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The Djinn Wars #12.5 (Forgiven)
Once Upon A Ghost
Twenty dark and ghostly faerie tale retellings from the bestselling authors in the award-winning Once Upon Anthologies series! Push open the creaky cellar door and prepare for chilling re-imaginings of your favorite tales. But beware! Blood and revenge, creepy haunted houses, and evil magic lurk within the pages. Are you brave enough to venture in?
A HUNTER'S MEMORY OF WINTER - Annie Bellet
Ka is a hunter for hire. She'll kill anything, for a price. But her newest job will require more than just a bullet... for her prey is already dead...
HAUNTED - Kay McSpadden
The old Bayer house might be haunted, but that doesn't keep the little golden-haired girl from going inside--again, and again, and again.
FAERIE SONG - Anthea Sharp
The Pipers have rid the city of vermin, but their music hides a dark magic that only one courageous girl can break.
FORGIVEN: A Djinn Wars Story - Christine Pope
Celia Graham might have survived a deadly plague, but that didn't prevent her from becoming a ghost doomed to haunt her opulent home for all eternity.
WHAT MAGIC LIES BENEATH - Shawntelle Madison
Long ago, a bog witch killed Everbelle's brother. Now the memories of him haunt her--as well as his ghost...
THE GHOST OF BEILSTEIN CASTLE - Alethea Kontis
From a riverside castle in post-war Germany, a tormented young American widow recounts her ghostly adventures with a dead bride, a fiery-eyed hellfrog, and a lost treasure.
SNOW WHITE BETWEEN TIME - Julia Crane
After eating the cursed apple, Snow White awakens in a strange land. The sun and moon have disappeared, and her only friend is a red-eyed wolf.
QUEEN JOANNA.- Kate Danley
Thrust into a loveless marriage of state, Queen Joanna discovers her new palace is home to dark secrets...
RAPUNZEL DREAMING - Yasmine Galenorn
Sometimes beauty--and the obsession with that beauty--doesn't fade. It just transforms with time...
WHAT TALES SPECTERS TELL - Kasey Mackenzie
Amelie Baudelaire faces off against the cruel Necromancer who saved her life two years earlier. Now he demands her most precious prize of all--her firstborn child.
THE DEVIL'S DUE - Melissa Marr
Never cross a devoted sister, especially one fond of sword fights and sea-faring.
THE BREMEN SHIFTER BAND - Debra Dunbar
Geriatric shapeshifters in an assisted living facility discover with the help of Elvis' ghost that they're never too old to Rock and Roll.
THE BANSHEE OF LIATH WOOD - Jenna Elizabeth Johnson
Kye of Haebach Heath must enter one of the most haunted places in all of Eile in order to free a maiden from her dark curse.
THE GHOST QUEEN - Nikki Jefford
When the King of Gloria offers gold to anyone who can present him with the fairest bride in all the kingdoms, two necromancers resurrect the loveliest woman to have ever lived.
IMMORTAL PORTRAIT - Colleen Gleason
Frost Elite escort service's Shep arrives to meet a new client in the hills of Hollywood, and poses for a deadly photograph...
TO BE REMEMBERED - Jamie Ferguson
After her brutal murder centuries ago, Ilona haunts the forest with her newfound sister nyavka, luring men into the woods--and to their deaths.
THE SOUL CAGES - Phaedra Weldon
When her treasure is stolen, the vengeful Sea Goddess destroys the country's ships and takes the souls of their crews. Only one woman can save them.
A HUNTER'S MEMORY OF WINTER - Annie Bellet
Ka is a hunter for hire. She'll kill anything, for a price. But her newest job will require more than just a bullet... for her prey is already dead...
HAUNTED - Kay McSpadden
The old Bayer house might be haunted, but that doesn't keep the little golden-haired girl from going inside--again, and again, and again.
FAERIE SONG - Anthea Sharp
The Pipers have rid the city of vermin, but their music hides a dark magic that only one courageous girl can break.
FORGIVEN: A Djinn Wars Story - Christine Pope
Celia Graham might have survived a deadly plague, but that didn't prevent her from becoming a ghost doomed to haunt her opulent home for all eternity.
WHAT MAGIC LIES BENEATH - Shawntelle Madison
Long ago, a bog witch killed Everbelle's brother. Now the memories of him haunt her--as well as his ghost...
THE GHOST OF BEILSTEIN CASTLE - Alethea Kontis
From a riverside castle in post-war Germany, a tormented young American widow recounts her ghostly adventures with a dead bride, a fiery-eyed hellfrog, and a lost treasure.
SNOW WHITE BETWEEN TIME - Julia Crane
After eating the cursed apple, Snow White awakens in a strange land. The sun and moon have disappeared, and her only friend is a red-eyed wolf.
QUEEN JOANNA.- Kate Danley
Thrust into a loveless marriage of state, Queen Joanna discovers her new palace is home to dark secrets...
RAPUNZEL DREAMING - Yasmine Galenorn
Sometimes beauty--and the obsession with that beauty--doesn't fade. It just transforms with time...
WHAT TALES SPECTERS TELL - Kasey Mackenzie
Amelie Baudelaire faces off against the cruel Necromancer who saved her life two years earlier. Now he demands her most precious prize of all--her firstborn child.
THE DEVIL'S DUE - Melissa Marr
Never cross a devoted sister, especially one fond of sword fights and sea-faring.
