Tag: Retelling

  • Evelyn Reads The Red Riding Hood

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    Stories have a life of their own, and as they are retold, they take on the personality of the storyteller. The tale of The Red Riding Hood is no exception, and indie author Gemma Lawrence does a fantastic job of breathing life into a fairy tale that we all know and love.

    The Red Riding Hood by Gemma Lawrence

    The life of this story is infused through the narrator, a wise (cracking) entity who never fails to pass on their pearls of wisdom. The reader is introduced to the reality that this particular story has been simplified over the generations, distilled and distorted until it became a perversion of the truth.

    This variant is more of an epic fantasy, filled with mythical creatures, battles, revenge, wolves, grandmothers, and chosen ones. Despite the grand scale, the narrator never loses that fairy tale voice.

    Effectively, this story reminds me of a bunch of drunken fishermen challenged to come up with the best fishing story. In truth, this works beautifully for this story.

    If you are looking for yet another rendition of the tried and true Little Red Riding Hood, then steer away. If you seek a new creation that borrows from elements but marches to the beat of its own drum, then seek and ye shall find.

    Well worth the price of admission!


  • Evelyn Reads Pomegranate

    Rating: 5 out of 5.

    Greek and Roman myths have been getting a lot of attention from writers of late. There exists a cornucopia of stories ranging from the re-telling of old myths to modern-day versions. Surprisingly, Pomegranate by Nicole Scarano does not conform to either ideology. Instead, it guides the reader down a path to the unknown.

    Pomegranate by Nicole Scarano

    Her main character, Hades, diverges heavily from the myths of old, and the expression “hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” applies perfectly to this character and her story. The author uses politics, betrayal, discovery, ingenuity, and love to create a character who feels so real that I imagined Hades stepping out of the pages.

    This complexity extends to the other characters as well, including some quirky and memorable interactions with creatures of myth. Nicole uses this to great effect, at times to bring about some levity after a buildup of tension or to use emotion to drive home the true impact of a scene.

    The story was an easy read, filled with frequent natural stops that permit a reader to savour every word. I never felt bored while reading this story, ever curious about where it was leading me and if hell would break loose.

    This book is highly recommended for anyone who enjoys Greek mythology but hungers for something different. The character driven saga will be sure to leave the reader thirsting for more.

    Fortunately, the novel Pitchfork, Nicole‘s sequel to this book, is looming on the horizon. Be sure to remember your bribe for the ferryman to be granted safe passage on her latest tale.


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