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Woodcutter Sisters #3
Dearest
In her third book about the delightful Woodcutter sisters, Alethea Kontis masterfully weaves "The Wild Swans," "The Goose Girl," and a few other fine-feathered fairy tales into a magical, romantic companion novel to Enchanted and Hero.
Readers met the Woodcutter sisters (named after the days of the week) in Enchanted and Hero. In this delightful third book, Alethea Kontis weaves together some fine-feathered fairy tales to focus on Friday Woodcutter, the kind and loving seamstress. When Friday stumbles upon seven sleeping brothers in her sister Sunday's palace, she takes one look at Tristan and knows he's her future. But the brothers are cursed to be swans by day. Can Friday's unique magic somehow break the spell?
Readers met the Woodcutter sisters (named after the days of the week) in Enchanted and Hero. In this delightful third book, Alethea Kontis weaves together some fine-feathered fairy tales to focus on Friday Woodcutter, the kind and loving seamstress. When Friday stumbles upon seven sleeping brothers in her sister Sunday's palace, she takes one look at Tristan and knows he's her future. But the brothers are cursed to be swans by day. Can Friday's unique magic somehow break the spell?
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 3, 2015
69 people are currently reading
5176 people want to read
About the author
Alethea Kontis
151 books1,486 followers"A veritable badass fairy princess." --Jim Butcher
"The faerie princess of the worlds of weird." --Jonathan Maberry
"Alethea Kontis IS fairy tales." --Jim C. Hines, author of Libriomancer
"Alethea Kontis: Awesome, racks up award nominations, wears tiaras." --SF author Ferrett Steinmetz
"I want to live in [Alethea's] head because I think that might be the most interesting place in the world!!!!" --Ellen Oh, author of Prophecy
"Alethea Kontis, the woman who writes like Shakespeare would if he were alive today." --Aaron Pound
"The beauty of a princess, the confidence of a queen, the brilliance of a writer, and the demeanor of a cheerful fairy comedian!" --Cheyenne Z.
"This was the story before all of the other stories, and it was the other tales that were changed over time." --Nerdophiles, on ENCHANTED
"The faerie princess of the worlds of weird." --Jonathan Maberry
"Alethea Kontis IS fairy tales." --Jim C. Hines, author of Libriomancer
"Alethea Kontis: Awesome, racks up award nominations, wears tiaras." --SF author Ferrett Steinmetz
"I want to live in [Alethea's] head because I think that might be the most interesting place in the world!!!!" --Ellen Oh, author of Prophecy
"Alethea Kontis, the woman who writes like Shakespeare would if he were alive today." --Aaron Pound
"The beauty of a princess, the confidence of a queen, the brilliance of a writer, and the demeanor of a cheerful fairy comedian!" --Cheyenne Z.
"This was the story before all of the other stories, and it was the other tales that were changed over time." --Nerdophiles, on ENCHANTED
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 315 reviews
February 10, 2016
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads
SO. We all know that I love fairy tales. And while I'd had the Woodcutter Sisters on my TBR for years, a couple of months ago I wouldn't have even been able to tell you where my copy of Enchanted (book 1) was. Truthfully, I still don't know, but that sad fact was made irrelevant when I snagged the kindle version on sale for $1.99. *fist pumps*
Anyway, the reason I hadn't actually gotten around to reading Kontis is . . . pretty silly . . .
You see . . . I made an assumption.
Along with the delightful mashup of classic fairy tale characters, and the new adventures they have in this series, Kontis also writes children's books. Small children's books. Small children's alphabet books.
And so . . . I decided the version of fairy tale she would tell would be of the cutesy, heroine with a vacant gaze variety.
Then came Dragon Con.
I mostly followed the Urban Fantasy tract, but (fortuitously) there was a bit of UF/YA crossover, and in the Back to the Roots: Incorporating Folklore & Mythology in Urban Fantasy panel there were several YA authors, one of which was Alethea Kontis . . .
I realized within minutes of making her acquaintance that I had made a terrible mistake.
Not only was she hilarious and wildly entertaining, but . . . when she began lamenting how most of her target audience was completely unfamiliar with anything but the Disney version of fairy tales, and how the original stories were seriously dark, I knew I had found a kindred spirit. She even used my favorite example to make her point: The Seven Ravens, in which the child heroine has to cut off her own finger to use the bone as a key when rescuing her brothers.
Ooohhh yeaaaaaah. Brothers Grimm, baby!
I've obviously since devoured these books, and let me tell you . . . when I requested an ARC of Dearest on NetGalley, I was thrilled to be approved almost immediately. BUT. When I went to download said ARC, and discovered it was one of the rare books in non-kindle format . . . first, I was blinded by frustrated rage (b/c overreaction), but when I calmed myself . . . I spent an embarrassingly long time figuring out what app (Bluefire---fyi) I needed in order to read it.
And listen, people---I have gotten at least half a dozen non-kindle eARCs in the past, and I have promptly refused them ALL (b/c not a fan of reading entire books on my phone or laptop). BUT. I loved the previous two Woodcutter Sisters enough books to do it.
Dearest was every bit as wonderful as the previous installments.
There are seven Woodcutter sisters, each named a day of the week, and Dearest is Friday's book.
To be completely honest, I was a bit leery of this one, b/c Friday was probably my least favorite of the sisters. She was the good sister. The selfless sister. The hard-working and charitous sister.
And while all of those are nice things to be . . . they're also downright dull.
BUT. Having the platform for the first time revealed Friday's previously unknown and not-in-the-least-bit-dull depths. For one, she's boy crazy. Hilariously, not frustratingly so, b/c while you hear the recollections of boys past, you don't have to witness them first hand. She's wonderful with the always entertaining children that follow her like the Pied Piper, and she also has an endearing innocence that blinds her to the ridiculousness of her desire to join the chaste sisterhood she so often labors for.
If you still find the boy crazy part concerning, worry not---her previous infatuations pale in comparison to her true love, and she instantly recognizes the differences.
And like her sister's stories, Friday's is yet another breathtaking assortment of odds and ends, bits and bobs of well-known and loved classic tales, woven together in such a way that they are both entirely new and entirely faithful to their original versions. *grins* See what I did there . . . ? B/c Friday is a gifted seamstress . . . ? *grins some more*
Yeah, fine, I'm a dork. *embraces dorkness*
Bottomline: Highly recommended. If you love fairy tales, you will love this series. Even if you are among the majority who only know Disney's version of events, you will love this series. Don't be scared off by the mutual affection Kontis and I have for Grimm, b/c while, YES, the details stay true to their European roots, the Woodcutter sisters always live happily ever after. *pinky promises*
SO. We all know that I love fairy tales. And while I'd had the Woodcutter Sisters on my TBR for years, a couple of months ago I wouldn't have even been able to tell you where my copy of Enchanted (book 1) was. Truthfully, I still don't know, but that sad fact was made irrelevant when I snagged the kindle version on sale for $1.99. *fist pumps*
Anyway, the reason I hadn't actually gotten around to reading Kontis is . . . pretty silly . . .
You see . . . I made an assumption.
Along with the delightful mashup of classic fairy tale characters, and the new adventures they have in this series, Kontis also writes children's books. Small children's books. Small children's alphabet books.
And so . . . I decided the version of fairy tale she would tell would be of the cutesy, heroine with a vacant gaze variety.
Then came Dragon Con.
I mostly followed the Urban Fantasy tract, but (fortuitously) there was a bit of UF/YA crossover, and in the Back to the Roots: Incorporating Folklore & Mythology in Urban Fantasy panel there were several YA authors, one of which was Alethea Kontis . . .
I realized within minutes of making her acquaintance that I had made a terrible mistake.
Not only was she hilarious and wildly entertaining, but . . . when she began lamenting how most of her target audience was completely unfamiliar with anything but the Disney version of fairy tales, and how the original stories were seriously dark, I knew I had found a kindred spirit. She even used my favorite example to make her point: The Seven Ravens, in which the child heroine has to cut off her own finger to use the bone as a key when rescuing her brothers.
Ooohhh yeaaaaaah. Brothers Grimm, baby!
I've obviously since devoured these books, and let me tell you . . . when I requested an ARC of Dearest on NetGalley, I was thrilled to be approved almost immediately. BUT. When I went to download said ARC, and discovered it was one of the rare books in non-kindle format . . . first, I was blinded by frustrated rage (b/c overreaction), but when I calmed myself . . . I spent an embarrassingly long time figuring out what app (Bluefire---fyi) I needed in order to read it.
And listen, people---I have gotten at least half a dozen non-kindle eARCs in the past, and I have promptly refused them ALL (b/c not a fan of reading entire books on my phone or laptop). BUT. I loved the previous two Woodcutter Sisters enough books to do it.
Dearest was every bit as wonderful as the previous installments.