THE BREMEN SHIFTER BAND - Debra Dunbar
Geriatric shapeshifters in an assisted living facility discover with the help of Elvis' ghost that they're never too old to Rock and Roll.
THE BANSHEE OF LIATH WOOD - Jenna Elizabeth Johnson
Kye of Haebach Heath must enter one of the most haunted places in all of Eile in order to free a maiden from her dark curse.
THE GHOST QUEEN - Nikki Jefford
When the King of Gloria offers gold to anyone who can present him with the fairest bride in all the kingdoms, two necromancers resurrect the loveliest woman to have ever lived.
IMMORTAL PORTRAIT - Colleen Gleason
Frost Elite escort service's Shep arrives to meet a new client in the hills of Hollywood, and poses for a deadly photograph...
TO BE REMEMBERED - Jamie Ferguson
After her brutal murder centuries ago, Ilona haunts the forest with her newfound sister nyavka, luring men into the woods--and to their deaths.
THE SOUL CAGES - Phaedra Weldon
When her treasure is stolen, the vengeful Sea Goddess destroys the country's ships and takes the souls of their crews. Only one woman can save them.
482 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 14, 2020
61 people are currently reading
374 people want to read
About the author
Melissa Marr
108 books13k followersMelissa Marr writes fiction for adults, teens, and children. Her books have been translated into 28 languages and been bestsellers in the US (NY Times, LA Times, USA Today, Wall Street Journal) as well as overseas. Wicked Lovely, her debut novel, was an instant New York Times bestseller and evolved into an internationally bestselling multi-book series with a myriad of accolades.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
In 2024 she released a queer fantasy (Remedial Magic via Bramble), a picturebook about a wee one and his two moms (Family is Family via Penguin), and a DC Comics graphic novel about teen Harley & Ivy (The Strange Adventures of Harleen & Harley).
An Illumicrate edition of 6 Wicked Lovely books will release in 2025.
If she's not writing, you can find her in a kayak or on a trail with her wife.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 33 reviews
June 22, 2020
Pretty good! This anthology of ghostly retellings has an excellent cast of writers that have produced some outstanding stories. To name only the ones I liked best:
"A Hunter's Memory of Winter" by Annie Bellet, it's based on Russian folklore and about a girl who has to hunt down a rusalka, with a quite surprising ending.
"The Ghost of Beilstein Castle" by Alethea Kontis, a very atmospheric tale of a woman mourning the love of her life, who is hinted to have perished as a result of anti-Nazi activities in the Resistance during WWII. It's full of painful memories, and the prose is so lovely that it makes you feel it all.
"The Thorn King" by Alexia Purdy, a sort of more sinister version of Sleeping Beauty with faerie kidnapping themes; it has a rather unhappy ending, too.
The rest of the stories are also good. Some are more in the Horror genre than retellings, but none is exactly material for Halloween reading, and if you favour happy endings, you probably won't like these stories because, as the title hints, the existence of ghosts in each story implies someone has passed away.
"A Hunter's Memory of Winter" by Annie Bellet, it's based on Russian folklore and about a girl who has to hunt down a rusalka, with a quite surprising ending.
"The Ghost of Beilstein Castle" by Alethea Kontis, a very atmospheric tale of a woman mourning the love of her life, who is hinted to have perished as a result of anti-Nazi activities in the Resistance during WWII. It's full of painful memories, and the prose is so lovely that it makes you feel it all.
"The Thorn King" by Alexia Purdy, a sort of more sinister version of Sleeping Beauty with faerie kidnapping themes; it has a rather unhappy ending, too.
The rest of the stories are also good. Some are more in the Horror genre than retellings, but none is exactly material for Halloween reading, and if you favour happy endings, you probably won't like these stories because, as the title hints, the existence of ghosts in each story implies someone has passed away.
March 1, 2020
Wow, wow wow.
This is an amazing collection of stories. Each one is truly unique and errie. This collection has introduced me to some new authors that I plan on reading more by and some of my authors that I have read for years. This collection needs to be read no doubt about it.
This is an amazing collection of stories. Each one is truly unique and errie. This collection has introduced me to some new authors that I plan on reading more by and some of my authors that I have read for years. This collection needs to be read no doubt about it.
February 20, 2020
Wow, so many great short stories/novellas in this anthology (20), all with a dark twist on some of the classic fairytales, some might even cause nightmares for those faint of heart. This was well worth reading, & I highly recommend it. I think my favorite three were THE GHOST QUEEN by Nikki Jefford, THE THORN KING - Alexia Purdy, & FORGIVEN: A Djinn Wars Story by Christine Pope. Quite a few of these authors are new to me, too (haven't read books from them before), & it was fun to read their stories & get a feel for their writing style. I'll be checking out some of them for other books, too. I enjoyed this, even though I'm not much into the scary side of books normally. The nice part of these, is you can read a story in a short amount of time when you don't have time to sit & read for long.
February 24, 2020
Ghostly Retellings re-emagine! 👻
Heres a short review on some of the stories in no specific order:
A hunters memory of winter by Annie Bellet
This was all girl power: revenge spirit meets hunter. The person who hired the hunter...well lets just say KARMA .🤫
Forgiven; A djinn Wars story by Christine Pope
This had all the feels !!! from strangers to friends to lovers 🥰. I loved how the romance blossom and the heartache of a ghost in love. It was super cute and not scary at all.
