A themed tour with Prism Book Tours.
Welcome to Alethea's Fairy Tale Rant for this Monday.
My review for Dearest will be coming on the 12th.
Dearest
(Woodcutter Sisters, #3)
by Alethea Kontis
YA Fantasy
Hardcover & ebook, 320 Pages
February 3rd 2015 by HMH Books for Young Readers
by Alethea Kontis
YA Fantasy
Hardcover & ebook, 320 Pages
February 3rd 2015 by HMH Books for Young Readers
Summary
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?
The Other Woodcutter Sisters Books
Links for Enchanted
The Wild Swans Rant
"The Wild Swans", along with "The Little Mermaid" and "The Little Match Girl," has always been one of my favorite stories by Hans Christian Andersen. (It's also, notably, one of the only HCA stories in which the main characters DON'T DIE.)
Unlike "The Six Swans" from the Brother's Grimm, Elisa in "The Wild Swans" has eleven brothers. Ultimately, for Dearest, I decided on seven, since seven is a magic number for me and my series (and is coincidentally also the number of swans in "The 12 Days of Christmas"). The swans who turn unto men at night, their sister Elisa who is cursed to look plain and ugly, the threat of Elisa being burned as a witch, even the dream of flying...I had an amazing time incorporating all these elements into Dearest.
Of course, like movies that have been edited for television, the version of "The Wild Swans" I fell in love with as an eight-year-old was slightly abridged. Reading the longer story again as an adult, I remembered the method of collecting stinging nettles and weaving them into shirts, but I did not recall the ghouls who sat on their headstones in the graveyard, watching Elisa as she harvested nettles from the sacred earth.
It's amazing how many versions Grimm and Andersen have of girl-with-cursed-bird-brothers tales: "The Wild Swans," "The Six Swans", "The Swan Brothers," "The Seven Ravens"...I'd love to hear from those of you who have read one or all of these!
Unlike "The Six Swans" from the Brother's Grimm, Elisa in "The Wild Swans" has eleven brothers. Ultimately, for Dearest, I decided on seven, since seven is a magic number for me and my series (and is coincidentally also the number of swans in "The 12 Days of Christmas"). The swans who turn unto men at night, their sister Elisa who is cursed to look plain and ugly, the threat of Elisa being burned as a witch, even the dream of flying...I had an amazing time incorporating all these elements into Dearest.
Of course, like movies that have been edited for television, the version of "The Wild Swans" I fell in love with as an eight-year-old was slightly abridged. Reading the longer story again as an adult, I remembered the method of collecting stinging nettles and weaving them into shirts, but I did not recall the ghouls who sat on their headstones in the graveyard, watching Elisa as she harvested nettles from the sacred earth.
It's amazing how many versions Grimm and Andersen have of girl-with-cursed-bird-brothers tales: "The Wild Swans," "The Six Swans", "The Swan Brothers," "The Seven Ravens"...I'd love to hear from those of you who have read one or all of these!
About the Author
 |
| Alethea Kontis courtesy of Lumos Studio 2012 |
Her published works include: The Wonderland Alphabet (with Janet K. Lee), Diary of a Mad Scientist Garden Gnome (with Janet K. Lee), the AlphaOops series (with Bob Kolar), the Woodcutter Sisters fairy tale series, and The Dark-Hunter Companion (with Sherrilyn Kenyon). Her short fiction, essays, and poetry have appeared in a myriad of anthologies and magazines.
Her YA fairy tale novel, Enchanted, won the Gelett Burgess Children’s Book Award in 2012 and the Garden State Teen Book Award i 2015. Enchanted was nominated for the Audie Award in 2013, and was selected for World Book Night in 2014. Both Enchanted and its sequel, Hero, were nominated for the Andre Norton Award.
Born in Burlington, Vermont, Alethea currently lives and writes in Florida, on the Space Coast. She makes the best baklava you’ve ever tasted and sleeps with a teddy bear named Charlie.
Check out Alethea's Road Tour HERE!