Monday's child is fair of face,
Tuesday's child is full of grace,
Wednesday's child is full of woe,
Thursday's child has far to go,
Friday's child is loving and giving,
Saturday's child works hard for a living,
But the child who is born on the Sabbath Day
Is blithe and bonny and good and gay.
There are seven Woodcutter sisters, each named a day of the week, and Dearest is Friday's book.
To be completely honest, I was a bit leery of this one, b/c Friday was probably my least favorite of the sisters. She was the good sister. The selfless sister. The hard-working and charitous sister.
And while all of those are nice things to be . . . they're also downright dull.
BUT. Having the platform for the first time revealed Friday's previously unknown and not-in-the-least-bit-dull depths. For one, she's boy crazy. Hilariously, not frustratingly so, b/c while you hear the recollections of boys past, you don't have to witness them first hand. She's wonderful with the always entertaining children that follow her like the Pied Piper, and she also has an endearing innocence that blinds her to the ridiculousness of her desire to join the chaste sisterhood she so often labors for.
If you still find the boy crazy part concerning, worry not---her previous infatuations pale in comparison to her true love, and she instantly recognizes the differences.
And like her sister's stories, Friday's is yet another breathtaking assortment of odds and ends, bits and bobs of well-known and loved classic tales, woven together in such a way that they are both entirely new and entirely faithful to their original versions. *grins* See what I did there . . . ? B/c Friday is a gifted seamstress . . . ? *grins some more*
Yeah, fine, I'm a dork. *embraces dorkness*
Bottomline: Highly recommended. If you love fairy tales, you will love this series. Even if you are among the majority who only know Disney's version of events, you will love this series. Don't be scared off by the mutual affection Kontis and I have for Grimm, b/c while, YES, the details stay true to their European roots, the Woodcutter sisters always live happily ever after. *pinky promises*
December 1, 2015
I finished this a while back, but I just felt so blah about it, that it's taken me forever to review it. And I still don't know what to say about it.
Whatever. I'm just going to try to power through this.
I really loved Enchanted, but the rest of these Woodcutter Sisters fairytales have been pretty unimpressive (to me). It's like Kontis picked out every character that I didn't give two shits about, and decided to base her books around them.
This one features the sweet seamstress Friday.
I mean, she's ok... Ugh.
Anyway, this story has The Six Swans as the main fairytale, plus a nod towards Peter Pan.
She takes care of some of the orphans in the castle (Michael, Wendy, & John), and refers to them as her Darlings. Cute, no?
Anyway, Friday falls for one of the Swanboys, and helps his sister defeat the evil spell that gives her brothers feathers.
Also, one of the brothers is in love with a swan named Odette.
None of this made a bad story. It's just...
Ok, at the end of the last book, Hero, there was this whole Big Battle thing brewing. Some mysterious spell thingy was causing BAD STUFF to happen. And some of the Woodcutter's were heading out to find the cause of it all!
Yeah, right?! So, here I am, thinking that this book would be a bit of a continuation of that plotline.
I guess the problem is, while it wasn't a bad story, it also wasn't what I wanted. I want to know more about Wednesday, who is possibly Snow White's real mother! Or this badass little Snow White!
Friday the $@#!ing seamstress and her stupid swans?
Not so much.
Unless the next (is there even a next?) book is about a character that I reallyreallyreally want to read about, I'm pretty sure I'm done with this series.
Also reviewed for:
Whatever. I'm just going to try to power through this.
I really loved Enchanted, but the rest of these Woodcutter Sisters fairytales have been pretty unimpressive (to me). It's like Kontis picked out every character that I didn't give two shits about, and decided to base her books around them.
This one features the sweet seamstress Friday.
I mean, she's ok... Ugh.
Anyway, this story has The Six Swans as the main fairytale, plus a nod towards Peter Pan.
She takes care of some of the orphans in the castle (Michael, Wendy, & John), and refers to them as her Darlings. Cute, no?
Anyway, Friday falls for one of the Swanboys, and helps his sister defeat the evil spell that gives her brothers feathers.
Also, one of the brothers is in love with a swan named Odette.
None of this made a bad story. It's just...
Ok, at the end of the last book, Hero, there was this whole Big Battle thing brewing. Some mysterious spell thingy was causing BAD STUFF to happen. And some of the Woodcutter's were heading out to find the cause of it all!
Yeah, right?! So, here I am, thinking that this book would be a bit of a continuation of that plotline.
I guess the problem is, while it wasn't a bad story, it also wasn't what I wanted. I want to know more about Wednesday, who is possibly Snow White's real mother! Or this badass little Snow White!
Friday the $@#!ing seamstress and her stupid swans?
Not so much.
Unless the next (is there even a next?) book is about a character that I reallyreallyreally want to read about, I'm pretty sure I'm done with this series.
Also reviewed for:
December 23, 2014
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
Dearest by Alethea Kontis
Book Three of the Woodcutter Sisters series
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: February 3, 2015
Rating: 2 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley
Summary (from Goodreads):
“A fabulous fairy-tale mashup that deserves hordes of avid readers. Absolutely delectable.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review of award-winning series debut Enchanted
Readers met the Woodcutter sisters (named after the days of the week) in Enchanted and Hero. In this delightful third book, Alethea Kontis weaves together some fine-feathered fairy tales to focus on Friday Woodcutter, the kind and loving seamstress. When Friday stumbles upon seven sleeping brothers in her sister Sunday’s palace, she takes one look at Tristan and knows he’s her future. But the brothers are cursed to be swans by day. Can Friday’s unique magic somehow break the spell?
What I Liked:
Well, this one was slightly disappointing. I wanted to like this book more, but it wasn't happening. I liked Enchanted well enough, but never read Hero. I don't think my not reading Hero had anything to do with my low rating of this book.
Friday is a kind and sweet soul, with the ability to feel what others feel. By chance, Friday finds seven brothers who are cursed - they turn into swans during the day. Friday can help break the curse - but will that be enough? A threat approaches the kingdom, and everything is suddenly connected (the swans, the curse, the impending doom).
I actually really liked Friday - I could identify with her. She loves everyone, and doesn't necessary care if everyone loves her (though they do). She's selfless and kind, but she's not spineless.
I really really liked Tristan - he is sweet as well, and protective and considerate and charming. For a swan boy, he's pretty great. I liked him, and his brothers.
The seven brothers (who are princes of the Green Isles) are probably my favorite part of this book. The seven of them together are HILARIOUS. Rene and Bernard, the twins, are especially great, but Philippe has his moody, dark charm. Christian is intelligent and rational, Sebestien is lovestruck, Francois is stern, Tristan is... swoony. But together, the brothers are a riot. I loved their dialogue together.
The story revolves around Friday and the brothers' one sister, Elisa, trying to break the curse. But then Mordant, the villain, and his sorceress Gana (get it?) arrive. Gana is the one who murdered children, Mordant the one who destroyed the Green Isles (the brothers and sister's home). Their arrival is bad news for the brothers and Elisa, but also bad for Arriland.
Overall, there were things that I liked about this book (like the two protagonists), but there were some aspects of this book that were seriously lacking. Notice I haven't mentioned anything about the romance.
What I Did Not Like:
Urgh. One thing that niggles me about these books is the implausibility of the stories. Like, I get it. It's fantasy, fairy tale retellings, la la la. The thing is, Kontis leaves so much up to Fate or just because or without explanation. I know this is super vague, but it's also super annoying.
For example, Friday and Tristan are just FATED for each other? They take one look at each other and just KNOW? Literally, that is what happens, and that's the explanation. Not good enough for me.
When Tristan transforms from swan to man, and he gets stuck in-between. That just HAPPENED, didn't it? No explanation, no reason why he was the only brother to get "stuck". I don't understand. Why is that the case?
I just feel like too much of the story is left up to chance. Too many things happen coincidentally, or just because. It's like Kontis didn't feel like explaining things, or having explanations ready, or whatever. That doesn't work for me. Even if the explanation was something like, "because the Prophecy said so" (there is no prophecy in this book, but the use of one would have worked), or something like that, I would have been a little more content.
Also, the romance. Love at first sight, or whatever. Basically, INSTALOVE. I wasn't a fan, I wasn't buying it. I love Friday and Tristan, and I love them together, but there wasn't enough "together" for me to believe that they had a solid relationship. I didn't believe in their love, though I so wanted that for them.
So this book gets two stars.
Would I Recommend It:
Naahhh, I wouldn't really recommend this series in general. I noticed similar dislikes in Enchanted, and I didn't like them, so obviously Kontis is doing that on purpose. However, I wasn't amused, and wasn't buying it.
Rating:
2 stars. I need more depth to these books, especially since they are fantasy. I feel like Kontis is missing an entire layer or two in the books of this series, and I NEED THOSE LAYERS.