The banshee of liath wood by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson
This was such a cool remake of the banshee! It was a little creepy and gory! Sleeping Beauty in the black forest and one brave man who has “everything to loose”must free her. Loved it! one of my faves!
The Ghost Qeen by Nikki Jefford
Creepy! Fits well with this anthology! This shallow king gets what he deserves. Goosebumps all around!😅
Im having fun reading all these stories!
Heres a short review on some of the stories in no specific order:
A hunters memory of winter by Annie Bellet
This was all girl power: revenge spirit meets hunter. The person who hired the hunter...well lets just say KARMA .🤫
Forgiven; A djinn Wars story by Christine Pope
This had all the feels !!! from strangers to friends to lovers 🥰. I loved how the romance blossom and the heartache of a ghost in love. It was super cute and not scary at all.
The banshee of liath wood by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson
This was such a cool remake of the banshee! It was a little creepy and gory! Sleeping Beauty in the black forest and one brave man who has “everything to loose”must free her. Loved it! one of my faves!
The Ghost Qeen by Nikki Jefford
Creepy! Fits well with this anthology! This shallow king gets what he deserves. Goosebumps all around!😅
Im having fun reading all these stories!
February 19, 2020
The retelling of these fairytales was amazing, each author put their vibe to their stories and it was so much fun to read and get to experience it all. If you’re looking for a retelling done wonderfully I definitely recommend this one! And hopefully you’ll find new authors to read like I did!
November 5, 2022
Review for Ghost Queen by Nikki Jefford: A short, haunting ghost tale reminiscent of Grimms brothers or Edgar Allen Poe. A short, fun read.
August 8, 2022
I enjoyed this spooky set by mostly bestselling well-known indie authors & found new favourites, yay!
There are 20 fab spooky fantasy fairytale retellings in this set. You do get tired about half-way through (it is 620 pages), so I suggest reading it on 2-3 nights, not in 1 go, but 90% of stories were stellar! Also, this is book 5 of 7 out of the Once Upon series, which is getting decommissioned in Oct 2022, so it’s the last few months to grab this series, peeps. 6/20 stories were YA & all stories were clean.
My favourites in “loved them hopefuls more” order:
5/5 Immortal Portrait by Colleen Gleason is a retelling of Oscar Wilde’s short novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. Though not a fairytale, I quite enjoyed this altenrate version of the story. In present day Hollywood, Dorian Gary needs a male escort. It was a fab & rather enjoyable action-adventure tale with vamps, hunters & super efficient assistants. Can’t wait to read more stuff by this author, especially about Ms Frost & Chad the vamp / vamp hunter.
5/5 Ella and the Haunted House by Sarra Cannon - yes, what if 18yo Ella & her family of fake ghost-hunters moved into a house where a guy killed half the guests at his wife’s birthday party? Please, please, please tell me there is a continuation of Ella’s & Charlie’s stpry in the works?!? Beg beg beg.
5/5 Snow White Between Time by Julia Crane is the part of teen Snow’s tale while she’s out cold. Ooh, loved the HEA in this one, very clever & hopeful.
5/5 The Devil’s Due by Melissa Marr is a Bluebeard retelling with an epoch feel of Bram Stroker’s Dracula to it. A guy goes from village to village, pretending to wed women that then perish - well, he wasn’t expecting an angry sister, that’s for sure. A tale of a female vigilante, loved it!
5/5 Faerie Song by Anthea Sharp is a Pied Piper retelling, the original story was based on true events (200 kids did go missing for real). This was a spooky YA variation of the tale, answering the questions I had: 1. but where do the pipers come from? 2. are you sure it was just the rats & kids? And 3. What is the price the piper pays to be able to play quite like that? I liked the irony of the heartbreaking ending.
5/5 What Magic Lies Beneath by Shawntelle Madison - is what happens to adult Greta after the PTSD she got from the gingerbread witch. A lovely, hopeful story despite the darkness. Also loved the names Everbelle Amberglass and Madame Never Past Midnight.
5/5 Little Flame by Devon Monk is a YA Match Girl retelling with magical match sticks, the fight between good and evil and the seasons and a HEA - loved this version tho the original always made me cry.
5/5 The Ghost of Beilstein Castle by Alethea Kontis is a post-WW2 tale, where a Rapunzel retelling is crossed with a story similar to Bluebeard (but not, it was a local German legend, apparently). Heartbreaking, really & it was touch and go as to how it would end for a while, but I liked the hopeful note in the end and the reference to the Monuments men.
5/5 Forgiven by Christine Pope is a hopeful post-apocalyptic tale of how a trophy wife’s ghost falls for a jinn. It had the vibe of Little Mermaid towards the end and I’d certainly read up on Celia & Khalil in the Jinn war books.
5/5 Rapunzel Dreaming by Yasmine Galenorm - what if Rapunzel, cursed by beauty, was the one who at 18 asked to be tucked away, unwilling to marry? This is the antidote to the serialized Rapunzel cartoon; brilliant!
5/5 A Hunter’s Memory by Annie Bellet - a short, dark tale of sorrow and revenge along the Slavic fairytales about rusalka (mermaids). No ghosts, except in memories.
