Review: Once Upon A Time......
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 01 24, 2013
This book contains four prequels. I have written individual reviews for each of the stories. They are as follows:Once Beauty Twice Beast (4 Stars)Cameron Jace has proven time and time again how creative his imagination is when it comes to the fairy tales of old. "Once Beauty Twice Beast" is a more complicated edition of all of the tales that I've read so far. This retelling of the Beauty and the Beast story has an added layer on what happens when we willfully ignore the advice of people we do not feel worthy of us..........We end up like them!I do not want to say too much about the story line because I do not want to spoil it for anyone. However, it is quite clever and very well written. If I had a criticism it would be that this story was worthy of a complete book of its own. There was so much to be told as well as learned and in the end it felt a little rushed to me; but, hopefully we will learn more when the full length books in the series come out!Give yourself a treat and read a unique take on a classic tale!Moon and Madly(3.5 stars) "Moon and Madly" is the second Grimm Diary prequels to feature Jack (of Jack in the Beanstalk). Jack Madly is a thief extraordinaire who likes to steal from goblins. However, don't let his thievery fool you into thinking he is bad person because his stealing is usually to help a damsel in distress. This time Jack meets and rescues the moon. He is unaware of her true identity because she is cloaked in a dark hooked cape. They are attracted to each other but before they can proceed with their relationship one of the characters will undergo a major metamorphosis.While I enjoyed this tale I was left with the unanswered question, what will happen to the world now that the moon has been reborn? However, I truly enjoyed the author's notes at the end of the tale.Rumpelstein:(2 Stars) "Rumpelstein" is an unusual version of Rumpelstiltskin; however in this story Frankenstein also makes sn appearance. Of all of the prequels, this one one was my least favorite. I felt the Frankenstein reference was convoluted and not in keeping with the Grimm fairy tales. Also, the final revelation of who Rumpelstein's maker is was anticlimatic for me.Jiwigi: (5 stars)After reading the previous nine prequels in the Grimm Diaries I wanted to know more about the Queen of Sorrow as. well as Snow White. Like many other fans of Cameron Jace's work, I sm anxiously waiting for their story in the first full length book. However, "Jawigi" satisfied dome if my curiosity by providing some details about Snow White's. birth; that is if you can believe the narrator who is the devil in disguise!Once again Cameron Jace writes a wonderfully rich tale that kept me on the edge of my west in anticipation. If you love the Grimm fairy tales but also like a twist, these prequels are for you and currently they are being offer in a set, books 7-10 for. 99 cents. That's. 25 cent per story!!!!!!! Such a deal. Run, do not walk and pick up these stories. You will not regret it!