Dearest by Alethea Kontis
Book Three of the Woodcutter Sisters series
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: February 3, 2015
Rating: 2 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley
Summary (from Goodreads):
“A fabulous fairy-tale mashup that deserves hordes of avid readers. Absolutely delectable.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review of award-winning series debut Enchanted
Readers met the Woodcutter sisters (named after the days of the week) in Enchanted and Hero. In this delightful third book, Alethea Kontis weaves together some fine-feathered fairy tales to focus on Friday Woodcutter, the kind and loving seamstress. When Friday stumbles upon seven sleeping brothers in her sister Sunday’s palace, she takes one look at Tristan and knows he’s her future. But the brothers are cursed to be swans by day. Can Friday’s unique magic somehow break the spell?
What I Liked:
Well, this one was slightly disappointing. I wanted to like this book more, but it wasn't happening. I liked Enchanted well enough, but never read Hero. I don't think my not reading Hero had anything to do with my low rating of this book.
Friday is a kind and sweet soul, with the ability to feel what others feel. By chance, Friday finds seven brothers who are cursed - they turn into swans during the day. Friday can help break the curse - but will that be enough? A threat approaches the kingdom, and everything is suddenly connected (the swans, the curse, the impending doom).
I actually really liked Friday - I could identify with her. She loves everyone, and doesn't necessary care if everyone loves her (though they do). She's selfless and kind, but she's not spineless.
I really really liked Tristan - he is sweet as well, and protective and considerate and charming. For a swan boy, he's pretty great. I liked him, and his brothers.
The seven brothers (who are princes of the Green Isles) are probably my favorite part of this book. The seven of them together are HILARIOUS. Rene and Bernard, the twins, are especially great, but Philippe has his moody, dark charm. Christian is intelligent and rational, Sebestien is lovestruck, Francois is stern, Tristan is... swoony. But together, the brothers are a riot. I loved their dialogue together.
The story revolves around Friday and the brothers' one sister, Elisa, trying to break the curse. But then Mordant, the villain, and his sorceress Gana (get it?) arrive. Gana is the one who murdered children, Mordant the one who destroyed the Green Isles (the brothers and sister's home). Their arrival is bad news for the brothers and Elisa, but also bad for Arriland.
Overall, there were things that I liked about this book (like the two protagonists), but there were some aspects of this book that were seriously lacking. Notice I haven't mentioned anything about the romance.
What I Did Not Like:
Urgh. One thing that niggles me about these books is the implausibility of the stories. Like, I get it. It's fantasy, fairy tale retellings, la la la. The thing is, Kontis leaves so much up to Fate or just because or without explanation. I know this is super vague, but it's also super annoying.
For example, Friday and Tristan are just FATED for each other? They take one look at each other and just KNOW? Literally, that is what happens, and that's the explanation. Not good enough for me.
When Tristan transforms from swan to man, and he gets stuck in-between. That just HAPPENED, didn't it? No explanation, no reason why he was the only brother to get "stuck". I don't understand. Why is that the case?
I just feel like too much of the story is left up to chance. Too many things happen coincidentally, or just because. It's like Kontis didn't feel like explaining things, or having explanations ready, or whatever. That doesn't work for me. Even if the explanation was something like, "because the Prophecy said so" (there is no prophecy in this book, but the use of one would have worked), or something like that, I would have been a little more content.
Also, the romance. Love at first sight, or whatever. Basically, INSTALOVE. I wasn't a fan, I wasn't buying it. I love Friday and Tristan, and I love them together, but there wasn't enough "together" for me to believe that they had a solid relationship. I didn't believe in their love, though I so wanted that for them.
So this book gets two stars.
Would I Recommend It:
Naahhh, I wouldn't really recommend this series in general. I noticed similar dislikes in Enchanted, and I didn't like them, so obviously Kontis is doing that on purpose. However, I wasn't amused, and wasn't buying it.
Rating:
2 stars. I need more depth to these books, especially since they are fantasy. I feel like Kontis is missing an entire layer or two in the books of this series, and I NEED THOSE LAYERS.
March 22, 2014
One of my favorite book series doing a book based on one of my favorite fairy tales.. (Heavy breathing)
January 6, 2015
Dearest is a quintessential fairy tale with Friday the constant optimus.
Friday is left with cleaning up her sister Saturday's mess. Not that she's complaining. But it was a grave error for Saturday to call the ocean to the borders of Arilland.
While Saturday is off on her pirate ship adventure, Friday finds herself a little over taxed. She ends up in charge of a gaggle of wayward children and all the responsibilities that entails. She discovers 7 cursed brothers, one of which is her mister right. Of course, she must break the curse...and if that wasn't enough she must fix a wayward ocean.
This is a delightfully enchanting story. Friday is the perfectly even tempered and generous heroin. I especially enjoyed Friday's bright side personality.
I did have a little trouble with the story, I didn't read any of the other books in this series so I did have to play some catch up or make my own assumptions. But all in all, I really enjoyed this story.
Kontis takes the elements of a traditional fairy tale, adds in a cursed romance and pulls out pure magic.
I received this ARC copy of Dearest from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication February 3, 2015.
Written by: Alethea Kontis
Age Range: 12 and up
Grade Level: 7 and up
Series: The Woodcutter Sisters
Sequence in Series: 3
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Page Count: February 2, 2016
Rating: 4 Stars
ISBN-10: 0544541197
ISBN-13: 978-0544541191
Genre: Fairy Tale
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
Friday is left with cleaning up her sister Saturday's mess. Not that she's complaining. But it was a grave error for Saturday to call the ocean to the borders of Arilland.
While Saturday is off on her pirate ship adventure, Friday finds herself a little over taxed. She ends up in charge of a gaggle of wayward children and all the responsibilities that entails. She discovers 7 cursed brothers, one of which is her mister right. Of course, she must break the curse...and if that wasn't enough she must fix a wayward ocean.
This is a delightfully enchanting story. Friday is the perfectly even tempered and generous heroin. I especially enjoyed Friday's bright side personality.
I did have a little trouble with the story, I didn't read any of the other books in this series so I did have to play some catch up or make my own assumptions. But all in all, I really enjoyed this story.
Kontis takes the elements of a traditional fairy tale, adds in a cursed romance and pulls out pure magic.
I received this ARC copy of Dearest from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children's Book Group in exchange for a honest review. This book is set for publication February 3, 2015.
Written by: Alethea Kontis
Age Range: 12 and up
Grade Level: 7 and up
Series: The Woodcutter Sisters
Sequence in Series: 3
Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
Page Count: February 2, 2016
Rating: 4 Stars
ISBN-10: 0544541197
ISBN-13: 978-0544541191
Genre: Fairy Tale
Find this book on: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Reviewed for: http://tometender.blogspot.com
May 19, 2017
*spoiler below*
Dearest is the weakest of the Woodcutter Sister series. The book started out OK, not great but decent enough and then fell apart halfway through. The protagonist is a Mary Sue with ridiculous powerups that detract from whatever quality she could have had. And worst is her insta-love interest has no special defining character. They were pretty boring (alone and together) and were overshadowed by the rest of cast.
*spoiler*
... and the wrong brother died. The only one who was allowed to have an interesting personality was killed off in a very cheesy way just to avoid a love triangle, which really weakened the finale.
*/spoiler*
Maybe the cast was too big to be handled properly.
two stars because I still like the world building and fairy tale mood.
Dearest is the weakest of the Woodcutter Sister series. The book started out OK, not great but decent enough and then fell apart halfway through. The protagonist is a Mary Sue with ridiculous powerups that detract from whatever quality she could have had. And worst is her insta-love interest has no special defining character. They were pretty boring (alone and together) and were overshadowed by the rest of cast.
*spoiler*
... and the wrong brother died. The only one who was allowed to have an interesting personality was killed off in a very cheesy way just to avoid a love triangle, which really weakened the finale.
*/spoiler*
Maybe the cast was too big to be handled properly.
two stars because I still like the world building and fairy tale mood.
May 27, 2014
If you've loved the other books in this series about the Woodcutter sisters, you're sure to adore Friday, undoubtedly the sweetest sister of the lot.
Plus, there are so many nice twists and turns and fantastical surprises in this one!
Cannot wait to write up my review!
Plus, there are so many nice twists and turns and fantastical surprises in this one!
Cannot wait to write up my review!
July 25, 2015
Pre read: Goose girl AND the wild swans???? ooooh.....
Post read:
Bother. This book contained some of my all time favorite fairy tales and I still disliked it. There was so much going for it! The third in a now more developed series, Dearest contains all the flaws of Enchanted and Hero without some of their more redeeming aspects.
First, this book does not stand well as a "stand-alone" companion novel in the series. It heavily depends on Enchanted and Hero for any sense of placement. Many loose ends from Hero are entirely ignored even though Dearest's beginning relies heavily on it. Thus you have a novel that tries hard to be a self-contained story but at the same time explains nothing of the world around it. New gods, cultures, and other countries are simply thrown into the story at a bewildering rate. Even with the other books in recent memory, I found it hard to figure out what was going on.