5/5 Haunted by Kay McSpadden is a loose but chilling kids’ retelling of Goldilocks & the Three Bears, a haunting story of a haunted house & what truly happened there.
5/5 Queen Joanna by Kate Danley is a retelling of Bloody Mary; poor looping Joanna is all I’m sayin.
4/5 The Bremen Shifter Band by Debra Dunbar - a curious case of musician shifters in a retirement home haunted by Elvis. Yes THAT Elvis. Earning his wings as aband manager, if you will. I want to go to Pistol Pete’s bar with all the paranormals, please!
4/5 The Ghost Queen by Nikki Jefford is a retelling of sorts of the Emperor’s New Clothes. After his 4th “fairest in the land” wife dies, the king needs to look to other kingdoms for a queen. So, two illusionists hatch a brilliant plan to bring back Templado’s most famed beauty - courtesan Ysabella la Poeta. I loved the snark of this satirical retelling.
4/5 To Be Remembered by Jamie Ferguson is a tale along the lines of Slavic folklore about mavkas, the vengeful water spirits who lure men to their death. Except this one doesn’t.
4/5 What Tales Spectres Tell by Kasey Mackenzie is a retelling of necromancer Rumpelstiltskin (Tracassin in French). You knew the miller’s daughter was a witch, right?
4/5 The Thorn King by Alexia Purdy is a YA retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Ghostly boyfriends popping through vanity mirrors at unsuspecting teens - I liked the HEA.
Recommended if you love dark, spooky but hopeful YA & NA fairytale retellings.
There are 20 fab spooky fantasy fairytale retellings in this set. You do get tired about half-way through (it is 620 pages), so I suggest reading it on 2-3 nights, not in 1 go, but 90% of stories were stellar! Also, this is book 5 of 7 out of the Once Upon series, which is getting decommissioned in Oct 2022, so it’s the last few months to grab this series, peeps. 6/20 stories were YA & all stories were clean.
My favourites in “loved them hopefuls more” order:
5/5 Immortal Portrait by Colleen Gleason is a retelling of Oscar Wilde’s short novel The Picture of Dorian Gray. Though not a fairytale, I quite enjoyed this altenrate version of the story. In present day Hollywood, Dorian Gary needs a male escort. It was a fab & rather enjoyable action-adventure tale with vamps, hunters & super efficient assistants. Can’t wait to read more stuff by this author, especially about Ms Frost & Chad the vamp / vamp hunter.
5/5 Ella and the Haunted House by Sarra Cannon - yes, what if 18yo Ella & her family of fake ghost-hunters moved into a house where a guy killed half the guests at his wife’s birthday party? Please, please, please tell me there is a continuation of Ella’s & Charlie’s stpry in the works?!? Beg beg beg.
5/5 Snow White Between Time by Julia Crane is the part of teen Snow’s tale while she’s out cold. Ooh, loved the HEA in this one, very clever & hopeful.
5/5 The Devil’s Due by Melissa Marr is a Bluebeard retelling with an epoch feel of Bram Stroker’s Dracula to it. A guy goes from village to village, pretending to wed women that then perish - well, he wasn’t expecting an angry sister, that’s for sure. A tale of a female vigilante, loved it!
5/5 Faerie Song by Anthea Sharp is a Pied Piper retelling, the original story was based on true events (200 kids did go missing for real). This was a spooky YA variation of the tale, answering the questions I had: 1. but where do the pipers come from? 2. are you sure it was just the rats & kids? And 3. What is the price the piper pays to be able to play quite like that? I liked the irony of the heartbreaking ending.
5/5 What Magic Lies Beneath by Shawntelle Madison - is what happens to adult Greta after the PTSD she got from the gingerbread witch. A lovely, hopeful story despite the darkness. Also loved the names Everbelle Amberglass and Madame Never Past Midnight.
5/5 Little Flame by Devon Monk is a YA Match Girl retelling with magical match sticks, the fight between good and evil and the seasons and a HEA - loved this version tho the original always made me cry.
5/5 The Ghost of Beilstein Castle by Alethea Kontis is a post-WW2 tale, where a Rapunzel retelling is crossed with a story similar to Bluebeard (but not, it was a local German legend, apparently). Heartbreaking, really & it was touch and go as to how it would end for a while, but I liked the hopeful note in the end and the reference to the Monuments men.
5/5 Forgiven by Christine Pope is a hopeful post-apocalyptic tale of how a trophy wife’s ghost falls for a jinn. It had the vibe of Little Mermaid towards the end and I’d certainly read up on Celia & Khalil in the Jinn war books.
5/5 Rapunzel Dreaming by Yasmine Galenorm - what if Rapunzel, cursed by beauty, was the one who at 18 asked to be tucked away, unwilling to marry? This is the antidote to the serialized Rapunzel cartoon; brilliant!
5/5 A Hunter’s Memory by Annie Bellet - a short, dark tale of sorrow and revenge along the Slavic fairytales about rusalka (mermaids). No ghosts, except in memories.
5/5 Haunted by Kay McSpadden is a loose but chilling kids’ retelling of Goldilocks & the Three Bears, a haunting story of a haunted house & what truly happened there.
5/5 Queen Joanna by Kate Danley is a retelling of Bloody Mary; poor looping Joanna is all I’m sayin.