Tour-Wide Giveaway
3 Woodcutter Sisters Prize Packs (signed copies of Enchanted, Hero, & Dearest - US Only)
Ends March 8th
Follow the Tour
1 - Launch
2 - Lilac Reviews & Wishful Endings
3 - Special post @ Waterworld Mermaids
3 - Coffee Books & Art & The Book Lovers' Lounge
4 - Special post @ USA Today's Happy Ever After
4 - Buried Under Books, Mommabears Book Blog, & Rabid Reads
5 - Interview @ J.T. Ellison
5 - Gidget Girls Reading
6 - Zerina Blossom & Geo Librarian
8 - Welcome to Book City & Angela's Library
9 - Kelly P's Blog & Katy's Krazy Books
10 - Mel's Shelves & Jan Edwards
11 - Katie's Clean Book Collection
12 - A Backwards Story & Wishful Endings
13 - Library of a Book Witch & The Quotable
14 - Biggest Literary Crushes post on@ Teen Reads
15 - The Written Adventure
16 - My Life Loves and Passion & Colorimetry
17 - I Am A Reader & The Library of the Seen
18 - Special post on@ Dear Teen Me
18 - Printcess & Living a Goddess Life & Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
19 - 100 Pages A Day & mrsjennyreads
20 - Books and Ashes & Addicted Readers
22 - Miss Little Book Addict YA House of Books
23 - SBM Book Obsession
24 - Deal Sharing Aunt
25 - Min Reads and Reviews
26 - Pieces of Whimsy & Wonderous Reviews
27 - The Scribbling Sprite
28 - Grand Finale
3 - Special post @ Waterworld Mermaids
3 - Coffee Books & Art & The Book Lovers' Lounge
4 - Special post @ USA Today's Happy Ever After
4 - Buried Under Books, Mommabears Book Blog, & Rabid Reads
5 - Interview @ J.T. Ellison
5 - Gidget Girls Reading
6 - Zerina Blossom & Geo Librarian
8 - Welcome to Book City & Angela's Library
9 - Kelly P's Blog & Katy's Krazy Books
10 - Mel's Shelves & Jan Edwards
11 - Katie's Clean Book Collection
12 - A Backwards Story & Wishful Endings
13 - Library of a Book Witch & The Quotable
14 - Biggest Literary Crushes post on
15 - The Written Adventure
16 - My Life Loves and Passion & Colorimetry
17 - I Am A Reader & The Library of the Seen
18 - Special post on
18 - Printcess & Living a Goddess Life & Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf
19 - 100 Pages A Day & mrsjennyreads
20 - Books and Ashes & Addicted Readers
22 - Miss Little Book Addict YA House of Books
23 - SBM Book Obsession
24 - Deal Sharing Aunt
25 - Min Reads and Reviews
26 - Pieces of Whimsy & Wonderous Reviews
27 - The Scribbling Sprite
28 - Grand Finale
The book sounds really good.
ReplyDeleteI would want to travel to a fantasy realm as long as the danger was small and not to many consequences for going.
ReplyDeleteI am not sure about this one..lol.
ReplyDeleteYes , I would travel to a fantasy realm as long as there is no danger to me :)
ReplyDeleteHappy blogoversary! Time flies, doesn't it?!
ReplyDeleteI've had Enchanted on my TBR for quite awhile now. Do they need to be read in order or does each act as a standalone within the "world"?
ReplyDeleteThis sounds really, really good! And I actually really like the cover. I am definitely adding this one to my wishlist! Thank you for the post! If I could find a fantasy realm to travel to, and it wouldn't affect my real life or my family, then yes! I would absolutely go check it out! As much as possible!
ReplyDeleteHappy 2nd Blogoversary!! I just had mine! I knew our blogs were close in age, but man! How cool! and both our blogoversary was area n our bday month!! *hugs* I'm so proud of your blog Tressa, it's grown so much and this blogoversary lineup sounds amazing! :)
ReplyDelete-Dee @ Dee's Reads
I just love the covers on these books, I really need to try them!
ReplyDeleteWho wouldn't want to go to a fantasy realm? I think that's part of why we read fiction - we get sucked into this other world where our problems no longer exist. King of Ash and Bone sounds like it'd be an interesting one to visit :)
ReplyDeleteomg, I love her bio pic. And the book covers. It's interesting to see her dressed similarly to the cover models. Looking forward to checking all three books out - I love a good fairy tale adaptation :)
ReplyDeleteWoots! Yay for 2 years! Happy blogiversary. And birthday too. Big month! Hope year 3 is just as awesome :)
ReplyDeleteFirst, I wanted to thank you for the $10.00 gift card I won. Haven't selected a book yet. any suggestions? Also, happy b-day. February is a great month valentines day and my anniversary. I read your blog everyday it gives me something to look forward to. So happy birthday and happy blogoversary, too
ReplyDeleteHappy Happy Blogoversary!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your anniversary!
ReplyDeleteHappy 2nd Blogoversary! Wishing you many more successful blog years!
ReplyDeleteThese books really do sound good. The covers are pretty, too. :)
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday and Happy B-day! You deserve it.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your birthday and blogoversary!
