A charity anthology in support of a good cause - the World Land Trust and communities hit by wildfires.
I really liked that there are content warnings up front before each story and the way the set is structured so as to elicit a rollercoaster of emotions - uplifting stories heckled in between eerie-horror ones and ending on a dystopian yet hopeful note. Some stories were a continuation of those that started in the previous set of Enchanted Forests and carry through all the Enchanted sets; some had characters crossing over from authors’ other charity sets, introducing more worthy causes the authors are supporting.
Stories in order of I-love-it-when-it’s-hopeful:
5/5⭐️ The Scorch Tournament by Elena Shelest - that was a total surprise of one of my fave fairytale authors successfully venturing into dystopian steampunk, yowzer! Mad Max meets Hunger Games meets Divergent (but in caves). Rashi deserves her own book (I so hope)!
5/5⭐️ Hero of the Wyverns by Alice Ivinya - that was so much fun to read, another one of the action-adventurey stories in the set - two teen royals are about to be married off by their parents and guess what, they no likey. Got a few chuckles out of me - come on, when is both MCs running off NOT eloping? It is in this story. Lol.
5/5⭐️ Golden Apples by Astrid VJ - a mashup retelling of several fairytales - The Firebird, Koschei’s death (Ivan being prominent in both) and also The 12 Dancing Princesses. I loved the gender reversal of the firebird (firebirds in Slavic traditions are usually female), the fact that Koschei was made an elemental entity and that a character from another charity anthology (Namid from Twice Upon a Name) made a reappearance. Now I want to know what becomes of the 12 princesses, but’ll have to wait, ahh…
5/5⭐️ Ping and the Phoenix by Xander Cross was a continuation of the story in Enchanted Forests. Cross keeps to his trademark melancholy tone, still, it’s a lovely tale and there is some action too, with the demon attack and whatnot. I liked the wisdom and philosophical undercurrent and the heartbreak and the coming of age realizations and the boy overcoming his insecurities.
5/5⭐️ Candle Burns in Herboshi by Ben Lang - eerie ditty about parents fighting for the survival of their kids and trying to trick Death. If you liked the Tale of 3 Brothers in (Deathly Hallows), you’ll like this one. As things do not go according to plan, as you can imagine, then it’s a good thing it’s sandwiched between happier tales like To Steal a Kiss, a humorous ditty about 18yo Greta (from Hans & Greta) unenchanting a dragon prince for which she has to accidentally kiss him but it’s gotta be true love. (Yeah, how, right?) The other end of the sandwich being…
5/5⭐️The Wyvern and the Woodwitch by Lyndsey Hall - Brigid is a healer called to help the king, except her kind of magic is forbidden; her and Aodhan’s story was rocky but fun, tho he did seem a bit of a self-serving bastard, if you ask me. Loved Patch the wyvern and didn’t know they could shed (scales)🤪 and the endearing nicknames were just awww…
4.75⭐️Cajun Cold Flames by Donna White - rougarous and feut follet and a lady tracking down magical secrets in Louisiana swamps in 18th century. For me, this story had a bit of a Where the Crawdads Sing feel to it minus a century. Lovely Cajun legends with a promise of a Werewolf of London story to follow.
4.5⭐️ In the Ashes by Jo Holloway - Cinderella with a fiery secret - I really liked that the story ties into the Mists from the author’s previous stories; loved how it followed the impoverished elements of Ella and the gender reversal of the evil stepparent. I’d have liked Juliet to return and kick her manor in shape & her title-hogging stepdad out, but a few more books need to be written before she does, I think.
4.5⭐️ Palace of Embers by N.D.T. Casale - I liked the elements of a Goose Girl retelling (switched brides with the prince clueless) and I liked the coming of age bits - why does a 21yo ingenue princess assume the grownups (who know better) will allow her to rule? This for me was more middle grade, the orphaned princess missing her mom being heartbreaking and certainly the most clean&innocent of the bunch.
Recommended for lovers of new and retold clean YA fairytales with across the board sentiments (happy, melancholy, mysterious and even a bit angry-frustrated) with hints of romance.
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Unwell Hydration from Alex Cooper
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Wonderful Anthology
I really enjoyed all of these stories and a few really blew me away. Don't ask me to pick a favorite because that's impossible. This is perfect for when you don't have a lot of time but want to read a story. Some of the stories are a continuation from another story, others set up for a book. This anthology also gives a great idea of the author's writing style. All the authors did a wonderful job writing these stories and creating wonderful worlds. I highly recommend you get this anthology and see what stories you like best. I received a copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on July 9, 2023
- Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2024
- Reviewed in the United States on September 2, 2023
Top reviews from other countries
- AnnaReviewed in the United Kingdom on September 11, 2023
Each short story is unique and magical
If, like me, you struggle to find the time and attention span for novels then short stories are a winner, and every one of the stories in this collection is more magical than the last. I was quite intrigued because I wondered just how different each story on a single theme could be, but every author has taken the theme of 'fire' in a completely different direction, keeping the vibe fresh throughout. It's got some familiar figures such as your salamander and phoenix, and some you may not have come across, like wyverns. If you love an immersive fantasy story or ten, this is a great read.AnnaEach short story is unique and magical
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 11, 2023
Images in this review
- Ilona NurmelaReviewed in Germany on July 13, 2023
A beautiful, illustrated clean YA charity anthology with rollercoaster emotional tales, loved it!
