Rosh's Reviews > The Wickeds
The Wickeds (Faraway Collection)
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In a Nutshell: Short story. Interesting concept. Above average writing. Started well. Ended a bit flat. Loved the idea though.
All of us know the three villainesses of the fairy tale world: the evil queen from Snow White, the wicked witch from Rapunzel, and the devious stepmother from Cinderella. However, do we know why they behaved the way they did? What happens when these three “wickeds” meet up and decide that they want vengeance for the way their names have been sullied? Don’t they deserve a happily-ever-after?
The concept of the book is fabulous. While it fits into the modern trend of retelling a story from the antagonist’s point of view, thus modifying our opinion about them through their version of events, the reasons provided for each woman’s behaviour covers quite relevant themes. As the three characters are given names in this story-- Elsinora, Gwendolyn, and Marguerite, it takes a while to remember who is who, but going with the flow works fine.
The ending comes as a surprise. In a way, it takes life a full circle and the three vamps realise that revenge might not be the solution to their woes.
While the story is quick and easy-going, the writing/editing brings it down. The narrative perspective didn’t make sense. There’s a mysterious “we” who are narrating the story to us, but after their identity is revealed at the end, the earlier narration doesn’t make sense, as they wouldn’t have known of many of the events that occurred earlier. Moreover, after the identity reveal, the “we” also refer to themselves by their names, thus mixing up the first person and third person. There are a couple of continuity errors as well. A round of edits would have improved the impact of the story.
Overall, a decent story that provides a somewhat-feminist retelling from the pov of three despised women from the fairy tale world. A good enough read, not a must-read.
3.25 stars.
This story is a part of the Faraway Collection and is available to Amazon Prime members.
(I don’t plan on reading the rest of this collection. I read this story only because my daughter badgered me to. She wanted to vent about the ending. Sheesh! For what it’s worth, she rated it 4 stars.)
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All of us know the three villainesses of the fairy tale world: the evil queen from Snow White, the wicked witch from Rapunzel, and the devious stepmother from Cinderella. However, do we know why they behaved the way they did? What happens when these three “wickeds” meet up and decide that they want vengeance for the way their names have been sullied? Don’t they deserve a happily-ever-after?
The concept of the book is fabulous. While it fits into the modern trend of retelling a story from the antagonist’s point of view, thus modifying our opinion about them through their version of events, the reasons provided for each woman’s behaviour covers quite relevant themes. As the three characters are given names in this story-- Elsinora, Gwendolyn, and Marguerite, it takes a while to remember who is who, but going with the flow works fine.
The ending comes as a surprise. In a way, it takes life a full circle and the three vamps realise that revenge might not be the solution to their woes.
While the story is quick and easy-going, the writing/editing brings it down. The narrative perspective didn’t make sense. There’s a mysterious “we” who are narrating the story to us, but after their identity is revealed at the end, the earlier narration doesn’t make sense, as they wouldn’t have known of many of the events that occurred earlier. Moreover, after the identity reveal, the “we” also refer to themselves by their names, thus mixing up the first person and third person. There are a couple of continuity errors as well. A round of edits would have improved the impact of the story.
Overall, a decent story that provides a somewhat-feminist retelling from the pov of three despised women from the fairy tale world. A good enough read, not a must-read.
3.25 stars.
This story is a part of the Faraway Collection and is available to Amazon Prime members.
(I don’t plan on reading the rest of this collection. I read this story only because my daughter badgered me to. She wanted to vent about the ending. Sheesh! For what it’s worth, she rated it 4 stars.)
———————————————
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Facebook | Twitter
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Reading Progress
December 21, 2022
–
Started Reading
December 21, 2022
– Shelved
December 21, 2022
–
Finished Reading
December 22, 2022
– Shelved as:
3-25-stars
December 22, 2022
– Shelved as:
short-story-or-essay
Comments Showing 1-25 of 25 (25 new)
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Mary Beth has lots of catching up to do!
