Ponyo (Based on a Fairy Tale)

The storyline is a take on "The Little Mermaid" by  Hayao Miyazaki.  Ponyo is a young goldfish who come to love Sōsuke, a five year old boy.  Defying her father, she goes to Sōsuke and tries to stay with him.  But her father, a sorcerer, does not wish for her to be human so he enlists her mother, a sea goddess, to get Ponyo back.

It was such a sweet movie with a nice message about saving sea life.  The animation seemed rougher/sharper in some places like for the sorcerer, but was very fluid and soft for Ponyo and the water scenes.  It was a nice choice since it showed the character of each scene.

I was also impressed with Noah Cyrus (Ponyo) and Frankie Jonas (Sōsuke).  Both did a great job on the voices.  I was afraid because sometimes the voice over actors are awful (Castle in the Sky), but everyone did a fine job.  Other voices include Tina Fey (Sōsuke's mom), Matt Damon (Sōsuke's dad), Liam Nelson (Ponyo's dad), Cate Blanchett (Ponyo's mom) and as the old ladies in the nursing home: Lily Tomlin, Cloris Leachman and Betty White.  It is such an amazing cast!

It has become one of me and my son's favorite movies to watch and I would recommend it to anyone whether they liked anime or not.  Miyazaki is one of the best movie making and I love most if not all of his movies.

Fairies and the Quest for Neverland (audio) by Gail Carson Levine

Gwendolyn, descended from The Wendy, patiently awaits her turn for Peter Pan to bring her to Neverland.  But Gwendolyn has no interest in Peter or the Lost Boys, instead she wants to visit the fairies.  When she finally gets her chance to go to Neverland, she befriends the fairies but is warned to "Beware" of loving the fairies too much by Mother Dove.  And then the dragon Kyto escapes from his prison and is bent on the destruction of the fairies and Neverland.  Can Gwendolyn both beware and help save the fairies?


This was different than the first two.  While Quest for the Egg and Quest for the Wand focused on the fairies and was from their point of view, Quest of Neverland was told from Gwendolyn's POV and I don't know if I liked that.  It was a very cute story and in a way it was nice to see the fairies from an outside view and I doubt the storyline would have worked for anyone but Gwendolyn's POV but still I don't know.


But still it was precious and it was nice to see more of Tink and the rest and to know how it really works in Fairy Haven.  There were a couple of surprising moments and I even exclaimed outloud at one point.   It doesn't shy away from having bad things happen to characters.  Still it ended on a happily ever after as it should and I thoroughly enjoyed this entire series. 


Hogwarts: Care of Magical Creatures
Library

Sisters Red Q&A

For Once Upon a Week, we were given some questions to consider for Sisters Red.  For the entire spoiler-ridden discussion, check out Today's Adventure.  Obviously, there are spoilers in my answers.


Was the book scarier than you were expecting?  It was a little more violent than I had expected, but not scarier.  Still that's fine.  I can liken it to Buffy violence.

Which of the two sisters did you relate to more? Why? Neither really.  I like Rosie better but felt more for Scarlett.  She just had such a hard time and was very driven, very focused.

What did you think of the relationship dynamics between Scarlett and Rosie?  It was extremely co-dependent and a little unhealthy (for good reason), but I'm glad at the end they saw that it was ok to be two different people with different life goals.

Obviously this wasn't a straight up fairy tale retelling, but what did you think of the way the bits of Red Riding Hood were worked in? It was such a great direction in which to take the tale.  Much more like the original story where everyone gets eaten and no one rescues them.  There was a real moral in that tale and this felt like a throwback to that more violent tale. I liked at the end where Rosie is chanting to herself that she will rescue herself and not wait for a hunter or woodsman.  So awesome!

What was your favorite moment in the story? When Rosie single-handedly chokes the Alpha to death.  I mean, how great was that!  So much power and strength for the weakest character.

Was there anything about the book you really didn't like?  I actually didn't care about Rosie and Silas.  I mean, their relationship was so very subplot to me that whether they stayed together or not made no difference to me although it was important to the character.  I didn't hate it and it was necessary to the plot.  I just didn't care too much.