Second, I didn't think I could hate a Woodcutter sister as much as I hated Sunday, but turns out I was wrong. Sunday may be a whiny, lazy heroine with no depth but at least she has something resembling a personality. Friday is an utter nonentity. She is so bland I probably would have forgotten her name by now if it wasn't so unique. This chick supposedly falls in love with everybody, is loved by everybody, has this army of totally random orphan children, and empathizes with everybody. That is about all there is to know about her. Oh, and she falls in love with this random guy after seeing him once.
Which is almost nothing compared to her love interest, Prince Tristan, who is even LESS likable, has LESS personality, and even LESS guts than our heroine. He falls in love with once glance. Commits himself to protect and serve Friday. Spends chapters mooning over her. And that is basically it. Even Friday doesn't deserve someone so utterly boring and stupid.
There is not nearly enough world-building in this book.
Why 2 stars then? Why not 1?
Because, gosh darn it, for all it was a horrible book it still contained my favorite fairy tales. I could at least tolerate Elisa. I love The Wild Swans, and Goose Girl, and even the orphan children named after the Darling kids in Peter Pan. And most of all I love the myth of Psyche and Eros where her candle spills three drops of wax on the sleeping figure in front of her.
I have to add a star on for anything that weaves my favorite stories together. It may not have been the best execution ever, but once again this story rings with the potential of what could have been.
Post read:
Bother. This book contained some of my all time favorite fairy tales and I still disliked it. There was so much going for it! The third in a now more developed series, Dearest contains all the flaws of Enchanted and Hero without some of their more redeeming aspects.
First, this book does not stand well as a "stand-alone" companion novel in the series. It heavily depends on Enchanted and Hero for any sense of placement. Many loose ends from Hero are entirely ignored even though Dearest's beginning relies heavily on it. Thus you have a novel that tries hard to be a self-contained story but at the same time explains nothing of the world around it. New gods, cultures, and other countries are simply thrown into the story at a bewildering rate. Even with the other books in recent memory, I found it hard to figure out what was going on.
Second, I didn't think I could hate a Woodcutter sister as much as I hated Sunday, but turns out I was wrong. Sunday may be a whiny, lazy heroine with no depth but at least she has something resembling a personality. Friday is an utter nonentity. She is so bland I probably would have forgotten her name by now if it wasn't so unique. This chick supposedly falls in love with everybody, is loved by everybody, has this army of totally random orphan children, and empathizes with everybody. That is about all there is to know about her. Oh, and she falls in love with this random guy after seeing him once.
Which is almost nothing compared to her love interest, Prince Tristan, who is even LESS likable, has LESS personality, and even LESS guts than our heroine. He falls in love with once glance. Commits himself to protect and serve Friday. Spends chapters mooning over her. And that is basically it. Even Friday doesn't deserve someone so utterly boring and stupid.
There is not nearly enough world-building in this book.
Why 2 stars then? Why not 1?
Because, gosh darn it, for all it was a horrible book it still contained my favorite fairy tales. I could at least tolerate Elisa. I love The Wild Swans, and Goose Girl, and even the orphan children named after the Darling kids in Peter Pan. And most of all I love the myth of Psyche and Eros where her candle spills three drops of wax on the sleeping figure in front of her.
I have to add a star on for anything that weaves my favorite stories together. It may not have been the best execution ever, but once again this story rings with the potential of what could have been.
July 26, 2016
I received this book as part of a GoodReads first reads giveaway. (On my birthday, when I was having a particularly difficult time health-wise, so thank you, GR! Best birthday gift!)
4.5 stars
With the first two books the Woodcutter Sisters series, Alethea Kontis proved to me that she was one of the most inventive and talented YA writers out there. with the third book, Dearest, she, in my mind, cements this reputation. Dearest focuses on Friday Woodcutter (Friday's child is loving and giving) and, taking place concurrently with Hero, deals with the fallout to the kingdom of Arilland from Saturday's impromptu ocean (summoned in that second book) as well as incorporating fairy tales like The Wild Swans (which I recognized as The Three Ravens from Jim Henson's The Storyteller) and The Goose Girl, as well as elements from Swan Lake and even a little bit of Rapunzel, into the larger, intriguing world of the Woodcutters.
I adored Enchanted, and only sort of really liked Hero; the former gave me the wonderful thrill you get when reading a favorite book for the first time, while the latter suffered, for me, from using fairy tale tropes more prominently than any recognizable tales themselves. Though I did find that Dearest strengthened my appreciation of Hero, giving the other half of the story and dealing with the consequences of that book.
I love Friday. I always appreciate an author who wants to write kind, giving and happy heroes, and does it well; antiheroes are all well and good, but they're a dime a dozen these days. It's actually a refreshing pleasure to read the angst and drama coming not from the character but the situations they're placed in. As is always of note to me, strong familial relationships as well as female friendships abound, and while I didn't find every one of Rampion's brothers distinctive (I got extremely confused, now and then, trying to put a personality to a name, though it's done better than it is in other books where it's necessary to have a large group of characters.
I liked the exploration of the world, beyond just the incorporated fairy tales; there was some solid world building especially concerning religion. As with the other two books, the love story is beautiful: old-fashioned in that fairy tale sort of way, swooning and fate-filled; the book is unabashed in its ideas of destiny and romance. While not quite as interesting to me as Rumbold or Peregrine, Tristan makes a good romantic lead I could easily feel giddy over, especially once he, cough, gets his wings. It was also fun to see the characters from Enchanted involved again, Sunday and Rumbold, Velius and the other Woodcutters. (Please, please tell me, Ms. Kontis, that we'll get a story where Velius is a lead. Pretty please?)
Beautifully written, with rich prose than manages to be descriptive and colorful without being purple, and witty, snappy lines that made me laugh out loud, I loved the book and it only lost half a star because it couldn't compete with that passionate feeling that Enchanted gave me the first time I read it. A wonderful sequel. Now, when will we get novels about the other four Woodcutter sisters, hmm?
4.5 stars
With the first two books the Woodcutter Sisters series, Alethea Kontis proved to me that she was one of the most inventive and talented YA writers out there. with the third book, Dearest, she, in my mind, cements this reputation. Dearest focuses on Friday Woodcutter (Friday's child is loving and giving) and, taking place concurrently with Hero, deals with the fallout to the kingdom of Arilland from Saturday's impromptu ocean (summoned in that second book) as well as incorporating fairy tales like The Wild Swans (which I recognized as The Three Ravens from Jim Henson's The Storyteller) and The Goose Girl, as well as elements from Swan Lake and even a little bit of Rapunzel, into the larger, intriguing world of the Woodcutters.
I adored Enchanted, and only sort of really liked Hero; the former gave me the wonderful thrill you get when reading a favorite book for the first time, while the latter suffered, for me, from using fairy tale tropes more prominently than any recognizable tales themselves. Though I did find that Dearest strengthened my appreciation of Hero, giving the other half of the story and dealing with the consequences of that book.
I love Friday. I always appreciate an author who wants to write kind, giving and happy heroes, and does it well; antiheroes are all well and good, but they're a dime a dozen these days. It's actually a refreshing pleasure to read the angst and drama coming not from the character but the situations they're placed in. As is always of note to me, strong familial relationships as well as female friendships abound, and while I didn't find every one of Rampion's brothers distinctive (I got extremely confused, now and then, trying to put a personality to a name, though it's done better than it is in other books where it's necessary to have a large group of characters.
I liked the exploration of the world, beyond just the incorporated fairy tales; there was some solid world building especially concerning religion. As with the other two books, the love story is beautiful: old-fashioned in that fairy tale sort of way, swooning and fate-filled; the book is unabashed in its ideas of destiny and romance. While not quite as interesting to me as Rumbold or Peregrine, Tristan makes a good romantic lead I could easily feel giddy over, especially once he, cough, gets his wings. It was also fun to see the characters from Enchanted involved again, Sunday and Rumbold, Velius and the other Woodcutters. (Please, please tell me, Ms. Kontis, that we'll get a story where Velius is a lead. Pretty please?)
Beautifully written, with rich prose than manages to be descriptive and colorful without being purple, and witty, snappy lines that made me laugh out loud, I loved the book and it only lost half a star because it couldn't compete with that passionate feeling that Enchanted gave me the first time I read it. A wonderful sequel. Now, when will we get novels about the other four Woodcutter sisters, hmm?
