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Magic at Midnight: A YA Fairy Tale Anthology
Once upon a time is eternal…
Turn the pages and fall into the enchanting worlds of beloved, age-old fairy tales made new again in this fifteen-story collection from Snowy Wings Publishing.
A girl with long, long hair is trapped in an attic, ensnared by promises of immortality, the radio her only companion. An android wants to believe in her life, that the feelings she has are real—and that she might be just as beautiful as her famous stepsister. A gamer must save her true love from the mysterious, dark entity that has ensnared him in their MMORPG. A modern teen is lured to the fantastical Land of the Dolls, and only her own cunning can help her escape. These are just a few of the bewitching tales found within Magic at Midnight.
From sci-fi to fantasy, contemporary to historical, paranormal and more, there’s a fairy tale retelling in this collection for every reader. Featuring stories from bestselling and award-winning YA authors as well as emerging voices, this anthology will take you to distant worlds and back again—all just familiar enough to make you feel at home.
Turn the pages and fall into the enchanting worlds of beloved, age-old fairy tales made new again in this fifteen-story collection from Snowy Wings Publishing.
A girl with long, long hair is trapped in an attic, ensnared by promises of immortality, the radio her only companion. An android wants to believe in her life, that the feelings she has are real—and that she might be just as beautiful as her famous stepsister. A gamer must save her true love from the mysterious, dark entity that has ensnared him in their MMORPG. A modern teen is lured to the fantastical Land of the Dolls, and only her own cunning can help her escape. These are just a few of the bewitching tales found within Magic at Midnight.
From sci-fi to fantasy, contemporary to historical, paranormal and more, there’s a fairy tale retelling in this collection for every reader. Featuring stories from bestselling and award-winning YA authors as well as emerging voices, this anthology will take you to distant worlds and back again—all just familiar enough to make you feel at home.
476 pages, Paperback
First published May 29, 2018
10 people are currently reading
496 people want to read
About the author
Lyssa Chiavari
20 books86 followersLyssa Chiavari is an author of speculative fiction for young adults, including Fourth World, the first book in a sci-fi trilogy set on Mars, and Cheerleaders From Planet X, a tongue-in-cheek send-up of all things sci-fi. Her short fiction has appeared in Wings of Renewal: A Solarpunk Dragon Anthology, Brave New Girls: Tales of Heroines Who Hack, Magic at Midnight: A YA Fairytale Anthology and Perchance to Dream: Classic Tales from the Bard’s World in New Skins. Her first published story, “The Choice,” was named one of Ama-gi Magazine’s Best of 2014. Lyssa lives with her family and way too many animals in the woods of Northwest Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
July 10, 2018
A rather tepid anthology for me, with the majority of the fifteen short stories getting no higher than 3 stars. One of the "short stories" (Tresses & Erubescence by Amy McNulty) isn't even one but an excerpt from the author's novel. Editors should know that this practice is unwelcome to many readers, an new anthology promoted as a collection of original or re-edited works isn't the place to put in a promotional chapter from a novel as if they were Kindle samples.
The Beauty & the Beast retelling (The Inventor's Daughter by Selenia Paz) brought me to this anthology, but it was a retelling that I'd describe as a fine idea that wasn't written very well. Most of the stories here suffer from this flaw, because it's not that they're generally lacking in creative ideas for twisting a classic tale's plot; the worst of the lot was A Brackish Shore by Leigh Hellman, a Little Mermaid retelling that was hard to connect to the original tale.
Only about four of the short stories stood out to me:
1. CinderellA.I by Lyssa Chiavari, a creative mix of the "Westworld" TV show with the Perrault tale that was very charming and that I'd rate 4 stars.
2. Magic All Around by jane Watson, which also gets 4 stars. I'm not familiar with the original fairy tale that inspired this, called "The Goblin and the Grocer" according to the author, so I can't judge it based on the tale's plot and themes, but the story of a goblin fully inserted in and functioning in human society was quite good and can stand on its own even with zero knowledge of its source.
3. The Pitiless Prisoner of Hamelin by Mark C. King, which I'd rate 4.5. It's a very, very dark twist on the Pied Piper that I suspect many will detest, but I found interesting though a touch dramatic.
4. Dance of Deception by Clara Kensie, 5 stars for this story that was my favourite. What's it with the Twelve Dancing Princesses that keeps producing such good retellings? At this rate, I'll end up a fan of the tale itself.
So, it was moderately enjoyable for me on the whole, and like a lot of anthologies, it introduced a few new authors that I might want to explore further.
The Beauty & the Beast retelling (The Inventor's Daughter by Selenia Paz) brought me to this anthology, but it was a retelling that I'd describe as a fine idea that wasn't written very well. Most of the stories here suffer from this flaw, because it's not that they're generally lacking in creative ideas for twisting a classic tale's plot; the worst of the lot was A Brackish Shore by Leigh Hellman, a Little Mermaid retelling that was hard to connect to the original tale.
Only about four of the short stories stood out to me:
1. CinderellA.I by Lyssa Chiavari, a creative mix of the "Westworld" TV show with the Perrault tale that was very charming and that I'd rate 4 stars.
2. Magic All Around by jane Watson, which also gets 4 stars. I'm not familiar with the original fairy tale that inspired this, called "The Goblin and the Grocer" according to the author, so I can't judge it based on the tale's plot and themes, but the story of a goblin fully inserted in and functioning in human society was quite good and can stand on its own even with zero knowledge of its source.
3. The Pitiless Prisoner of Hamelin by Mark C. King, which I'd rate 4.5. It's a very, very dark twist on the Pied Piper that I suspect many will detest, but I found interesting though a touch dramatic.
4. Dance of Deception by Clara Kensie, 5 stars for this story that was my favourite. What's it with the Twelve Dancing Princesses that keeps producing such good retellings? At this rate, I'll end up a fan of the tale itself.
So, it was moderately enjoyable for me on the whole, and like a lot of anthologies, it introduced a few new authors that I might want to explore further.
