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Once Upon a Cursed Time: Dark Fairytale Anthology
Twelve authors put their unique spins on your beloved childhood Fairytales. Sixteen stories, sixteen escapes from reality.
Hooded Red
Trapped in the Enchanted Forest, Little Red has bigger things to worry about than the wolf that haunts her nightmares. You can only cry wolf so many times before the truth surfaces; a deadly truth that will change her life for the worse.
Ugly Scars
Bringing a new meaning to the old saying ‘wearing the skin of your enemies’ R.l. Weeks puts her own twist on the beloved Fairytale, Ugly Duckling. Some women will do anything for beauty.
A Golden Kiss
Frank Zubek puts his own unique spin on the beloved Fairytale, Frog Prince. More curses lurk behind the faces of the innocent than we first thought.
Let Down Thy Hair
Rapunzel lets down her hair.
But never expected who climbs up.
"Let Down Thy Hair", a twisted fairy tale by Genevieve Moultrie
From the anthology "Once Upon a Cursed Time"
Pins Dark Wish
Step into the twisted mind of Pin.
She's had it with being a wooden girl.
Pin's only wish is to turn into a real girl, and she'll do anything to make that happen. Anything . . . .
J.L. Clayton takes the beloved fairy tale "Pinocchio" and carves out a unique tale of horror.
Path of Thorns
Are evil-doers born to wickedness, or do they simply… lose their way?
"All Ellie and Jack Trevellick have ever known is the harsh life in a Truro workhouse; all they’ve dreamed of is a good meal and a comfortable bed. When they’re sent out as part of a working party a wrong turn brings them within grasp of those very things. But they soon learn that the wild beauty of the Cornish moorlands masks a dark and greedy heart…"
Phantom Whispers
Greediness can be ones downfall as Bastien is about to find out. In this cleverly woven tale, based on the classic fairytale 'White Snake' Aimee Shaye brings you 'Phantom Whispers'
~ We are all lured by poisonous things ~
Once by the Lake
Love; crippling to the point of insanity. True love can show us the beauty even in the ugliest of things. Aimee Shaye re-imagines the classic fairytale Swan Princess. Once by the Lake - The Darkness reveals true love
The Ink Washed Cat
“A young Shinto chokkai visits the ruins of a sacred temple only to discover the true cost
of ancient magic.”
The Ink Washed Cat- A twisted fairy tale by R. B. Wood based on the Japanese fairy tale
“The Boy who Drew Cats”
From the Anthology Once Upon a Cursed Time.”
Skinderella
Laurie Kehoe puts a dark twist on an old tale. Skinderella - Beauty is more than Skin Deep!
Prince Recreant
The Princess and the Pea as retold by Steven Evans in "Prince Recreant".
Three women are forced to face their fears. Three tests to prove which is worthy to be Queen.
But... will the Prince share his crown?
Three Women. Three Tests. One Crown.
A Game of Roses: Bocephus' Revenge
Rumplestiltskin the sequel! A brother's love tainted by shame and smeared with blood! Steven Evans lingers with darkness to bring an old fairytale a new life!
Awoken by a Kiss
The reimagined fairytale of Sleeping Beauty that will haunt your nightmares.
Hooded Red
Trapped in the Enchanted Forest, Little Red has bigger things to worry about than the wolf that haunts her nightmares. You can only cry wolf so many times before the truth surfaces; a deadly truth that will change her life for the worse.
Ugly Scars
Bringing a new meaning to the old saying ‘wearing the skin of your enemies’ R.l. Weeks puts her own twist on the beloved Fairytale, Ugly Duckling. Some women will do anything for beauty.
A Golden Kiss
Frank Zubek puts his own unique spin on the beloved Fairytale, Frog Prince. More curses lurk behind the faces of the innocent than we first thought.
Let Down Thy Hair
Rapunzel lets down her hair.
But never expected who climbs up.
"Let Down Thy Hair", a twisted fairy tale by Genevieve Moultrie
From the anthology "Once Upon a Cursed Time"
Pins Dark Wish
Step into the twisted mind of Pin.
She's had it with being a wooden girl.
Pin's only wish is to turn into a real girl, and she'll do anything to make that happen. Anything . . . .
J.L. Clayton takes the beloved fairy tale "Pinocchio" and carves out a unique tale of horror.
Path of Thorns
Are evil-doers born to wickedness, or do they simply… lose their way?
