SciFi and Fantasy Book Club discussion

Michelle wrote: "I hope I'm allowed to make suggestions. If not, someone tell me to hush!

I don't know if it will help anyone trying to match books to the prompts, but I just read Scorpio, a quasi..."

I liked this Scorpio a lot

Allison wrote: "I think that's excellent, thanks for sharing! The more I see that one come up, the more tempted I am to read it, too."

It's a little darker than the main Frontlines series, but it was very good.

I actually love all the possibilities for picking books this year. Zodiac publishing date, author's birthday, character qualities, general atmosphere of the book... I'm going to have lots of fun mixing and matching things to fill these prompts!

Oh! I hadn’t thought of using publishing or birthdays to match books to the prompts -duh! Thanks, Tesseract!

👁️ Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary - 1984, George Orwell. Aquarius energy is all about breaking the old, limiting ways.

🌼Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic - Anne's House of Dreams (Anne of Green Gables #5), L.M. Montgomery. Anne represents Piscean traits perfectly and became popular wherever she went for her odd ways but also for her kindness.

🧙🏻‍♂️ Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous - Elminster: The Making of a Mage, Ed Greenwood. I run into Elminster in a video game, set in the same world. He seemed like a cheerful and helpful figure, despite being very busy between his extravagant travels.

🏛️ Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable - The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt, Richard H. Wilkinson. Temples are soothing, solid buildings dependable. Taurus is very much about material goods which makes me think of temple offerings.

🐊 Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious - My Husband and Other Animals, Janaki Lenin. Written by a wife of a famous explorer who was passionate about animals. He seems like he could fit the Gemini energy, a bit frantic, a bit all over the place with his ideas but able to pursue them.

🔦 Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative - Learning to Walk in the Dark, Barbara Brown Tailor. At first glance would fit more with Scorpio, as it dwells into exploring darkness in us, but Cancer sign represent deep, underlying emotions too.

👙 Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous - Two Old Dears, Edward Evans. A story about two elderly ladies who get up to all kinds of odd activities.

🗺️ Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical - What You're Really Meant to Do, Robert Kaplan. A plan to figure out a career path etc.

💔 Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious - Pestka, Anka Kowalska. The title could translate to 'Druplet'. It's about a love triangle. I thought it fits the Libra prompt as all involved are apparently doing it knowingly and are trying to achieve some sort of balance.

💣 Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful -Reguły na czas chaosu, Tomasz Stawiszyński. The title means 'Rules for the times of chaos'. How different types of authorities advise we should deal with emergencies and how to avoid getting manipulated.

☠ Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust - Baldur's Gate, Philip Athans. I played the video game this book is based on. There were many things to stand for and a lot of places to explore in this world.

💀 Capable Capricorn - protective, noble - Kill the Dead, Tanith Lee. I'm not sure whether the main character is noble, but it seems like they might be a protector, killing the undead.

☁ A breath of fresh air - Winged Pharaoh, Joan Grant.

🐲Playing with fire - The Dragons of Dorcastle, Jack Campbell

🌳From the ground up - The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate: Discoveries from a Secret World, Peter Wohlleben

🦖 In deep waters - Deathworld, Harry Harrison. Seems like the character/s got more than they bargained for by landing on this planet.

💐 Spring into action - The Signature of All Things, Elizabeth Gilbert. As it is about plants it reminds me of spring.

🎫 Sweet summer - W zasadzie tak, Jacek Fedorowicz. Translates to 'Yes, actually '. A book about interesting daily realities from communist era Poland. It was a difficult time but many people feel nostalgia for it as it reminds them of their childhood.

🕰️ Reap what you sow - A Switch in Time, John Paul Bernett. In desperately trying to prevent something from happening, siblings split the timeline in two and reap the consequences.

🏔️ On thin ice - Syberyjska dziatwa: Wojenne losy kresowiaków, Julia Hubert Budzyńska. Difficult trials and tribulations of a family sent to Siberia, true story.

This looks like the culmination of a day well spent. Excited to hear how it goes for you!

I know almost nothing about these signs (beyond my grandmother asking me about astrology when I was studying astrophysics (true story)), so I appreciate the additional interpretation options here.

Hope the reading goes well!

Nice prompts! I can see how the books I plan to read at the beginning of the year are fitting in.

I’ll probably go with the flow as I did this year.

