Review- War and Pieces: Season 1, Episode 1 (Frayed Fairy Tales) by Tia Silverthorne Bach, Ferocious 5 and N.L. Greene

War and Pieces on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there were zombies...

That's how it all started. Authors have created a major problem with stories like Cinder, The Dark Queen, and Asleep, and it's wreaking havoc here in Ever After. Our queens are fighting for their lives.

Rather like Mother Nature, keeper of the fine balance that's life in your world, tales that begin with "Once upon a time" were never meant to be messed with.

Now, Ariel is underwater with all the defenses she's been launching, Aurora hasn't slept in weeks, and Rapunzel is tangled in... Well, I can't even begin to tell you.

Rather than try, I'll let you see for yourself. You and I will talk again afterward--if I survive long enough. So, as our fateful story begins:

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away... 

Release date: April 24th 2017

Page numbers: 36

REVIEW: 

I, very randomly, stumbled upon War and Pieces which is a collection of episodes based on the fairy tales we have all been hearing since childhood. I love reading fairy tale retellings and I really admire it when they are given new twists and turns. That was the exact same case with War and Pieces, which was a gripping and fun read.

For a book that's barely a few pages long or short, the story was really well written and had me on the edge of my seat because every time something calm and cool from one part of the story was happening, I wanted the more exciting part from the other story to come up. This is the story of sisters Rose and Snow who also happen to be very gorgeous and lovely princesses.

The fact that the story focused more on Rose, and especially her very personal thoughts and desires made it extremely interesting, because I instantly developed a liking for the warm, kind and gentle princess who seems like such a normal person. She's daring, and yet, there's a part of her that's always watching out for what's going to happen.

The way this book ended was abrupt but cool, yes, but I really need more of these fun and interesting episodes, because they make for great short reads. I am genuinely looking forward to seeing what happens next in Rose's life.

Review- Glass Frost by Liz DeJesus

Goodreads Summary:

When joined together, Cinderella's slippers grant the wearer her heart's desire. But whose wish will be granted?


When Cinderella’s glass slipper is stolen, Queen Felicia sends her faithful steward Terrance to the real world to retrieve his love and witch-in-training, Bianca Frost. The power of the glass slipper in the wrong hands could ruin peace in Everafter. Bianca must gather every bit of magic she has learned in the past few weeks to find the slipper and protect her new love. Together, Bianca, Ming, Prince Ferdinand, and Terrance venture deep into the heart of Everafter to seek clues as to who has stolen the slipper and why. Along the way, they uncover what happened to the Seven Dwarves after Snow White married the prince, but also learn the awful risk of tampering with black magic and the high price that must be paid for magical aid, even when used for good.


Bianca and Terrance’s relationship is put to the test. Through the pain of suffering and loss, Bianca must determine if following her gallant boyfriend into his faraway world is in fact her heart's desire.

REVIEW:

*NOTE: We (The Readdicts) received an ARC of Glass Frost from author Liz DeJesus in exchange for an honest review. We thank Liz for the book! 

I absolutely enjoyed reading First Frost by author Liz DeJesus. My review of the book can be read here. Even though the book ended pretty well for me, I knew there was more and I was pretty excited to read the ARC of the second book, Glass Frost, sent to us by the author for which I'd like to thank Liz. 
Glass Frost didn't disappointed at all. It was an enjoyable read packed with action, adventure, magic and romance. But yes, I couldn't help compare the two books and the first book remains my favourite. 
While First Frost was all about an introduction to the magical and not so normal life led by Bianca Frost, descendant of Snow White, Glass Frost was all about stepping more into the fairy tale world. 
The Everafter queen wishes to seek Bianca's  help in order to find Cinderella's missing slipper. One slipper rests safely in the Museum of Magical and Rare Artifacts run by Bianca's family, but one slipper has mysteriously gone missing. From there, Bianca, her best friend Ming, and from Everafter, her boyfriend Terrance and Prince Ferdinand, set out on an adventure that has you on the edge of your seat. This book was action packed and full of exciting undertakings. 
I liked Bianca as a protagonist in First Frost and liked her even more in Glass Frost. She handles dangerous situations very well and is brave and sweet. Her best friend Ming was a blast to have around. I love the loyal and strong friendship between the two where they know each other like the back of their hands. 
Terrance and Prince Ferdinand were utter gentlemen and it was amusing to see them get confused and carried away by the world in Bianca's time. Terrance is a darling and straight out of a fairy tale while the Prince is simple, funny and very kind. 
There was a lot of romance between Bianca and Terrance and it was good to see the two get together and express their feelings. Ming and Prince Ferdinand's romance was there too, but very little. The four were a good gang who took care of all the problems they faced. Bianca's mom Rose and her dad David had their own romantic story going on along with the young lovers. 
I enjoy reading the wonderful relationship Bianca shares with both her parents. A rarity in YA novels these days, it is refreshing and good to see a well-knit familial bond in Liz DeJesus' books.  
The author's writing is simple and very pleasant. It really takes the reader back to the days of Disneyland and fairy tales by the Grimm Brothers and the experience is truly wonderful. 
Though I did not enjoy Glass Frost as much as I enjoyed First Frost, I still liked the book and loved getting a more detailed peek into Everafter. I loved digging more into the many magical creatures and stories we've only heard of before. So overall, this was an action packed and thoroughly enjoyable read. 