August 6, 2015
Well i think this may be my favorite book in this series yet. not only was it based on one of my favorite fairy-tales but i was swept up in this story so much i hardly put it down. that being said Friday did annoy me a little more than i thought she would in the first few chapters and for most of the book it felt like she wasn't really the main character of the story, but strangely i didn't mind that too much in this instance. the fact that this book takes place during hero however means that come the end of this beautiful story i am still just as much in he dark about what is happening with Seven and her sisters as i was before and i have yet to see word of a book 4 (although secretly i always thought there would be seven... {Tuesday is totally still alive and don't let anyone tell you different}).
this title seems oddly perfect as beloved seems to be one of Alethea Kontis' favourite words... I don't recall another recent author that I have read that has used it but after reading the first two books in this series it showed up many times
scratch that a title change now makes it dearest... still not bad but it is the story that counts
scratch that a title change now makes it dearest... still not bad but it is the story that counts
January 17, 2015
I have been eyeing this series for a while but had yet to read any of the books in the series. I got the chance to check this series out with book three. Which by the way the book can be read as a stand alone novel. I have been reading more fairy tale themed books. This genre is going to go far and I hope more authors jump on this band wagon. Anyways back to this book.
I love the Woodcutter sisters. Although, with not having read the other books, Enchanted and Hero, I have not gotten to know the other sisters too well besides Friday who is the main one in this book. Yet, Sunday and Monday did make appearances as well. Sunday more so I kind of got to know her better as well.
The relationship between Friday and Tristan was genuine. In the way that it felt so real. I like how the author did not over do it with them professing their love or sharing intimate moments. It was PG but in a good way. I could not stop reading this book. I now want to go back and check out the other books in this series.
I love the Woodcutter sisters. Although, with not having read the other books, Enchanted and Hero, I have not gotten to know the other sisters too well besides Friday who is the main one in this book. Yet, Sunday and Monday did make appearances as well. Sunday more so I kind of got to know her better as well.
The relationship between Friday and Tristan was genuine. In the way that it felt so real. I like how the author did not over do it with them professing their love or sharing intimate moments. It was PG but in a good way. I could not stop reading this book. I now want to go back and check out the other books in this series.
January 13, 2015
I loved the first in the series and was slightly disappointed with the second. The third book in the series helps to bridge missing gaps from the second and is just as fun as the first. I can't wait to meet the next woodcutter sister.
August 8, 2015
Friday is an optimist and content with her life. She loves her family and her work as a talented seamstress. Her life is full.
But even gentle Friday has to admit that her younger sister Saturday made an egregious error when she broke the world and called an ocean to the previously peaceful (and landlocked) borders of Arilland.
While Saturday goes off to seek her fortunes on a pirate ship, her family is left behind to deal with the aftermath. Friday, in particular, soon finds herself in charge of an army of wayward children not to mention dealing with an increased need for laundry, clothes and food within the kingdom.
Friday's problems increase tenfold when she finds seven cursed brothers in the highest tower of her sister Sunday's palace. When Friday sees Tristan, she knows she has found her future. But with a curse to break, an errant ocean, and other demands everywhere, there is no guarantee that Tristan and Friday will ever make it to that shared future in Dearest (2015) by Alethea Kontis.
Dearest is the third book in Kontis' Woodcutter Sisters series. It is preceded by Enchanted and Hero.
Kontis once again takes what could be a formulaic story and moves it in a dramatically unexpected direction with this latest installment in her delightful series.
As the rhyme goes, Friday is the "loving and giving" sister which makes Friday a uniquely content heroine. Throughout the novel she remains hopeful, optimistic and above all determined. While Friday's hopes and dreams grow to include Tristan and his siblings--Friday is a refreshingly satisfied and flexible character willing to take life as it comes.
With elements from traditional fairy tales and myths, Dearest is the most romantic Woodcutter adventure yet. Both Tristan and Friday add a new element to the overarching story with their narrations in this story that hints at bigger things to come for the entire Woodcutter family. Readers will also be rewarded with more of Kontis' now familiar humor and madcap pacing in this latest satisfying installment in the Woodcutter Sisters series.
Possible Pairings: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, The Selection by Kiera Cass, Entwined by Heather Dixon, Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale and Chris Hale, The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy, Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay, Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones,Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier, The Accidental Highwayman by Ben Tripp, A Well-Timed Enchantment by Vivian Vande Velde
*An advance copy of this book was acquired for review consideration from the publisher at BEA 2014*
But even gentle Friday has to admit that her younger sister Saturday made an egregious error when she broke the world and called an ocean to the previously peaceful (and landlocked) borders of Arilland.
While Saturday goes off to seek her fortunes on a pirate ship, her family is left behind to deal with the aftermath. Friday, in particular, soon finds herself in charge of an army of wayward children not to mention dealing with an increased need for laundry, clothes and food within the kingdom.
Friday's problems increase tenfold when she finds seven cursed brothers in the highest tower of her sister Sunday's palace. When Friday sees Tristan, she knows she has found her future. But with a curse to break, an errant ocean, and other demands everywhere, there is no guarantee that Tristan and Friday will ever make it to that shared future in Dearest (2015) by Alethea Kontis.
Dearest is the third book in Kontis' Woodcutter Sisters series. It is preceded by Enchanted and Hero.
Kontis once again takes what could be a formulaic story and moves it in a dramatically unexpected direction with this latest installment in her delightful series.
As the rhyme goes, Friday is the "loving and giving" sister which makes Friday a uniquely content heroine. Throughout the novel she remains hopeful, optimistic and above all determined. While Friday's hopes and dreams grow to include Tristan and his siblings--Friday is a refreshingly satisfied and flexible character willing to take life as it comes.
With elements from traditional fairy tales and myths, Dearest is the most romantic Woodcutter adventure yet. Both Tristan and Friday add a new element to the overarching story with their narrations in this story that hints at bigger things to come for the entire Woodcutter family. Readers will also be rewarded with more of Kontis' now familiar humor and madcap pacing in this latest satisfying installment in the Woodcutter Sisters series.
Possible Pairings: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine, The Selection by Kiera Cass, Entwined by Heather Dixon, Rapunzel's Revenge by Shannon Hale, Dean Hale and Chris Hale, The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy, Princess of Thorns by Stacey Jay, Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones,Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas, Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier, The Accidental Highwayman by Ben Tripp, A Well-Timed Enchantment by Vivian Vande Velde
*An advance copy of this book was acquired for review consideration from the publisher at BEA 2014*
May 12, 2016
This and other reviews can be found on The Psychotic Nerd
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
MY THOUGHTS
I really enjoy the books in Woodcutter Sisters series, though this one is probably my least favorite. I still enjoyed it, though!
This book is focused on Friday, one of the Woodcutter sisters. After an ocean grows across the land, refugees stumble into the castle. Friday tries to help with the growing population, but ends up stumbling into a room full of naked men. Turns out that the men have been cursed to be swans during the day. Friday has to help the men stop their curse as well as a tyrant that has taken over their kingdom.
While this is the third book in a series, you can read this book in any order, since they each focus on a different character and story. Like the others, this book is a fairy-tale mash-up and while I couldn't recognize all the references, I love the fairy-tale quality and overall fantasy aspect to these books! Sure, they can be ridiculous and unbelievable, but that's what's fun about them!
As for characters, I loved them. I liked all of the brothers, they were a very interesting bunch, as well as their sister. Friday was a really great MC. She's very sweet, caring, and selfless. Even before she discovers the brothers, she was helping out all of the children at the castle. She's also very strong, in a sense that she is more than willing to help others. She's the type of character that I love to see, but never seen to get a major role in YA books.
My issues wit this book mainly lie on the romance. "She takes one look at Tristan and knows he's her future". *gags* Sorry, but I can't stand romances like this. It's all basically just one look and they knew their meant to be together. I know most fairy-tales have very cliche romances, but it doesn't mean I have to like them.
IN CONCLUSION
Overall, I enjoyed this book! I love the fairy-tale aspects in these books and the characters were great! It's not my favorite in the Woodcutter series, mostly because of the romance, but it's still a great book. Supposedly, the author is writing books for the other sisters, so I'm looking forward to that!
Actual Rating: 3.5 Stars
MY THOUGHTS
I really enjoy the books in Woodcutter Sisters series, though this one is probably my least favorite. I still enjoyed it, though!
This book is focused on Friday, one of the Woodcutter sisters. After an ocean grows across the land, refugees stumble into the castle. Friday tries to help with the growing population, but ends up stumbling into a room full of naked men. Turns out that the men have been cursed to be swans during the day. Friday has to help the men stop their curse as well as a tyrant that has taken over their kingdom.
While this is the third book in a series, you can read this book in any order, since they each focus on a different character and story. Like the others, this book is a fairy-tale mash-up and while I couldn't recognize all the references, I love the fairy-tale quality and overall fantasy aspect to these books! Sure, they can be ridiculous and unbelievable, but that's what's fun about them!
As for characters, I loved them. I liked all of the brothers, they were a very interesting bunch, as well as their sister. Friday was a really great MC. She's very sweet, caring, and selfless. Even before she discovers the brothers, she was helping out all of the children at the castle. She's also very strong, in a sense that she is more than willing to help others. She's the type of character that I love to see, but never seen to get a major role in YA books.
My issues wit this book mainly lie on the romance. "She takes one look at Tristan and knows he's her future". *gags* Sorry, but I can't stand romances like this. It's all basically just one look and they knew their meant to be together. I know most fairy-tales have very cliche romances, but it doesn't mean I have to like them.