Well, it took adding the planets and animals for the zodiac, but maybe this will work:

1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary
A Wizard of Earthsea - An aquatic world
2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic
The Farthest Shore - Not just watery, but dreamy in places
3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous
Podkayne of Mars
4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable
Winterfair Gifts in Miles in Love - Dependable Sergeant Taura
5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious
Brothers in Arms - Twins for sure
6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative
Farside Cannon - Takes place on the Moon
7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous
The Game of Fox and Lion
8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical
Ethan of Athos - Arguably virginal in two senses, and very attentive
9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious
Diplomatic Immunity - Now that's a diplomatic approach
10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful
The Ring of Charon - Takes place above Pluto
11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust
The Hobbit - The original wanderlust hobbit
12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble
Leviathan Wakes - Takes place over Saturn
13. A breath of fresh air
A Hat Full of Sky
14. Playing with fire
Birth of Fire
15. From the ground up
Feet of Clay
16. In deep waters
Pawn - Thrown into the many factions, deep water indeed
17. Spring into action
The Warrior's Apprentice
18. Sweet summer child
The World of Pooh: The Complete Winnie-The-Pooh and the House at Pooh Corner - Hits all three: sweet, summer and a child
19. Reap what you sow
A Civil Campaign - Miles reaps exactly what he sows
20. On thin ice
CryoBurn and The Vor Game - Double Vorkosigan ice

Economondos wrote: "Well, it took adding the planets and animals for the zodiac, but maybe this will work:

1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary
A Wizard of Earthsea - An aquatic world
2. Pop..."

Some nice choices here.

1. Authentic Aquarius – innovative, revolutionary
Perdido Street Station

2. Popular Pisces – Dreamy, artistic
Machine Man


3. Active Aries – optimistic, adventurous
The Poppy War

4. Tender Taurus – soothing, dependable
All the dust that falls

5. Gentle Gemini – adaptable, curious
The Steerswoman

6. Compassionate Cancer – emotional, imaginative
Homeland

7. Limelight Leo – dramatic, humorous
That Bear ate my Pants

8. Veracious Virgo – attentive, analytical
God is not one

9. Lively Libra – diplomatic, harmonious
The Darker Shade of Magic

10. Spirited Scorpio – complicated, powerful
The City of Brass

11. Sweet Sagittarius – idealistic, wanderlust
The Last Shadow knight

12. Capable Capricorn – protective noble
Dragon Slave

13. A breath of fresh air
The Cleaner The Cat, and the Space Station

14. Playing with fire
Nexus

15. From the ground up
Pandora's Jar

16. In deep waters
Jewel of the Endless Erg

17. Spring into action
Gobbelino London and a Scourge of Pleasntries


18. Sweet summer child
Summer of '78

19. Reap what you sow
The Bomber War

20. On thing Ice
Hoard it all before

1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary
2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic
3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous
4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable
5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious
6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative
7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous
8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical
9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious
10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful
11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust
12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble
13. A breath of fresh air
14. Playing with fire
15. From the ground up
16. In deep waters
17. Spring into action
18. Sweet summer child
19. Reap what you sow
20. On thin ice

Allison wrote: "This looks like the culmination of a day well spent. Excited to hear how it goes for you!"

Thank you Allison, it was very fun as always to match the prompts and fantasise about which titles might leave the TBR list this year :D.

1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary Blade Breaker 6/9
2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic Once Upon a Dream 6/11
3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous: Furies of Calderon 6/17
4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable
5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious Atalanta 3/23
6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative Bloodring 5/12
7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous Deathstalker 6/27
8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical
9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious
10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful The Eye of the World 4/21
11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust The Assassin's Curse 6/26
12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble White Night 6/15
13. A breath of fresh air The Narrow Road Between Desires 6/9
14. Playing with fire Fourth Wing 6/29
15. From the ground up Deathstalker Rebellion
16. In deep waters The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi 5/17
17. Spring into action
18. Sweet summer child
19. Reap what you sow
20. On thin ice Winter Lost 6/23

This has been one my favourite book challenges for the past few years. Joining in later than normal, because the end of next year/beginning of 2024 has been unexpectedly crazy for me. Just like last year, I'll try to fit in some sequels to make progress on my all too many started series (and yes, I'm totally doing the series challenge, too!).