June 23, 2018
I really liked this anthology .. the stories were really good, most of them are futuristic and involving robots but that's OK I enjoyed them just the same .. here are my ratings
CinderllA.I : WestWorld meets cinderella 4/5
Tresses & Erubescence: humanslave to vampires 4/5
Magic All Around : Gretta the goblin who doesn't use magic and then magnus comes and changes the game 4.5/5
Little Rue: Rue gets a job in a strange mansion 3.5/5
The Inventor's Daughter: Merible is the beauty and she is trying to get to her father 4/5
A Brackish Shore: its supposed to be a retelling of little mermaid with Sella a witch from a circus but I really didn't get it .. 2.75/5
The Forest of Carterhaugh: it is a retelling of Tamlin .. amazing, it's like Ready player one for this tale and I liked it .. 5/5
The Pitiless Prisoner of Hamelin: retelling of the piper who drawned rats and children .. he was a prisoner telling his story .. boring .. 1.5/5
The Goose Girl and the Artificial: very cute story about a princess forced to act like a robot while her robot takes her role 5/5
Dance of Deception: girls with superpowers go to the woods to dance when a guy falls in love with one of them .. very enjoyable ..5/5
The False Nightingale: human vs machine in this nightingale retelling .. so so good .. 4.75/5
Leo 6: they live underground and the king have a contest to find a jewel .. 2/5
Solstice Spell: clara sneeks out of the house and meets the nutcracker prince in a club .. 3.5/5
Morsel: siblings go to vampire party and things get strange 2/5
Wires and Blood: Pinterry was living with a robot trapped in a library and when she gets out she discovers what she is .. 3/5
highly recommend it
CinderllA.I : WestWorld meets cinderella 4/5
Tresses & Erubescence: humanslave to vampires 4/5
Magic All Around : Gretta the goblin who doesn't use magic and then magnus comes and changes the game 4.5/5
Little Rue: Rue gets a job in a strange mansion 3.5/5
The Inventor's Daughter: Merible is the beauty and she is trying to get to her father 4/5
A Brackish Shore: its supposed to be a retelling of little mermaid with Sella a witch from a circus but I really didn't get it .. 2.75/5
The Forest of Carterhaugh: it is a retelling of Tamlin .. amazing, it's like Ready player one for this tale and I liked it .. 5/5
The Pitiless Prisoner of Hamelin: retelling of the piper who drawned rats and children .. he was a prisoner telling his story .. boring .. 1.5/5
The Goose Girl and the Artificial: very cute story about a princess forced to act like a robot while her robot takes her role 5/5
Dance of Deception: girls with superpowers go to the woods to dance when a guy falls in love with one of them .. very enjoyable ..5/5
The False Nightingale: human vs machine in this nightingale retelling .. so so good .. 4.75/5
Leo 6: they live underground and the king have a contest to find a jewel .. 2/5
Solstice Spell: clara sneeks out of the house and meets the nutcracker prince in a club .. 3.5/5
Morsel: siblings go to vampire party and things get strange 2/5
Wires and Blood: Pinterry was living with a robot trapped in a library and when she gets out she discovers what she is .. 3/5
highly recommend it
Read
April 23, 2018Amy and I had such a fun time editing this collection, and we're so excited to share it with you! Here is more information about each of the stories within the book:
“CinderellA.I.,” a retelling of CINDERELLA by Lyssa Chiavari, author of the Iamos Trilogy
Madeline knows her role in life—such as it is. She’s an animatron, a lifelike robot built to perform in a fairy tale-inspired theme park. And she’s an Ugly Stepsister. Her destiny is to play second fiddle to the famous Cinderella, to help her shine before the park’s audiences three times daily (five on weekends). But Cinderella isn’t content with being the star of the park. She believes she’s destined for something more. When Cinderella disappears, Madeline comes to realize that maybe she isn’t conscripted to the role the fairy tale laid out for her. And if she wants to save Cinderella, she’ll have to believe in herself… and her very life.
“Tresses & Erubescence,” a retelling of RAPUNZEL by Amy McNulty, author of the Blood, Bloom, & Water Series
After a fire took her family from her, Zelda had no one to turn to—no one but Leopold, the sweetheart whose father never approved of her impoverished family. The two teens run away together, only to find the world on the brink of World War II a cold and unforgiving place. Ensnared by promises of immortality, they move into the attic of an opulent home owned by a charismatic vampire. One by one, the teens they meet there join the undead until at last there’s only Zelda left, a girl with long, long hair trapped in an attic, the radio her only companion.
“Magic All Around,” a retelling of THE GOBLIN AND THE GROCER by Jane Watson, author of The Taming of the Dudebro
In a little village high in the mountains, mortals and goblins have lived together for centuries. Yet with the passing generations, mortals have become blind to the goblins and their magic, even when it’s right in front of them. Greta, a young goblin, doesn’t mind this. She’s found that magic has made her kind lethargic and mean-spirited, using their powers to play cruel jokes on unsuspecting mortals. Greta refuses to use her magic, preferring to work in the humble store of a grocer and his wife and enjoy the satisfaction of a hard day’s work. She is quite happy spending her days in the store and her nights in one of the rooms above with her talkative kitten, Calla.
Her peaceful life is disrupted the day the grocer’s great-nephew, Magnus, moves into the spare room down the hall. Magnus doesn’t act like his kindly and hardworking aunt and uncle at all; to Greta, he’s lackadaisical, immature and selfish. When not doing his schoolwork, he wastes his days painting rather than helping in his uncle’s store. Greta wants nothing to do with Magnus… until she sees his paintings, and feels an inspiration she long forgot was there. As she spends more time with the handsome student, she finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew… and wondering if magic—and love—may be all around her.
“Little Rue,” a retelling of LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD by T. Damon, author of the Forest Spirit Series
Rue is not sure what to expect when she accepts a job at an old mansion in the middle of the woods. To make matters worse, she gets the sense that someone—or something—is stalking her. A wolf in sheep’s clothing could be lurking in her midst, but Rue may be able to dodge a silver bullet, so to speak—if only she trusts her instincts.
“The Inventor’s Daughter,” a retelling of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST by Selenia Paz, author of Life & Death
Maribel and her father live alone, surrounded by miles of deep woods that her father has always warned her are inhabited by a dangerous beast. When Maribel returns from a walk to find her father gone and signs of a struggle, she sets off into the woods with the intention of rescuing her father, knowing that her own secret will help her face whoever took him.
“A Brackish Shore,” a retelling of THE LITTLE MERMAID by Leigh Hellman, author of the forthcoming Orbit
At a carnival by the water’s edge, Sella the Seer passes her days reading fortunes for the strange souls who drift through the midway. She’s learned that everyone is hungry for something in their cards—wealth, admiration, power, adoration—because she was hungry once too. Hungry enough to unshackle herself from a haunted childhood and chase the shimmering caravan lights that promised a haven for her talents, hungry enough to claw her way out of the canteen tents and into an act of her own, hungry enough to sell gossamer hopes to her starving clients with a hook at the end to always reel them back in. But one faithful visitor, a silent young woman with a scream of red hair, has her suddenly craving again. Now Sella wonders what it is they both want from their sessions and what they are—what she is—willing to do to keep it.
“The Forest of Carterhaugh,” a retelling of THE BALLAD OF TAM-LIN by Karissa Laurel, author of the Stormbourne Chronicles
In the real world, Janae is learning to cope with losing her leg after a tragic accident, but in The Forest of Carterhaugh, a virtual MMORPG, she is a fierce warrior named Lady Janet. In the real world, Janae has a secret crush on Thomás, her questing partner, but in The Forest of Carterhaugh, she and Thomás are an unbeatable duo. The two have vowed to claim Queen Mab’s elusive treasure for themselves—a goal no other gamer has been able to accomplish. But when Queen Mab and her evil Knightmares capture and enslave Thomás’s avatar, TamLin, Janae loses all contact with her questing partner. Janae will have overcome her greatest fears and self-doubts and learn to accept herself if she’s going to save TamLin and re-connect with Thomás in the real world.
“The Pitiless Prisoner of Hamelin,” a retelling of THE PIED PIPER by Mark C. King, author of The Book Reapers
If the reports are to be believed, then an unspeakable crime had been committed in Hamelin. Representing the criminal behind the alleged atrocity is a task that nobody wants. As a young law clerk, Herr Steinhauser has no choice but to accept the undesirable assignment. What will he find when he sits face to face with the prisoner knows as the Pied Piper?
“The Goose Girl and the Artificial,” a retelling of THE GOOSE GIRL by K.M. Robinson, author of the Golden Trilogy
On her way to becoming queen, Goselyn must complete several tasks, including journeying to a foreign nation to work with Prince Corinth on a treaty. While traveling, her Artificial, Arta, steals her identity, threatening to hurt Goselyn’s mother if she doesn’t comply. Goselyn must pretend to be an artificially intelligent creation in order to protect her kingdom from her cousin as he controls the technology around her, but when the Arta’s threats expand to include the foreign prince, Goselyn must figure out a way to tell the king and prince what is going on without getting everyone killed in the process.