IN CONCLUSION
Overall, I enjoyed this book! I love the fairy-tale aspects in these books and the characters were great! It's not my favorite in the Woodcutter series, mostly because of the romance, but it's still a great book. Supposedly, the author is writing books for the other sisters, so I'm looking forward to that!
March 2, 2015
This book was a HOT MESS. There was just So. Much. Going. On. A mishmash of fairy tale stories, with not more than 50 pages total worth of plot between them. I can't even summarize in cohesive paragraphs how disappointed I was with this book so here are some random thoughts:
-John, Michael and Wendy were Friday's Darlings (of COURSE they were. Poor J. M. Barrie.). I half expected their nurse-dog to be named Nana as well.
-Enough with the seemingly endless undiscovered magical powers. It feels like a cheat technique used when the author runs out of ideas for the plot.
-Also, enough with Mary Sue female characters. Friday was too ridiculously pollyanna to be real.
-Tristan the human swan love interest was two-dimensional and uninteresting, and pretty much kinda a Gary Stu himself. The one and only actually interesting brother - who has an unexplained and out-of-the-blue love-triangle possibility with our Mary Sue aboard ship - .
-Probably like 60 characters were trotted out and very few of them were important or made any significant difference to the plot or the reading experience in general. It added to the overall impression of fairy tale explosion.
-The villains could not have been more mustache-twirly if they tried.
Overall I just couldn't shake the feeling that the author had about 47 concepts that she really loved and instead of picking a few and making it work, she mashed them all together like a kitchen sink sundae. I don't think I'm interested enough to come back for more. Too bad, since I usually do love a good fairy tale retelling.
-John, Michael and Wendy were Friday's Darlings (of COURSE they were. Poor J. M. Barrie.). I half expected their nurse-dog to be named Nana as well.
-Enough with the seemingly endless undiscovered magical powers. It feels like a cheat technique used when the author runs out of ideas for the plot.
-Also, enough with Mary Sue female characters. Friday was too ridiculously pollyanna to be real.
-Tristan the human swan love interest was two-dimensional and uninteresting, and pretty much kinda a Gary Stu himself. The one and only actually interesting brother - who has an unexplained and out-of-the-blue love-triangle possibility with our Mary Sue aboard ship - .
-Probably like 60 characters were trotted out and very few of them were important or made any significant difference to the plot or the reading experience in general. It added to the overall impression of fairy tale explosion.
-The villains could not have been more mustache-twirly if they tried.
Overall I just couldn't shake the feeling that the author had about 47 concepts that she really loved and instead of picking a few and making it work, she mashed them all together like a kitchen sink sundae. I don't think I'm interested enough to come back for more. Too bad, since I usually do love a good fairy tale retelling.
August 10, 2014
Can this be my review: ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!!!
No? Ok I’ll use actual words.
I think Alethea Kontis has magic herself. Dearest is probably the closest I have ever come to the perfect fairytale book. It’s like it was written as my made to order dream story. Which is surprising because while I was sure I would enjoy it I didn’t expect Friday Woodcutter’s story to be the one I’d love so so so much.
You know how you have songs you listen to on repeat? Movies you watch over and over? Dearest is the book that I’ll have to replace because I’m wearing the pages out. I’ve re-read the best parts twice already and I only just finished the book.
So what is it about this book? Well from the previous books you already know I love Alethea Kontis’s writing, her characters and the interesting new spins she has on classic tales. There is humour (you will laugh) and then a reality check – it’s all fantastical with talking animals and cursed princes but you still have to do laundry, meet the potential father-in-law and deal with insect cravings even when you stopped being a frog over a year ago. That is why these books are so brilliant. You have the magic but you also have a reminder that it’s not all rainbows and sparkles, or feathers as the case may be.
Ever so often a book comes along that let’s my little romantic-self loose (despite my best efforts to keep her locked up). I was very invested in Tristan and Friday’s relationship. There were sighs and swoons and cheers… yep I admit it.
I have loved every book from the Woodcutter Sisters Series, though I think Dearest might be my favourite. Hopefully it won’t be too long before the next adventure in Arilland.
No? Ok I’ll use actual words.
I think Alethea Kontis has magic herself. Dearest is probably the closest I have ever come to the perfect fairytale book. It’s like it was written as my made to order dream story. Which is surprising because while I was sure I would enjoy it I didn’t expect Friday Woodcutter’s story to be the one I’d love so so so much.
You know how you have songs you listen to on repeat? Movies you watch over and over? Dearest is the book that I’ll have to replace because I’m wearing the pages out. I’ve re-read the best parts twice already and I only just finished the book.
So what is it about this book? Well from the previous books you already know I love Alethea Kontis’s writing, her characters and the interesting new spins she has on classic tales. There is humour (you will laugh) and then a reality check – it’s all fantastical with talking animals and cursed princes but you still have to do laundry, meet the potential father-in-law and deal with insect cravings even when you stopped being a frog over a year ago. That is why these books are so brilliant. You have the magic but you also have a reminder that it’s not all rainbows and sparkles, or feathers as the case may be.
Ever so often a book comes along that let’s my little romantic-self loose (despite my best efforts to keep her locked up). I was very invested in Tristan and Friday’s relationship. There were sighs and swoons and cheers… yep I admit it.
I have loved every book from the Woodcutter Sisters Series, though I think Dearest might be my favourite. Hopefully it won’t be too long before the next adventure in Arilland.
June 16, 2015
I'm glad to read that this is going to continue on with a book for each sister (aka 7 books in all) and then spin offs with Trix. Friday and Thursday are my favorites, and I was sad that Thursday had already found her pirate "prince charming". I didn't think she'd get a book.
I'm also interested to see what happens with Monday and Wednesday, and if all 7 of them get a book does that mean Tuesday isn't really dead?
*not a spoiler since that's something they all know as "true" from the first pages of the first book.*
Anyway, Friday's story...
These all are very "young" YA, apart from a bit of violence there's not really much to cause raised eyebrows or anything.
This intertwines the story of the seven swans and their sister with all of the already interwoven stories. This takes place before Saturday returns so the events of the story are still sort of "during" Hero.
It begins with the sea coming from out of nowhere and ends...well you will have to see for yourself.
I liked the way it worked together with Friday's gift also being more than what it seemed at first glance. She's been so sweet and nice and giving (especially Enchanted since she was rather busy during Hero with the events of this book) and I was glad to see her get a good story of her own.
Nothing mind-blowing, but a light tale with an interesting family of Woodcutters.
I'm also interested to see what happens with Monday and Wednesday, and if all 7 of them get a book does that mean Tuesday isn't really dead?
*not a spoiler since that's something they all know as "true" from the first pages of the first book.*
Anyway, Friday's story...
These all are very "young" YA, apart from a bit of violence there's not really much to cause raised eyebrows or anything.
This intertwines the story of the seven swans and their sister with all of the already interwoven stories. This takes place before Saturday returns so the events of the story are still sort of "during" Hero.
It begins with the sea coming from out of nowhere and ends...well you will have to see for yourself.
I liked the way it worked together with Friday's gift also being more than what it seemed at first glance. She's been so sweet and nice and giving (especially Enchanted since she was rather busy during Hero with the events of this book) and I was glad to see her get a good story of her own.
Nothing mind-blowing, but a light tale with an interesting family of Woodcutters.
August 29, 2015
3.5 stars
What drew me to the first book in the Woodcutter Sisters series and the second and, now, the third, is the covers. The designer is listed as Christine Kettner but, as Art Director, Ms. Kettner is not the actual artist. Whoever it is, that artist and Ms. Kettner have true magic in the their minds, eyes and fingers. I've seen other beautiful covers but these stand out and just one glance tells me this is an Alethea Kontis book; that's brilliant branding at its best.
Opening Dearest takes the reader into Ms. Kontis' unique world of fantasy and magic, a world I'm always glad to return to. Other authors offer re-tellings of fairy tales and some do it very well but the Woodcutter Sisters series has a certain feel to it, a feeling that you're immersed in the story and, in this case, sharing the journey with Friday. I love Friday---I think she's my favorite of the sisters so far mainly because she's so sweet and kind---and Tristan is also very likeable but it's the seven brothers as a group who make this tale so much fun.
There are a few missteps, especially when coincidences happen too frequently, and the only reason I can stand the insta-love is that this is, after all, a fairy tale but, generally, I'm happy with this entry in the series and will eagerly await the next one.
Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, February 2015.
What drew me to the first book in the Woodcutter Sisters series and the second and, now, the third, is the covers. The designer is listed as Christine Kettner but, as Art Director, Ms. Kettner is not the actual artist. Whoever it is, that artist and Ms. Kettner have true magic in the their minds, eyes and fingers. I've seen other beautiful covers but these stand out and just one glance tells me this is an Alethea Kontis book; that's brilliant branding at its best.