Progress: 20/20

✅ 1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary: The Power
(A global revolution happens when the table turns.)

✅ 2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic: Inne nieba
(Short stories are inspired by paintings.)

✅ 3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous: Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands
(Emily = adventurous (for the sake of research); Wendell = optimistic)

✅ 4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable: The Hobbit, or There and Back Again
(A bit of cheating, because it's a re-read. What can be more soothing and dependable that Tolkien?)

✅ 5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious: The Martian
(A curious scientist needs to adapt to a challenging situation.)

✅ 6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative: The Bad Beginning
(Emotional narrative and imaginative format.)

✅ 7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous: The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England
(The narration style was dramatic and humorous.)

✅ 8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical: The Cuckoo's Calling
(A detective novel - self-explanatory.)

✅ 9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious: Of Ants and Dinosaurs
(Civilization depends on harmony and diplomacy between 2 species.)

✅ 10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful: The Burning God
(The main character is both powerful and morally gray.)

✅ 11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust: Semiosis
(A group of colonists travelled to another planet to start a better society. )

✅ 12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble: Bookshops & Bonedust
(Viv is a noble and heroic character.)

✅ 13. A breath of fresh air: Harde Baśnie
(A new life breathed into old tales.)

✅ 14. Playing with fire: A ​Court of Silver Flames
(Flames in the title.)

✅ 15. From the ground up: Parable of the Talents
(Series about building a new religion.)

✅ 16. In deep waters: Waking Gods
(Humanity in trouble due to an alien threat.)

✅ 17. Spring into action: Senlin Ascends
(Blurb: "The quiet man of letters must become a man of action".)

✅ 18. Sweet summer child: Coraline
(The main character is a young child.)

✅ 19. Reap what you saw: Gleanings
(Grim reaper = Scythe)

✅ 20. On thin ice: Ravnenes hvisken (book 3)
(The theme is the Fimbulwinter. )

Banshee wrote: "This has been one my favourite book challenges for the past few years. Joining in later than normal, because the end of next year/beginning of 2024 has been unexpectedly crazy for me. Just like las..."

A good group of reads.

I have read my first book for this challenge:

6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative

Space Lords

Stephen wrote: "I have read my first book for this challenge:

6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative

Space Lords"

I love that people are going back to the older books to fill some of the prompts. I'm trying to do that too and I've read three Verne works for the Zodiac Challenge.

5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious -Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Fawcett, Heather – Traits: Romance is opposites attract, and MC is curious about Faerie Mysteries.

DNF - I read 25% and I just couldn't read any more. I disliked so much about the book because it was not to my taste or tropes. I need to remember that Romantasy isn't a genre that works well for me.

Tina Reads wrote: "5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious -Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Fawcett, Heather – Traits: Romance is opposites attract, and MC is curious about Faerie Mysteries.
..."

you could have gone with twins...

In January, I read 3 books for this challenge, and I liked all of them very much (though they were very, very different from each other):

Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust: Dreamsnake by Vonda McIntyre (MCs have to travel, and the main character is fairly idealistic)

Spring into action: Gobbelino London & a Scourge of Pleasantries by Kim Watt (characters need to spring into action to find a book before there are dire consequences)

On thin ice: Revenant Gun by Yoon Ha Lee (it feels like the characters are always on thin ice at all times)

Edited to add: I actually finished one more this month:

Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous: Cat Pictures Please and Other Stories by Naomi Kritzer (cats, some of the stories are humorous and some dramatic). This was a really solid collection - I liked all of the stories, which is unusual for me.

Tina Reads wrote: "5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious -Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries by Fawcett, Heather – Traits: Romance is opposites attract, and MC is curious about Faerie Mysteries.
..."

Sorry for the lack of enjoyment.

Kaia wrote: "In January, I read 3 books for this challenge, and I liked all of them very much (though they were very, very different from each other):

Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust: [book:Dreamsna..."

Awesome start.

Four books in so far:

✔7. Leo
Sue Monk Kidd - DOB Aug 12
The Invention of Wings
–Kidd’s second most popular book here on GR

--pretty good, with an interesting exploration of the concept of freedom from the viewpoints of the two main characters. Not quite my cup of tea however.