RATING:

Review- First Frost by Liz DeJesus

Goodreads Summary:

Fairytales aren’t real…yeah…that’s exactly what Bianca thought. She was wrong.

For generations, the Frost family has run the Museum of Magical and Rare Artifacts, handing down guardianship from mother to daughter, always keeping their secrets to “family only.”

Gathered within museum’s walls is a collection dedicated to the Grimm fairy tales and to the rare items the family has acquired: Cinderella’s glass slipper, Snow White’s poisoned apple, the evil queen’s magic mirror, Sleeping Beauty’s enchanted spinning wheel…

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Frost wants none of it, dreaming instead of a career in art or photography or…well, anything except working in the family’s museum. She knows the items in the glass display cases are fakes because, of course, magic doesn’t really exist.

She’s about to find out how wrong she is.

REVIEW:

*NOTE: We (The Readdicts) received a copy of First Frost from author Liz DeJesus @ Musa Publishing in exchange for an honest review. We thank Liz and the publishing house for the book!

First Frost was like walking straight into Disneyland. I absolutely love the idea of a fairy tale coming into a contemporary setup. 
For Bianca, accompanying her mom to and helping her run her family's traditional museum, Museum of Magical and Rare Artifacts is just that- tradition. She grew up looking at all the wonderful pieces kept in the museum for display. From Cinderella's slipper to Snow White's poisoned apple to a single brick from the ones The Three Little Pigs used to build their home, the museum hosts all the magical items from our evergreen and legendary fairy tales written by the Grimm Brothers. For Bianca, these items of art and  grandeur are just that - items. She never even thought that this family-run business will ultimately change her life and land her in a beautiful yet slightly dangerous time and world. She finds herself in her very own fairy tale. 
Bianca was an awesome protagonist. She has a girl next door appeal and shares a wonderful relationship with her parents, a rarity in YA novels. Most of the book is explained from Bainca's POV and her thoughts are clear and practical. She likes helping her mother in running the museum, but that's not what she wants to do for the rest of her life. Little does she know that her destiny has already been fixed. 
I loved the relationship between Bianca and her mother, Rose. It was so normal and wonderful to read. Rose reads fairy tales to kids at the museum and there's almost a magical tint to her voice, what with children and parents both being completely engrossed in her lecture; while Bianca cleans the museum and manages the gift ship counter. 
In the beginning of the book, there was a scene where a little girl purchases a wand and asks Bianca if it will perform magic. A little confused, Bianca turns to her mother for a response when Rose says that magic is inside us all, we just have to have faith in it. It was an adorable moment. Bianca's father and her also share a wonderful relationship. The love between her father and mother is evident and a love story in itself. 
Bianca also shares a great relationship with her best friend, Ming. Ming is a supportive friend and a strong shoulder. I loved how she was always there for Bianca and even accompanied her in her other-worldly adventure. The two friends did things any normal friends would do in spite of the twist in the tale. They are always there for each other, no matter what. Both them are so understanding and simple. Ming is in perfect balance to Bianca. She is emotional and fun to have around while the Bianca is practical and hard-working.
When the Frost family find themselves in another time and world altogether, Bianca comes across two handsome and amazing gentlemen, Prince Ferdinand and Terrance. The two of them are the knights in shining armour or princes on horses. I loved them both! They brought a light-hearted and warm feel to the story. 
First Frost is truly a wonderful read. A different fairy tale, it manages to remain both practical and imaginative simultaneously. Author Liz DeJesus writes in a simple and systematic way which makes you want to read more and more. I thoroughly enjoyed every page of First Frost and I would highly recommend it. What better than reading a lovely and pretty fairy tale! I loved how the story explains that 'happily ever after' is actually a typo of 'happily IN Everafter'! 

RATING:

X 4

Sarika