Opening Dearest takes the reader into Ms. Kontis' unique world of fantasy and magic, a world I'm always glad to return to. Other authors offer re-tellings of fairy tales and some do it very well but the Woodcutter Sisters series has a certain feel to it, a feeling that you're immersed in the story and, in this case, sharing the journey with Friday. I love Friday---I think she's my favorite of the sisters so far mainly because she's so sweet and kind---and Tristan is also very likeable but it's the seven brothers as a group who make this tale so much fun.
There are a few missteps, especially when coincidences happen too frequently, and the only reason I can stand the insta-love is that this is, after all, a fairy tale but, generally, I'm happy with this entry in the series and will eagerly await the next one.
Reviewed by Lelia Taylor, February 2015.
February 19, 2015
I love this book, I did a review on my blog check it out! https://mrsjennyreads.wordpress.com/2...
March 8, 2015
I just love this series! I think this one may have been my favorite one yet!
February 2, 2015
Absolutely in love with this novel!!! They just keep getting better and better. Full review 2/17
July 1, 2018
I really enjoy these, hoping the rest of them get published. I’d like to know what happens with the rest of the family. =)
April 19, 2023
This is the only book I have read in the series but looking forward to more. very imaginative and evocative!
November 15, 2021
Great story. It was fun to get to know Friday better and let her have her chance to shine. So many fairy tales twisted into one story it was definitely original, just like all the others. I enjoyed spending time with the Woodcutter family once again.
February 3, 2015
Alethea Kontis gets better with every book she writes. I fell in love with the Woodcutter sisters in Enchanted, fell in deeper with Hero, and have completely lost myself in Dearest. Friday’s story was endearing and wonderful. It doesn’t hurt that the story focused on some of my favorite fairy tales as well: The Wild Swans and The Goose Girl.
The story picks up just before Saturday broke the world and we get to see what the rest of her family was doing while she was away. In the wake of the disaster Friday takes it upon herself to care for all of the children in the families who’ve been misplaced by the giant ocean. Eventually she stumbles upon Tristan and his brothers sleeping in the castle’s tower, there is an immediate connection between the two and Friday sets out to help break their curse. This sets in motion a chain of events that will take Friday further than she’d ever imagined, and teaches her more about herself and love than she ever would have staying at home.
Friday’s story is my favorite of the Woodcutter Sisters series so far. Her adventure is exciting and delightful and also very funny. It was wonderful to see her blossom from the quiet character I’d seen her as in previous books to a confident woman who was willing to go to great lengths to save those she cared about.
It’s often difficult to juggle multiple characters but Alethea does it with great ease. Tristan along with each of his siblings were all wonderful characters, each with their own personalities. The other characters included in this book were all enjoyable as well, I found myself particularly drawn to Conrad and Friday’s darlings, Michael, John, and Wendy (yes like in Peter Pan). I also was delighted to see more of Sunday, Rumbold, Monday, and many of the other characters I’ve come to love in the previous books.
As with all of the books in her Woodcutters series Alethea Kontis weaves together a multitude of different fairy tales and stories creating one that both delights and surprises. I’m well versed in the original versions of The Wild Swans and The Goose Girl and I still found myself surprised by each and every cleaver twist in the story.
Dearest will make you laugh and it will make you cry. It is a love story and an adventure. For those who’ve already read the first two books in this series I highly recommend that you get Dearest as soon as you can. For those who haven’t read the series and found this review at all intriguing please start with Enchanted (book 1) or this one won’t make very much sense. But read Dearest (or Enchanted) if you like romance, adventure, magic, fairy tales, or just a really good read. You won’t regret it.
Note: I received an electronic copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my fair and honest opinion which I have stated above.
The story picks up just before Saturday broke the world and we get to see what the rest of her family was doing while she was away. In the wake of the disaster Friday takes it upon herself to care for all of the children in the families who’ve been misplaced by the giant ocean. Eventually she stumbles upon Tristan and his brothers sleeping in the castle’s tower, there is an immediate connection between the two and Friday sets out to help break their curse. This sets in motion a chain of events that will take Friday further than she’d ever imagined, and teaches her more about herself and love than she ever would have staying at home.
Friday’s story is my favorite of the Woodcutter Sisters series so far. Her adventure is exciting and delightful and also very funny. It was wonderful to see her blossom from the quiet character I’d seen her as in previous books to a confident woman who was willing to go to great lengths to save those she cared about.
It’s often difficult to juggle multiple characters but Alethea does it with great ease. Tristan along with each of his siblings were all wonderful characters, each with their own personalities. The other characters included in this book were all enjoyable as well, I found myself particularly drawn to Conrad and Friday’s darlings, Michael, John, and Wendy (yes like in Peter Pan). I also was delighted to see more of Sunday, Rumbold, Monday, and many of the other characters I’ve come to love in the previous books.
As with all of the books in her Woodcutters series Alethea Kontis weaves together a multitude of different fairy tales and stories creating one that both delights and surprises. I’m well versed in the original versions of The Wild Swans and The Goose Girl and I still found myself surprised by each and every cleaver twist in the story.
Dearest will make you laugh and it will make you cry. It is a love story and an adventure. For those who’ve already read the first two books in this series I highly recommend that you get Dearest as soon as you can. For those who haven’t read the series and found this review at all intriguing please start with Enchanted (book 1) or this one won’t make very much sense. But read Dearest (or Enchanted) if you like romance, adventure, magic, fairy tales, or just a really good read. You won’t regret it.
Note: I received an electronic copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for my fair and honest opinion which I have stated above.
January 16, 2015
I got a copy of this book to review through NetGalley. This was a well done continuation of the Woodcutter Sisters, a series of fairy tale retellings featuring different sisters. I actually thought this was one of the most cohesive stories of the bunch. It's mainly a retelling of The Six Swans.
This book tells the story of Friday, she is the sister who weaves and sews and is very kind and loving. While she isn't my favorite sister of the Woodcutter sisters I did think her magical skills were very suited to the story. The Six Swans is the perfect tale for Friday because of her weaving skills.
Friday is the least firey of the sisters, the most obedient and sweetest. However she still has some passion in her, she is very passionate about protecting those she loves.
Friday is swept up in the ocean her other sister accidentally called; in fact the whole kingdom is in a state of emergency trying to deal with this unexpected ocean in their midst. Friday starts taking care of the kids of the refugees from the flooding. In process of doing this she meets a strange serving girl that seems to be under a curse. After that Friday gets embroiled in solving the curse and freeing, not only the serving girl, but her six brothers (who have been turned into swans) as well.
This is a beautifully written and well done fairy tale. I loved that Friday has a gift for sewing and weaving, and that it ends up being this very mundane ability that saves the story. I enjoy all the Woodcutter sisters and their quirky traits.
This book has a serious case of insta-love, which I guess it is a fairy tale so it kind of works...however insta-love isn’t my favorite. All of the books in this series have gotten a bit odd toward the end...to the point where I don’t understand exactly what is happening and this book is no exception. At the end Death appears and there is talk of Gods and people are taken for other purposes; it’s a bit confusing. This happened in the first couple books too. I really enjoyed them until I got to the end and then I was like...what the??
Overall this was a very well done fairytale retelling. I continue to enjoy the Woodcutter family and love the beautiful writing. Things do get a bit hard to follow at the end, but it doesn’t detract from the story. I would definitely recommend this whole series to those who enjoy fairy tale retellings.
This book tells the story of Friday, she is the sister who weaves and sews and is very kind and loving. While she isn't my favorite sister of the Woodcutter sisters I did think her magical skills were very suited to the story. The Six Swans is the perfect tale for Friday because of her weaving skills.
Friday is the least firey of the sisters, the most obedient and sweetest. However she still has some passion in her, she is very passionate about protecting those she loves.
Friday is swept up in the ocean her other sister accidentally called; in fact the whole kingdom is in a state of emergency trying to deal with this unexpected ocean in their midst. Friday starts taking care of the kids of the refugees from the flooding. In process of doing this she meets a strange serving girl that seems to be under a curse. After that Friday gets embroiled in solving the curse and freeing, not only the serving girl, but her six brothers (who have been turned into swans) as well.
This is a beautifully written and well done fairy tale. I loved that Friday has a gift for sewing and weaving, and that it ends up being this very mundane ability that saves the story. I enjoy all the Woodcutter sisters and their quirky traits.
This book has a serious case of insta-love, which I guess it is a fairy tale so it kind of works...however insta-love isn’t my favorite. All of the books in this series have gotten a bit odd toward the end...to the point where I don’t understand exactly what is happening and this book is no exception. At the end Death appears and there is talk of Gods and people are taken for other purposes; it’s a bit confusing. This happened in the first couple books too. I really enjoyed them until I got to the end and then I was like...what the??