✔9. Libra
Charlotte McConaghy - DOB Oct 8
Once There Were Wolves
–I loved her first book Migrations. I hope this one is as good.

--This is much darker even than Migrations with some annoying inconsistencies, that good in a discomforting way

✔14. Playing with fire
Joe Hill
The Fireman
–Spontaneous combustion can often be a problem.

--Good but way overlong for what it is.

✔16. In deep waters
Darcy Coates
From Below
–Terror from the bottom of the sea. Say no more.

--decent undersea Zombie story that is atmospheric, tense........and plodding.

So here is my thoughts on my first TBR read of the year.

What happens if you're a Private Detective and your partner is a talking cat? Well, this is the book to read to find out and it is well worth the read. It has everything. Almost literally everything. It is a madcap dash to the finish line to make sure they get paid, and secondarily stay alive, from start to finish.

A very nice change of pace book.

Gobbelino London & a Scourge of Pleasantries

2024 TBR Cleanup Challenge

1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary
2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic
3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous
4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable
5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious
6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative
7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous
8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical
9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious
10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful
11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust
12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble
13. A breath of fresh air
14. Playing with fire
15. From the ground up
16. In deep waters
17. Spring into action
18. Sweet summer child
19. Reap what you sow
20. On thin ice

Dj wrote: "So here is my thoughts on my first TBR read of the year.

What happens if you're a Private Detective and your partner is a talking cat? Well, this is the book to read to find out and it is well wo..."

I'm so glad to hear you enjoyed the first Gobbelino book! We have a "Kim Watt appreciation society" thread, if you would like to join and say "hi!"
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

read my first one for this challenge

13. A breath of fresh air = This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger - Reason = not SF&F but it's about 4 children who find a breath of fresh air

excellent book

CBRetriever wrote: "read my first one for this challenge

13. A breath of fresh air = This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger - Reason = not SF&F but it's about 4 children who find a b..."

Glad you enjoyed it.

CBRetriever wrote: "13. A breath of fresh air = This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger - Reason = not SF&F but it's about 4 children who find a breath of fresh air

excellent book"

This was one of my choices for the 2021 TBR Cleanup Challenge (for what it's worth, the prompt was An 8 or 21 with my comment "the 8th most highly rated book on my TBR shelf according to GR".

I agree completely. It is indeed an excellent book.

I worked a bit on the TBR challenge while I was taking a GR annoyance break:

Progress: 11/20

✔️ 1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary: The Sounds of Life: How Digital Technology Is Bringing Us Closer to the Worlds of Animals and Plants
✔️ 6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative: The Lathe of Heaven
✔️ 7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous: Third Eye
✔️ 8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones
✔️10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful: Chaos Terminal
✔️11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust: Single Malt Murder
✔️12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble: The Girl Who Drank the Moon
✔️13. A breath of fresh air: What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World's Most Enigmatic Birds
✔️14. Playing with fire: When Women Were Dragons
✔️ 17. Spring into action: The Squirrel on the Train
✔️ 20. On thin ice: Of Knives and Night-blooms

This list includes some books that I'd been looking forward to reading for a while. My anticipation was rewarded. The Lathe of Heaven has a lot of depth despite the relatively short length. Chaos Terminal is another satisfying mystery in space from Mur Lafferty. Of Knives and Night-blooms is a wild road trip adventure. It's on a magical river, in the company of three of the deadliest assassins around, bound to a powerful magician, and with meddling gods. Except for that it's the standard road trip trope.

What an Owl Knows: The New Science of the World's Most Enigmatic Birds is the non-genre book that impressed me the most. I learned so much about the owls that we hear but rarely see here.

I was looking at What an Owl Knows just the other day! For soon to be revealed reasons :) Good to hear it's a worthy read.

Raucous wrote: "I worked a bit on the TBR challenge..."

My wife found a copy of The Lathe of Heaven 2-parter from PBS (1979). Watched it last night. OMG what a great adaptation of the book. The special effects are dated, but the acting is amazing. Strongly recommend watching, if you can find it.

Raucous wrote: "I worked a bit on the TBR challenge while I was taking a GR annoyance break:

Progress: 11/20

✔️ 1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary: [book:The Sounds of Life: How Digital Technolog..."

Wow - you're way far ahead of me

CBRetriever wrote: ... Wow - you're way far ahead of me.