"All Ellie and Jack Trevellick have ever known is the harsh life in a Truro workhouse; all they’ve dreamed of is a good meal and a comfortable bed. When they’re sent out as part of a working party a wrong turn brings them within grasp of those very things. But they soon learn that the wild beauty of the Cornish moorlands masks a dark and greedy heart…"
Phantom Whispers
Greediness can be ones downfall as Bastien is about to find out. In this cleverly woven tale, based on the classic fairytale 'White Snake' Aimee Shaye brings you 'Phantom Whispers'
~ We are all lured by poisonous things ~
Once by the Lake
Love; crippling to the point of insanity. True love can show us the beauty even in the ugliest of things. Aimee Shaye re-imagines the classic fairytale Swan Princess. Once by the Lake - The Darkness reveals true love
The Ink Washed Cat
“A young Shinto chokkai visits the ruins of a sacred temple only to discover the true cost
of ancient magic.”
The Ink Washed Cat- A twisted fairy tale by R. B. Wood based on the Japanese fairy tale
“The Boy who Drew Cats”
From the Anthology Once Upon a Cursed Time.”
Skinderella
Laurie Kehoe puts a dark twist on an old tale. Skinderella - Beauty is more than Skin Deep!
Prince Recreant
The Princess and the Pea as retold by Steven Evans in "Prince Recreant".
Three women are forced to face their fears. Three tests to prove which is worthy to be Queen.
But... will the Prince share his crown?
Three Women. Three Tests. One Crown.
A Game of Roses: Bocephus' Revenge
Rumplestiltskin the sequel! A brother's love tainted by shame and smeared with blood! Steven Evans lingers with darkness to bring an old fairytale a new life!
Awoken by a Kiss
The reimagined fairytale of Sleeping Beauty that will haunt your nightmares.
- GenresFantasy
188 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 23, 2016
6 people are currently reading
141 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
September 19, 2016
***I received an ARC of this anthology in exchange for my fair and honest review!***
Once Upon a Cursed Time is everything I've looked for in a fairytale anthology! It's delightfully dark and perfect for Halloween. I was familiar with most of the stories but it was interesting to see different authors interpretations of classic tales.
Once Upon a Cursed Time answers the questions like:
Why would a witch want to eat children when she's perfectly capable of making a lifesized house of candy?
What happens after Rumpelstiltskin is defeated?
Was the uncomfortable object that caused a certain princess a restless night truly a pea?
This collection throws some curve balls!
Once Upon a Cursed Time is everything I've looked for in a fairytale anthology! It's delightfully dark and perfect for Halloween. I was familiar with most of the stories but it was interesting to see different authors interpretations of classic tales.
Once Upon a Cursed Time answers the questions like:
Why would a witch want to eat children when she's perfectly capable of making a lifesized house of candy?
What happens after Rumpelstiltskin is defeated?
Was the uncomfortable object that caused a certain princess a restless night truly a pea?
This collection throws some curve balls!
October 17, 2016
I received an ARC for an honest review, and that is just what you will get.
This anthology is definitely worth a read. While some of the authors were new to me they did not disappoint; whereas only a couple stories I was not in LOVE with and that mostly is because the tales were so far off from the original fairytale that I was not even sure what it was a retelling of. But with just a couple it isn't a deterrent for me from giving a TRUE 5 star review.
I love the originality & twists with the majority of the stories, even the ones that took me a bit to get into. What i loved the most was the few that actually use the original fairytale as part of their story. For example in Let Down Thy Hair she has 1 of her characters ask her "cell mate" who is also trapped in the tower with her if she ever heard of any others who had been in their same situation to which Geli replies "yes Rupunzel" and she goes on to tell the tale of Rapunzel (well a quick version of it). This is not the only story to do this.
Also the author of PIN, J.L Clayton says that if you love her retelling of Pinocchio she will write a full length novel of PIN & i vote YES.
ALL AROUND THIS IS A FABULOUS READ. RL WEEKS HAS DONE IT YET AGAIN. HER STORIES ARE NOT ONLY PHENOMENAL BUT SHE GOT TOGETHER A WONDERFUL GROUP OF AUTHORS FOR THIS ANTHOLOGY & I LOVE IT & THINK YOU WILL TOO.
I have a review of each story saved in my email but decided no one would spend that much time reading a review so I decided to stick with the important things & maybe later add to it.