“Dance of Deception,” a retelling of THE TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES by Clara Kensie, author of Deception So Deadly
Memory-wiper Lila is newly accepted into a group of twelve girls who use their psychic powers to hold clandestine midnight dances in the woods. When Michael, a boy from the school paper, discovers their secret, Lila saves the dances—and her new friends—by erasing his memory. But when he returns night after night, she soon falls for the determined yet kindhearted boy. When the other girls set a dangerous trap to keep Michael out of the woods once and for all, Lila must find a way to save him without exposing their psychic secrets, or she’ll lose both her new friends and her new love.
“Dance of Deception” is a stand-alone story set in the world of the Deception So paranormal romance series. It features all new characters, some of whom may make appearances in future Deception So books.
“The False Nightingale,” a retelling of THE NIGHTINGALE by Mary Fan, author of Starswept
Recently crowned Empress of the planet Caixing, 18-year-old Daiyu finds solace from the pressures of her new role in the company of a young tenor, famed throughout the lands as the Bilin Nightingale. But the arrival of an AI boy with similar abilities both delights and shakes the court, and Daiyu soon learns that being Empress means trusting no one.
“Leo 6,” a retelling of RUMPELSTILTSKIN by Melanie McFarlane, author of the Descendants Series
Kjersi is a miner. Since childhood she’s sported a pickaxe, living underground where her people mine precious gems for the President. When a contest for a rare gem is announced, everyone in the mines is excited because the prize is a ticket to Earth. Kjersi blows it off as nothing more than a trick to increase productivity until her sister falls deathly ill. Now Kjersi must race against the clock and those she’s grown up with to try to secure her sister a ticket to Earth before it’s too late.
“Solstice Spell,” a retelling of THE NUTCRACKER PRINCE by Clare Dugmore, author of All It Takes
Clara Birch has always loved Christmas, and the story of The Nutcracker Prince is her favorite festive fairy tale. That’s why she’s determined to attend town’s annual masquerade ball themed around the classic story. Once at the ball, Clara is rescued by a handsome stranger, who offers to buy her a drink. After just one sip, she passes out. When she awakens, Clara discovers she’s been spirited away to the Land of the Dolls, a kingdom ruled by the Nutcracker Prince she so loves.
But all is not as it seems in the Land of the Dolls. After happening on a secret passageway, Clara discovers the Nutcracker Prince is hiding a terrible secret. The magical Land of the Dolls is nothing more than an illusion. Now Clara must escape this once enchanting fairy tale realm, before it costs her her soul.
“Morsel,” a retelling of HANSEL AND GRETEL by Dorothy Dreyer, author of Phoenix Descending
Henry and his sister Grace feel out of their element when invited to a dinner party at Henry’s girlfriend’s house. But it’s not just a house—it’s a mansion, as his girlfriend Vivienne is daughter to candy company tycoon Lilith Van Lebkuchen. Once they enter the house, strange things begin to happen, and soon Henry starts to fear for his sister’s life. Faced with a reality he didn’t know existed, Henry must trust Vivienne to help him and Grace escape, even if it’s by the skin of their teeth.
“Wires and Blood,” a retelling of PINOCCHIO by debut author Madeehah Reza
After what feels like an eternity living in the library, Pinterry is determined get her freedom. Lisa, her only companion, insists that a cruel monster lurks in the city, but Pin thinks otherwise. Desperate to speak to another human being, Pin uses her unique ability to venture out into the city, only to find it reduced to a deathly stillness. Now what lurks beside its hollow roads was not all what she expected…
“CinderellA.I.,” a retelling of CINDERELLA by Lyssa Chiavari, author of the Iamos Trilogy
Madeline knows her role in life—such as it is. She’s an animatron, a lifelike robot built to perform in a fairy tale-inspired theme park. And she’s an Ugly Stepsister. Her destiny is to play second fiddle to the famous Cinderella, to help her shine before the park’s audiences three times daily (five on weekends). But Cinderella isn’t content with being the star of the park. She believes she’s destined for something more. When Cinderella disappears, Madeline comes to realize that maybe she isn’t conscripted to the role the fairy tale laid out for her. And if she wants to save Cinderella, she’ll have to believe in herself… and her very life.
“Tresses & Erubescence,” a retelling of RAPUNZEL by Amy McNulty, author of the Blood, Bloom, & Water Series
After a fire took her family from her, Zelda had no one to turn to—no one but Leopold, the sweetheart whose father never approved of her impoverished family. The two teens run away together, only to find the world on the brink of World War II a cold and unforgiving place. Ensnared by promises of immortality, they move into the attic of an opulent home owned by a charismatic vampire. One by one, the teens they meet there join the undead until at last there’s only Zelda left, a girl with long, long hair trapped in an attic, the radio her only companion.
“Magic All Around,” a retelling of THE GOBLIN AND THE GROCER by Jane Watson, author of The Taming of the Dudebro
In a little village high in the mountains, mortals and goblins have lived together for centuries. Yet with the passing generations, mortals have become blind to the goblins and their magic, even when it’s right in front of them. Greta, a young goblin, doesn’t mind this. She’s found that magic has made her kind lethargic and mean-spirited, using their powers to play cruel jokes on unsuspecting mortals. Greta refuses to use her magic, preferring to work in the humble store of a grocer and his wife and enjoy the satisfaction of a hard day’s work. She is quite happy spending her days in the store and her nights in one of the rooms above with her talkative kitten, Calla.
Her peaceful life is disrupted the day the grocer’s great-nephew, Magnus, moves into the spare room down the hall. Magnus doesn’t act like his kindly and hardworking aunt and uncle at all; to Greta, he’s lackadaisical, immature and selfish. When not doing his schoolwork, he wastes his days painting rather than helping in his uncle’s store. Greta wants nothing to do with Magnus… until she sees his paintings, and feels an inspiration she long forgot was there. As she spends more time with the handsome student, she finds herself questioning everything she thought she knew… and wondering if magic—and love—may be all around her.
“Little Rue,” a retelling of LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD by T. Damon, author of the Forest Spirit Series
Rue is not sure what to expect when she accepts a job at an old mansion in the middle of the woods. To make matters worse, she gets the sense that someone—or something—is stalking her. A wolf in sheep’s clothing could be lurking in her midst, but Rue may be able to dodge a silver bullet, so to speak—if only she trusts her instincts.
“The Inventor’s Daughter,” a retelling of BEAUTY AND THE BEAST by Selenia Paz, author of Life & Death
Maribel and her father live alone, surrounded by miles of deep woods that her father has always warned her are inhabited by a dangerous beast. When Maribel returns from a walk to find her father gone and signs of a struggle, she sets off into the woods with the intention of rescuing her father, knowing that her own secret will help her face whoever took him.
“A Brackish Shore,” a retelling of THE LITTLE MERMAID by Leigh Hellman, author of the forthcoming Orbit
At a carnival by the water’s edge, Sella the Seer passes her days reading fortunes for the strange souls who drift through the midway. She’s learned that everyone is hungry for something in their cards—wealth, admiration, power, adoration—because she was hungry once too. Hungry enough to unshackle herself from a haunted childhood and chase the shimmering caravan lights that promised a haven for her talents, hungry enough to claw her way out of the canteen tents and into an act of her own, hungry enough to sell gossamer hopes to her starving clients with a hook at the end to always reel them back in. But one faithful visitor, a silent young woman with a scream of red hair, has her suddenly craving again. Now Sella wonders what it is they both want from their sessions and what they are—what she is—willing to do to keep it.