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Dec 22, 2022 09:49AM
Awesome review! 🤗
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great review! the concept does sound amazing but i can def understand if the writing would make the book comes off. this author's works had been in my tbr, but maybe i need to reconsider again 🤔
You write so beautifully, Rosh! I really loved reading your review! The "didn't make sense" parts made me chuckle slightly!
I was intrigued to read this ---> "While it fits into the modern trend of retelling a story from the antagonist’s point of view, thus modifying our opinion about them through their version of events, the reasons provided for each woman’s behaviour covers quite relevant themes."
I was intrigued to read this ---> "While it fits into the modern trend of retelling a story from the antagonist’s point of view, thus modifying our opinion about them through their version of events, the reasons provided for each woman’s behaviour covers quite relevant themes."
aly wrote: "great review! the concept does sound amazing but i can def understand if the writing would make the book comes off. this author's works had been in my tbr, but maybe i need to reconsider again 🤔"
Thanks, Aly! I haven't read any by this author, but I wouldn't mind trying a book recommended by a friend. She does have creativity. Maybe this short story was penned hastily without much attention to editing. 😊
Thanks, Aly! I haven't read any by this author, but I wouldn't mind trying a book recommended by a friend. She does have creativity. Maybe this short story was penned hastily without much attention to editing. 😊
Karly wrote: "Fab review Rosh 💕glad this was mostly good for you. 🌼"
Thanks, Karly! It was a nice one-time read.💕
Thanks, Karly! It was a nice one-time read.💕
Nilanjana wrote: "You write so beautifully, Rosh! I really loved reading your review! The "didn't make sense" parts made me chuckle slightly!
I was intrigued to read this ---> "While it fits into the modern trend o..."
Thanks much, Nilu. That alternate perspective is the biggest point in favour of the story. 💕
I was intrigued to read this ---> "While it fits into the modern trend o..."
Thanks much, Nilu. That alternate perspective is the biggest point in favour of the story. 💕
Heather Adores Books wrote: "A badgering daughter🤣 great review, Rosh."
Sigh, Heather! Where do I begin!?!? 😂😂
Sigh, Heather! Where do I begin!?!? 😂😂
Srivalli wrote: "Love your reason for reading the book. That kiddo needs some lessons on rating, mommy."
Ah well, the things I do under pressure.😂
Ikr! So generous! She always goes a star above me, so we balance each other out. (At least on paper. Practically, she isn't on GR. 😂)
Ah well, the things I do under pressure.😂
Ikr! So generous! She always goes a star above me, so we balance each other out. (At least on paper. Practically, she isn't on GR. 😂)
Rosh wrote: "Ah well, the things I do under pressure.😂
Ikr! So generous! She always goes a star above me, so we balance each other out. (At least on paper. Practically, she isn't on GR. 😂)"
Aww...
Bring her on GR after a crash course on strict rating. We need her on our side. ;)
Ikr! So generous! She always goes a star above me, so we balance each other out. (At least on paper. Practically, she isn't on GR. 😂)"
Aww...
Bring her on GR after a crash course on strict rating. We need her on our side. ;)
Aww, that was sweet of you to give in to your daughter's badgering. Daughters have that way with us! 😂 Great review, Rosh!
Srivalli wrote: "Bring her on GR after a crash course on strict rating. We need her on our side. ;)"
I know right! I did bring her to GR. Getting her to stay on GR is the bigger challenge. 😄 Will be more demanding after her board exams are done. 😉
I know right! I did bring her to GR. Getting her to stay on GR is the bigger challenge. 😄 Will be more demanding after her board exams are done. 😉
Kat wrote: "Aww, that was sweet of you to give in to your daughter's badgering. Daughters have that way with us! 😂 Great review, Rosh!"
So true, Kat! 😂 Tough to say no to those puppy dog eyes! Thanks much! 💜
So true, Kat! 😂 Tough to say no to those puppy dog eyes! Thanks much! 💜