The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic

This review is just to help me remember key points about the book. If you find it helpful or relatable that's cool too.︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵‿︵ Make sure the latch is fastened. Dark things have a way of slipping in through narrow spaces.”2.5 Stars ⭐️I haven't read an anthology that I've enjoyed yet but since this is[a: Leigh Bardugo 4575289 Leigh Bardugo https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1534446099p2/4575289.jpg]I was hopeful. I still don't like anthologies but with the mindset that these were myths/folklore I was able to enjoy it more. Here's my simple star rating of each story ranked in order of most favourite to least favourite.⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Ayama and the Thorn Wood⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️The Witch of Duva⭐️⭐️⭐️Little Knife⭐️⭐️The Too-Clever Fox The Soldier PrinceWhen Water Sand Fire

nothing to complain about here. my favourite story was about the gay ocean acquiring a girlfriend thats literally too hot to look at.

I love the spin on the classic fairy tales!

Usually it's hard to rate a book of short stories because I always have such conflicting feelings about the different stories. In this book they were all consistent and I loved them in the same way except the last story was the only one that didn't have a happy ending. Even though I'm generally not a sucker for happy endings, it kind of left a bitter taste in my mouth, especially considering it was the longest so I was expecting more for Ulla, or at least for Roeffe to get what was coming to him (because you know he doesn't care enough about his kids for that to be a justified revenge)

overall rating- 4.5/5okay i did not expect that? i picked this up expecting a short novella of the grishaverse and it turned out to be a whole collection of stories that are so beautifully written. like this should literally be a standalone instead of a novella. I'm so impressed?! [b:The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic 34076952 The Language of Thorns Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic (Grishaverse, #0.5, 2.5, 2.6) Leigh Bardugo https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1491842507l/34076952.SX50.jpg 55087763] is a small collection of six folk-tales. All these tales are beautifully crafted, short and yet convey important profound messsages. I used to read tons of folk tales when I was a kid, so this made me feel super nostalgic:(AYAMA AND THE THORN WOOD- 5/5 ☆☆☆☆☆this was definitely one of my favourites. it's a story of courage and outcasts, of those who are different and of wanting to be heard. i loved it even more because of the little stories ayama tells the beast. the message of the story: “tell the true stories instead of the easier ones” and i think that's so important because we've all heard the usual fairytales- princes saving girls, beasts turning into princes, the ‘they lived happily ever afters' but what if it that wasn't actually the case. what about honorable beasts and weak, evil kings, females saving the day instead of your conventional prince? this is such a beautiful story and honestly I wish i grew up reading more stories like this, instead of the fairytales we were fed.THE TOO-CLEVER FOX- 3/5 ☆☆☆https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4174921964THE WITCH OF DUVA- 2/5 ☆☆https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4181077942LITTLE KNIFE-4/5 ☆☆☆☆https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4188079548THE SOLDIER PRINCE-5/5 ☆☆☆☆☆okay wow. Leigh's writing. period. ( that's three periods, i know. go away) I was so excited to read a folk tale set in Ketterdam and this did not disappoint at all. The story flows extremely smoothly and the different povs were also done well. Droessen's character was so creepy but like also, so interesting??? i'd read an entire book about him honestly. And the ending- Althea-WHEN WATER SANG FIRE-5/5☆☆☆☆☆This was definitely my favorite of all these stories. it was also the longest and considering i was in a little bit of a slump, i kept putting off reading this and i really shouldn't have bothered because it's by far, one of the best short stories I've ever read.Despite it being only about 80 pages long, it's definitely up there in my list of books. Something else that stood out to me, is the world-building. Considering i didn't know anything about this world, I wasn't confused at all. The world building is beautifully done due to the author's way of tangling the world building with the plot.‘When water sang fire' is a tale of sildrohers - a magical race of sea folk who inhabit the waters off the coast of Fjerda. (kinda like mermaids). The story follows Ulla and Signy, two little sildroher girls who aren't very special and yet the magic they create together, brings them to notice of the young prince. There might even be blood magic and going to human lands involved. (just saying. )Trouble roused that day as two girls tangled together like rockweed, but then closed its eyes, pretending to sleep, leaving Ulla and Signy to their games and whispered confidences, letting them murmur their secrets and muddle their dreams as the years passed, waiting for winter and the prince's birthday party.OVERALLI love how real & raw these folktales are, the dark theme and wrongness of all of them.an excerpt from the author's note:“I think many of us hear in familiar tales, because we know—even as children—that impossible tasks are an odd way to choose a spouse, that predators come in many guises, that a prince's whims are often cruel. The more I listened to that note of warning, the more inspiration I found.”I love the recurring themes of freedom and discovering yourself in all these stories, and [a:Leigh Bardugo 4575289 Leigh Bardugo https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1534446099p2/4575289.jpg]'s storytelling is just chef's kiss. The element of surprise and unpredictability in all her writing draws me to her books everytime, and i'm not complaining.Language of thorns has short stories that are all extremely well written and have no connection to the main grishaverse novels. These books are a great way for somebody to get a taste of the author's writing and i'd definitely suggest everybody to pick them up.