“The Forest of Carterhaugh,” a retelling of THE BALLAD OF TAM-LIN by Karissa Laurel, author of the Stormbourne Chronicles
In the real world, Janae is learning to cope with losing her leg after a tragic accident, but in The Forest of Carterhaugh, a virtual MMORPG, she is a fierce warrior named Lady Janet. In the real world, Janae has a secret crush on Thomás, her questing partner, but in The Forest of Carterhaugh, she and Thomás are an unbeatable duo. The two have vowed to claim Queen Mab’s elusive treasure for themselves—a goal no other gamer has been able to accomplish. But when Queen Mab and her evil Knightmares capture and enslave Thomás’s avatar, TamLin, Janae loses all contact with her questing partner. Janae will have overcome her greatest fears and self-doubts and learn to accept herself if she’s going to save TamLin and re-connect with Thomás in the real world.
“The Pitiless Prisoner of Hamelin,” a retelling of THE PIED PIPER by Mark C. King, author of The Book Reapers
If the reports are to be believed, then an unspeakable crime had been committed in Hamelin. Representing the criminal behind the alleged atrocity is a task that nobody wants. As a young law clerk, Herr Steinhauser has no choice but to accept the undesirable assignment. What will he find when he sits face to face with the prisoner knows as the Pied Piper?
“The Goose Girl and the Artificial,” a retelling of THE GOOSE GIRL by K.M. Robinson, author of the Golden Trilogy
On her way to becoming queen, Goselyn must complete several tasks, including journeying to a foreign nation to work with Prince Corinth on a treaty. While traveling, her Artificial, Arta, steals her identity, threatening to hurt Goselyn’s mother if she doesn’t comply. Goselyn must pretend to be an artificially intelligent creation in order to protect her kingdom from her cousin as he controls the technology around her, but when the Arta’s threats expand to include the foreign prince, Goselyn must figure out a way to tell the king and prince what is going on without getting everyone killed in the process.
“Dance of Deception,” a retelling of THE TWELVE DANCING PRINCESSES by Clara Kensie, author of Deception So Deadly
Memory-wiper Lila is newly accepted into a group of twelve girls who use their psychic powers to hold clandestine midnight dances in the woods. When Michael, a boy from the school paper, discovers their secret, Lila saves the dances—and her new friends—by erasing his memory. But when he returns night after night, she soon falls for the determined yet kindhearted boy. When the other girls set a dangerous trap to keep Michael out of the woods once and for all, Lila must find a way to save him without exposing their psychic secrets, or she’ll lose both her new friends and her new love.
“Dance of Deception” is a stand-alone story set in the world of the Deception So paranormal romance series. It features all new characters, some of whom may make appearances in future Deception So books.
“The False Nightingale,” a retelling of THE NIGHTINGALE by Mary Fan, author of Starswept
Recently crowned Empress of the planet Caixing, 18-year-old Daiyu finds solace from the pressures of her new role in the company of a young tenor, famed throughout the lands as the Bilin Nightingale. But the arrival of an AI boy with similar abilities both delights and shakes the court, and Daiyu soon learns that being Empress means trusting no one.
“Leo 6,” a retelling of RUMPELSTILTSKIN by Melanie McFarlane, author of the Descendants Series
Kjersi is a miner. Since childhood she’s sported a pickaxe, living underground where her people mine precious gems for the President. When a contest for a rare gem is announced, everyone in the mines is excited because the prize is a ticket to Earth. Kjersi blows it off as nothing more than a trick to increase productivity until her sister falls deathly ill. Now Kjersi must race against the clock and those she’s grown up with to try to secure her sister a ticket to Earth before it’s too late.
“Solstice Spell,” a retelling of THE NUTCRACKER PRINCE by Clare Dugmore, author of All It Takes
Clara Birch has always loved Christmas, and the story of The Nutcracker Prince is her favorite festive fairy tale. That’s why she’s determined to attend town’s annual masquerade ball themed around the classic story. Once at the ball, Clara is rescued by a handsome stranger, who offers to buy her a drink. After just one sip, she passes out. When she awakens, Clara discovers she’s been spirited away to the Land of the Dolls, a kingdom ruled by the Nutcracker Prince she so loves.
But all is not as it seems in the Land of the Dolls. After happening on a secret passageway, Clara discovers the Nutcracker Prince is hiding a terrible secret. The magical Land of the Dolls is nothing more than an illusion. Now Clara must escape this once enchanting fairy tale realm, before it costs her her soul.
“Morsel,” a retelling of HANSEL AND GRETEL by Dorothy Dreyer, author of Phoenix Descending
Henry and his sister Grace feel out of their element when invited to a dinner party at Henry’s girlfriend’s house. But it’s not just a house—it’s a mansion, as his girlfriend Vivienne is daughter to candy company tycoon Lilith Van Lebkuchen. Once they enter the house, strange things begin to happen, and soon Henry starts to fear for his sister’s life. Faced with a reality he didn’t know existed, Henry must trust Vivienne to help him and Grace escape, even if it’s by the skin of their teeth.
“Wires and Blood,” a retelling of PINOCCHIO by debut author Madeehah Reza
After what feels like an eternity living in the library, Pinterry is determined get her freedom. Lisa, her only companion, insists that a cruel monster lurks in the city, but Pin thinks otherwise. Desperate to speak to another human being, Pin uses her unique ability to venture out into the city, only to find it reduced to a deathly stillness. Now what lurks beside its hollow roads was not all what she expected…
July 23, 2018
Original review
This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Snowy Wings Publishing!
Magic at Midnight is a Young Adult fairytale anthology written by 15 authors, so 15 fairytale retellings. The retellings are written in different genres such as fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary, historical, paranormal, … So there’s definitely a story for everyone!
Retelling 1: Cinderella A.I. by Lyssa Chiavari 4/5
Retelling: Cinderella
Retelling 2: Tresses & Erubescence by Amy McNulty 2/5
Retelling: Rapunzel
Retelling 3: Magic All Around by Jane Watson 4.5/5
Retelling: The Goblin and the Grocer
Retelling 4: Little Rue by T. Damon 3/5
Retelling: Little Red Riding Hood
Retelling 5: The Inventor’s Daughter by Selenia Paz 4/5
Retelling: Beauty and the Beast
Retelling 6: A Brackish Shore by Leigh Hellman 2/5
Retelling: The Little Mermaid
Retelling 7: The Forest of Carterhaugh by Karissa Laurel 3/5
Retelling: The Ballad of Tam Lin
Retelling 8: The Pitiless Prisoner of Hamelin by Mark C. King 2/5
Retelling: The Pied Piper
Retelling 9: The Goose Girl and the Artificial by K.M. Robinson 4/5
Retelling: The Goose Girl
Retelling 10: Dance of Deception by Clara Kensie 4.5/5
Retelling: The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Retelling 11: The False Nightingale by Mary Fan 4/5
Retelling: The Nightingale
Retelling 12: Leo 6 by Melanie McFarlane 3/5
Retelling: Rumpelstiltskin
Retelling 13: Solstice Spell by Clare Dugmore 3/5
Retelling: The Nutcracker Prince
Retelling 14: Morsel by Dorothy Dreyer 3/5
Retelling: Hansel and Gretel
Retelling 15: Wires and Blood by Madeehah Reza 2/5
Retelling: Pinocchio
TOTAL: 48/75 = 3/5
So overall I really enjoyed reading Magic at Midnight, but a lot of stories were about artificial intelligence and it’s not that it isn’t interesting but it just kinda gets boring because it’s always the same. It would’ve been better if some stories were about something else like mermaids, ghosts, … instead of artificial intelligence.