This anthology is definitely worth a read. While some of the authors were new to me they did not disappoint; whereas only a couple stories I was not in LOVE with and that mostly is because the tales were so far off from the original fairytale that I was not even sure what it was a retelling of. But with just a couple it isn't a deterrent for me from giving a TRUE 5 star review.
I love the originality & twists with the majority of the stories, even the ones that took me a bit to get into. What i loved the most was the few that actually use the original fairytale as part of their story. For example in Let Down Thy Hair she has 1 of her characters ask her "cell mate" who is also trapped in the tower with her if she ever heard of any others who had been in their same situation to which Geli replies "yes Rupunzel" and she goes on to tell the tale of Rapunzel (well a quick version of it). This is not the only story to do this.
Also the author of PIN, J.L Clayton says that if you love her retelling of Pinocchio she will write a full length novel of PIN & i vote YES.
ALL AROUND THIS IS A FABULOUS READ. RL WEEKS HAS DONE IT YET AGAIN. HER STORIES ARE NOT ONLY PHENOMENAL BUT SHE GOT TOGETHER A WONDERFUL GROUP OF AUTHORS FOR THIS ANTHOLOGY & I LOVE IT & THINK YOU WILL TOO.
I have a review of each story saved in my email but decided no one would spend that much time reading a review so I decided to stick with the important things & maybe later add to it.
September 21, 2016
** I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review**
These 11 authors collaborated together to bring us our favorite Fairytales with a little twist of darkness. This book was amazing, I loved Fairytales as a child, they're even better now.
Step into the pages and let them work their magic. See what fate has in store for your favorites like Conderella, Little Red, and many others.
These 11 authors collaborated together to bring us our favorite Fairytales with a little twist of darkness. This book was amazing, I loved Fairytales as a child, they're even better now.
Step into the pages and let them work their magic. See what fate has in store for your favorites like Conderella, Little Red, and many others.
December 7, 2016
Gorgeous dark reads!
Ugly Scars is a retelling of The Ugly Duckling. The most enticing short story I have ever read! Madness, so dark and so gritty but in the end freedom and release.
Path of Thorns is a retelling of Hansel and Gretel. The first few pages hooked me - like what the hell is happening - I need answers and I need it now! Such a dark and richly written retelling of Hansel and Gretel. Loved this take on the fairytale.
Beauty and the Beast within is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Aww, I feel sorry for the merchant and his daughters. I want to say more but spoilers but anyways... Holy Sh*t! This tale is my favourite retelling in this collection! Loved, loved this dark and gruesome take on a classic tale! So gloriously dark and vicious!
Ink Washed Cat is a retelling of The Boy who Drew Cats. Deception, deals, samuari and death - all of hses make for an enjoyable short read!
Pin is a retelling of Pinocchio. All I can is this: an intriguing read! The dangers of wishing upon a star will cause disastrous consequences...
Let down Thy Hair is a retelling of Rapunzel. An enjoyable short read!
Awakened by a Kiss is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. A lovely and enjoyable read. This short story connects with Let Down Thy Hair but can be read independently.
Skinderella is a retelling of Cinderella. Poor Ella, her stepmother and stepsisters are cruel, evil and twisted beings. Such a gruesome (and disgusting) haunting read!
Prince's Recreant is a retelling of Princess and the Pea. Oh my! I loved this story! I want more! But that ending...*lips sealed*
Game of Roses is a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. A glorious and intriguing read! Evil Manikins, deals and an intelligent princess - so good!
Kiss is a retelling of the Frog Prince. Such a wickedly dark read!
Muerte de los Corazones is a Mexican fairytale. All I can say is this: what an interesting read!
Phantom Whispers is a retelling of the White Snake. Such an intriguing short read! What happens when you don't heed the King's warning? Well, disastrous consequences, of course.
Perfect for readers of fairytale retellings.
Ugly Scars is a retelling of The Ugly Duckling. The most enticing short story I have ever read! Madness, so dark and so gritty but in the end freedom and release.
Path of Thorns is a retelling of Hansel and Gretel. The first few pages hooked me - like what the hell is happening - I need answers and I need it now! Such a dark and richly written retelling of Hansel and Gretel. Loved this take on the fairytale.
