is a question. Questions such as, “What was the witch doing in the road in the first place,” when Dorothy’s house landed on her in The Wizard of Oz? This question drives the story that follows as Garg fills in the gaps and uses her brilliant imagination to create a believable and creative backstory leading to this monumental event. Beginning with “The Witch’s Apprentice,” readers glean a sense of the Wicked Witch of the East and her cousin, who was serving as her apprentice before Dorothy killed her, saving all of Munchkinland from her wrath.

Also included in this collection is the story of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” “The Sleeping Beauty,” why Jack and Jill were off fetching that pail, “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” and “The Pied Piper of Hamelin.” While all the tales are well-known cornerstones of any childhood, the questions that Garg asks, and the wild stories that she’s created to accompany them, are as engaging as the original story itself.

These classics, reimagined, ask the question “Why?” Using prompts from writing class, journalistic instincts, and editing prowess, Garg explores the motivation behind the characters in some of our most beloved classics. Using a simple prompt, The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories provides an ingenious glimpse into the lives of the characters of our childhood.

Garg’s writing is simply stunning. With an imagination running wild, she draws us into her creativity as we find ourselves lost in these fairy tales. Expanding the messages and lessons beyond the simple nursery rhyme, she provokes thought, explores new imagery, and intertwines worlds. Introducing characters new and old, The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories magnifies the lives within, providing a new spin and greater depth to the well-known.

Instantly captivating, the short stories and chapter-leading questions combine for an exceptional read. Ekta R. Garg’s talent for fiction and grasp on childhood classics unite in this extraordinary collection, The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I personally love a twist on a commonly known story. Retellings can be awesome when done well. Like the TV Show Once Upon A Time, The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories twists up some well known stories and gives you a new perspective. I love a new perspective on a character or even a new back story (I mean, my obsession with Wicked, HELLO) so the first story and title story of this collection drew me in right away. Why was the Wicked Witch of the East in the street anyway for the house to fall on her? Well this is a fun story showing more of her wickedness, and giving us a new character who goes on to grow her gifts and becomes an important character in a different story.

As with any compilation of short stories, I connected with some more than others. Stories that I am more familiar with or a bigger fan of made a more fun read for me. Also there were characters I didn't expect to be sympathetic for. But I guess I have a soft spot for heartbroken thieves. There's something for everyone to enjoy, so if you enjoy a good twist or expansion on a well-known fairy tale, check this book out.

[Dana K · Rating 3 out of 5]

{3.5 stars}

Thanks to Atmosphere Press for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions below are my own.

This is a collection of stories that take traditional fairy tale or nursery rhyme characters that we know and explores their motivations. We get short stories about a cousin and mentee of the Wicked Witch of the East, the Pied Piper, Jack and Jill and Cinderella / Goldilocks. Each story gives us a tangent to the stories we know and gives us a question to ponder as we follow our character through their motivating story.

The stories were fun and interesting. It definitely felt like exercises for a creative writing class. I would have liked a little bit of a through line to the stories. Either way, I enjoyed the little vignettes.

[Jill Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Instantly captivating, the short stories and chapter-leading questions combine for an exceptional read. Ekta R. Garg’s talent for fiction and grasp on childhood classics unite in this extraordinary collection, The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories.

[Shaylin Brunson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m such a big fan of exploring the “what ifs” of any story, so this was such a fun book to read! It has multiple short stories that explore a different alternative to the well known storyline, and I was especially drawn into the story of Jack and Jill.. are you kidding?! I need more of that right now! This was a super quick read, definitely recommend, and it would also be really great reading for middle grade students who are interested in story telling to get the ideas flowing!

(Thank you NetGalley for providing this book! All opinions are my own!)

[Karen Siddall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever and entertaining stories that lean slightly to the left and right of classic fairy tales.

Fairytales. We all grew up listening to them told over and over, in all forms of artistic media: storytelling, plays, dance, and film. In Ekta R. Garg's reimaginings, she takes these well-known, familiar gems and gives us, in the words of Paul Harvey, "the rest of the story."