Did you see the ending coming, or was it a surprise?  I figured Silas would be the Potential.  He kind of had to be.  But it was still cool.

Did you like the ending?  Yeah, it was fine and appropriate.  No complaints from me.

Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce

The March sisters are hunters, after the werewolves responsible for the death of their grandmother and unsuspecting girls everywhere.  Scarlett is consumed by it, having face down a werewolf when she was 12, determined to kill them all and to protect her sister.  Rosie longs for a normal life but knows she owes her current life to her sister and continues on with the hunt.  But when Rosie reaches out for a more normal life, will her sister stand in her way?

I like libraries.  It's a comfort that knowledge can be saved for so long.  That what we learn can be passed on.  p.107

This is a kick ass book in more ways than one.  It was like Buffy/Underworld awesome.  I hadn't anticipated the level of violence but it is on par with The Hunger Games or Rampant.  That stuff doesn't bother me but just a warning if it bothers you.  Sisters Red is, of course, a Red Riding Hood fractured fairy tale.  It's an interesting Buffy-esque take on the tale, but that really lends itself to kick ass heroines and bad ass wolves.  There are some genuine laugh out loud moments combined with all the fighting action.  And, as a librarian, I really appreciated how much the March sisters like the library.  Very very cool.

*Possibly spoilery*
The characters were both strong and sad.  I really felt sorry for both Rosie and Scarlett, having face down a werewolf at a young age and surviving with the burning desire to kill them all.  Scarlett was so driven, both obsessed with the hunt and, to a degree, what her life would have been like otherwise.  I think she was the most complex of all the characters.  Rosie, on the other hand, was the more sympathetic.  She longed for something different, but had a hard time reconciling that longing with the idea that she owed her sister her life.  There were a few moments I wanted to shake them both, but I know they can kick my butt so I refrained.  Seriously. 

Hogwarts: Care of Magical Creatures
YA
Library
Colorful Reading

Sleeping in Flame by Jonathan Carroll

Walker lives in Vienna and falls in love with a beautiful girl.  But, slowly, mysterious things are happening to him and he is remembering incidents from past lives.  How does this related to the mysterious Papa and what will happen to Walker's girlfriend as someone seeks to destroy Walker and his life? 

"Loving someone brings you peace."
"Nope.  It makes life interesting and alive, but it doesn't bring much peace."
p.96

Walker begins to develop some new magical powers - clairvonce and phoetic dreams and the like and he doesn't know what to do.  As he dreams of old lives, he starts to wonder at who he really is and he starts on a trek with a shaman to find out more.  But tragedy strikes whenever Walker looks for answers, but when he finally figures out what is going on, then the story takes on an interesting fairy tale aspect.  

Written in 1988, this was one of my favorite books though it's been 14 years since I last read it.  It is a bit dated as some of the references to computers and technology are laughable now.   But that is a sign of the era in which it was written.   I still love this book.  It is so beautiful.  The questions Walker and his girlfriend, Maris, ask each other and the philosophy intoned in each page.  Lovely.  It's written as a narrative so it's like Walker is speaking right to you. Sleeping in Flames is a Rumpelstiltskin re-telling and it is definitely an adult book.  I see more in it now than I did when I was younger.  Of the things that the Rumpelstiltskin character addresses and the solution that Walker comes up with.  The how and the why and the who are so much more beautiful and sad.

Hogwarts: Transfiguration
Library

Fairy Tale Re-Tellings: A Bibliography

Ash by Malinda Lo (Cinderella)

In the wake of her father’s death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Consumed with grief, her only joy comes by the light of the dyi...more In the wake of her father’s death, Ash is left at the mercy of her cruel stepmother. Consumed with grief, her only joy comes by the light of the dying hearth fire, re-reading the fairy tales her mother once told her. In her dreams, someday the fairies will steal her away, as they are said to do. When she meets the dark and dangerous fairy Sidhean, she believes that her wish may be granted.

The day that Ash meets Kaisa, the King’s Huntress, her heart begins to change. Instead of chasing fairies, Ash learns to hunt with Kaisa. Though their friendship is as delicate as a new bloom, it reawakens Ash’s capacity for love—and her desire to live. But Sidhean has already claimed Ash for his own, and she must make a choice between fairy tale dreams and true love.


Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce (Red Riding Hood)

Scarlett March lives to hunt the Fenris-- the werewolves that took her eye when she was defending her sister Rosie from a brutal attack. Armed with a razor-sharp hatchet and blood-red cloak, Scarlett is an expert at luring and slaying the wolves. She's determined to protect other young girls from a grisly death, and her raging heart will not rest until every single wolf is dead.

Rosie March once felt her bond with her sister was unbreakable. Owing Scarlett her life, Rosie hunts fiercely alongside her. Now Rosie dreams of a life beyond the wolves and finds herself drawn to Silas, a young woodsman who is deadly with an ax-- but loving him means betraying her sister and has the potential to destroy all they've worked for. 


Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George (The Twelve Dancing Princesses)

Galen is a young soldier returning from war; Rose is one of twelve princesses condemned to dance each night for the King Under Stone. Together Galen and Rose will search for a way to break the curse that forces the princesses to dance at the midnight balls. All they need is one invisibility cloak, a black wool chain knit with enchanted silver needles, and that most critical ingredient of all—true love—to conquer their foes in the dark halls below. But malevolent forces are working against them above ground as well, and as cruel as the King Under Stone has seemed, his wrath is mere irritation compared to the evil that awaits Galen and Rose in the brighter world above. 

Fairest by Gail Carson Levine (Snow White) (Best in audio book format)

I was born singing. Most babies cry. I sang an aria. Or so I believe. I have no one to tell me the truth of it. I was abandoned when I was a month...moreI was born singing. Most babies cry. I sang an aria. Or so I believe. I have no one to tell me the truth of it. I was abandoned when I was a month old, left at the Featherbed Inn in the Ayorthaian villiage of Amonta. It was January 12th of the year of Thunder Songs.

The Fairy Lucinda has once again given a dreadful gift. THis time it's a mysterious magical mirror. The gift is disastrous when it falls into the hands of Aza, who never looks in a mirror if she can help it. In the Kingdom of Ayortha, Aza is most definitely not the fairest of them all. Many spurn her. Many scoff at her. She keeps out of sight.

But in the land or singers, Aza has her own gift, one she's come by without fairy intervention: a voice that can do almost anything, a voice that captivates all who hear it. In Ontio Castle, merry Prince Ijori is drawn to it, and vain Queen Ibi wants to use it for her own ends. Queen Ivi would do anything to remain the fairest in the land.

Beastly by Alex Flinn (Beauty and the Beast)

I am a beast. A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog, but a horrible new creature who walks upright – a creature with fangs and claws and h...more I am a beast. A beast. Not quite wolf or bear, gorilla or dog, but a horrible new creature who walks upright – a creature with fangs and claws and hair springing from every pore. I am a monster.

You think I’m talking fairy tales? No way. The place is New York City. The time is now. It’s no deformity, no disease. And I’ll stay this way forever – ruined – unless I can break the spell.

Yes, the spell, the one the witch in my English class cast on me. Why did she turn me into a beast who hides by day and prowls by night? I’ll tell you. I’ll tell you how I used to be Kyle Kingsbury, the guy you wished you were, with money, perfect looks, and a perfect life. And then, I’ll tell you how I became perfectly beastly


Briar Rose by Jane Yolen (Briar Rose/Sleeping Beauty)

Ever since she was a child, Rebecca has been enchanted by her grandmother Gemma’s stories about Briar Rose. But a promise Rebecca makes to her dying grandmother will lead her on a remarkable journey to uncover the truth of Gemma’s astonishing claim: I am Briar Rose. A journey that will lead her to unspeakable brutality and horror. But also to redemption and hope.

Once Upon a Week (II): Why I love fractured fairy tales

Vanessa at Today's Adventure is once again hosting Once Upon a Week, a whole week of fairy tale related books.  This is one of my favorite genres so I'm participating again.  Throughout the week there will many reviews on fairy tale books so check out her blog for those.