I do think that there were some really interesting retellings and I cannot wait to discover and read more books written by these authors!
This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Snowy Wings Publishing!
Magic at Midnight is a Young Adult fairytale anthology written by 15 authors, so 15 fairytale retellings. The retellings are written in different genres such as fantasy, sci-fi, contemporary, historical, paranormal, … So there’s definitely a story for everyone!
Retelling 1: Cinderella A.I. by Lyssa Chiavari 4/5
Retelling: Cinderella
Retelling 2: Tresses & Erubescence by Amy McNulty 2/5
Retelling: Rapunzel
Retelling 3: Magic All Around by Jane Watson 4.5/5
Retelling: The Goblin and the Grocer
Retelling 4: Little Rue by T. Damon 3/5
Retelling: Little Red Riding Hood
Retelling 5: The Inventor’s Daughter by Selenia Paz 4/5
Retelling: Beauty and the Beast
Retelling 6: A Brackish Shore by Leigh Hellman 2/5
Retelling: The Little Mermaid
Retelling 7: The Forest of Carterhaugh by Karissa Laurel 3/5
Retelling: The Ballad of Tam Lin
Retelling 8: The Pitiless Prisoner of Hamelin by Mark C. King 2/5
Retelling: The Pied Piper
Retelling 9: The Goose Girl and the Artificial by K.M. Robinson 4/5
Retelling: The Goose Girl
Retelling 10: Dance of Deception by Clara Kensie 4.5/5
Retelling: The Twelve Dancing Princesses
Retelling 11: The False Nightingale by Mary Fan 4/5
Retelling: The Nightingale
Retelling 12: Leo 6 by Melanie McFarlane 3/5
Retelling: Rumpelstiltskin
Retelling 13: Solstice Spell by Clare Dugmore 3/5
Retelling: The Nutcracker Prince
Retelling 14: Morsel by Dorothy Dreyer 3/5
Retelling: Hansel and Gretel
Retelling 15: Wires and Blood by Madeehah Reza 2/5
Retelling: Pinocchio
TOTAL: 48/75 = 3/5
So overall I really enjoyed reading Magic at Midnight, but a lot of stories were about artificial intelligence and it’s not that it isn’t interesting but it just kinda gets boring because it’s always the same. It would’ve been better if some stories were about something else like mermaids, ghosts, … instead of artificial intelligence.
I do think that there were some really interesting retellings and I cannot wait to discover and read more books written by these authors!
May 12, 2018
*I received a free eArc copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for review consideration.*
Magic at Midnight is an anthology full of classic fairy tale retellings, most of which are sci-fi or futuristic in nature, although there are a few dashes of classic fantasy in the mix. Young adult short stories in particular are my jam because (in my opinion) they're far more interesting and engaging than what most would type "literary" short stories. On the whole, I found this collection very enjoyable. I liked the different interpretations and re-framing classic stories around new scenarios. My opinion did vary from story to story, but on the whole, very good.
"CinderellA.I."—A lovely meta-take about sentient andriods reenacting fairy tales and finding love...from the stepsister's perspective! I loved Madeline's personality and really enjoyed being along for the ride as she navigated Cindy's romance and her own flirtation with Gilbert. Super cute with lots of Disney vibes. Four stars!
"Tresses & Erubescence."—a Rapunzel story about a girl trapped in a house full of vampires. I have to got to say, the first 3/4 of this story I was all in. 4.5-5 stars. Annnnd then the last fourth of the story brought me down to two. I'll put spoilers under the cut, but based on the ending and the author's statement, this story sets up a character to be important in a later book series, but in doing so did not let the short story stand on its own. I did not think the character motivation given in Zelda's POV supported the twist at the end. In total...2.5 stars.
"Magic All Around"—This story is a retelling of the Goblin and the Grocer, which I had never heard of or read before! I found the story fresh and interesting, especially because I had no idea what would happen next. I was a bit worried that this would end in a downer, but it does not, and in the end, a cute goblin girl learns how to be herself. Four stars.
"Little Rue"—A girl named Rue is bilked into a job interview for a weird doctor who sends off weird vibes. The beginning with Rue and her roommate did confuse me as to who was the main character, and some things I found unbelievable about it, such as why she would not question SO MANY of the red flags over the course of the story's events. I guess it IS a red riding hood story. But why was there a Victorian house in Montana? Fine. Three stars.
"The Inventor's Daughter"—This story is a retelling of beauty and the beast with andriods/robots. This was an interesting idea, but information came flying from every direction, and none of it was foreshadowed. This either needed WAY more Chekhov's gun, or it should have been fleshed out into a longer work. The ties to beauty and the beast were tenuous, but without it, the story falls flat. Also, Two stars.
"A Brackish Shore"—This is one of the stories in this collection that does not utilize sci-fi elements, which I appreciated! However, it's based on the little mermaid, and I kept waiting to get to that part, but it doesn't happen until the end, which was sort of a let down. (And on a personal note, I don't like stories about fortune telling until it falls into a VERY narrow subset, and this didn't, which brought my personal enjoyment down). That aside, the descriptions and diction were very good. Three stars.
"The Forest of Carterhaugh"—a Tam Lin story set in a virtual reality video game. After I got over my personal VR exasperation (please...no more), I really liked Janae, who is disabled, and enjoyed her quest to rescue Thomás from a malevolent A.I. I thought it was a very well done adaption of Tam Lin for the setting and medium. Four stars.
"The Pitiless Prisoner of Hamelin"—I guess you could describe this as a frame story wherein the Pied Piper is relating to his lawyer/solicitor the crimes of which he has been accused. This story also seeks to give motivation to the Piper's actions. The story flows mostly from questions from the narrator and answers from the Piper, which made it feel a bit too tell-y, and some of the questions asked seemed inane or basic. I felt some of the character moments could have been left to audience/narrator interpretation than having the Piper spell out how he felt/what he had wanted/etc. But all in all, it was a good story. Three stars.
"The Goose Girl and the Artificial"—The Goose Girl retold with robots and 'artificials,' android-like beings who serve the different kingdoms. I felt this honestly was a great way to interpret the story, and the idea really had legs at the beginning, when the traditional fairy tale aspects were reinterpreted within the more sci-fi framework. However, the true antagonist of the story never appeared; we only heard about him second hand, so the threat never felt truly present. The character development and motivation also could have been developed better. 3.5 stars.
"Dance of Deception"—HELL YES. HELL FREAKING YES. LOVED this. A modern 12 Dancing Princesses with girls with powers sneaking off to the woods each night until a boy follows them to the woods, threatening to reveal their secrets. Intrigue! Beautiful descriptions! Romance! A concept that is tied to the author's other books but works completely on its own! A satisfying ending! FIVE STARS.