The Witch's Apprentice and Other Stories is a small compilation of tales created in response to the author's question of "why" a character acted the way they did in the famous story or "why" a situation arose in the first place. For instance, remember when, in The Wizard of Oz, Dorothy's house falls on and kills the Wicked Witch of the East? Garg answers the question of why the witch was in the roadway where the house landed. What follows is a fun and completely reasonable explanation with an unexpected twist that ties the popular L. Frank Baum novel to another familiar but unrelated tale. Garg works similar magic on the fairy tales of The Pied Piper of Hamelin, The Emperor's New Clothes, Goldilocks, Sleeping Beauty, and the nursery rhyme "Jack and Jill." The results are imaginative, surprising, and spun gold.

I recommend THE WITCH'S APPRENTICE AND OTHER STORIES to readers who enjoy fairytale reimaginings.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through WOW! Women On Writing Book Tours.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightfully twisted take on fairy tales that left me wondering if I should thank my fairy godmother or file a restraining order against her

Listen, I went into this collection expecting a casual Sunday afternoon read about some reimagined fairy tales. What I got was basically the literary equivalent of finding out your sweet grandmother has been running an underground poker ring this whole time – surprising, mildly concerning, but ultimately kind of impressive.

The Good Stuff:
Garg has clearly done her homework on the "what if your favorite childhood stories were actually way more complicated" assignment. The title story answers the burning question we've all had since childhood: "But seriously, why WAS the Wicked Witch of the East just hanging out in the road like that?" Turns out she wasn't just taking a leisurely evil stroll – there's actual backstory here, people! It's like getting the director's cut of your favorite movie, except instead of deleted scenes, you get psychological depth and character development.

The concept is genuinely clever. Taking familiar fairy tale characters and giving them the "extended universe" treatment? Chef's kiss It's like Marvel, but with more magic wands and fewer explosions (though honestly, about the same amount of family drama).

The "Hmm" Stuff:
Here's where things get a little wonky. While the ideas are absolutely there, the execution sometimes feels like it's wearing shoes that don't quite fit. You know when you're telling a really good joke but you stumble over the punchline? That's kind of what happens here. The stories have all the right ingredients for fairy tale magic, but sometimes they feel like they're still figuring out how to cast the spell properly.

It's not bad, exactly – it's more like watching a really enthusiastic community theater production of Hamilton. You can see the vision, you appreciate the effort, and there are definitely moments of "oh, that's clever!" but you also find yourself thinking, "This could be really something with a little more polish."

The Verdict:
This collection is like that friend who tells great stories at parties – entertaining, creative, and you're genuinely glad you listened, even if they sometimes go on a tangent about their cat in the middle of the best part. Garg has a clear talent for reimagining these classic tales, and when it works, it really works. When it doesn't quite land, well, at least you're still hanging out in a world where witches have apprentices and fairy tales have footnotes.

Would I recommend it? Sure! Especially if you're someone who watches Disney movies and finds yourself asking way too many questions about the logistics of magic mirrors and talking animals. Just go in expecting a fun, if occasionally bumpy, ride through some familiar-yet-unfamiliar territory.

Bottom Line: A solid 3.5 stars for creative concept and genuine charm, minus half a star for execution that sometimes feels like it's still learning its lines. Perfect for a cozy reading session when you want something that feels both nostalgic and new – kind of like your childhood bedroom, but with better Wi-Fi.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC – turns out fairy tale retellings are like pizza: even when they're not perfect, they're still pretty good.

[Lynsey Spedding · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Witch’s Apprentice by Ekta R Garg is an inventive collection of six short stories that reimagine familiar fairy tales and nursery rhymes through a fresh and thought-provoking lens. Within fewer than one hundred pages, Garg poses intriguing “what if” questions that challenge the boundaries of the original tales, offering readers both new perspectives and unexpected depth.

