This is a volume of six long short stories, each one taking a different slant on an old fairy tale formula. It’s dangerous ground to tread, because the Fractured Fairy Tale has been around a long time, and has been tried by some of the best.
The first, Cinderayla, is perhaps the most slanted of the lot. It’s based on the author’s myth that characters get so powerful they can control the story. In this one, she steps in, takes over and writes, directs and produces the whole show. To the point where the author begins to do doubt his choice of occupation. It ends exactly as it should; at least, the author hopes it does. This story is a fun stomp all over what a traditional fairy tale should be. The only thing missing is that the character seems to take over rather easily, and I was hoping for a clever trick on the part of the writer/narrator to turn the tables, but no such device showed up. The ending just…happens.
Shadowsoul is more subtle. Once again, we have a main character from a fairy tale, but this one is a complete dichotomy: a being of infinite evil in the body of a cute nine-year-old, who is presented as a sympathetic, well rounded character. It ends with a moving and thoughtful theme.
The third is a pretty standard parody of The Three Little Pigs, complete with Big Brad Wolfe, castles of various materials, and chants like “Little orc, little orc, let me in.”
Elements returns to the subtle modernization of the Fantasy battle scene, applying the principles of creativity and cooperation to succeed at the impossible.
The final story is a Discworld takeoff, with Little Red Killing Hood as a member of the Assassins’ guild. A basket of goodies for Grandmother is featured, but some of the characters seem to have switched sides.
This is a set of creative parodies that is lifted out of mediocrity by flashes of personality in the characters and thoughtful thematic material.
Recommended for those who have read too many normal fairy tales.
3 stars.