I have always loved fairy tales.  I'm not sure if it is just the "Disney Culture" in me or what, but there is something about them.  I discovered the original, darker and much more grittier tales when I was a teenager and the lead to the discovery of the fractured fairy tale anthologies edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling, such as Snow White, Blood Red.  I read as many of these as I could, captivated how such familiar tales could be reworked in so many different ways by so many different authors.  This further lead to the discovery of some of my now-favorite authors, Charles De Lint and Tanith Lee, among others.  I credit these short story collections with adding to my love of fairy tales and with introducing me to some really fabulous authors.  Without them, I might not have read Ash by Malinda Lo or the Princess novels by Jim C. Hines and I would have missed on some wonderful stories and authors.  There is something exciting to me about reading a familiar reworked into something that is the same yet different, the familiar with the new and tanalizing added.  It's just why I love them.

Fairest (Audio)

Aza lives with her adopted family at the inn.  She is not an attractive girl, with her blood red lips, her pale skin and coal black hair, but she is an amazing singer in a country that values both beauty and singing ability.  When she is invited to the castle to be a companion to a duchess for the royal wedding, Aza befriends the new queen.  And through a series of unfortunate events find herself in a dangerous situation with the Queen.

An interesting version of Snow White where the main character is not valued for her beauty, but for her singing.  In Ayortha, where Aza lives, everyone loves to sing and often sing instead of talking.  They have group sings and sing healing songs and the wedding is even in song.  Given that, I cannot imagine reading this book.  It is definitely one of the few books that is a must in audio.  It is read, and sung, by a full cast and they do an amazing job.  Sarah Naughton narrates and plays the part of Aza.  She is truly a beautiful singer.  This is the second time I've listened to Fairest and I'll probably listen to it again. 

It was a good twist on the Snow White fable.  The queen isn't Aza's stepmother, but someone Aza befriends and tries to help.  But through the machinations of the magic mirror, Queen Ivi becomes the evil queen.  And it was interesting to see point A to point B and how it relates to the Snow White aspect of the story.  Another good twist is that Aza is ugly, but she is uglier in her own mind than in true life, I think.  She focuses so much on her attractiveness that she fails to see how people might actually view her.  I think that is the lesson of the book: that goodness on the inside will show on the outside.  Just because someone is attractive it doesn't make them a good person.

What Fairy Tale Character Are You?

What Fairy Tale Character Are You?

You are The Gingerbread Man. You are so animated that it sometimes is exhausting just to keep up with you! You are always running around from one place to the next and you usually have about three thousand projects on the go at one time. You love to gab with anyone who will listen and you are always the person to ask when you want to catch up on the gossip. Sometimes you can be a bit of a tease, and you love to fool around and have fun. In fact, if something isn't making you happy you stop doing it!

Hmmm...I don't know about all that. I'm pretty laid back although I do usually have a lot going on.

ETA: I decided to see what Disney character I am.

You are... ALICE (Alice in Wonderland)! You are very curious and unpredictable. You tend to act before you think, and so tend to get into unpleasant predicaments.

Patently untrue, but funny because WAY back in college my friends and I assigned everyone roles from Alice in Wonderland and I was Alice.


Check out these quizzes here to see what fairy tale character you are.

Rapunzel's Revenge

Everyone knows the story of Rapunzel, the girl whose parents gave her away and was locked in a tower by an evil witch.  Well, what if instead of being rescued by a prince, Rapunzel gained some awesome fighting skills and saved herself.  And that's where this graphic novel gets good.  After growing her famous hair, Rapunzel rappels down the tower and almost immediately meets Jack, of the Beanstalk variety.  Determined to rescue her real mother, Rapunzel and Jack set off across the witch's land and meet a variety of people oppressed by her.  Through this adventures, they learn about the witch and decide that they must do something about her too.


Weirdly this is the first graphic novel that I've reviewed for this blog although I mostly read manga.  I liked the art in this book.  It reminds me of line art a lot.  I liked that Rapunzel was a red head and the western theme going on in the book.  Some of the adventure stop-offs felt tacked on, but they are there for a purpose and add some expedition to the story.  The ending was quick but dramatic and the very end was sweet.  I've heard there is going to be a sequel and I look forward to that.