Each story begins with a central question that guides the narrative and often connects seamlessly to the next tale. For instance, when Dorothy’s house lands on the Wicked Witch of the East in The Wizard of Oz, Garg asks: Why was the witch in the road in the first place? This seemingly simple query unfolds into a richly imagined backstory that reveals more of the witch’s character and introduces figures who go on to play important roles elsewhere in the collection.

The stories also incorporate a diverse array of well-known characters, including the Pied Piper of Hamelin, the swindlers from The Emperor’s New Clothes, and Jack and Jill—whose journey for a pail of water is reconsidered with fresh significance. Garg further demonstrates her creativity by blending elements of Sleeping Beauty and Goldilocks into the closing tale, weaving the narratives together into a cohesive whole.

Much like the television series Once Upon a Time, this collection thrives on reinterpreting traditional stories, providing new backstories and motivations that challenge readers’ assumptions. Some stories resonate more strongly than others, particularly those rooted in tales with which readers are already familiar, but each offers a unique expansion on its source material. Unexpectedly, Garg also inspires empathy for characters who are not typically portrayed in a sympathetic light, highlighting her skill in reshaping reader expectations.

It should be noted that The Witch’s Apprentice is not intended as a children’s fairy tale collection. Rather, it is a sophisticated and engaging reimagining, well suited to adult readers who grew up with these stories and who continue to wonder about the unanswered questions they left behind.

Cleverly written, imaginative, and at times surprisingly poignant, Garg’s work invites readers to revisit beloved tales with fresh eyes. The Witch’s Apprentice is a compact yet rewarding volume for anyone who appreciates inventive retellings and the exploration of “what if” possibilities within classic narratives.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for this ARC in exchange for a honest review.

[Emi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Publishing date: 12.08.2025 (DD/MM/YYYY)
Thank you to NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

TLDR //
A tiny collection of “what if” scenarios for a few fairy tales. Not too dark, just a different perspective. 2 stars.

The fairy tales are:
Wizard of OZ (focused on the Wicked Witch of the East)
The Pied Piper
The Emperor’s New Clothes
Jack and Jill
Goldilocks and the Three Bears / Sleeping Beauty

Quickfire likes and gripes //
Interesting idea
Flawed execution

Plot //
The plot in the stories themselves often started right in the middle of something. You get thrown in the water and told to swim. I feel like a lot of them also end as abruptly as they start, and it leaves me feeling like the rug got pulled under my feet. Maybe some more flesh on the bones would be good?

How it was to read //
It was a somewhat quick read, but on my digital copy the text was super small and having it on 200% was a must to see what it actually said. Might have been a me problem really, just something to note.

Audience //
This reads young, so anywhere from young adult to adult would fit nicely age wise. I think that someone who wants to dip their toes into a “what if” in fairy tales could appreciate these stories.

Final Verdict //
I love rewritten fairy tales, but maybe not like this. This entire collection read like a writing prompt on tumblr for me. That isn’t derogatory at all, but not exactly what I was looking for. Love the idea, not a fan of the execution. But maybe it will hit better for someone else. Giving this 2 stars.

[Sandy Quandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Witch’s Apprentice by Ekta R Garg is a collection of six familiar fairy tales and nursery rhymes with a twist. In these short stories within 100 pages, the author asks what if and reimagines what was left out of the original fairy tales. In rewriting these stories, Ekta tells the reader what might have happened to the characters, but wasn't in the original tales, the way she imagines it. Each short story begins with a question for the rewritten story to answer and often leads into the next fairy tale.
When the tornado took Dorothy's house to Oz, it landed on the Wicked Witch of the East. Ekta's question is, What was the witch doing in the road in the first place? Good question. Ekta explains why she thinks the witch was there. And with that, The Witch's Apprentice begins to solve one of the many questions the author weaves through this compact book. Other characters Ekta places in The Witch's Apprentice are The Pied Piper of Hamelin, the two conmen from The Emperor's New Clothes, and Jack and Jill. And why, exactly, did Jack and Jill need that pail of water anyway? You will also find a blending of characters from Sleeping Beauty and Goldilocks to end this collection.
The Witch's Apprentice is not a children's fairy tale book. It is a well-written reimagined collection of stories for those who grew up with these fairy tales, and who may have what if questions of their own.

