I just found out that the author has a tv series out there called Shadow & Bone that is set in the same universe as my favourite story in this collection of 6 tales that offer better lessons (as I see it) than the Grimms or Hans Christian some riff from. Three have a Russian-flavour that reminds me of Baba Yaga & The Firebird – I’ve always loved fairy tales/tales of magics from all cultures – never for any of the romance (which, tbh was usually pretty bleak and nothing that would make heterosexual marriage seem like a chance for a happily ever after as princes seems more than willing to sell their hard-won princesses down the river at the first sign of more trouble) – but more for the tasks and deal-makings and talking animals. Really, it’s just amazing that I didn’t turn out a Furry.

Here we have some new twists on the Nutcracker and the Little Mermaid along with talking animals, gingerbread girls, and some well deserved rough justice meted out to lying rulers. The tales are worded like proper tales to be told before warm fires on cold winter nights – really the language is quite beautiful. My favourite story, “LIttle Knife” contains a line that rang so wonderfully true, like the finest lesson to be learned: “To use a thing is not to own it.” The ‘thing’ in this instance is a river and once freed, it exacts revenge upon those who dammed it for profit while offering salvation to the woman also being treated as property by the men who would have water serve their greed. Water is Life but can also move humans into the past tense when it’s been treated horribly and not allowed to follow its own Nature.

A good story for late stage capitalists everywhere.