Overall this was a very well done fairytale retelling. I continue to enjoy the Woodcutter family and love the beautiful writing. Things do get a bit hard to follow at the end, but it doesn’t detract from the story. I would definitely recommend this whole series to those who enjoy fairy tale retellings.
September 8, 2016
Friday Woodcutter is as simple and as complicated as her infamous patchwork skirt. She loves truly, feels deeply, and cares passionately--and these are all very different things. And she may be the key to saving the bespelled princess and her seven brothers, including Friday's dearest…
What I liked
I really love the characters in the Woodcutter family tales! Not just the sisters, although every one of them is wonderful, and I cannot wait for all their stories. But their mother and father, their brothers Trix and mysterious Jack, and so many secondary characters -- Alethea does a terrific job of bringing them to life in quick, vivid ways. And the weaving of so many classic fairy tale elements throughout the stories themselves. Friday is the most unlikely "hero" of the sisters so far, and her own self-doubt and discovery make the story feel personal and meaningful.
One of my favorite scenes is when Friday falls off the tower…
The descriptions and characterizations of the brothers as swans are wonderful, bringing them to life in a way the fairy tales never do.
What I didn’t like
To be honest, this story didn't have the depth of Enchanted or Hero, but it is also much shorter book. You have to pay attention to the quickly-swapping POV characters, or you can lose track of what's happening. There are a lot of threads being woven into this tapestry!
Summary
If you already know (and love) the Woodcutter family, then Dearest will be another charming adventure with them. I would advise picking up Enchanted or Hero before this one, though, so you don't get lost in the cast of characters. I've already continued with Trix, and I cannot wait for more Woodcutter tales!
I give Dearest 4 out of five “sparks”.
What I liked
I really love the characters in the Woodcutter family tales! Not just the sisters, although every one of them is wonderful, and I cannot wait for all their stories. But their mother and father, their brothers Trix and mysterious Jack, and so many secondary characters -- Alethea does a terrific job of bringing them to life in quick, vivid ways. And the weaving of so many classic fairy tale elements throughout the stories themselves. Friday is the most unlikely "hero" of the sisters so far, and her own self-doubt and discovery make the story feel personal and meaningful.
One of my favorite scenes is when Friday falls off the tower…
The descriptions and characterizations of the brothers as swans are wonderful, bringing them to life in a way the fairy tales never do.
What I didn’t like
To be honest, this story didn't have the depth of Enchanted or Hero, but it is also much shorter book. You have to pay attention to the quickly-swapping POV characters, or you can lose track of what's happening. There are a lot of threads being woven into this tapestry!
Summary
If you already know (and love) the Woodcutter family, then Dearest will be another charming adventure with them. I would advise picking up Enchanted or Hero before this one, though, so you don't get lost in the cast of characters. I've already continued with Trix, and I cannot wait for more Woodcutter tales!
I give Dearest 4 out of five “sparks”.
March 12, 2015
Friday's sister Saturday has accidentally made a huge magic ocean to appear where a big magic ocean has no place appearing. Sunday Friday's youngest sister and queen of the land opens up her castle to all the refugees her subjects misplaced by the ocean. Friday of course is one of those people and she takes care of the children of the refugees and loves doing so. When Friday finds 7 sleeping buck naked young men in the castle's magic tower she doesn't know what to think. When they wake up and startle her and she falls off the tower,they turn into swans,and save her. After that she learns about the curse put on the 7 men who happen to be brothers and she may be the only person who can help break it.
Friday is one of the most genuinely nice,good,honest heroines I have ever read about. I loved her character. Some people will think she is too nice and too perfect to be a great heroine but she isn't. This is the first Woodcutter's Sister's book I have read and it will not be my last. I was charmed for page 1. So many lovable characters. I had trouble picking favorites which doesn't happen often. I love all the swan brothers. The twins were hilarious,Sebastian so wise,and Tristan is a great hero. If you aren't a fan of love at first sight then I don't recommend this book. I do wish there was a bit more world building and that the gods of fire,air,earth,and water were explained more.
I love the theme of loyalty in this book. Loyalty to family,friends,and country. I loved it showed that sometimes the path you planned isn't the one for you after all. The final enemy scene was unique and I didn't see it coming. Most likely because my emotions were so messed with though the last chapters. If you love fairy tale mass-ups this is the book for you.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Content Rating: PG
Friday is one of the most genuinely nice,good,honest heroines I have ever read about. I loved her character. Some people will think she is too nice and too perfect to be a great heroine but she isn't. This is the first Woodcutter's Sister's book I have read and it will not be my last. I was charmed for page 1. So many lovable characters. I had trouble picking favorites which doesn't happen often. I love all the swan brothers. The twins were hilarious,Sebastian so wise,and Tristan is a great hero. If you aren't a fan of love at first sight then I don't recommend this book. I do wish there was a bit more world building and that the gods of fire,air,earth,and water were explained more.
I love the theme of loyalty in this book. Loyalty to family,friends,and country. I loved it showed that sometimes the path you planned isn't the one for you after all. The final enemy scene was unique and I didn't see it coming. Most likely because my emotions were so messed with though the last chapters. If you love fairy tale mass-ups this is the book for you.
Rating: 5 out of 5
Content Rating: PG
February 10, 2015
I haven't read the other two books in the series yet. In some ways, I think they can stand alone--at least, this one could. But in other ways, I felt that I was missing some backlog and more information about side characters. This didn't keep me from thoroughly enjoying the story.
I really enjoyed Friday. She is one of several sisters, each named after the days of the week, and has such a kind heart. Her "job" is to care for the palace orphans. She develops a way to keep them in line, while working and having fun. She's very good with children and I especially loved her interactions with Wendy, Michael and John, her "little darlings." I loved the way different fairy tales were twisted and mashed up.
Friday discovers a bunch of naked men, naked because they'd just turned back into humans after being swans all day because of a curse. She immediately connects with one, Tristan, and knows he is her destiny. The adventure the men/swans and Friday, along with others, go on to break the curse and stop evil from spreading is full of magic, suspense, love, and more. It really was a lot of fun to see where the story would go. I loved the gifts that Friday discovered that she had. I need to go back and read the first two!
Content: Moderately clean romance (naked guys with no details--just what's mentioned above; kissing); mild language; mild violence.
*I received a copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
I really enjoyed Friday. She is one of several sisters, each named after the days of the week, and has such a kind heart. Her "job" is to care for the palace orphans. She develops a way to keep them in line, while working and having fun. She's very good with children and I especially loved her interactions with Wendy, Michael and John, her "little darlings." I loved the way different fairy tales were twisted and mashed up.
Friday discovers a bunch of naked men, naked because they'd just turned back into humans after being swans all day because of a curse. She immediately connects with one, Tristan, and knows he is her destiny. The adventure the men/swans and Friday, along with others, go on to break the curse and stop evil from spreading is full of magic, suspense, love, and more. It really was a lot of fun to see where the story would go. I loved the gifts that Friday discovered that she had. I need to go back and read the first two!
Content: Moderately clean romance (naked guys with no details--just what's mentioned above; kissing); mild language; mild violence.
*I received a copy from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
February 17, 2015
I loved Enchanted and haven't had a chance to read Hero yet. There were parts in Dearest where I felt a little lost but it was easy to pick up on what was happening. It was fun to read about characters from the first book while meeting and getting to know new ones.
Friday is kind and brave. I enjoyed her discussions with the orphans John, Wendy and Michael. Her first conversation with them was about dreams with pirates and flying and she refers to them as her "darlings."
Once she learns of Tristan and his brothers and what their story is, she is willing to do whatever is needed to help them escape their curse. It's not smooth sailing, though, and there are twists and turns for them to deal with. I enjoyed all of the characters, even the ones that were easy to hate.
This book has plenty for everyone--humor, romance, secrets, danger, adventure and magic. I think I would enjoy it even more the second time through since there are references I most likely missed. There's more to come in this series so I'm sure I'll read through all of them again in the future. If you enjoy adventurous fairytale mash-ups, you'll want to start reading this series now!
Content: A few swear words; references to naked men (as they turned from swans to humans); kissing. I consider this clean!
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
Friday is kind and brave. I enjoyed her discussions with the orphans John, Wendy and Michael. Her first conversation with them was about dreams with pirates and flying and she refers to them as her "darlings."
Once she learns of Tristan and his brothers and what their story is, she is willing to do whatever is needed to help them escape their curse. It's not smooth sailing, though, and there are twists and turns for them to deal with. I enjoyed all of the characters, even the ones that were easy to hate.
This book has plenty for everyone--humor, romance, secrets, danger, adventure and magic. I think I would enjoy it even more the second time through since there are references I most likely missed. There's more to come in this series so I'm sure I'll read through all of them again in the future. If you enjoy adventurous fairytale mash-ups, you'll want to start reading this series now!
Content: A few swear words; references to naked men (as they turned from swans to humans); kissing. I consider this clean!
I received a copy of this book to review. My opinion is 100% my own.
Mel's Shelves
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