[Liana Smith Bautista | Libervore Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for fairy tales—classic versions and reimaginings alike. So the idea behind THE WITCH'S APPRENTICE AND OTHER STORIES by Ekta R. Garg (@ektargarg), of exploring the untold scenes from much-loved fairy tales and nursery rhymes, instantly intrigued me.

Instead of the alternate versions we get from fairy tale reimaginings, we instead get side-character POVs, cut scenes, or expansions to the original stories. Among the characters featured in this collection are:

🧙 The apprentice to the Wicked Witch of the East
😵‍💫 The parents of the town of Hamlin after the Pied Piper leaves with all their children
🤵‍♀️ Sleeping Beauty's personal handmaiden

If you enjoy the Marvel TV series What If, you'll probably enjoy this read as it seems to take a similar philosophy and evoke a kindred spirit to the show in its treatment of classic fairy tales.

And if you're a fanfic reader, you'll know what I mean when I say it's like the author has written canon-compliant fairy tale fanfic.

However, I did find that the stories would have leant themselves to longer forms that delved deeper into the characters and their journeys. More than one story ended at a point where another story seemed to begin—or at least, be ready to begin. As a result, I found myself missing that sense of closure typical of "fairy tale endings."

Note: I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

This was such a fantastic collection of fairy tale short stories. Although a short read, the collection does an incredible job of creating powerful characters that are both familiar and unique at the same time, such as the Princess found in The Beauty Before She Sleeps. The rich imagery in each story feels both bright and visceral, and each tale expertly weaves together substantial emotional depth for these characters, much like the Witch and her apprentice and their familial connection in The Witch’s Apprentice.

What made these stories so unique was how they were found in the moments people rarely think of when it comes to iconic stories. From exploring how the Wicked Witch of the East ended up under Dorothy’s house to why both Jack and Jill needed a pail of water to begin with, these stories are a love letter to both fan fiction and fairy tales overall. The satire and wit that the dialogue brought to life were an outstanding balance to the self-reflection and introspective themes that these stories wove into their fabric.

The Verdict

Thoughtful, compelling, and entertaining, author Ekta R. Garg’s “The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories” is a must-read collection of short stories. The twists and turns of each story, along with their unique takes, dynamic characters, and memorable themes, will keep readers enthralled and eager for more.

[Doris M Hert · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories is a clever, imaginative collection that made me rethink familiar fairy tales in the most satisfying way.

What Ekta Garg does so well here is explore the moments we were never given. The unanswered questions that lingered in the background of stories we thought we already knew. Instead of retelling fairy tales, she fills in the gaps with wit, logic, and a surprisingly emotional depth.

Each short story stands on its own, yet together they form a cohesive and interconnected world. Characters who once felt distant or symbolic suddenly feel human, flawed, and oddly relatable. The way unrelated figures are woven together feels natural rather than forced, and every twist is unexpected while still making complete sense.

The standout for me was The Witch’s Apprentice. The reveal toward the end genuinely caught me off guard and reframed everything that came before it. Jack and Jill’s story, in particular, took a darker turn than I anticipated, and I loved how boldly the author leaned into that choice.

This collection is playful, sharp, and intelligent. It respects the reader’s familiarity with classic tales while offering something entirely new. If you enjoy fairy tale retellings that are thoughtful, slightly dark, and creatively ambitious, this is a must read.

[Veronika Cizkova · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than I expected to.
It included twists on both stories that I knew and also a few unfamiliar ones. I liked the way the one from the wizard of Oz connected to Cinderella. It made a wonderful back story from little to work with.