"The False Nightingale"—Another fairy tale I was not familiar with! Daiyu becomes empress of Caixing, even though she had dreamed of becoming a singer. Within her court, the renowned Bilin Nightingale whom she fancies competes for her attentions against an AI programmed with an equally wonderful voice. I thought the story and writing were executed perfectly, with the story unwinding in a fantastic and believable way. Five stars!
"Leo 6"—a miner searches for a special gem that will free her sick sister from the mines and send her to earth, a place she's always dreamed of. This was a good story, though I wished more societal things had been addressed, such as why the miners were not allowed above ground, or why there was such a clear class disparity. Four stars.
"Solstice Spell"—A retelling of the Nutcracker Prince. I had a hard time classing this story because while it starts and ends in a modern setting, most of the story takes place in a fantasy atmosphere. I was hyped for the beginning, but the cool premise was dropped almost right away in favor of lavish descriptions of the fantasy world. That made me want to give the story two stars, but the turn halfway through the story and the ending redeemed it. Still bummed that the nightclub ball premise was so rushed and dropped so early on; it would have worked super well for a real-world nutcracker. Three stars.
"Morsel"—Hansel and Gretel with vampires. I read this before lunch, and all the candy descriptions made me really hungry! The original story and the new setting contribute perfectly to a more gothic, punch-in-the-gut ending, and I thought that it was executed very well. Four stars.
"Wires and Blood"—Pinocchio with robots/androids. Pinterry wanders out of the safety of her library into a war-torn London and discovers the truth about the world and herself. The Pinocchio story lends itself perfectly to this premise, and I was completely drawn in as Pin slowly realizes things about herself she has always taken for granted. OOMPH. Feels. Five stars.
On the whole, I really enjoyed reading this collection and enjoyed the wide variety of stories and ideas. I wish that there wasn't such a dearth of true 'magic' in them, but all in all, a good time.
Magic at Midnight is an anthology full of classic fairy tale retellings, most of which are sci-fi or futuristic in nature, although there are a few dashes of classic fantasy in the mix. Young adult short stories in particular are my jam because (in my opinion) they're far more interesting and engaging than what most would type "literary" short stories. On the whole, I found this collection very enjoyable. I liked the different interpretations and re-framing classic stories around new scenarios. My opinion did vary from story to story, but on the whole, very good.
"CinderellA.I."—A lovely meta-take about sentient andriods reenacting fairy tales and finding love...from the stepsister's perspective! I loved Madeline's personality and really enjoyed being along for the ride as she navigated Cindy's romance and her own flirtation with Gilbert. Super cute with lots of Disney vibes. Four stars!
"Tresses & Erubescence."—a Rapunzel story about a girl trapped in a house full of vampires. I have to got to say, the first 3/4 of this story I was all in. 4.5-5 stars. Annnnd then the last fourth of the story brought me down to two. I'll put spoilers under the cut, but based on the ending and the author's statement, this story sets up a character to be important in a later book series, but in doing so did not let the short story stand on its own. I did not think the character motivation given in Zelda's POV supported the twist at the end. In total...2.5 stars.
"Magic All Around"—This story is a retelling of the Goblin and the Grocer, which I had never heard of or read before! I found the story fresh and interesting, especially because I had no idea what would happen next. I was a bit worried that this would end in a downer, but it does not, and in the end, a cute goblin girl learns how to be herself. Four stars.
"Little Rue"—A girl named Rue is bilked into a job interview for a weird doctor who sends off weird vibes. The beginning with Rue and her roommate did confuse me as to who was the main character, and some things I found unbelievable about it, such as why she would not question SO MANY of the red flags over the course of the story's events. I guess it IS a red riding hood story. But why was there a Victorian house in Montana? Fine. Three stars.
"The Inventor's Daughter"—This story is a retelling of beauty and the beast with andriods/robots. This was an interesting idea, but information came flying from every direction, and none of it was foreshadowed. This either needed WAY more Chekhov's gun, or it should have been fleshed out into a longer work. The ties to beauty and the beast were tenuous, but without it, the story falls flat. Also, Two stars.
"A Brackish Shore"—This is one of the stories in this collection that does not utilize sci-fi elements, which I appreciated! However, it's based on the little mermaid, and I kept waiting to get to that part, but it doesn't happen until the end, which was sort of a let down. (And on a personal note, I don't like stories about fortune telling until it falls into a VERY narrow subset, and this didn't, which brought my personal enjoyment down). That aside, the descriptions and diction were very good. Three stars.
"The Forest of Carterhaugh"—a Tam Lin story set in a virtual reality video game. After I got over my personal VR exasperation (please...no more), I really liked Janae, who is disabled, and enjoyed her quest to rescue Thomás from a malevolent A.I. I thought it was a very well done adaption of Tam Lin for the setting and medium. Four stars.
"The Pitiless Prisoner of Hamelin"—I guess you could describe this as a frame story wherein the Pied Piper is relating to his lawyer/solicitor the crimes of which he has been accused. This story also seeks to give motivation to the Piper's actions. The story flows mostly from questions from the narrator and answers from the Piper, which made it feel a bit too tell-y, and some of the questions asked seemed inane or basic. I felt some of the character moments could have been left to audience/narrator interpretation than having the Piper spell out how he felt/what he had wanted/etc. But all in all, it was a good story. Three stars.
"The Goose Girl and the Artificial"—The Goose Girl retold with robots and 'artificials,' android-like beings who serve the different kingdoms. I felt this honestly was a great way to interpret the story, and the idea really had legs at the beginning, when the traditional fairy tale aspects were reinterpreted within the more sci-fi framework. However, the true antagonist of the story never appeared; we only heard about him second hand, so the threat never felt truly present. The character development and motivation also could have been developed better. 3.5 stars.
"Dance of Deception"—HELL YES. HELL FREAKING YES. LOVED this. A modern 12 Dancing Princesses with girls with powers sneaking off to the woods each night until a boy follows them to the woods, threatening to reveal their secrets. Intrigue! Beautiful descriptions! Romance! A concept that is tied to the author's other books but works completely on its own! A satisfying ending! FIVE STARS.
"The False Nightingale"—Another fairy tale I was not familiar with! Daiyu becomes empress of Caixing, even though she had dreamed of becoming a singer. Within her court, the renowned Bilin Nightingale whom she fancies competes for her attentions against an AI programmed with an equally wonderful voice. I thought the story and writing were executed perfectly, with the story unwinding in a fantastic and believable way. Five stars!
"Leo 6"—a miner searches for a special gem that will free her sick sister from the mines and send her to earth, a place she's always dreamed of. This was a good story, though I wished more societal things had been addressed, such as why the miners were not allowed above ground, or why there was such a clear class disparity. Four stars.
"Solstice Spell"—A retelling of the Nutcracker Prince. I had a hard time classing this story because while it starts and ends in a modern setting, most of the story takes place in a fantasy atmosphere. I was hyped for the beginning, but the cool premise was dropped almost right away in favor of lavish descriptions of the fantasy world. That made me want to give the story two stars, but the turn halfway through the story and the ending redeemed it. Still bummed that the nightclub ball premise was so rushed and dropped so early on; it would have worked super well for a real-world nutcracker. Three stars.
"Morsel"—Hansel and Gretel with vampires. I read this before lunch, and all the candy descriptions made me really hungry! The original story and the new setting contribute perfectly to a more gothic, punch-in-the-gut ending, and I thought that it was executed very well. Four stars.