I found this enjoyable, but to say that it was inspired by fairytale, myth, and folklore is really overselling it when several of the stories in here are riffs on Disney tales, not traditional fairytales. Still, it was a pleasant read and I would recommend it.

Las primeras historias no estuvieron nada mal, me gustaron bastante pero las dos últimas ya sabía más o menos de lo que iban y me decepcionaron un poco y además de lo larga que son que las veía que fueran innecesaria tantas páginas.

What a great book of tales. I absolutely love the twists on old favorites like Hansel and Gretel and The Little Mermaid. Very imaginative and fun to read.

Welcome back to the Grishaverse, but it will not quite be what you remember. While The Language of Thorns mentions familiar places and powers, this is a whole new look at the world. You'll learn about the fables that your favorite characters grew up with and the cautionary tales told before bedtime. Leigh Bardugo has spun her take on fairy tales and fit them into the Grishaverse.

This novel was marketed as a prequel of sorts, but it doesn't ever really connect with the books she has already written. The only thing that makes this part of the same world are the interwoven cities, races and abilities. The final tale did hint at a possible Darkling tie in, but to me, the pieces didn't quite line up enough.

This was an entertaining read, but it lacked the thrill of the other books in this world. Retelling fairytales doesn't allow for sudden cliffhangers or deft defying feats. It was a good book, but not something necessary to read if you enjoy her other series. If you want a light read to tie you over until her next book release, then, by all means, pick this one up, but don't expect the same level of excitement.

Overall I really enjoyed this collection of short stories. Yes it was hit or miss with each one but the good far outweighed the bad for me. I have talked a little bit about my thoughts on each story and rated each one and then I took the average and that is how I came up with my overall rating.

Ayama and the Thorn Wood (50 Pages) -While reading this story I kind of got Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood vibes but while they have a few similarities they are nothing alike. This story was a little bit repetitive but it was fast paced and I found myself actually feeling sorry for a couple of the characters and despising the rest of them which says a lot about Leigh Bardugos storytelling considering when I read short stories I usually don't have that connection with the characters because the stories are so short. There are illustrations on every single page. They start small and as you progress through the story the illustrations are added onto ending with a full page illustration and they are all stunning. 4/5 stars

The Too-Clever Fox (28 pages) - I didn't really care much for this story. This one starts off disturbingly which I didn't care for that beginning scene at all and it was predictable to me. Like the last story it was a little repetitive and unfortunately I didn't connect with any of the characters. It was fast paced and I liked the overall message that this portrays. 2/5 stars

The Witch in Duva (37 pages) - Ok so I started writing my review for this and then I decided to sleep on it because I was so undecided on whether or not I liked it. After sleeping on it I decided that while I didn't care to read about something like this it was really well done. This story is definitely the most disturbing and gross story in the collection so far. I did find myself slightly connecting with the characters but not like I would like to which I am attributing to the length of it. I was left with some questions when I finished it, well just one question really. Just like with the other stories it is fast paced and again stunning illustrations on every page. 3.5/5 stars

Little Knife (25 pages) - I love that each of these stories have had underlying messages and this one is no different. Again though I didn't really connect with any of the characters but I think if the story would have been elaborated on I would have. It was also a little repetitive at times. 3/5 stars

The Soldier Prince (47 pages) - This was just ok to me. It doesn't really seem to fit with the other stories to me. The rest of them have all had underlying messages but this one lacks that. You can definitely tell this is a Nutcracker retelling. I read the original Nutcracker for the first time in December and I loved it but for some reason this one just doesn't do it for me. 2.5/5 stars

When Water Sang Fire (87 pages) - This was the longest story out of the 6 and it was by far my favorite out of all of them. I don't really know what to say I just loved this one. I actually connected with the main character and it was fast paced. My only complaint is that I want more. I loved the ending but I was really hoping to see some of the characters get what they deserved. (4.5 stars)

''You see, some people are born with a piece of night inside, and that hollow place can never be filled- not with all the good food or sunshine in the world.''

Leigh Bardugo is a writer that doesn't need introductions. I haven't read the Crows Duology but I enjoyed the Grisha Trilogy immensely and I knew that a short stories collection inspired by the Grisha universe would be as dark and complex as the Darkling's fascinating world. I wasn't disappointed. There are four original stories and two retellings of famous and beloved fairytales. Dark forests, sorrow, magic, ambition, love, and death. Witches, haunted towns, mermaids, mighty elements of Nature join in a dance macabre perfect for those of us who want our fairytales dark and twisted. Russian Folklore provides endless inspiration and Bardugo is a writer who knows how to make excellent use of it.