A charity anthology in support of a good cause - the World Land Trust and communities hit by wildfires.Ilona NurmelaA beautiful, illustrated clean YA charity anthology with rollercoaster emotional tales, loved it!
Reviewed in Germany on July 13, 2023
I really liked that there are content warnings up front before each story and the way the set is structured so as to elicit a rollercoaster of emotions - uplifting stories heckled in between eerie-horror ones and ending on a dystopian yet hopeful note. Some stories were a continuation of those that started in the previous set of Enchanted Forests and carry through all the Enchanted sets; some had characters crossing over from authors’ other charity sets, introducing more worthy causes the authors are supporting.
Stories in order of I-love-it-when-it’s-hopeful:
5/5⭐️ The Scorch Tournament by Elena Shelest - that was a total surprise of one of my fave fairytale authors successfully venturing into dystopian steampunk, yowzer! Mad Max meets Hunger Games meets Divergent (but in caves). Rashi deserves her own book (I so hope)!
5/5⭐️ Hero of the Wyverns by Alice Ivinya - that was so much fun to read, another one of the action-adventurey stories in the set - two teen royals are about to be married off by their parents and guess what, they no likey. Got a few chuckles out of me - come on, when is both MCs running off NOT eloping? It is in this story. Lol.
5/5⭐️ Golden Apples by Astrid VJ - a mashup retelling of several fairytales - The Firebird, Koschei’s death (Ivan being prominent in both) and also The 12 Dancing Princesses. I loved the gender reversal of the firebird (firebirds in Slavic traditions are usually female), the fact that Koschei was made an elemental entity and that a character from another charity anthology (Namid from Twice Upon a Name) made a reappearance. Now I want to know what becomes of the 12 princesses, but’ll have to wait, ahh…
5/5⭐️ Ping and the Phoenix by Xander Cross was a continuation of the story in Enchanted Forests. Cross keeps to his trademark melancholy tone, still, it’s a lovely tale and there is some action too, with the demon attack and whatnot. I liked the wisdom and philosophical undercurrent and the heartbreak and the coming of age realizations and the boy overcoming his insecurities.
5/5⭐️ Candle Burns in Herboshi by Ben Lang - eerie ditty about parents fighting for the survival of their kids and trying to trick Death. If you liked the Tale of 3 Brothers in (Deathly Hallows), you’ll like this one. As things do not go according to plan, as you can imagine, then it’s a good thing it’s sandwiched between humorous tales like To Steal a Kiss, about unenchanting a dragon prince for which the girl has to accidentally kiss him but it’s gotta be true love. (Yeah, how, right?) The other end of the sandwich being…
5/5⭐️The Wyvern and the Woodwitch by Lyndsey Hall - Brigid is a healer called to help the king, except her kind of magic is forbidden; her and Aodhan’s story was rocky but fun, tho he did seem a bit of a self-serving bastard, if you ask me. Loved Patch the wyvern and didn’t know they could shed (scales)🤪 and the endearing nicknames were just awww…
4.75⭐️Cajun Cold Flames by Donna White - rougarous and feut follet and a lady tracking down magical secrets in Louisiana swamps in 18th century. For me, this story had a bit of a Where the Crawdads Sing feel to it minus a century. Lovely Cajun legends with a promise of a Werewolf of London story to follow.
4.5⭐️ In the Ashes by Jo Holloway - Cinderella with a fiery secret - I really liked that the story ties into the Mists from the author’s previous stories; loved how it followed the impoverished elements of Ella and the gender reversal of the evil stepparent. I’d have liked Juliet to return and kick her manor in shape & her title-hogging stepdad out, but a few more books need to be written before she does, I think.
4.5⭐️ Palace of Embers by N.D.T. Casale - I liked the elements of a Goose Girl retelling (switched brides with the prince clueless) and I liked the coming of age bits - why does a 21yo ingenue princess assume the grownups (who know better) will allow her to rule? This for me was more middle grade, the orphaned princess missing her mom being heartbreaking and certainly the most clean&innocent of the bunch.
Recommended for lovers of new and retold clean YA fairytales with across the board sentiments (happy, melancholy, mysterious and even a bit angry-frustrated) with hints of romance.
Images in this review
- Fallen AngelReviewed in Germany on June 19, 2023
Five fiery flames 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥and stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for Enchanted Flames.
