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Book Review: Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales by Soman Chainani, illustrated by Julia Iredale

cover art for Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales by Sonan Chainani

Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales by Soman Chainani, illustrated by Julia Iredale

HarperCollins Children’s Books, 2021

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062652638

Available: Hardcover, Kindle edition, audiobook ( Bookshop.org  |  Amazon.com )

 

In Beasts and Beauty: Dangerous Tales, Soman Chainani brings us tales so sharp they cut, with teen protagonists who seize their agency, and subversive, unexpected re-visionings of 12 familiar stories.

The standout story in this collection for me is “Bluebeard”, a lush and bleeding horror story. Chainani has altered the story so that instead of courting a wife, Bluebeard chooses boys from an orphanage as his victims. Unfortunately for him, one boy, Pietro, is wise to what’s going on.

“Bluebeard” is just one of many excellent stories. Chainani’s version of “Red Riding Hood” would do Shirley Jackson proud, with its rejection of conformity and tradition.  “Hansel and Gretel” set in India, is very different from the original tale, although you can clearly see its roots.  This was a beautifully done variation with a very satisfying ending, if you’ve ever wanted the stepmother to get her comeuppance.  “Cinderella” is an entertaining story where a girl in love with the prince, who has been hexed into a mouse, convinces Cinderella to go to the ball and take her along. The story definitely does not go where you think it will! “Snow White” takes on racism with an unusual reversal, and disrupts the structure of fairytale narrative. “Beauty and the Beast” also addresses racism and classism in its commentary on seeing past appearances, with a prickly, bookish, Chinese “Beauty”.  “Sleeping Beauty” is genderswapped, with lyrical, gorgeous writing threaded with horror. The relationships in this were particularly troubling as Chainani was not clear on the issue of consent or its lack that is central to Sleeping Beauty stories.

Chainani does a good job taking a traditional tale and giving it just a little bit of a twist, as well. Rapunzel uses her brain instead of her hair to get what she wants; Jack grows a beanstalk hoping to find his missing father at the top; the sea witch lectures the Little Mermaid on the folly of giving up a long life and self-respect for the possibility of love.  Other stories include “Rumplestiltskin” and “Peter Pan”.  Overall, it’s a great collection that pays a creative homage to traditional stories.  Art by Julia Iredale throughout, including full-page color illustrations, complements the stories perfectly as it’s integrated into the design of the book.

Teens who grew up reading Adam Gidwitz, the Sisters Grimm, or Chainani’s School for Good and Evil series, or who enjoy fairytale adaptations such as those by Anna-Marie Macklemore (Blanca & Roja)  Emily Whitten (For The Wolf) and Emma Donoghue (Kissing the Witch) should enjoy this collection. Highly recommended for ages 10+.

 

 

Posted on October 26, 2021 by , Reply

Book Review: All These Bodies by Kendare Blake

All These Bodies by [Kendare Blake]

All These Bodies by Kendare Blake

Quill Tree Books, 2021

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0062977168

Available: Hardcover, Kindle edition, audiobook ( Bookshop.org | Amazon.com )

 

In All These Bodies, Kendare Blake imagines a murder spree throughout the Midwest in the summer of 1958, known as the “Bloodless Murders” or “Dracula Murders” because the victims have all been drained of blood. On September 19, the Carlson family is found murdered in their Minnesota farmhouse, with a fifteen-year-old girl, Marie Catherine Hale, drenched in blood, still alive. Is she a victim, accomplice, or killer?

 

Michael Jensen, the seventeen-year-old son of the sheriff with hopes of becoming a journalist, is the only person Marie Catherine will talk to, and revealing the killer is her one chance to avoid being extradited to Nebraska and tried for the death penalty. Getting the truth out of Marie Catherine is trickier than just asking her questions once and expecting straightforward answers, though; it becomes a long, drawn out process that creates a sympathetic connection between the two teens. Michael is also facing other dangers: his peers are turning against him as he continues to spend time with Marie Catherine, and he’s almost certain he’s being watched, and perhaps even hunted, in a way that feels almost supernatural.

 

Inspired by the fictionalized murders in Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood and a murder spree that occurred in the Midwest in 1958, Blake has created a gripping, grisly, fictional “true crime” story that clarifies what it means to be human, a monster, or both.  Recommended.

 

Contains: murder, graphic descriptions of gore, blood drinking, mentions of pedophilia

 

Reviewed by Kirsten Kowalewski

 

 

 

Posted on October 14, 2021 by , Reply

Book Review: All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O’Donoghue

cover art for All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O'Donoghue

All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O’Donoghue

Walker Books, 2021

ISBN: 978-1536213942

Available: Hardcover, audiobook, ebook (Bookshop.org)

 

 

O’Donoghue’s foray into YA literature delivers tricks and treats for fans of Gothic, mystic stories dealing with social themes; but magic doesn’t solve everything this character-driven YA paranormal fantasy set in contemporary Ireland.

 

Sentenced to cleanup duty in detention, 16 year old Maeve discovers an old mixtape, a Tarot deck, and an uncanny knack for reading the cards. When her former best friend Lily goes missing after a heated exchange, classmates soon start avoiding Maeve like she’s some kind of creepy occultist. As she finds herself immersed in a world of fantastic possibilities she doesn’t fully comprehend, Maeve discovers a new friend in artsy Fiona. Ultimately, Maeve confronts a dangerous entity summoned by powerful emotions and explores her uncorked inner magic skills, while becoming increasingly regretful about how she dumped and ostracized Lily.

 

There are supernatural elements to the story at every turn, but this subtle gem explores far more than magic. This is also a book about another secret superpower: empathy. Maeve, who is white and from a comfortably middle class family, navigates themes of diversity with detailed, well-developed characters that include non-binary, bisexual love interest Roe; biracial, Filipina friend Fiona; former BFF Lily who has hearing loss; and queer lesbian sister Jo.  Perspectives on racism, homophobia, and classism are explored in context, in unscripted, messy, and uncomfortably realistic ways.  O’Donoghue deftly creates a tone of authentic growth across these topics instead of patching over tough spots. Maeve fumbles, misunderstands, and makes bad choices, but keeps trying. Growth doesn’t happen easily, and Donoghue sidesteps an investment in “likability”,  so readers journey with the protagonist in learning that while intention matters in magic, it doesn’t count in interpersonal relationships or the fight for social justice.

 

The romantic interludes sometimes feel a bit out of place, but packed with mysticism, magic, queer liberation, and the drama of teen friendships, this contemporary tale will likely have strong appeal for readers looking for complex characters and edgy situations in a speculative framework. Readers of DeAngelis’ Bones & All, Older’s Shadowshaper, Okorafor’s Akata Witch, Power’s Wilder Girls, and Adeyemi’s Children of Blood and Bone will find much to enjoy in Gifts. Ages 14+. Highly recommend.

 

Minimal gore, but contains bullying, references to hate crimes and homophobia.

 

Reviewed by E.F. Schraeder

Posted on August 29, 2021 by , Reply
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