4/5 The Bremen Shifter Band by Debra Dunbar - a curious case of musician shifters in a retirement home haunted by Elvis. Yes THAT Elvis. Earning his wings as aband manager, if you will. I want to go to Pistol Pete’s bar with all the paranormals, please!
4/5 The Ghost Queen by Nikki Jefford is a retelling of sorts of the Emperor’s New Clothes. After his 4th “fairest in the land” wife dies, the king needs to look to other kingdoms for a queen. So, two illusionists hatch a brilliant plan to bring back Templado’s most famed beauty - courtesan Ysabella la Poeta. I loved the snark of this satirical retelling.
4/5 To Be Remembered by Jamie Ferguson is a tale along the lines of Slavic folklore about mavkas, the vengeful water spirits who lure men to their death. Except this one doesn’t.
4/5 What Tales Spectres Tell by Kasey Mackenzie is a retelling of necromancer Rumpelstiltskin (Tracassin in French). You knew the miller’s daughter was a witch, right?
4/5 The Thorn King by Alexia Purdy is a YA retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Ghostly boyfriends popping through vanity mirrors at unsuspecting teens - I liked the HEA.
Recommended if you love dark, spooky but hopeful YA & NA fairytale retellings.
February 24, 2020
I was given an Advance Reader Copy as a gift from author without obligation. I am providing an honest review.
A few years ago I was rolling my eyes at anthologies. Then I found a few which I genuinely loved that that changed them completely for me. This anthology was also very fun to read – so much diversity, and yet so many classic stories. Here are the ones that made my top 4:
“Rapunzel dreaming”, by Yasmine Galenorn – I absolutely loved this one. This author was already one of my favorites, but if she wasn’t, she would have become one after her take on Rapunzel. I’m trying very very hard not to give spoilers here, but I’ll tell you this: I don’t know a woman who won’t relate to it! I loved the things it points out - how you handle your femininity and beauty in a world where men put such a big prize on possession. I’m disappointed about the need of certain extremes, but the writing also had the fairytale vibe going for it, so I guess the extreme fits the mood. Anyway, I can’t recommend it enough!
“What tales specters tell”, by Kasey Mackenzie – I have also read some things written by this author and I trust her creativity. What I liked most about this story is the way the main character empowers herself to face the hardship that awaited her. I have much admiration for strong, kickass women.
“Little flame”, by Devon Monk – I haven’t read anything by this author before, but I always loved “The girl with the matchsticks” story for the sheer sadness of it. I loved seeing this little girl’s longing for family love and her will to go as far as she can to get that love back. I can relate…
“Haunted”, by Kay McSpadden – again, an author I don’t know anything about, but which impressed me with how she uses words to leave things unspoken. We don’t know what happens to the little golden-haired girl when she goes into the old Bayer house, but the slight hints and plot twists kept me reading at 2 AM (and I put a heavy price on my sleep!)
Overall, I recommend this anthology to any reader who likes fantasy and fairytales.
A few years ago I was rolling my eyes at anthologies. Then I found a few which I genuinely loved that that changed them completely for me. This anthology was also very fun to read – so much diversity, and yet so many classic stories. Here are the ones that made my top 4:
“Rapunzel dreaming”, by Yasmine Galenorn – I absolutely loved this one. This author was already one of my favorites, but if she wasn’t, she would have become one after her take on Rapunzel. I’m trying very very hard not to give spoilers here, but I’ll tell you this: I don’t know a woman who won’t relate to it! I loved the things it points out - how you handle your femininity and beauty in a world where men put such a big prize on possession. I’m disappointed about the need of certain extremes, but the writing also had the fairytale vibe going for it, so I guess the extreme fits the mood. Anyway, I can’t recommend it enough!
“What tales specters tell”, by Kasey Mackenzie – I have also read some things written by this author and I trust her creativity. What I liked most about this story is the way the main character empowers herself to face the hardship that awaited her. I have much admiration for strong, kickass women.
“Little flame”, by Devon Monk – I haven’t read anything by this author before, but I always loved “The girl with the matchsticks” story for the sheer sadness of it. I loved seeing this little girl’s longing for family love and her will to go as far as she can to get that love back. I can relate…
“Haunted”, by Kay McSpadden – again, an author I don’t know anything about, but which impressed me with how she uses words to leave things unspoken. We don’t know what happens to the little golden-haired girl when she goes into the old Bayer house, but the slight hints and plot twists kept me reading at 2 AM (and I put a heavy price on my sleep!)
Overall, I recommend this anthology to any reader who likes fantasy and fairytales.
February 24, 2020
What an amazing collection of short stories. Tales we have learned over time with unique twist to make readers look at them a bit differently. From ghost to shifters, pirates to witches, there is something for all your paranormal reading needs. It amazes me that versions of stories that I very much enjoyed as a youngster, I can enjoy just as much with a different twist as an adult. I enjoy all of these thought provoking stories and my personal highlights from the fanatic collection for me included:
Melissa Marr’s The Devil's Due
Never mess with a woman whose sisters are in trouble. Adelaide is a pirate on a mission. On a path of revenge for her sisters and to stop a man from terrorizing young. With the ghost of her mother screaming in her ear, a plan in place and a few trusted people Adelaide proves hell has no fury like a woman’s scorn.
Debra Dunbar’s The Bremen Shifter Band
I totally loves this band of aging shifter. Settled in a retirement community just passing days, there’s not too much excitement except for the pretty nurses around them. With a nudge from the ghost version of the king, he rattles a fire under their bottoms to start living life again.