"Wires and Blood"—Pinocchio with robots/androids. Pinterry wanders out of the safety of her library into a war-torn London and discovers the truth about the world and herself. The Pinocchio story lends itself perfectly to this premise, and I was completely drawn in as Pin slowly realizes things about herself she has always taken for granted. OOMPH. Feels. Five stars.
On the whole, I really enjoyed reading this collection and enjoyed the wide variety of stories and ideas. I wish that there wasn't such a dearth of true 'magic' in them, but all in all, a good time.
December 18, 2020
1- retelling cinderella i really enjoyed it
2-retelling repunzel i ddnt get it
3-magic all arounf us was so cute
4-little rue was ok i wanted romance
5- the inventor's daughter so smart retelling of beauty and the beast
6-brackish shore i ddnt enjoy it
7- the forest of carterhaugh omg omg omg my heart it was the best
8- a pitiless prisioner of hamelin it was revange story
9-the goose girl and artificial it was ok but the idea is nice
10- dance of deceptiong ommmggg soo cuteee niicee
11-the false nighyingale similar to are you human tv show it was nice i enjoyed it
12-leo 6 hmmmm i ddnt enjoy it much
13-solstice spell i liked the moral of the story not everything u see is the truth
14-morsel meeh i guess
15-it reminded me of a game nice
Overall nice to read if u like these stuff
2-retelling repunzel i ddnt get it
3-magic all arounf us was so cute
4-little rue was ok i wanted romance
5- the inventor's daughter so smart retelling of beauty and the beast
6-brackish shore i ddnt enjoy it
7- the forest of carterhaugh omg omg omg my heart it was the best
8- a pitiless prisioner of hamelin it was revange story
9-the goose girl and artificial it was ok but the idea is nice
10- dance of deceptiong ommmggg soo cuteee niicee
11-the false nighyingale similar to are you human tv show it was nice i enjoyed it
12-leo 6 hmmmm i ddnt enjoy it much
13-solstice spell i liked the moral of the story not everything u see is the truth
14-morsel meeh i guess
15-it reminded me of a game nice
Overall nice to read if u like these stuff
June 10, 2018
Generally, anthologies tend to be a mixed bag. I know some other authors that I follow have contributed to fairy tale anthologies, but I mostly avoid them because I worry I might not like all of the stories if I'm not familiar with most of the contributors. Despite having a multitude of authors, Magic at Midnight was fairly consistent in tone, but I was surprised to learn that the tone was very different from the fantasy image portrayed on the cover of a young woman in a ballgown running into the sunset. Instead, nearly all of the stories contained elements of sci-fi or horror, which is not usually my cup of tea, although I do enjoy my fair share of sci-fi if I'm in the right mood. I am of the personal opinion that princesses do not mix well with vampires or werewolves, but I didn't mind the stories involving robots as much. Those stories would be considered steampunk since they combined modern technology with old-fashioned customs, but I'm far from an expert on steampunk, myself.
I think Magic at Midnight would be a good book for princess fans to read around Halloween season because many of the supernatural beings and chilling surprise endings had more of a horror than a fairy tale feel to them. It never got too graphic, but the concepts portrayed in the stories were often disturbing enough that it was difficult to read more than one tale in a single sitting. I'd like to see Snowy Wings Publishing release a horror anthology in October by the same authors because I think that would work a lot better. Some of the stories in this book bore hardly any resemblance to their intended fairy tales, such as Rapunzel with vampires, Red Riding Hood becoming a werewolf for the umpteenth time in a modern adaptation, or the LGBT "Little Mermaid" unrequited romance that had no mention of mermaids and read more like an original short story. Most of my favorites were the ones that stayed closer to their roots, such as the story based on "The Goose Girl," which essentially told the same fairy tale with robots or the one based on "The Pied Piper," which gave an emotional recount of the classic story, presenting the titular character as an antihero being interviewed by a young lawyer.
In general, I tend to stray away from the horror genre, but I have nothing against science fiction. For that reason, I enjoyed the stories that I refer to as "steampunk." Lyssa Chiavari's "CinderellA.I." presented a futuristic Disneyland-like setting in which the animatronics who put on shows for the guests are sentient and begin to question their purpose. I also enjoyed "The Forest of Carterhaugh" by Karissa Laurel about a crippled teen who escaped her insecurities by playing a virtual reality video game that made her feel empowered. "Leo 6" by Melanie McFarlane was another emotional sci-fi drama about a girl who would do anything to save her sister. I would have preferred the story without the "Rumpelstiltskin" reference because it was so vague and unnecessary. "Dance of Deception" by Clara Kensie was an interesting take on "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" with an X-Men style twist. Another one I really liked was "The False Nightingale" by Mary Fan since Hans Christian Andersen's "The Nightingale" already had a robot in it, so it wasn't much of a stretch to make the story more sci-fi. The characters felt very real to me in Mary Fan's version, and I loved how it ended.
Overall, I think that the cover of Magic at Midnight is a bit misleading. It's more of a sci-fi and horror anthology with slight fairy tale influences than it is an actual book of fairy tales. If you're into sci-fi and horror, you should definitely check it out. If you're more of a fairy tale princess lover like me, it would be better to wait until October when you're in the Halloween spirit. It's not a fast read. Some of the stories are mildy disturbing or emotionally heavy. For the best enjoyment, I would recommend only reading one story a day instead of trying to finish it quickly like I did.
I think Magic at Midnight would be a good book for princess fans to read around Halloween season because many of the supernatural beings and chilling surprise endings had more of a horror than a fairy tale feel to them. It never got too graphic, but the concepts portrayed in the stories were often disturbing enough that it was difficult to read more than one tale in a single sitting. I'd like to see Snowy Wings Publishing release a horror anthology in October by the same authors because I think that would work a lot better. Some of the stories in this book bore hardly any resemblance to their intended fairy tales, such as Rapunzel with vampires, Red Riding Hood becoming a werewolf for the umpteenth time in a modern adaptation, or the LGBT "Little Mermaid" unrequited romance that had no mention of mermaids and read more like an original short story. Most of my favorites were the ones that stayed closer to their roots, such as the story based on "The Goose Girl," which essentially told the same fairy tale with robots or the one based on "The Pied Piper," which gave an emotional recount of the classic story, presenting the titular character as an antihero being interviewed by a young lawyer.
In general, I tend to stray away from the horror genre, but I have nothing against science fiction. For that reason, I enjoyed the stories that I refer to as "steampunk." Lyssa Chiavari's "CinderellA.I." presented a futuristic Disneyland-like setting in which the animatronics who put on shows for the guests are sentient and begin to question their purpose. I also enjoyed "The Forest of Carterhaugh" by Karissa Laurel about a crippled teen who escaped her insecurities by playing a virtual reality video game that made her feel empowered. "Leo 6" by Melanie McFarlane was another emotional sci-fi drama about a girl who would do anything to save her sister. I would have preferred the story without the "Rumpelstiltskin" reference because it was so vague and unnecessary. "Dance of Deception" by Clara Kensie was an interesting take on "The Twelve Dancing Princesses" with an X-Men style twist. Another one I really liked was "The False Nightingale" by Mary Fan since Hans Christian Andersen's "The Nightingale" already had a robot in it, so it wasn't much of a stretch to make the story more sci-fi. The characters felt very real to me in Mary Fan's version, and I loved how it ended.