Ayama and the Thorn Wood: Two sisters, Ayama and Kima, and a misshapen boy, the son of a king. Terrible events start plaguing the citizens, results of a terrible injustice done to the child and it falls to Ayama to appease the wrath of the wronged prince. A beautiful tale that makes use of the traditional theme of the maiden who must soften the beast's heart with her stories and her kindness.

The Too-Clever Fox: A very clever fox and a mysterious girl in a haunting forest. A tale inspired by the mystical, and often violent, Russsian myths. This story will terrify you and show you the twisted, treacherous nature we all hide inside.

''There was a time when the woods near Duva ate girls.''
The Witch of Duva: If we think of dark, haunting and menacing forests, our mind should immediately wander off to the Russian landscape and the steppes with their vicious, otherworldly beauty. This is the setting of my favourite story in the collection. A dark, violent tale where the characters are far more different than they appear. A story that is worthy of five stars and a proper tale for the darkest winter nights.

''It is dangerous to travel the northern road with a heavy heart.''
Little Knife: Dark woods, sad, and an abandoned city. A girl of supernatural beauty and her suitors. An all-powerful river and a good-for-nothing boy. A tale of Ravka that echoes the traditional Russian stories of the beautiful maiden and the impossible tasks a man would accomplish to win her hand. But be careful. There is an outstanding twist that few will be able to imagine. This was my second favourite story in the collection.

''Are you mine?''
The Soldier Prince: A haunting, menacing version of The Nutcracker. A beautiful, twisted journey to a favourite tale of our childhood. Reading this story felt like Christmas...

''Kneeling there, you hear the ice moan. The wind scrapes away at you, a razor on the stop. Even so. Be still and listen. Think of it as part of the bargain.''
When Water Sang Fire: A retelling of Andersen's The Little Mermaid. Ulla and Signy. One grey and strange, the other beautiful and shallow. Ulla is a mermaid whose voice can gather storms, her temperament equally powerful. Signy is the vulnerable one, the girl who dreams of love and wealth. This version is darker and much more sensual than the original and I loved it.

Sara Kipin's illustrations are beyond beautiful. The style, the colours....they embody the essence of each story in a unique way. Enough with my boring rumblings. This collection is unique and you need it in your life.

“This is the problem with even lesser demons. They come to your doorstep in velvet coats and polished shoes. They tip their hats and smile and demonstrate good table manners. They never show you their tails.”

My reviews can also be found on:https://theopinionatedreaderblog.wordpress.com

Beautiful stories matched only by beautiful illustrations. There were many versions of stories and fairytales I did not recognize a couple that I did with satisfying and unique twists and one a prequel of sorts to a familiar story that I loved loved loved. You do not need to read the other books in the Grishaverse to enjoy this book it stands wonderfully on its own.

I would give this book all the stars I can without even reading it just for existing. Because this book is just GORGEOUS!!!!! Every story starts off with a small image in the corner which wraps around the pages as a frame as the story goes on, ending in a beautiful illustration that sums up the tale. Hats off to the idea and the colors and the art and Sara Kipin for bringing it all to life so beautifully.

I am usually not a fan of short stories but I have grown up reading the Indian fairytales and when your favorite author writes fairytale retellings, you don't ignore it. I was just happy staring at this book and wouldn't have minded even if the stories weren't great, but the writing surprised me. Because these are not your usual happy, morally superior, happily ever after type tales. They are dark and twisty and a little creepy but also more mature and realistic. They tell you that not everyone who looks like a monster, is one; adventures don't just happen to pretty girls; sometimes, the stepmother is not the only evil one in the story; you need to be wise, not just clever; and the most important one – Princes don't always save you.

I enjoyed all of them (except may be Soldier Prince which confused me a little) but my favorites were Amaya and the Thorn Wood and When Water sang Fire. The writing is just amazing as usual, the words are so lyrical and beautiful and I kept going back to reread some gems. I also enjoyed the setting of the stories in our favorite fictional universe. It's magical as usual.

And the most important part – Look for a little cameo from one of our most favorite Grishaverse character ever!!!! Ohhhh I loved it ❤️❤️❤️❤️

Really fun and deliciously dark. Perfect for avoiding news about the GOP tax bill.

This book was such an unexpected delight! Really a collection of origin stories for some of my favorite fairy tale characters, I was so drawn in to each chapter. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous.

Many of these stories I had read on Tor previously and rated them on Goodreads, but the new stories for this collection were wonderful. “The Soldier Prince” is my favourite of the lot, blending horror and fantasy, and the reimagining of “The Little Mermaid” in the world of Grisha (“When Water Sang Fire”) was great and unexpected. Leigh's writing is poetic and these feel like true folklore tales.