Modern Wicked Fairy Tales

by Selena Kitt

[Angie]

I was hoping for a collection of naughty fairy tales, but other than Alice, most of these are quite tame. They're also not so much retellings as they are recycling character names and very loose plot points, or very literal retellings with a sex scene thrown in. There are a couple of good, imaginative stories here, but for the most part it was disappointing.

Beauty: ★★☆☆☆

This one was quite awkward. Of course, being a modern retelling, the hero is badly scarred and hides his face and body from the heroine. But that's basically the only connection to the original tale. Instead it reads like a very awkward and rushed Romantic Suspense, as Jolee's husband hired some men to kidnap and murder her, but his brother, Silas, finds her, nurses her back to health, and they fall in love. All without her ever seeing his face, not that looks matter. But he wore a ski mask all the time which is awkward.

Goldilocks ★★★★☆

I really liked this one! Goldilocks as a locksmith slash cat burglar is a great twist! Although the actual plot reminded me more of Robin Hood, because Goldie and her partner in crime are stealing back something very, very important to someone. There's an amazing amount of backstory and history here, which I thought was great for such a short story! It would probably have made a good full-length suspense.

Briar Rose ★★☆☆☆

I'm a bit torn on this one. Our Sleeping Beauty can only orgasm while dreaming, which is quite the interesting erotic twist. However, parts of the story are actually quite uncomfortable. It opens with Rose attempting to commit suicide and hoping her ex-fiance finds her. Then she's whisked away to this sexual therapy facility where, of course, she falls in love with her doctor. It's totally unethical what they do, even if he did get it "approved." I liked the whole idea of Rose going to this unconventional facility, but the doctor-patient relationship didn't sit right with me even though the author did include discussions of ethics and contracts. It was just a weird one for me.

Goldilocks ★★★★☆

Making Goldilocks a hairdresser isn't the most original twist, but making her a hairdresser with cancer, who lost all of her hair and has to wear a wig is pretty great! This is probably the sweetest story in the collection, as Rachel deals with the insecurity of losing all of her hair, finds love, and saves her salon!

Red ★★★★☆

This one is probably my favorite! It's set in the 1930s and is the most obvious retelling. Mae is taking care of her sick grandmother as they prepare to move away from the city. The wolf character is a total sleeze! The huntsman is a magician! It has a bit of suspense and was just a fun read!

Alice ★★☆☆☆

I liked this one at first, because Wonderland is a BDSM club! It's the only story which is actually "wicked." But then Alice suddenly freaks out and I have no idea why, and it becomes the Disney movie but with nudity. Basically it got too weird and less sexy.

Gretel ★★☆☆☆

I'm a bit bummed over this one! I know the author isn't afraid to go there, so I was definitely expecting this one to be a (step-)sibling lovin' story! It's not, sadly. I did like the twist of Hans and Gretel's grandmother being the head of a sugar cane company who has nefarious plans! That was fun, but the sex has the absolute worst dialogue. *cringe*

Wendy: ★☆☆☆☆

So...that was actually pretty terrible. I hate retellings where every single character's name is exactly the same and no one finds it odd. And Peter sounded twelve which was unbelievable for an eighteen year old, especially one who has gone through what he has. It also just made the sex super duper awkward, because...twelve. Not to mention that Tink is an insensitively portrayed transgender woman.


Read more of my reviews at Pinkindle Reads & Reviews.