Beauty and the Beast within is a retelling of Beauty and the Beast. Aww, I feel sorry for the merchant and his daughters. I want to say more but spoilers but anyways... Holy Sh*t! This tale is my favourite retelling in this collection! Loved, loved this dark and gruesome take on a classic tale! So gloriously dark and vicious!
Ink Washed Cat is a retelling of The Boy who Drew Cats. Deception, deals, samuari and death - all of hses make for an enjoyable short read!
Pin is a retelling of Pinocchio. All I can is this: an intriguing read! The dangers of wishing upon a star will cause disastrous consequences...
Let down Thy Hair is a retelling of Rapunzel. An enjoyable short read!
Awakened by a Kiss is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. A lovely and enjoyable read. This short story connects with Let Down Thy Hair but can be read independently.
Skinderella is a retelling of Cinderella. Poor Ella, her stepmother and stepsisters are cruel, evil and twisted beings. Such a gruesome (and disgusting) haunting read!
Prince's Recreant is a retelling of Princess and the Pea. Oh my! I loved this story! I want more! But that ending...*lips sealed*
Game of Roses is a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. A glorious and intriguing read! Evil Manikins, deals and an intelligent princess - so good!
Kiss is a retelling of the Frog Prince. Such a wickedly dark read!
Muerte de los Corazones is a Mexican fairytale. All I can say is this: what an interesting read!
Phantom Whispers is a retelling of the White Snake. Such an intriguing short read! What happens when you don't heed the King's warning? Well, disastrous consequences, of course.
Perfect for readers of fairytale retellings.
October 4, 2020
Readers of revised fairytale stories are wary of Once Upon a Cursed Time: Dark Fairytale Anthology edited by Rebecca Weeks and Aimee Shaye. To quote the editors, “[It’s] a collection of fourteen dark fairytale stories written by eleven twisted authors.” It is also a retelling of childhood favorites from a very dark perspective.
First, I had issues with the editing of this anthology collection. I noticed spelling errors, misplaced words, and words omitted—all the negligence of the authors and editors. Finally, too many of the stories were narration intrusive. This is when the author doesn’t’ let her characters tell the story, but do it themselves. In too many of the stories in this anthology, the tales violate a sin of modern writing—they tell and don’t show.
I made it my goal to read the entire book, which I did with the exception of “Muerte De Los Corazones,” by J.Y. Delgado, which was so poorly written I gave up on it when I realized it was a story about Mexican children being eaten. Their parents would tell them this legend to keep them in line.
I did enjoy a few of the stories like “Game of Roses,” by Steve Evans. It’s a retelling of the classic Rumpelstiltskin story, but takes up the tale a generation later when the miller’s daughter is queen and her daughter comes in contact with Rumpelstiltskin’s brother seeking revenge.
I also liked “Let Down Thy Hair” by Genevieve Moultrie, a Rapunzel story that showed originality.
If you must, I suggest you buy the Kindle version of Once Upon a Cursed Time rather than the paperback, which will set you back $15.00. That way you can pick the stories you like, ignore the others, and not feel ripped off.
First, I had issues with the editing of this anthology collection. I noticed spelling errors, misplaced words, and words omitted—all the negligence of the authors and editors. Finally, too many of the stories were narration intrusive. This is when the author doesn’t’ let her characters tell the story, but do it themselves. In too many of the stories in this anthology, the tales violate a sin of modern writing—they tell and don’t show.
I made it my goal to read the entire book, which I did with the exception of “Muerte De Los Corazones,” by J.Y. Delgado, which was so poorly written I gave up on it when I realized it was a story about Mexican children being eaten. Their parents would tell them this legend to keep them in line.
I did enjoy a few of the stories like “Game of Roses,” by Steve Evans. It’s a retelling of the classic Rumpelstiltskin story, but takes up the tale a generation later when the miller’s daughter is queen and her daughter comes in contact with Rumpelstiltskin’s brother seeking revenge.
I also liked “Let Down Thy Hair” by Genevieve Moultrie, a Rapunzel story that showed originality.
If you must, I suggest you buy the Kindle version of Once Upon a Cursed Time rather than the paperback, which will set you back $15.00. That way you can pick the stories you like, ignore the others, and not feel ripped off.
