Fairytales are the basis of good literature. I mean, how many of you can seriously say that you've never read a fairytale? Not many, that's for sure. Because over the years, tales like Snow White, Rumpelstiltskin, Cinderella, The Little Match Girl, The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Sleeping Beauty and so many more have capture our hearts and imaginations.
Here is one example of a fairytale re-told that I found particularly engaging:
Spindle’s End by Robin McKinley
Remember that great, big, volume of fairytales that lies forlornly at the top of your bookshelf, gathering dust? Well it’s time to dust off the cobwebs, as Robin McKinley’s novel Spindle’s End re-nurtures your love for the classics.
Spindle’s End is a beautifully written re-telling of Sleeping Beauty – but with more twists and turns. Rosie the princess - who’s full name is Casta Albinia Allegra Dove Minerva Fidelia Aletta Blythe Domina Delicia Aurelia Grace Isabel Griselda Gwyneth Pearl Ruby Coral Lily Iris Briar-Rose (what were her parents thinking?!)– is stolen from her home, when an evil fairy named Pernicia, casts a curse on her at her name-day ceremony. The two benign fairies, who took her, hope to somehow stop the curse from activating when she turns twenty-one – but until then, no-one can know where Rosie is or her true identity – not even Rosie herself.
Full of laughter, love, heart-break and sacrifice, Spindle’s End is a sure hit with fans of fantasy-like tales with a magical twist. Discover along the way the fate of two girls so closely linked in many ways, as Rosie has to decide what to listen to: her heart or her head?
Also available by Robin McKinley is Beauty – an engaging re-telling of Beauty and the Beast. I love the way Robin can create characters that make the same sort of impression on you that Belle or Ariel did when you were just five.
In this modern day and age, the good stories of good vs. evil and adventure with a sprinkle of romance aren't always found in books that sit on a shelf.
Feywinds (www.feywinds.com/ ) is a one-of-a-kind webcomic by Nicole Chartrand. Nicole has created a magical fantasy world, where a motley group of characters find themselves on a treasure hunt to save the world.
Starting off by looking for a set of lost artefacts, Kit, Nigel and Larina eventually become entangled in a plot far from simple. Instead of worrying about the occasional mosquito or ruffian, they are faced with 'The Lord of the Dying Light' and random rogue demon things - but as well as evil, the threesome find unlikely friends...such as Sid (you'll only fund this funny if you've read it.).
The best part about Feywinds are the jokes. Whether they be about Kit's fashion sense (nil), Larina's charisma, Nigel's obvious attraction to Kit or Sid's stealth and wooing abilities (also nil), every joke will make you laugh or smile; the dialogue flowing as smoothly as any books.
As Feywinds is a webcomic, you will find, once at the end, that it ISN'T THE END! Instead, the webcomic is updated (for those in Australia) every Tuesday. So mark the date down in your mental/real calendar!
Happy reading, everyone!
Cool Beans
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