ReplyDeleteThese books look really awesome!
ReplyDeleteI'm *really* hoping for the choice of Sarah Eden book- I haven't read For Elise yet... :)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday and blogoversary!!! I'm new to the blog, but I've really been enjoying it so far. Here's to several more years!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pam!
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying it. It does take some balancing. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ally!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Becky and her books!! I hope you either win them or get a chance to read them. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks Patricia (just assuming it's you)! I feel like I've been blogging forever, but it's actually been a short time. What did I do before? Oh yeah, my house was cleaner. ;)
ReplyDeleteShould be fun!
ReplyDeleteHa ha! I wish. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen! I love my followers!!
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Stormi! Always nice to see you.
ReplyDeleteAren't they great?!!! All the posts are fun and I'm looking forward to them coming by and sharing!
ReplyDeleteIt's so short for how long I feel I've been blogging. I'm sure you know the feeling. :)
ReplyDeleteBest of luck!
ReplyDeleteHopefully it'll be a great year. I've had a great start.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cassie! Glad you like reading my blog. :)
ReplyDeleteHmm. I'll have to check...
ReplyDeleteI always try for a mix so that there's something for everyone. Hope you find something you like!
ReplyDeleteLol! I keep thinking of changing them a little, but I do love my owls and the little birds and the colors... We'll see. ;) Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHey Mary! Thanks for stopping by!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
ReplyDeleteYes, it does. Crazy isn't it?!!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that weird that I started getting my blog up during my bday and obviously you too. I like visiting you too, although I've pulled back a lot online for family time. Congrats to you too! I remember stopping by, but I might be wrong. Happy 3rd year to us both!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Anna!
ReplyDeleteAny suggestions??? Don't ask me that! Lol! Let me know what you're in the mood for...
ReplyDeleteWhy, thank you!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenna!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen! I hope so! :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by, John!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Monica!
ReplyDeleteOh, I like all Sarah's books and For Elise had some heartbreak. I'll cross my fingers for you.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Sierra! Glad to have you!! :D
ReplyDeleteI figured out that it was only Blogger blogs that were doing it. I also figured out how to open posts without the Bloglovin' frame and I haven't had any issues since then.
ReplyDeleteHappy blogoversary! :) Thank you so much for the international giveaway! :)
ReplyDeleteHi Tressa! Yes! It's me! haha not sure why Disqus keeps putting my old twitter name :S And about the clean house, just telling you that those houses are overrated. Much better to have a bookshelf filled with books :P hahahaha
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogoversary, and congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI think I'd like to travel to a fantasy realm, as long as I could return to this world when I wanted to.
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogoversary and happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteThank you for holding this giveaway, I appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for having
ReplyDeleteAbout the video or book? This series is great for those that love fairy tale retellings. Have you read the first book in the series, Enchanted?
ReplyDeleteIdeally, it is better to read them in a row because there are some references to the other Woodcutter family members. Having said that, you don't have to read them in order. They're each enough of their own story that you can follow it without reading the others.
ReplyDeleteI love them too! Enchanted was my favorite, but they're each really good. I think you'd like them.
ReplyDeleteI think you'd really like these ones. And yes, the covers are some of my favorite out there.
ReplyDeleteJust as awesome on the inside. ;)
ReplyDeleteI never even thought that she was dressed similarly. These are great! Super unique and creative, with action, adventure, and romance. So, if you like those things you should love this series.
ReplyDeleteThat is the thing, isn't it? I haven't read about any fantasy worlds, I think, that didn't have dire circumstances.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd agree with that. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteGood for you for thinking of consequences of going. I think I'd just like this world to get better. :)
ReplyDeleteGood point, Sarah! This one was really interesting. I'll be posting my review later this month.
ReplyDeleteExactly. You'd need to be able to get back unharmed and at any time you wanted.
ReplyDeleteI think I'd just have to agree. :)
ReplyDeleteI would absolutely like this world to get better. I pray for it every single day. I just have to keep looking for those posts, and watching for those news stories, about all of the good that people are still capable of. Gives me hope!
ReplyDeleteSo true. I get a lot of my joy from my family, but I obviously do escape in books a lot too. :)
ReplyDeleteYour welcome.
ReplyDeleteHappy Blogoversary! I hope I can keep my blog running foor as long as you have!
ReplyDeleteHappy 2 year blogoversary! :)
ReplyDeleteI feel like I've always been blogging - I mean because what did I do before then? But, I also feel like two years is nothing. :)
ReplyDelete