January 17, 2017
I have always been a huge fan of fairy tales, so I jumped at the opportunity to read this dark spin on many beloved stories. The alternate version of Hansel and Gretel was very interesting and did a great job of showing what may have taken place before the story that everyone has known through the years. The alternate tale of Beauty and the Beast had a very unique and shocking ending, which I enjoyed. The retellings of Rapunzel and Sleeping Beauty were well done and great to read. Red Riding Hood's retelling was very dark and sinister, which I liked. I enjoyed all of the twisted stories in this anthology. I plan to look into more writing from several of the authors.
February 5, 2017
Beautifully written stories retelling fairy tales with unique twists. I loved this anthology the stories were all so well told. I would highly recommend this to others as a must read.
October 1, 2016
Once upon a cursed time is a collection of Classic Fairytales that have been retold in a darker, and as the name suggests, cursed way.
Most of the Fairytales involved, I personally knew and was able to make comparisons between the traditional and these darker remastered spin off ones, but a couple I've not heard of before and they were interesting ones to read.
Most were reimaginings, some were pretty much the same tale but with a darker spin involving death or trickery. Others were origin stories telling the events that took place before the fairytale we know and love begins. Some followed on afterwards from where the traditional ones ended.
My favourites were:
Beauty and the Beast Within by Mike Kehoe (Beauty and the Beast)
Awakened by a Kiss by Genevieve Moultrie (Sleeping Beauty)
Hooded Red by R.L. Weeks (Little Rd Riding Hood)
Skinderella by Lauretta. L. Kehoe (Cinderella)
Prince's Recreant by Steve Evans
I quite enjoyed this collection even though it gives more of glimpse into a world where the classics get twisted and cursed, does not shy away from death, abuse, trials and tribulations that our characters have not faced before, it was a great collection and it should stand out amongst a vast sea of current Fairytale Retelling collections that are currently out at the moment.
If you'd like your classic Fairytales to be retold with a darker twist to them, this is definitely the collection to get stuck into.
Most of the Fairytales involved, I personally knew and was able to make comparisons between the traditional and these darker remastered spin off ones, but a couple I've not heard of before and they were interesting ones to read.
Most were reimaginings, some were pretty much the same tale but with a darker spin involving death or trickery. Others were origin stories telling the events that took place before the fairytale we know and love begins. Some followed on afterwards from where the traditional ones ended.
My favourites were:
Beauty and the Beast Within by Mike Kehoe (Beauty and the Beast)
Awakened by a Kiss by Genevieve Moultrie (Sleeping Beauty)
Hooded Red by R.L. Weeks (Little Rd Riding Hood)
Skinderella by Lauretta. L. Kehoe (Cinderella)
Prince's Recreant by Steve Evans
I quite enjoyed this collection even though it gives more of glimpse into a world where the classics get twisted and cursed, does not shy away from death, abuse, trials and tribulations that our characters have not faced before, it was a great collection and it should stand out amongst a vast sea of current Fairytale Retelling collections that are currently out at the moment.
If you'd like your classic Fairytales to be retold with a darker twist to them, this is definitely the collection to get stuck into.
August 6, 2018
I am reviewing Hooded Red & Ugly Scars by R. L. Weeks:
Both short stories are creative & beautifully written and developed with no plot holes. Unique storylines that keep you captivated & wanting more. With delightful character's who are very compelling. I highly recommend reading this boxset as you will not be disappointed.
I voluntarly reviewed an advanced reading copy.
More reviews to come on the other short stories
Both short stories are creative & beautifully written and developed with no plot holes. Unique storylines that keep you captivated & wanting more. With delightful character's who are very compelling. I highly recommend reading this boxset as you will not be disappointed.
I voluntarly reviewed an advanced reading copy.
More reviews to come on the other short stories
October 28, 2016
Such a unique blend of stories! The twists on modern Fairytales were so unique, and each one so entertaining in its own way. My fave story was Pin! It was so twisted and dark, and literally gave me chills. This is a great collection to read this Halloween!
October 12, 2016
Great book! I love the twists on each fairytale. The author clearly put some time and thought into this work. I greatly appreciate it.
October 28, 2016
Beautifully written stories retelling fairy tales with unique twists. I loved this anthology the stories were all so well told. I would highly recommend this to others as a must read.
December 17, 2016
Awesome and stunning stories of different deceit, seduction and other naughty and corrupted things you can read about. Great read!!!
December 18, 2016
If you love a little horror, this book is definitely for you. It has everything you want and from 14 different authors you get a story told by each of them.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews