What do you think?
Disney A Twisted Tale Treasury: A Whole New World / As Old As Time
- GenresFantasy
880 pages, Paperback
Published September 19, 2017
About the author
Liz Braswell
74 books6,712 followersAfter the sort of introverted childhood you would expect from a writer, Liz earned a degree in Egyptology at Brown University and then promptly spent the next ten years producing video games. Finally she caved into fate and wrote Snow and Rx under the name Tracy Lynn, followed by The Nine Lives of Chloe King series under her real name, because by then the assassins hunting her were all dead. She also has short stories in Geektastic and Who Done It and a new series of reimagined fairy tales coming out, starting with A Whole New World—a retelling of Aladdin.
She lives in Brooklyn with a husband, two children, a cat, a part-time dog, three fish and five coffee trees she insists will start producing beans any day. You can email her at me@lizbraswell.com.
She lives in Brooklyn with a husband, two children, a cat, a part-time dog, three fish and five coffee trees she insists will start producing beans any day. You can email her at me@lizbraswell.com.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 6, 2024
A whole new world was brilliant! My favourite twisted tale book
July 7, 2020
| Reader Fox Blog |
The other day in Barnes and Noble (my home away from home) while I was looking for something to happily blow all of my Christmas money on, I happened upon a display labeled Disney Villains with a smattering of books featuring many of the darkest of meanies from various Disney films from my childhood. I'd seen Poor Unfortunate Soul by Serena Valentino before, having found myself curious but never curious enough to buy it. Of course, since I have a rather large weak spot for the story of Aladdin (as noted by the lovely shirt I own from seeing the broadway play only two years ago), the second I noticed this particular book I immediately plucked it up.
I was admittedly rather weary of this novel, partially due to its obvious place in the younger of genres and because retellings are often incredibly hard to do well. This is not to say that books for younger children aren't worth reading--there have been many I've picked up with my brother in mind and read myself simply because I am a sucker for any good story, be it meant for 10-12 or those categorized as young adult and I'll give just about anything a chance if it has piqued my curiosity.
Braswell's reimagining of the story of Aladdin as though Jafar had actually gotten hold of the lamp was, as far as I'm concerned, well worth the read. It was interesting and showed a take on that particular branch of alternate universe in a way I personally never could have predicted. In this, it had its goods and bads and very strong ones at that. I enjoyed reading it, but would by no means call this an amazing story. I admire Braswell's boldness as well as her tenacity and while I do intend to read the two other Disney twisted reselling she has written, there are many things I would change about her Aladdin retelling.
It was surprisingly dark, at times, and brought into play plot ideas that I didn't particularly care for, particularly with Jafar's army which I found idiotic and somewhat demeaning to the story and Jafar's character. Iago's role in the retelling also deeply upset me, again in regards to Braswell's portrayal of Jafar's character. More often than I would have liked, I found myself feeling as though the characters were not themselves, and it is here that I think Braswell hit her largest snag. She simply did not have a great grasp of the original characters and struggled at times to write them in a way that remained true to their nature in the Disney version. I was most disappointed in Jafar, followed closely by Jasmine and the Genie. Aladdin, however, was rather impressive, even if he had moments--albeit small--where he didn't quite fit himself.
Now, as this is a retelling, it is perfectly reasonable to accept these changes in characters. I don't fault Braswell entirely for her choices and the differences that existed among the characters. But I did not enjoy what I did notice. I was horribly unimpressed with the way in which she chose to free the Genie and had admittedly hoped that at some point the deep friendship between Aladdin and Genie would be addressed, and felt the loss of that friendship greatly throughout the course of the story. I do, however, find less fault in this than in the changes made to Jafar's character in particular.
On another note, I believe Braswell did a fantastic job of capturing the world of Agrabah. Other additives, such as Aladdin's mother and relationships connecting characters I otherwise would never have connected in that way were enjoyable. Overall, it was a wonderful story with various things I can't help nitpicking at.
Had this been an original story, without my previous love for the Disney movie, I may have been less critical of some things. I do believe the romance was a bit awkward, however, I was willing to overlook that due to my previous experiences with the story of Aladdin. This book was not better than the movie. It did not impress me as the broadway play did. But it was good, in its own way.
