Spoiler-free Portion: Great new characters with Travis, Isabella, and Poppy. LGBT+ romance in the sequel and some fun updates on the original cast as Spoiler-free Portion: Great new characters with Travis, Isabella, and Poppy. LGBT+ romance in the sequel and some fun updates on the original cast as well. I finished the book almost entirely for them and if I rated it just on the new characters and Disney approving a queer relationship, this book would be a solid 4 stars.
But the plot is unfortunately lackluster and the novelization of the movie is just kind of meh.
I've said for years that modern Disney could never make Hocus Pocus. Virgins, black magic, the costume cop joke. All of it is too grown up for modern Disney to greenlight and this book sort of proves it. The sequel is more "Halloweentown" than "Hocus Pocus".
(view spoiler)[ The Good: In the novelization we get more insight into what the characters are thinking and a deeper version of Max. The sequel brings us a much more diverse cast with two Black characters, female characters with a variety of personalities, and an LGBT+ romance between Poppy Dennison and Isabella Richards. Even better, their romance is simply accepted by all rather than turned into a new source for drama. Also, there's a bonus "Gravity Falls" reference early on in the sequel.
The Bad: The author misquotes and incorrectly describes several portions of the original movie. She also cuts a few memorable scenes (goodbye Costume Cop) while spending a lot of time on scenes that don't translate well to book form. These issues aren't possible in the sequel since it's not actually a movie (yet) but there are still issues. The plot isn't particularly intriguing and a few things about Allison and Max don't feel like choices they would have made, even after growing up.
The Ugly: The musical numbers we get the entire City Hall music number from the original, including focus switches between Winifred on lead and backup sung by Mary and Sarah. Then in the sequel Mary gets her own musical number that is way more Mary Poppins than Hocus Pocus. They don't work well for the novel and hold up the story.
I love Hocus Pocus and this it deserved better than this sequel. (hide spoiler)]...more
You don't need to know what I think of Ma-Nee Chacaby's life. You need to read her words, understand her experiences, and hear what she has to say. I You don't need to know what I think of Ma-Nee Chacaby's life. You need to read her words, understand her experiences, and hear what she has to say. I would recommend this book to everyone, though I recommend it with a heavy trigger warning because Ma-Nee Chacaby has been through hell and back, all with her head held high and her spirit intact, determined to leave the world a better place than she found it....more
Some of these stories moved me to happy tears. Others left me unsettled. Still others left me deep in thought and wishing there were more to the storySome of these stories moved me to happy tears. Others left me unsettled. Still others left me deep in thought and wishing there were more to the story.
I can't really say which stories were my favorites because I loved so many of them. I can say, however, that this is an excellent anthology....more
Ratings by Story: Steel by Cara Patterson - 5/5 I LOVED this one. I connected with both characters and would honestly read an entire series set in thisRatings by Story: Steel by Cara Patterson - 5/5 I LOVED this one. I connected with both characters and would honestly read an entire series set in this world. Will I be looking up Cara Patterson and hoping she has written more published work? Hard yes!
Robber Girl by Madeleine Shade - 0/5 I am a Red Riding Hood kind of woman. And I could not stand this story. It read like a bad piece from Literotica. I'm really shocked it made it into the anthology and had this been the first one, I likely would have DNF'd this one.
The Princess's Princess by Salome Wilde - 3/5 The MC is really hard to deal with for most of the story. Once she stopped being quite so irritating I really liked the story.
Woodwitch by M. Birds - 4/5 Confession time: I really like the King Arthur movie with Kiera Knightley. Historically accurate? Gods no. Entertaining and visually pleasing? Absolutely yes. This short story felt like an improved version of that world. Cohesive storytelling, engaging characters, and romantic chemistry set in a world I would love to read more of. The only reason that it's 4/5 and not 5/5 is that I felt it left too much unsaid. Basically I need more!
The Prize of the Willow by H. N. Janzen - 4/5 This one is so, so good. But it ends on such a heartbreaking note. Not the kind of heartbreak I was afraid of in queer romance. But still heartbreaking all the same.
Toads, Diamonds, and the Occasional Pearl by Emily L. Byrne - 3/5 This was one of the more fun stories in my opinion. A little bit of rivalry, a little bit of love.
SWF Seems FGM by Allison Wonderland - 0/5 There's clever and then there are so many puns that it's bad writing. This was the second option. I rarely say this but I hated this story.
The Mark and the Caul by Annabeth Leong - 5/5 A story like something straight out of Irish mythos. I loved every single page and will definitely be looking for more from this author!
Penthouse 31 by Brey Willows - 5/5 This one didn't feel erotic but honestly I don't care. I loved this story. I could read a whole saga about these women. And frankly who doesn't a strong, dashing woman riding in to the rescue?!
The Miller's Daughter by Michael M. Jones - 3/5 The Rumpelstiltskin retelling you've always wanted!
The Warrior's Choice by A. D. R. Forte - 4/5 Of all the stories in this book, this one feels the most like an oral tale to tell by the fire. I love the way it starts with a glimpse in modern times and then goes back to what once was. Beautiful and poetic in a way I don't normally see in short stories.
Trollwise by Sacchi Green - 2/5 I love the inclusion of trolls. And I love the Norse imagery. But I'm docking a solid three stars for the surprise het sex that took up as much 'page time' as the lesbian sex. It's not what I expected in this book and absolutely ruined my enjoyment of the rest of what had the makings of a good story.
The Sorceress of Solisterre by Lea Daley - 1/5 I wanted to like this story. I really, really did. I loved the world the author built. But one woman pining for another while having to hear her the woman she loves having sex with men is way too close to personal triggers for me to enjoy the story. It actually ruined my overall enjoyment of the book since it was the last story. Honestly I would just read Steel again and skip this one.
Alyssa Cole is an amazing author. Each of her characters has their own distinct voice and style. And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't half in love withAlyssa Cole is an amazing author. Each of her characters has their own distinct voice and style. And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't half in love with Likotsi and Fab by the end of this novella. It's been a long time since I've been sad to say goodbye to the characters in a book but Cole pulled me in after only 120 pages.
I'm definitely going to read the rest of the Reluctant Royals series and if you're looking for an excellent romance series then you should too!...more
Alexandria
>
Books:
queer-leads
(6)
Loading...