I haven't read much short fiction yet this year. I thought that I would work on this challenge first so that I didn't have so many TBR entries to read again at the end this year. It might have gotten out of hand...

Raucous wrote: "I worked a bit on the TBR challenge while I was taking a GR annoyance break:

Progress: 11/20

✔️ 1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary: [book:The Sounds of Life: How Digital Technolog..."

Some great books on this list.

Raucous wrote: "I haven't read much short fiction yet this year. I thought that I would work on this challenge first so that I didn't have so many TBR entries to read again at the end this year. It might have gotten out of hand..."

I seem to be working more on the Zodiac Challenge with only one from my TBR so far as well as one from the Bookshelf Challenge...

added my second book:

12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble = Goat = Service Goat by Piers Anthony - Reason = investigating a goat haunting

turned out to be an alien goat. It was quite interesting

✔️7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous

The Complete Ghost Stories of Charles Dickens

2/20

Read three books for this challenge so far. We'll see if I can keep it up.

15. From the ground up – Thistlefoot – Rebuilding a relationship, rebuilding a home and making a new life for yourself ⭐⭐⭐⭐

I am shocked that I hadn't picked this one up before now! This book was right up my alley, with Russian fairy tale tropes in a modern setting. The Yaga siblings inherit a house on legs and it starts an adventure with new beginnings all around. My only complaint was that the brother, Isaac, was an absolute sh/t throughout most of the book and I never warmed to him. Otherwise, great story, great characters, lgbtq+ rep, and interesting Russian folklore.

finished my third book for this challenge

4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable = Bull =The Hotel Under the Sand by Kage Baker - Reason = seems like the book will fit the mood

this one was pretty good too. I enjoyed it

1. Authentic Aquarius - innovative, revolutionary
2. Popular Pisces - dreamy, artistic
3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous
4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable -
5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious
6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative
7. Limelight Leo - dramatic, humorous
8. Veracious Virgo - attentive, analytical
9. Lively Libra - diplomatic, harmonious
10. Spirited Scorpio - complicated, powerful
11. Sweet Sagittarius - idealistic, wanderlust
12. Capable Capricorn - protective, noble
13. A breath of fresh air
14. Playing with fire - Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
15. From the ground up - Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds & Shape Our Futures by Merlin Sheldrake
16. In deep waters
17. Spring into action
18. Sweet summer child
19. Reap what you sow - A Bright Heart by Kate Chenli
20. On thin ice

4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable

✔️Wodehouse: A Life

3/20

I'm up to 5 read for this so far.

3. Active Aries - optimistic, adventurous - Inda
5. Gentle Gemini - adaptable, curious -Truly, Devious
6. Compassionate Cancer - emotional, imaginative, Sword Stone Table: Old Legends, New Voices
14. Playing with fire - Under the Smokestrewn Sky
16. In deep waters - Liberty's Daughter, Deep waters literal and metaphorical.

I read two more this month and am now up to 6 total:

2. Popular Pisces (dreamy, artistic): Illuminations by T Kingfisher (magical paintings)

19. Reap what you sow: Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia McKillip (translating a book may lead to danger)

Stephen wrote: "4. Tender Taurus - soothing, dependable

✔️Wodehouse: A Life

3/20"

Such a fun author. I love his attitude about what to write.

Kaia wrote: "I read two more this month and am now up to 6 total:

2. Popular Pisces (dreamy, artistic): Illuminations by T Kingfisher (magical paintings)

19. Reap what you sow: [book:Alphabet ..."

I enjoyed Alphabet of Thorn when I read it. What were your thoughts on it?

Dj wrote: "I enjoyed Alphabet of Thorn when I read it. What were your thoughts on it?"

Dj, I really liked Alphabet of Thorn, though it took me a bit to get into the story at first. I liked how it was like a fairy tale inside a fairy tale, and the resolution was unexpected and different.

Kaia wrote: "Dj wrote: "I enjoyed Alphabet of Thorn when I read it. What were your thoughts on it?"

Dj, I really liked Alphabet of Thorn, though it took me a bit to get into the story at first. I liked how it ..."

I would have to say that for the most part that is a spot-on description of my thoughts, save maybe the fairy tale phrasing. I wouldn't disagree with the comment at all, just I am not a very well-read fairy tale individual so not a phrase I would use. LOL.