The ending of Jack and Jill's story was.... Dark. Also left a lot of questions such as, what really was up with that water? But I am rooting for Jill's revenge, though I doubt even that can make up for her loss.

Piper the flutist is also a story I didn't know prior to reading this, but yeah a simple reminder to repay people for their deeds, both good and bad.

The story of the thieves from the emperors new clothes might have been (one of) my personal favourite. I don't have much to say about it though.

Finally, the story of Talia and Mercy 😭😭. I didn't realise such a short story could bring up so much emotion and feeling for the characters. Growing up I liked the story of goldilocks a lot, but seeing this twist on it completely changed my view on it. I felt so bad both for Talia and Mercy. I blame the king and queen mostly.

All in all, this incredibly short collections is overflowing with creativity and the writing is masterful. A very unique concept too. Certainly recommend.

[Janet Michelle Elias · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you love fairy tales, but sometimes wish you knew just a little bit more about the story or side characters this is a great, quick book to read.

The Witch’s Apprentice by Ekta R Garg is a collection of six short stories that reimagine familiar fairy tales and nursery rhymes through a fresh and thought-provoking lens. It's similar to the Disney+ show "What If?" where it answers questions about different scenarios in the Marvel
Universe, but here you get quick and concise stories from beloved fairytales.

If you love in depth lore and long books, this could be a quick read to get over a reading slump, since it's a very short book with short stories. It's an easy read, but don't take that to mean it isn't extremely fun and well written and thought out. I love learning more about stories I've known my whole life and Ekta R. Garg is obviously someone who deeply loves these stories.

3.5/3.75 stars!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the ARC in exchange for a honest review. This was a joy to read!

[Jennifer Rupp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ekta Garg has just released a deliciously fun and wickedly clever adult spin on our favorite childhood stories. Rather than a retelling or a contemporary take, The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories answers questions like: What was the Wicked Witch of the East doing in Oz? and Who was Cinderella’s Fairy Godmother? It provides Jack and Jill’s backstory, because really, there has to be more than going up and hill and falling down. And (my favorite) a mashup of Sleeping Beauty and Goldilocks in which the real winner is the hapless lady-in-waiting. Consume them all at once or dish them out one morsel at a time, readers will love The Witch’s Apprentice and Other Stories because, as Ekta mentions in her acknowledgements, “it’s okay to focus on the small things.” Bonus! Ekta invites readers to contribute to her next micro-collection by suggesting their favorite nursery rhyme, fairy tale or classic story.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a fun short story collection. Before each short story is a question, that sort of introduces the story, and tells you what to expect. The shortest story, and probably the most emotional one, was related to The Pied Piper. The one related to the title of the collection, The Witch's Apprentice, went in a direction I didn't expect from the way it started, and I loved that twist (but no spoilers, you'll have to read if you want to find out). I would love to see a follow-up to Jack and Jill's story. Once you read it, you'll understand why, but again, I really want to avoid giving any spoilers! My favorite story, by far, was the final one, which was a Sleeping Beauty and Goldilocks crossover. It was really well handled, and I love how it ended! If you enjoy fairy tales, but aren’t necessarily looking for full retellings, then you need to grab this short story collection.

[Shireen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is a novella-sized collection of short stories where the premise is simple: what if we got more of the backstory when the fairy tale ends? Or the nursery rhyme begins? There are some very clever stories here that riff on classic tales and turn expectation on its head. A question at the beginning of each story gives the reader a chance to dwell on the well-known scenario before taking them on an unexpected journey. I just wish that the stories were more fleshed out and complete. But I suppose brevity here is kind of the point; we're being given tantalizingly brief glimpses of what these stories MIGHT have been.

Thanks to NetGalley, author Ekta R. Garg, and Atmosphere Press for granting me access to a free digital ARC of this book to read and review. All opinions are my own and are provided here voluntarily.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t really know what to expect when I picked this up. I mean, obviously it was going to have magic in it—and I like that—but it turned out to be something really special.

