Grim anthology

by Christine Johnson

[Kelly]

http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/03/grim-anthology-by-various-authors.html
Grim is the ultimate compilation of mostly Harlequin Teen novelists, who have produced an anthology of the ultimate in dark fairy tales. Featuring seventeen stories by New York Times bestselling authors Ellen Hopkins, Amanda Hocking, Claudia Gray, Rachel Hawkins, Julie Kagawa, and others, each author has created a short story with the running theme of the dark and quirky.

Some are heartwarming and quirky, and others are dark and morbid, but by far my favourite tale was Figment by author Jeri Smith Ready. Figment tells the story of Eli, and his estranged father who recently passed away. Eli is a budding musician, following in his father's footsteps. But what created his father's success now lays within Eli's hands, a small stuffed cat. It's incredibly cute and placed strategically as the second story within the anthology, from there the remaining stories become more twisted.

The Raven Princess by Jon Skovron is a dark retelling of what could be described as a typical fairytale. A queen casting a spell on her infant child, only to turn into a raven and wander the Earth looking to break her spell. It isn't until seventeen years later when the princess finds a reluctant hunter, that she reveals the true meaning of the curse. He must meet her at a cottage where an elderly woman lies in wait to tempt the hunter. The princess can only be seen in her true form at midnight, and in order for the hunter to remain awake, he must avoid consuming anything the elderly lady has to offer. Easier said than done.

From Kimberly Derting's modern day Hansel and Gretel, to Julie Kagawa's retelling of the Three Little Pigs, this compilation really does have something for everyone. The one awkward moment I found was the story by Myra McEntyre titled Skin Trade. This story wasn't only creepy, it's bordering on sickening. It tells the story of a group of musicians who find women within the crowds at their shows, take them home and skin them. It was disturbing, gruesome and if you're anything like me, skip this one.

But the rest of the anthology is awesome. I've never been one for fairytales, but Grim is perfect for fans of the Splintered series or dark and eccentric fairytale retellings.