Hansel and Gretel

By Jenni James

Hansel’s father finds a child lost and alone during a violent thunderstorm. After bringing her in from the tempest, he and his son are startled to discover that she is Gretel, a princess of Larkein—the enemy kingdom their own king has just destroyed. Fearful for her life, Hansel pleads with his father to save her. He believes they can make Gretel good by teaching her their ways. His kindhearted father agrees, but with great trepidation.

Ten years later, Gretel has grown into a lovely young woman who both infuriates and drives Hansel to distraction while he attempts to not lose his heart to her. When the Larkein witch comes back in the guise of a beautiful woman and marries their father, everything is set into a tailspin. Now they must figure out their new stepmother’s plans and prevent her from destroying them all before it is too late.

 

I always feel guilty giving a bad review of anything, but this book just gave me a headache. I read it out loud to someone else, which may have been my first mistake, but the writing was atrocious. It was ridiculous and the language that James decided to use, thus, alas, and so forth felt incredibly out of place. They spoke normally and then suddenly Alas! It was irritating. Also, the plot was boring and the romance so so so cheesy.  This felt like a rough draft that still needed loads of revision.  I was so disappointed because I really love some of her other books. Rumplestiltskin was great, as was Cinderella. This was horrid. Please skip this one if you’re reading her fairy tale collection. Sad day.

I give it a 1 out of 5