Overall, I think that the cover of Magic at Midnight is a bit misleading. It's more of a sci-fi and horror anthology with slight fairy tale influences than it is an actual book of fairy tales. If you're into sci-fi and horror, you should definitely check it out. If you're more of a fairy tale princess lover like me, it would be better to wait until October when you're in the Halloween spirit. It's not a fast read. Some of the stories are mildy disturbing or emotionally heavy. For the best enjoyment, I would recommend only reading one story a day instead of trying to finish it quickly like I did.
September 7, 2018
A brilliant collection of YA fairy tale retellings filled with stories from androids to vampires and lots and lots of magic! It's a fantastic mix of fairy tale retellings with something for everyone. It started off a bit slow with a lot of fairly mild stories that weren't that gripping, but then the second half of the book really picked up and I enjoyed it so much!
Here are the short stories with their authors and the ratings I gave for each of them:
- CinderellA.I. by Lyssa Chiavari (4)
- Tresses & Erubescence by Amy McNulty (2)
- Magic All Around by Jane Watson (5)
- Little Rue by T. Damon (3)
- The Inventor's Daughter by Selenia Paz (3)
- A Brackish Shore by Leigh Hellman (4)
- The Forest of Carterhaugh by Karissa Laurel (4)
- The Pitiless Prisoner of Hamelin by Mark C. King (5)
- The Goose Girl and the Artificial by K.M. Robinson (5)
- Dance of Deception by Clara Kensie (5)
- The False Nightingale by Mary Fan (5)
- Leo 6 by Melanie McFarlane (5)
- Solstice Spell by Clare Dugmore (5)
- Morsel by Dorothy Dreyer (4)
- Wires and Blood by Madeehah Reza (2)
There are also little drawings throughout the book - one per story which was a cute addition but I didn't really like most of the drawings however it was still a cute detail for these fairy tale retelling stories! Some were so cute with brilliant characters and others were written so beautifully I loved the style of the writing.
If you're looking for a collection of short stories to read or love a bit of fairy tale magic then pick up this book - you'll find something in there you'll like!
Here are the short stories with their authors and the ratings I gave for each of them:
- CinderellA.I. by Lyssa Chiavari (4)
- Tresses & Erubescence by Amy McNulty (2)
- Magic All Around by Jane Watson (5)
- Little Rue by T. Damon (3)
- The Inventor's Daughter by Selenia Paz (3)
- A Brackish Shore by Leigh Hellman (4)
- The Forest of Carterhaugh by Karissa Laurel (4)
- The Pitiless Prisoner of Hamelin by Mark C. King (5)
- The Goose Girl and the Artificial by K.M. Robinson (5)
- Dance of Deception by Clara Kensie (5)
- The False Nightingale by Mary Fan (5)
- Leo 6 by Melanie McFarlane (5)
- Solstice Spell by Clare Dugmore (5)
- Morsel by Dorothy Dreyer (4)
- Wires and Blood by Madeehah Reza (2)
There are also little drawings throughout the book - one per story which was a cute addition but I didn't really like most of the drawings however it was still a cute detail for these fairy tale retelling stories! Some were so cute with brilliant characters and others were written so beautifully I loved the style of the writing.
If you're looking for a collection of short stories to read or love a bit of fairy tale magic then pick up this book - you'll find something in there you'll like!
May 30, 2018
This book Breaks down every fairytale. Then the authors weave and build them back together again, binding them together with their own special abilities and imaginations. They have made them Magnificent, Luxurious, Dazzling, Imposing, flamboyant, Grandiose, Radiant, heroic, I could go on, as they have injected nearly every combination of fantasy. How can you re-tell an aged old fable interjecting vampires, robots, goblins, Artificial Intelligence and so much more. I enjoyed every single one of these fairytales, and I even came across ones I hadn’t heard of before. An Example being, one called Tam Lin, so I read the original Scottish fable then read the altered version, Karissa Laurel managed to turn it into a gaming tale, interwoven with the Fae! How much more original thought than that can you experience. All the authors work was new to me as I had never read any of their work before, except Karissa Laurel who is one extraordinarily talented author. With her introducing a new piece of fantasy into this collection is what inspired me to read this book. Now I will be looking into what other books these authors have written. Great fantastically story’s, inspired by these authors originality and immense imagination. I will never look at another fairytale without expecting some surprise waiting in the wings.
May 27, 2018
I received a free ARC from the publisher in exchange for review consideration.
Reviewing an anthology can be challenging. Instead of a single story, you have many, often by different authors. They're all different, and you may like some but not others. That's how I feel about this book. I loved some of these stories, which were beautiful and interesting twists of a familiar tale. Others were not so good. There were even others that didn't feel like retellings at all and that didn't have any connection with the original story besides vaguely similar names or a quote.
However, it was fun to read the stories of my childhood with a spin, updated for 21st-century demands, updated for young adults. I may be a grown-up now, but I'll always be a child at heart.
Reviewing an anthology can be challenging. Instead of a single story, you have many, often by different authors. They're all different, and you may like some but not others. That's how I feel about this book. I loved some of these stories, which were beautiful and interesting twists of a familiar tale. Others were not so good. There were even others that didn't feel like retellings at all and that didn't have any connection with the original story besides vaguely similar names or a quote.
However, it was fun to read the stories of my childhood with a spin, updated for 21st-century demands, updated for young adults. I may be a grown-up now, but I'll always be a child at heart.
May 15, 2018
If you like fairy tales, you're gonna love this anthology! Book one is a new twist on Cinderella. Now what makes it different from all the others? It's about the step-sister. Only they're not real. They're A.I. living in a theme park programmed to act out Cinderella. and the Humans have no idea that they can think, talk, and behave within their own capabilities. Book 2 is a new take on Rapunzel. I won't give away the plot, because that wouldn't be fair, but it's good. This whole collection is amazing! I had fun getting into it and reading these new and different takes on fairy tales.
September 2, 2018
Wow! Seriously impressed with this book. I truly enjoyed each and every story! I was confident going in I would like it, but as a whole it really knocked my socks off. I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite from the bunch as I thoroughly enjoyed each one. Definitely made me want to read more from these authors as many are new to me.
May 23, 2018
Fun and unique takes on classic fairytales, with many altering well known stories in surprising ways. For fans of Amy's previous work, you'll encounter some of her characters in these new stories in ways that add depth and understanding to your prior knowledge of them.
May 23, 2018
Unbelievable, I couldn’t get enough of these stories. Took me away to another world, every time I started reading. Different version of age old classics, but just superb. Don’t miss out when the book is released.
September 29, 2018
Fairy tales of the future
An interesting retelling of classic fairy tales with a futuristic science fiction twist. An interesting read for science fiction fans who like a hint of something familiar.
An interesting retelling of classic fairy tales with a futuristic science fiction twist. An interesting read for science fiction fans who like a hint of something familiar.
July 24, 2018
Good quick read.
I enjoyed reading this anthology, it was a nice little read! Some of the stories I wasn't as into but some of them left me wanting more!
I enjoyed reading this anthology, it was a nice little read! Some of the stories I wasn't as into but some of them left me wanting more!
May 27, 2020
An anthology of fifteen short stories inspired by fairytales.
Each story has a black and white illustration from one of three illustrators: Munky Wrench, Kathy Ferrell and Kele Lowor.
Each story has a black and white illustration from one of three illustrators: Munky Wrench, Kathy Ferrell and Kele Lowor.
August 10, 2020
I never finished this. I remember finding myself bored throughout. Meh plots, wasn’t for me!
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