Mini Rumpel Reviews Part 2

And we’re back with part two of these mini reviews! Since I bothered about introducing these posts in the last part, I’m going to skip the formalities and just get into it.

Rumpled

J. Grace Pennington

5 out of 5 stars

This is just a perfect, little, steampunk gem of a Rumpelstiltskin retelling. The original fairytale elements were worked in so beautifully, and honestly, I just adored this story. It’s not very long, as it’s part of a collection of other fairytale retellings (all of which are worth checking out, BTW), but this book was probably my favorite of the whole collection. We need more steampunk retellings. Glorious. Click here to read more of my reviews from the collection, including a fuller review of this story.

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The Queen of Gold and Straw

Shari L. Tapscott

5 out of 5 stars

WOW. This is the Rumpelstiltskin retelling I didn’t know I needed! I loved this book, and — honestly — it was so close to the original fairytale, but with so many twists! The fae and magic just were *chef’s kiss.* I fully expected not to like this story since it does contain a love triangle, but it really didn’t feel like your typical YA love triangle. It worked. I just wish I had gotten more since it does end in a cliffhanger for one of the main characters, so excuse me while I go track down the next book. Add this to your TBR now.

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A Curse Dark as Gold

Elizabeth C. Bunce

3 out of 5 stars

If I’m completely honest, it’s been a while since I read this book (meaning my memory of it is a bit fuzzy), but I wanted to include it on this list since it is a Rumpelstiltskin retelling. It does have a lot of the original fairytale in tact, but the tone is much darker overall. I mean, “dark” is in the title, so expect a good deal of magic on the darker side. The setting is rich, and I enjoyed the heroine, but it’s not quite the Rumpelstiltskin retelling I’d write home about.

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Charlotte and the Cozy Cottage

Abigail Manning

5 out of 5 stars

This was such a fun twist on the classic fairytale! It was just a warm Rumpelstiltskin hug in a story, and I really enjoyed it. The ending was a bit on the predictable side, but everything wrapped up cozy just as you’d want in a fairytale. At first, I wasn’t sure how it would end up a Rumpelstiltskin story, but I especially liked what the author did in twisting up some of the original fairytale elements. My only warning: don’t read this book hungry. Or at least have a snack somewhere close beside you — preferably something delicious and cinnamon-y. I really want to read all of the other books in the Autumn Fairy Tales now.

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I’ve just realized I saved three of my 5 star retellings for today’s post. *guffaws* That wasn’t planned, but that’s okay.

What other Rumpelstiltskin retellings do I need to read? Which are some of your favorites?