Red-Haired Ash Reads

The overall rating is the average of the following ratings. Also I have skipped the Black Jewel and Ephemera stories because I haven’t read those series yet. 

THE LADY IN GLASS
3 stars – I liked it

An interesting version of Snow White that is sent in a future where humans have been deformed and now everyone is ugly and have to force themselves to breed. The glass lady is beautiful and what they once were and they may take care of her coffin but they still are jealous of her looks. It’s an interesting take and I enjoyed it. 

BEAR TRAP
4 stars – It was really good

A story about a young woman who was trapped in a bear trap and then kept captive for years but the trapper. While short, this was well written and a great ending. I like that she kept her cool when the trader confronted her. 

NOT A PRINCESS
4 stars – It was really good

A great Rapunzel retelling with Rachel waiting years to escape by tricking the dumb prince who tries to rescue her. I enjoyed that she finally got her freedom and used it to do what she actually wanted. 

THE WEAPON
2 stars – It was ok

This was about a civil war where the government continues to make both sides fight by breeding new soldiers and forcing all men into the military. It was an interesting concept with a brutal ending because the soldier is trying to prevent further casualties and has to kill his own children. I think I would have liked it a little more if there was a little more explanation on the soldier’s abilities. 

HOTTING FUGGAM AND THE DRAGON
2 stars – It was ok

A story about a man constantly bragging about better things and depressing small country folk. He gets tricked into dealing with a dragon and ends up taming it. This was ok. It was a very short story and I was mostly indifferent to the outcome. 

TUNNEL
2 stars – It was ok

This was weird and I don’t know what is actually happening at all. It feels like the first chapter of a story to get you hooked. I need more to actually understand what is going on and if I like it. 

MATCH GIRL
2 stars – It was ok

TW: on page physical and sexual violence,  torture

This was really dark and violent and it’s hard for me to rate it.  I didn’t really enjoy it but I think it was a unique story so I will give it two stars. 

RAPUNZEL
4 stars – It was really good

This was a great Rapunzel story. I like that it started with her parents first and then progressed to her life. I think her mother was a terrible woman who was never going to be happy and got what she deserved in the end with her husband leaving her. Rapunzel was a strong woman who spent her life imprisoned but when given the chance of a new life, she embraced it and found true happiness. 

TW: physical abuse; pregnancy; 

THE WILD HEART
4 stars – It was really good

An interesting take on sleeping beauty. I enjoyed this version and how she got the life she wanted in the end. 

TW: rape; physical abuse;

THE FAIREST ONE OF ALL
3 stars – I liked it

An interesting take on Snow White. I liked the concept and that it wasn’t just the old queen asking the mirror questions. 

HOME FOR THE HOWLIDAYS
5 stars – I loved it!

This holiday story takes place a few months after Etched in Bone. The courtyard is preparing for winter solstice but a big storm rolls through and Simon and Vlad end up having to go rescue friends. I love that we got this short holiday story with the Courtyard. It was great to see how everyone is doing after the series ended and also see how Meg is coping.

Also we get to see Meg and Simon as a couple and even though they don’t spend a lot of time together, I still like what we got. 

THE DARK SHIP
4 stars – It was really good

This was a great pirate-esq story in the Others world. Vandette helps a trapped pony and finds herself getting a boob from the Others that save her and a bunch of other children’s lives. I enjoyed this one and liked learning more about the other areas of the world. 

TW: physical and emotional abuse; threat of rape; human trafficking; 

FRIENDS AND CORPSES
4.5 stars

This was a fascinating story about a town called Neuterville that makes people sterile after two kids and reanimates the dead sometimes. Cecily Blanque is a Deceased Reclamation Catcher, aka corpse catcher, and spends her days wrangling the people who come back to life. 

When a family friend calls and Cecily realizes she is reanimated after being murdered, she has to investigate what happened. I really enjoyed Cecily’s story and everything about this world. I also like that she didn’t let family hold her back from doing the right thing and getting justice for those murdered. I would totally read more stories about Cecily and her reanimation adventures. 

TW: toxic and emotionally abusive mother; toxic friendship; graphic depictions of death and decay; 

THE DAY WILL COME
5 stars – I loved it!

This is a reflection on the events of September 11 and was extremely moving and accurate. There will come a day when people don’t think of that event when they walk by the site, they won’t have been born when it happened, and our memories of that event need to be shared so future generations will understand. 

TRUTH AND STORY
2 stars – It was ok

This was very short and I don’t really have any feelings or reactions about it so it was just ok for me. 

STANDS A GOD WITHIN THE SHADOWS
DNF

I wasn’t really enjoying this story. It was very vague with what was happening to this woman and I just found myself not caring. 

SHE MOVED THROUGH THE FAIR
3 stars – I liked it

An interesting story about a ghost and how she gets her revenge against her murder with the help of a distant cousin who is still alive. I enjoyed this one and how unique it was. 

A STRAND IN THE WEB
4 stars – It was really good

This was a very interesting sci-fi story about Restorers, who travel space and attempt to restore life to planets. This follows a young student named Willow who wants to be a Restorer and is given a chance. She is a natural which is good because their ship is failing. I really enjoyed this and the whole concept. 

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