Yasmine Galenorn’s Rapunzel Dreaming
I loved Ms. Galenorn's twist on the classic fairy tale Rapunzel. Rapanzel is one of the stories in the collection that makes you think. Beauty may be a blessing to some, to others it’s a curse. Taking what could be extreme means to one is a paradise to another. Just because time passes, doesn’t mean things fade.
A copy of this title was provided by the author for an honest review. Receiving a complementary copy does not influence my review in any way.
Melissa Marr’s The Devil's Due
Never mess with a woman whose sisters are in trouble. Adelaide is a pirate on a mission. On a path of revenge for her sisters and to stop a man from terrorizing young. With the ghost of her mother screaming in her ear, a plan in place and a few trusted people Adelaide proves hell has no fury like a woman’s scorn.
Debra Dunbar’s The Bremen Shifter Band
I totally loves this band of aging shifter. Settled in a retirement community just passing days, there’s not too much excitement except for the pretty nurses around them. With a nudge from the ghost version of the king, he rattles a fire under their bottoms to start living life again.
Yasmine Galenorn’s Rapunzel Dreaming
I loved Ms. Galenorn's twist on the classic fairy tale Rapunzel. Rapanzel is one of the stories in the collection that makes you think. Beauty may be a blessing to some, to others it’s a curse. Taking what could be extreme means to one is a paradise to another. Just because time passes, doesn’t mean things fade.
A copy of this title was provided by the author for an honest review. Receiving a complementary copy does not influence my review in any way.
February 26, 2020
This anthology is full of wonderful retellings of some well known, and not so well know, fairy tales. I thoroughly enjoyed all the stories. My top 5 favorite stories are below.
Rapunzel Dreaming by Yasmine Galenorn. This was a fantastic story with a surprise, twist ending. I loved the very unique twist on Rapunzel. In this version, Rapunzel is not the wronged girl we know her to be. Rapunzel is a strong woman who knows what she wants.
Forgiven by Christina Pope. This is a great story. It is an extremely creative version of Beauty and the Beast. I love the premise of the story as well as the ending. That was exactly how I was hoping it would end.
Snow White Between the Time by Julia Crane. This story seems almost like a cross between Snow White and Sleeping Beauty to me. It is a very unique story with shifters, who are not like the shifters most people are familiar with. The ending was fantastic.
Queen Joanna by Kate Danley. I love the idea of using Bloody Mary, a story most people are not familiar with, as the premise for this story. It was a magnificent story that genuinely surprised me.
The Brennan Shifter Band by Debra Dunbar. This was a very creative story. I love all the supernatural creatures and the main characters. This story made me very interested in reading the series based in this world.
Rapunzel Dreaming by Yasmine Galenorn. This was a fantastic story with a surprise, twist ending. I loved the very unique twist on Rapunzel. In this version, Rapunzel is not the wronged girl we know her to be. Rapunzel is a strong woman who knows what she wants.
Forgiven by Christina Pope. This is a great story. It is an extremely creative version of Beauty and the Beast. I love the premise of the story as well as the ending. That was exactly how I was hoping it would end.
Snow White Between the Time by Julia Crane. This story seems almost like a cross between Snow White and Sleeping Beauty to me. It is a very unique story with shifters, who are not like the shifters most people are familiar with. The ending was fantastic.
Queen Joanna by Kate Danley. I love the idea of using Bloody Mary, a story most people are not familiar with, as the premise for this story. It was a magnificent story that genuinely surprised me.
The Brennan Shifter Band by Debra Dunbar. This was a very creative story. I love all the supernatural creatures and the main characters. This story made me very interested in reading the series based in this world.
February 26, 2020
Once Upon A Ghost is the latest Anthology from the “Once Upon” series of Anthologies. I didn’t have time to read very many of the stories, but believe me when I say I’ll be going back to this repeatedly to read the other stories! The thing I love about Anthologies is the ready introduction to new (to me) authors!
This review focuses (for now) on Yasmine Galenorn’s story, Rapunzel Dreaming. Fairytale retellings, “Dark Fairytales” or “Twisted Fairytales” are very popular right now, and it’s evident to me that Anthologies like this are some of the reasons.
Why is there such emphasis placed on beauty? Who gets to say what constitutes beauty, and how far is too far to go to get it? These are just some of the things you think about when reading this wonderful short. I highly recommend this story, and from the parts of the other stories I’ve read, all 20 stories are easily recommended. I can’t wait to finish all of them!!
This review focuses (for now) on Yasmine Galenorn’s story, Rapunzel Dreaming. Fairytale retellings, “Dark Fairytales” or “Twisted Fairytales” are very popular right now, and it’s evident to me that Anthologies like this are some of the reasons.
Why is there such emphasis placed on beauty? Who gets to say what constitutes beauty, and how far is too far to go to get it? These are just some of the things you think about when reading this wonderful short. I highly recommend this story, and from the parts of the other stories I’ve read, all 20 stories are easily recommended. I can’t wait to finish all of them!!
February 19, 2020
From pipers and witches to kings, queens, princesses, ghost and so much more, you're sure to find the perfect tale waiting for you! Some are spooky, a bit frightening but all weave a twisty tale!
