 "Indeed, not just for kids" | 2009-02-19 |
| - Reviewed By User: ADUV61WY4FO9S |
| I'm only up to page 95, but this collection deserves 5 stars just by containing "Earthwitch." In its 25 pages, Wrede rivals the best grand opera. |
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| "Different from what I expected but great nonetheless" | 2009-01-06 |
| - Reviewed By User: A30EJPECM8GYCM |
I read the Enchanted Forest Chronicles written by Patricia Wrede and I loved the four books. Then I saw this one and I expected something similar. However, the stories on this book are totally different from the books and different from each other, even though the style and the humour remain. I would recommend this book to any child or adult that enjoys fantasy and realistic characters.
Still, not all the stories feature characters from the other books, so don't expect a full book set in the Enchanted Forest. |
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| "Magic frying pans and things that go bump in the night" | 2008-07-01 |
| - Reviewed By professorwho |
I bought the Enchanted Forest Chronicles on the recommendation of a friend. So enjoyed them I bought this companion book of enchanted short stories. Only one of the stories relates directly to the original 'cast' of the Forest but each and every one of them a joy to behold.
If you haven't read them all. Shame on you! |
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 "The Enchanted Forest and Other Unusual Places" | 2008-06-16 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2Q7DBB73I6EZD |
| This collection of short stories from Patricia C. Wrede is overall fascinating and readable. For those who adore the Enchanted Forest Chronicles, you will only find two tales that come from that familiar landscape; although some are written with the same light-hearted and matter-of-fact silliness that made the EFC so enjoyable, others are more serious stories (even a little violent or macabre) and two are "modern" day tales of magic. A good addition for the collector of fairy tales or fantasy fiction. |
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| "For readers after "The Enchanted Forest Chronicles"" | 2008-01-20 |
| - Reviewed By ananonymouschild |
I'll admit, Wrede is one of those authors that can make me enjoy reading silly fantasy in this world of horrible, trashy fantasy. It's just so much fun. "Book of Enchantments" is no exception.
This book of ten short stories (and one delightful recipe) is very different from Wrede's series "The Enchanted Forest Chronicles". Some stories take place in the same world (the best story has our favorite characters from there as well) while others were written for different anthologies over the years. Each story is original, drawing on classic fairy tale feels, but still fresh and interesting.
For example, the "werewolf" story. "The Sixty-two Curses of Caliph Arenschadd" is both amusing, exciting, and intriguing, while bringing to mind a Scheherezade sort of feel. It is entirely unlike most (rather boring) werewolf stories, is thankfully not too long (a short story, after all), and made me smile quite a bit. One of the my favorites among the ten.
Each story, however, is very different from the next. What is best, though, is Wrede's clear comment in the end about the origin of each story. One can see how each was born for a different reason, from a different place, and was then brought together in one book.
The best story is the last, of course. "Utensil Strength" (better remembered as "The Frying Pan of Doom") is an excellent story. I won't tell what it's about, simply because it's amazing, amusing, and is reason enough to purchase this book (it's a cheap book, after all... pretty worth it... that's what I did).
Ten stories. Ten different worlds. Ten new settings, about twenty new protagonists, and ten varying and wonderful different moods. One book. While some stories are gorier than others ("Cruel Sisters", aspects of "The Lorelei", and a few others), this is a great book, just for slightly older readers. Ages 12 and up, perhaps.
Enjoy! And remember:
Lest you forget the last,
you will have missed the best! |
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 "Good read...if you like short stories" | 2007-12-03 |
| - Reviewed By User: AELHGIOO49RIN |
I did enjoy the stories quite a bit, especially Roses by Midnight. They are all good stories, all very clearly written.
My only dilemma was that I have read the entire 4 part series of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles by Ms. Wrede and with 4 books telling one story, I was left feeling a bit lacking when 1 book contained 10 stories. Felt like there could be much more to the story that was left out, almost like reading a book and watching the movie. Even if you loved the movie, you still know the book had more depth and detail.
The book ended with an story that tied in to the Enchanted Forest Chronicles and that was a pleasant climax, and it is a good read for any C. Wrede fan, but dont expect to find an incredible literary treasure in this book.
Though the idea of her extending a few of the stories would be marvelous. |
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