March 11, 2012

Bewitching

Bewitching by Alex Flinn
Release Date ~ 2/16/12
Format ~ Hardcover
Publisher ~ Harper Teen
Source ~ Gifted
Purchase: The Book Depository
Bewitching can be a beast. . . .
Once, I put a curse on a beastly and arrogant high school boy. That one turned out all right. Others didn’t.
I go to a new school now—one where no one knows that I should have graduated long ago. I’m not still here because I’m stupid; I just don’t age.

You see, I’m immortal. And I pretty much know everything after hundreds of years—except for when to take my powers and butt out.

I want to help, but things just go awry in ways I could never predict. Like when I tried to free some children from a gingerbread house and ended up being hanged. After I came back from the dead (immortal, remember?), I tried to play matchmaker for a French prince and ended up banished from France forever. And that little mermaid I found in the Titanic lifeboat? I don’t even want to think about it.

Now a girl named Emma needs me. I probably shouldn’t get involved, but her gorgeous stepsister is conniving to the core. I think I have just the thing to fix that girl—and it isn’t an enchanted pumpkin. Although you never know what will happen when I start . . . bewitching.
    I recently read Beastly, which I loved, and Kenda was a character I always wanted to learn more about. Bewitching was an excellent look into her life.

   Bewitching wasn't one story, it was a combination of stories set in different time periods that were all based on different faerie tales, but revamped and much more interesting.

    The first story was a retelling of Hansel and Gretel, the only one of the stories where Kendra was the main character. I really enjoyed that one because it gave you the most insight into how Kendra became a witch, and her pre-witch life.

   The second, and the main story was a retelling of Cinderella that took place in modern time Miami. This story was told from the perspective of Emma, a lonely teen who just had her life tossed up when her seemingly perfect stepsister comes to town.

The other two stories, one a retelling of Princess and the Pea taking place in 19th century France, the other a retelling of The Little Mermaid, taking place in 1912 and set on the Titanic, were both entwined with the Cinderella story to show examples of why Kendra should/shouldn't do something.

   I felt like these stories were all really entertaining and really enriched the Beastly story. Plus Kendra was a great main character, even though she was in the background mostly.

   Another good part of this novel was the setting. I usually don't talk a lot about the settings in my reviews, but the world created by Flinn was so rich it was impossible to ignore it. Every detail painted a clear picture in my mind.

    A fun, quick read. Nothing special, but a great book to save for a rainy day. It will keep the pages turning!
Cover Comments: I really love the waves crashing in the background and her dress is gorgeous!
This book counts in the following reading challenges:
Paranormal Reading Challenge: 7
Witch and Witchcraft Reading Challenge: 3
1st in a Series Reading Challenge: 12


19 comments:

  1. this looks good and i love the cover. I enjoy retellings so i will be picking this up.

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  2. I've never read Beastly, but once I saw this, I KNEW it was going to be amazing. First of all, I love witches AND fairy tale retellings! So this is kind of a no-brainer. But I'm cheered that you liked it, tells me it was actually as enjoyable as I predicted ;)

    Asher

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  3. I'm not familiar with this book but it sounds like it could be an interesting read. It has a lovely cover.

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  4. loved beASYLY/THE movie

    i love this cover and the covr model reminds me of blaire

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  5. I have yet to read Beastly, but really want to read this! Looks like I have two books I need to get!

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  6. I read this book too. I am waiting on my daughter to finish then I will post my review. I also enjoyed all the mixed in in fairy tales.

    Dorothy - The Alaskan Bookie
    Blog ~ http://alaskanbookie.blogspot.com/
    Twitter ~ http://twitter.com/AkChocoholic

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  7. This book sounds interesting... I'm putting it on my TBR pile right away. I haven't heard about it, so thanks for revealing it! :)

    Best regards, Diana

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  8. I loved Beastly, and it's just awesome that Kenda got her own book. I loved her! I don't like that it's a collection of short stories....but I think I'll still check this out (later).
    Thank you for the great review! :)

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  9. I enjoy Alex Finn's novels. I didn't even realize that there was another coming. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. I loved Beastly, was disappointed in the film version, so I know I will love this.

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  10. Thanks for the review! I've seen this one around and really want it. The blurb really captured me and I'm a sucker for fairy tale retellings of any kind.

    Ning @ Reading by Kindle Fire

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  11. I'm glad that you like Bewitching. It's my favourite last month. :)

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  12. I really want to read Bewithing...Thanks for the review..:)

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  13. I don't really like Alex Flinn's books and I've heard not-so-positive reviews of this book. But who knows? Maybe I'll give it a try!

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  14. I thought Beastly is a cute read and have been looking forward to reading Bewitching. Glad you enjoyed it :)

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  15. thanks for the review now i definitely want to read this

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  16. I want to read it!!

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  17. Wow, I had no idea until just now that this was a collection of stories. Glad it sounds as good as the cover is pretty!

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  18. This book looks so good!! Alex Flinn is even from my sorority =D She makes me so proud to be a phi sigma sigma.

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