FAERIE SONG - Anthea Sharp
This short story was imaginative! I felt pulled in from its beginning! Linnet was so very intriguing as was the world in which she lived. I loved the darker elements.
THE GHOST QUEEN - Nikki Jefford
This was perhaps my favorite of all! Super spooky and absolutely riveting! I loved the variation of it's original tale and throwing necromancy into the mix was sheer brilliance! I love a fairytale where the unexpected takes place!
SNOW WHITE BETWEEN TIME - Julia Crane
This was a superb retelling with twists and turns and gave us a whole new way to envision Snow White! I couldn't stop reading until it's very end because I had to know what came next!
FAERIE SONG - Anthea Sharp
This short story was imaginative! I felt pulled in from its beginning! Linnet was so very intriguing as was the world in which she lived. I loved the darker elements.
THE GHOST QUEEN - Nikki Jefford
This was perhaps my favorite of all! Super spooky and absolutely riveting! I loved the variation of it's original tale and throwing necromancy into the mix was sheer brilliance! I love a fairytale where the unexpected takes place!
SNOW WHITE BETWEEN TIME - Julia Crane
This was a superb retelling with twists and turns and gave us a whole new way to envision Snow White! I couldn't stop reading until it's very end because I had to know what came next!
February 21, 2020
Short stories and novellas are fun to read if you are looking for a quick read. Add a ghost or two and then they become suspenseful, quick reads. I loved reading Once Upon a Ghost. An anthology of 20 spectacular stories. I skipped around in the book. Picking which stories I wanted to read first. Another thing I loved about the book. You don't have to read it in order.
I bought the book because the author Nikki Jefford is one of the authors. I love all her work, so it was a one-click for me to buy this one. Again, she delivers an amazing tale set in a different world then our own. Although this is one I do not wish to visit this time. Ghosts I read about, not visit with.
I have found several new-to-me authors and their books to add to my TBR list. If you enjoy a great ghost story, I recommend Once Upon a Ghost.
I bought the book because the author Nikki Jefford is one of the authors. I love all her work, so it was a one-click for me to buy this one. Again, she delivers an amazing tale set in a different world then our own. Although this is one I do not wish to visit this time. Ghosts I read about, not visit with.
I have found several new-to-me authors and their books to add to my TBR list. If you enjoy a great ghost story, I recommend Once Upon a Ghost.
February 23, 2020
I was given an Advance Reader Copy as a gift from one of the authors without obligation. I am providing an honest review.
This collection of 20 different ghost stories was brilliant! Each one was by a different author, some I have previously read, others were new to me and the stories were all ghostly twists of classic fairy tales. I loved how these traditional tales all had their own twists and the ghostly elements of each were fun to read.
Yasmine Galenorn's take on Rapunzel in Rapunzel Dreaming was so different from the Brothers Grimm version and I loved Ms Galenorn's twist to the girl locked in the tower by a wicked witch. The way the ghostly obsession carries on throughout history was an unexpected way to tell this story. Loved this version!
A great collection of ghost and fairy tale stories that I spent many hours thoroughly enjoying!
This collection of 20 different ghost stories was brilliant! Each one was by a different author, some I have previously read, others were new to me and the stories were all ghostly twists of classic fairy tales. I loved how these traditional tales all had their own twists and the ghostly elements of each were fun to read.
Yasmine Galenorn's take on Rapunzel in Rapunzel Dreaming was so different from the Brothers Grimm version and I loved Ms Galenorn's twist to the girl locked in the tower by a wicked witch. The way the ghostly obsession carries on throughout history was an unexpected way to tell this story. Loved this version!
A great collection of ghost and fairy tale stories that I spent many hours thoroughly enjoying!
February 19, 2020
I was given this book , as a gift, by an author. In exchange, I agreed to provide a fair and honest review.
Once Upon A Ghost is a riveting twist on faerie tales done by 20 authors. It's a twisted view and fresh new look at some of the faerie tales we knew as children. I Loved, "Rapunzel Dreaming, " by Yasmine Galernorn, , " Forgiven, " by Christine Pope, "The Bremen Shifter Band, " by Debra Dunbar, "What Tales Specters Tell, " by Kasey Mackenzie," The Banshee of Liath Wood , "by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson, "To Be Remembered ," by Jamie Ferguson, and, " Little Flame, "by Devon Monk. The rest of the stories don't disappoint by any means... these are just the ones that stick out.
Just buy it... over 450 pages of astounding writing talent that you won't want to miss.
Once Upon A Ghost is a riveting twist on faerie tales done by 20 authors. It's a twisted view and fresh new look at some of the faerie tales we knew as children. I Loved, "Rapunzel Dreaming, " by Yasmine Galernorn, , " Forgiven, " by Christine Pope, "The Bremen Shifter Band, " by Debra Dunbar, "What Tales Specters Tell, " by Kasey Mackenzie," The Banshee of Liath Wood , "by Jenna Elizabeth Johnson, "To Be Remembered ," by Jamie Ferguson, and, " Little Flame, "by Devon Monk. The rest of the stories don't disappoint by any means... these are just the ones that stick out.
Just buy it... over 450 pages of astounding writing talent that you won't want to miss.
February 18, 2020
This book contains 20 fairy tales, reimagined and retold by some of the top authors in their genre. The stories are a little bit spooky, and absolutely worth the read! I enjoyed each and every short story in this anthology.