Once Upon a blogger (Interview)

Today for Once Upon a Week, we are doing a blogger interview exchange.  I love this since it is a great way to meet new bloggers.  My interview is with Britt from Confessions of a Book Habitué. You can see my half at her blog. 
Thanks Britt for answering all of my questions.

Tell me about yourself and your blog.

I'm a stay-at-home mom with little kids (2 of them-- Boo and Mister) and I just kind of inhale books! It's actually getting to the point where I'm never "reading" anything... because I finish books in one sitting! (Or in one day at any rate.... kids have these expectations about being fed at certain times for some strange reason.)

Favorite fairy tale

 probably Beauty and the Beast. I've always felt like I was most like Belle.

Favorite reinmagination?

I'm not sure I can pick a favorite reimagination! I love Robin McKinley's-- all of them! I also really like Shannon Hale's and Jessica Day George's. Right now I'm really into the Sister's Grimm series, which is an interesting twist on fairy tales in general. Oh! And Jim C Hines! His new books-- Stepsister Scheme and The Mermaid's Madness. Awesome twist on fairy tales. [Andrea - I can totally agree with all of this especially the Jim C. Hines books.  They are so great.]

Favorite Fairy Tale Character?

 Probably Belle again!

Least favorite....

hmmm. I almost want to say Snow White, but that's only because I don't like the Disney one! I'm not a huge fan of damsels in distress, so any princess that just sits around isn't a favorite of mine.

Stepmothers or wolves?

.... shudder. I'd almost rather face the wolves. At least I know going in that they want to eat me.

Kiss the frog or throw him back?

Can I keep the frog as a pet? I like frogs....

Save yourself or wait for the prince?

Totally save yourself. And then maybe save the prince. :D

Beastly

The story usually starts with Beauty.  But what about the beast?  Who was he before he was cursed and why is he all alone?  In Beastly, we get the Beast's side of the story.  Kyle Kingsbury was the ultimate popular guy, but he was cruel and mean for meaness' sake.  He aborred ugly and only valued what was on the outside.  When he crosses a witch, Kyle's ugly inside is reflected on the outside and he becomes beastly.  He has one chance, however.  Find someone to love and who loves him despite his appearance and he can change back.  But who could ever love a beast?

Favorite quote:

"And every night, when I got so tired the book fell from my hand, I lay in bed, feeling her hatred like a phantom walking the night hallways.  Maybe this was a bad idea.  But what other hope did I have?"   p.176

I've check this book out before and I've had it check out a long time.  Finally I decided to just read it or return it.  I am so glad I decided to read it.  I'm a big fan of fractured fairy tales and it was cool to see how Kyle went from a horrible person with no love in his heart to a beast who finds love and the meaning of true beauty.   It wasn't a sudden change or anything and he doesn't fall in love instantly with the girl as some books have been written lately, but it is a gradual change and so refreshing.  Lindy was such a sweet girl and was perfect for Kyle as his new self.  I liked how the witch stayed in the story and gave Kyle advice and I liked the tutor, Will.   It was a very sweet book.

Beastly is being made into a movie.  The casting seems okay.  I like Alex Pettyfer for Kyle and Neil Patrick Harris for Will, but I cannot agree with Vanessa Hudgens as Lindy who is suppose to have red hair and pale skin.  She is not who I pictured at all.  And since I am a Olsen fan (not so secretly) I am very happy Mary Kate is playing Kendra, the witch.

Weekly Round-Up 11/2 + Once Upon a Week!

What are you reading Mondays? is a meme hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog.
Check out J.Kaye's Book Blog for what others are reading.

This week I'm reading Kiss of Life (Waters) and Wake and Fade (Mann), I swear I mean it this time.  I'm listening to Sir Thursday (Nix).

Since last week I've finished D.A. (Willis), Generation Dead (Waters), and I Am Legend (Matheson) and on audio, I finished Grim Tuesday (Nix).

This week I'm also doing something super fun and participating in Once Upon a Week (fairy tale week) with Vanessa from Today's Adventure and a whole bunch of other really cool bloggers so look for some neat things this week.