Each story in this collection is introduced with a question, the kind we’ve all wondered after watching a Disney movie or reading a fairy tale: What happens next? Why was that like that anyway? These stories answer those questions.

While the characters are familiar, the stories themselves are brand new, set in the worlds of the fairy tales we already know and love. I really enjoyed that approach. The book is quite short, but that actually feels perfect—you can easily read it in one sitting.

The author plans to release more, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for what comes next. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fairy tales with a twist and a touch of magic.

[Katherine Hayward Pérez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very well written. The stories are short, and there are six.There's a great attention to detail and well-fleshed out characters.

I loved the first story, a retelling which reminded me of Wicked. I felt this was the perfect way to start the book.

This story's twist was amazing.

The Jack and Jill retelling was also really good.

It was nice that there was a plot-related question before every story to think about. Thst was a nice touch, and a nice way to make the book interactive and create a sense of mystery.

Every story was unique.

It's 92 pages long, but there's so much in here since the stories are so well written.

4 stars

Thanks to Ekta R. Greg and publisher and Women On Writing for my eARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

[A Dreaming Bibliophile · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for providing me with an eARC.

This was a fun collection of short stories. I really enjoyed reading this "why did that happen" spin on retellings. The author's perspective on why the situation was possibly set up in a certain way in childhood and fairy tales was nice to read. I especially enjoyed the way two or more stories were connected together coherently. I especially liked the Goldilocks × Sleeping Beauty one and the Jack and Jill one. I would recommend this to anyone looking for a short story collection of childhood story retellings. It really takes you back to those days.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this micro-collection of stories, Ekta Garg has been inspired by some very famous fairy tales and other stories - The Wizard of Oz, Jack & Jill, Goldilocks, you name it! Instead of straightforward retellings, Garg takes those small overlooked or off-the-page details and creatively expands upon them, adding imagined context to these classic stories. For example, why were Jack and Jill going up the hill to fetch a pail of water in the nursery rhyme? Who was Goldilocks before she entered the bears' house? It was so fun to explore and think about these stories in a new way, and I especially enjoyed the way Garg wove some fairy tales together in unexpected but clever ways. I received a free copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting concept of answering the plot holes and mystery elements of some of the classic stories and nursery rhymes- whilst I enjoyed all the stories in this novella, the one I liked the most was the authors take on the Wizard of Oz and the overall origin story and background of the Wicked Witch of the east as well as her relationship with Dorothy prior to the house falling on her body.
A fun and enjoyable read with immersive settings and interesting characters.
A big thankyou to Atmosphere Press and Net galley for an arc of this novella collection of stories.

[Anastey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley, Atmosphere Press, and Ekta R. Garg for sending me this advance review copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This book was a hot mess.

The stories were very confusing and didn't make sense half of the time. There were times where it started off as one story, and turned into a different one. The stories were constantly running off on tangents every few minutes, to the point where I forgot what the story is actually about. There were a ton of inconsistencies, even on the next page. It was really weird.

[Bea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really enjoyable short story collection based on famous fairy tales.

I liked how the author prefaces each story with a "Why did this or that happen?" question, and then answers it through the story itself. The stories I enjoyed most were the ones about the Pied Piper and the con men from The Emperor's New Clothes.

Thanks to Netgalley and Atmosphere Press for the review copy. My opinions are my own!

[Oana-Maria Uliu · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this from NetGalley. Thank you.

2+

I appreciated the general idea of writing stories just to answer questions left by well-known tales, but I didn't love the execution. I just didn't care about the characters at all, there were no 'wow' moments, so my level of enjoyment was rather low, unfortunately.

I would, however, read more from this author if she came up with something better.

[Alyssa Snow · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was definitely a fun traipse back into fairy tales! The concept of combining certain tales and filling in gaps of others was very intriguing but the execution was a little lackluster to me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atmosphere Press for this Advance Reader's Copy in exchange for an honest review!