Rapunzel Dreaming by Yasmine Galenorn is one of my favorite short stories. This story is an entirely new take on Rapunzel. What if the evil witch wasn't evil? Or what if Rapunzel didn't have a Prince?
I was given an advance reader copy as a gift from author without obligation. I am leaving an honest review.
Rapunzel Dreaming by Yasmine Galenorn is one of my favorite short stories. This story is an entirely new take on Rapunzel. What if the evil witch wasn't evil? Or what if Rapunzel didn't have a Prince?
I was given an advance reader copy as a gift from author without obligation. I am leaving an honest review.
February 20, 2020
I received this ARC for an honest review.
Ella & The Haunted House - Sarra Cannon
Wow, that was awesome. In just a few chapters I was totally hooked.
I REALLY hope there is a full version to follow.
I love the adaptations of the fairy tales and this one is no exception, potential to be my fav
Great twist with the haunted house and ghosts.
Although I had guessed that “Seth” was actually a ghost it didn’t spoil the story just made me more eager to find out what happens.
Please release a full version Sarra
Ella & The Haunted House - Sarra Cannon
Wow, that was awesome. In just a few chapters I was totally hooked.
I REALLY hope there is a full version to follow.
I love the adaptations of the fairy tales and this one is no exception, potential to be my fav
Great twist with the haunted house and ghosts.
Although I had guessed that “Seth” was actually a ghost it didn’t spoil the story just made me more eager to find out what happens.
Please release a full version Sarra
June 19, 2020
Good entry into the Once Upon a series
This was not my favorite in the Once Upon a series . That said, it is still a good read. I generally like faerie tales retold and (most of) these don't disappoint. The ones I didn't care for were simply personal preference. All the tales are well written and well paced; it didn't feel like I had to "just get through" any of them. My favorite thing about this series is the discovery of authors I might otherwise not find. I recommend all of the books in the series.
This was not my favorite in the Once Upon a series . That said, it is still a good read. I generally like faerie tales retold and (most of) these don't disappoint. The ones I didn't care for were simply personal preference. All the tales are well written and well paced; it didn't feel like I had to "just get through" any of them. My favorite thing about this series is the discovery of authors I might otherwise not find. I recommend all of the books in the series.
February 20, 2020
A Kaleidoscope of Frightening Retellings Done Right!
This anthology is bursting with awesome! Many different tales completely twisted from their classic selves by many different authors to keep our imaginations scurrying & entertained. One of my favorites, A Thorn King, still has me thinking of it. There is something for everyone in this collection though. A kaleidoscope of frightening retellings done right! Hours/Days of scarily awesome adventure awaits you...if you can handle it.
This anthology is bursting with awesome! Many different tales completely twisted from their classic selves by many different authors to keep our imaginations scurrying & entertained. One of my favorites, A Thorn King, still has me thinking of it. There is something for everyone in this collection though. A kaleidoscope of frightening retellings done right! Hours/Days of scarily awesome adventure awaits you...if you can handle it.
February 23, 2020
Great stories
I once had a class in college in which we studied fairy tales. The professor said that fairy tales are one of the more difficult literary forms to master, all you had to do was ask any six year old and they would tell you instantly if you got it wrong. This collection of stories gets it right. Not all of the stories have happy endings, but then, not all fairy tales have happy endings. However, each and every one is a whole.
I once had a class in college in which we studied fairy tales. The professor said that fairy tales are one of the more difficult literary forms to master, all you had to do was ask any six year old and they would tell you instantly if you got it wrong. This collection of stories gets it right. Not all of the stories have happy endings, but then, not all fairy tales have happy endings. However, each and every one is a whole.
October 20, 2020
This was a typical anthology. I really enjoyed some of the stories but others I just couldn't get into. I personally felt a bit like I wanted more from some of the stories and it might just be because I started reading this at the beginning of the month but I thought some of the stories were really forgettable. However, I did overall enjoy this and will be looking out for the next Once Upon anthology!
February 22, 2020
They’re spooky and they’re ooky ... what they really are is downright delicious. Twenty great stories including authors who I’ve long loved (hello Anthea Sharp, Annie Bellet and Christine Pope, long among my top faves) and quite a good number new to me. All neatly original, covering a wide variety of themes - but all sharing in common that they’re really well written. This is fun stuff that I happily highly recommend.
October 16, 2025
Some of the stories were better than others. Only one skippable story (the geriatric shifter band.) found one series I wants to check out in the future (Djinn Wars) and one author I had a connection with (went to the same University)
February 24, 2020
Really enjoying this one. Alternate settings and endings for fairy tales - sometimes I don't see the relationship to the original story until the end but all are great!
February 5, 2021
Perfect for me.
March 11, 2021
A nice set of 20 ghost stories that intertwine faerie tales with ghosts.
March 22, 2021
Fairy tales upgraded
This is a fun and imaginative collection of reimagined fairy tales and folklore. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
This is a fun and imaginative collection of reimagined fairy tales and folklore. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
April 21, 2022
Another wonderful compilation...I really can't get enough of them. Such fantastical takes on things.
December 11, 2022
Good collection.
This is quite a good assortment of ghost stories. I found them quite entertaining and different from most ghost stories I have read.
This is quite a good assortment of ghost stories. I found them quite entertaining and different from most ghost stories I have read.
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