I hope Braswell improves with her other retellings, as this was her very first.
| Instagram | Twitter | Reader Fox Blog | Bloglovin’ | Facebook |
The other day in Barnes and Noble (my home away from home) while I was looking for something to happily blow all of my Christmas money on, I happened upon a display labeled Disney Villains with a smattering of books featuring many of the darkest of meanies from various Disney films from my childhood. I'd seen Poor Unfortunate Soul by Serena Valentino before, having found myself curious but never curious enough to buy it. Of course, since I have a rather large weak spot for the story of Aladdin (as noted by the lovely shirt I own from seeing the broadway play only two years ago), the second I noticed this particular book I immediately plucked it up.
I was admittedly rather weary of this novel, partially due to its obvious place in the younger of genres and because retellings are often incredibly hard to do well. This is not to say that books for younger children aren't worth reading--there have been many I've picked up with my brother in mind and read myself simply because I am a sucker for any good story, be it meant for 10-12 or those categorized as young adult and I'll give just about anything a chance if it has piqued my curiosity.
Braswell's reimagining of the story of Aladdin as though Jafar had actually gotten hold of the lamp was, as far as I'm concerned, well worth the read. It was interesting and showed a take on that particular branch of alternate universe in a way I personally never could have predicted. In this, it had its goods and bads and very strong ones at that. I enjoyed reading it, but would by no means call this an amazing story. I admire Braswell's boldness as well as her tenacity and while I do intend to read the two other Disney twisted reselling she has written, there are many things I would change about her Aladdin retelling.
It was surprisingly dark, at times, and brought into play plot ideas that I didn't particularly care for, particularly with Jafar's army which I found idiotic and somewhat demeaning to the story and Jafar's character. Iago's role in the retelling also deeply upset me, again in regards to Braswell's portrayal of Jafar's character. More often than I would have liked, I found myself feeling as though the characters were not themselves, and it is here that I think Braswell hit her largest snag. She simply did not have a great grasp of the original characters and struggled at times to write them in a way that remained true to their nature in the Disney version. I was most disappointed in Jafar, followed closely by Jasmine and the Genie. Aladdin, however, was rather impressive, even if he had moments--albeit small--where he didn't quite fit himself.
Now, as this is a retelling, it is perfectly reasonable to accept these changes in characters. I don't fault Braswell entirely for her choices and the differences that existed among the characters. But I did not enjoy what I did notice. I was horribly unimpressed with the way in which she chose to free the Genie and had admittedly hoped that at some point the deep friendship between Aladdin and Genie would be addressed, and felt the loss of that friendship greatly throughout the course of the story. I do, however, find less fault in this than in the changes made to Jafar's character in particular.
On another note, I believe Braswell did a fantastic job of capturing the world of Agrabah. Other additives, such as Aladdin's mother and relationships connecting characters I otherwise would never have connected in that way were enjoyable. Overall, it was a wonderful story with various things I can't help nitpicking at.
Had this been an original story, without my previous love for the Disney movie, I may have been less critical of some things. I do believe the romance was a bit awkward, however, I was willing to overlook that due to my previous experiences with the story of Aladdin. This book was not better than the movie. It did not impress me as the broadway play did. But it was good, in its own way.
I hope Braswell improves with her other retellings, as this was her very first.
| Instagram | Twitter | Reader Fox Blog | Bloglovin’ | Facebook |
January 2, 2021
As much as I like Disney, I'm not a fanatic so would never choose to read a kids' book as I generally find them too bland and predictable. I have a problem with the traditional notion of a 'Princess' and the deception that the original Aladdin is based on. Thankfully, this book challenged some of these stereotypes. Jasmine is strong-willed and isn't afraid to get her hands dirty. She's happy to save herself rather than be saved by Aladdin. The story has many more twists and turns than the original version although you are always acutely aware that a happy ending is imminent.
September 1, 2021
Wow what can I say. As old as time really had me gripped from the beginning. And a whole new world was a very big twist.
Both I loved and both thoroughly enjoyed. Definitely will read the others too.
Both I loved and both thoroughly enjoyed. Definitely will read the others too.
February 7, 2022
I loved every bit of A Whole New World. It was empowering, feminist, relevant, it introduces younger ones to politics and big responsibilities. Would definitely recommend this. Maybe I find this book even better than the original Aladdin. It was so well-written.
May 16, 2020
It wasn’t a bad read but it got boring and I hated the ending.
September 16, 2021
It was good but wish it had a more suspenseful beginning
May 29, 2025
Had some of my absolute favorites, but didn't have all of them
March 19, 2024
I couldn't get into this story. Dnf @ 45%.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews