The Storyteller's Daughter by Cameron Dokey

Read a synopsis here!
Number of pages: 218
Out of all the OUT books that I've read, this is my least favorite. It wasn't as predictable as the others but it was so confusing in the beginning!
The character names confused me so I didn't know who was who, and it wasn't until the end of the story that I started recognizing which character was which, when they were talked about. I also was confused by the line of events. Other stories are interwoven into some chapters and that really confused me because I wasn't sure what was real life and what wasn't for the first few stories.
It was a good book, but I think at least a character list would have really helped me out a lot. This is a retelling of The Arabian Knights or A Thousand and One Nights and I've never read that, so that could be why it was so confusing but still. It's never pleasant to not understand what's going on in a story.
I won't be giving this book a Paige-Turn but I might later if I go back and read it at a later date.
See you soon!
-Paige

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Snow by Tracy Lynn

Read a synopsis here!
Number of pages: 259
I thought I had done a review on this book, but apparently I didn't! Probably because I read this before I started this blog.
This was the first Once Upon a Time retelling book that I read, and as you might have been able to tell from the title, it's a retelling of Snow White and the Seven Dwarf's.
This is most likely my favorite OUT (Once Upon a Time) retelling. Maybe it because it was the first I had read? I'm not sure but no matter this was so good!
The story doesn't have the 7 dwarf's in it, but she does eventually meet up with a band of small animal/human crossbreeds. However, there is of course the evil witch, just like in any classic retelling.
The twist that was given for this fairy tale was really interesting! I just love how the stories don't ruin the originals either. That's what I was most afraid of when I started reading the OUT series, but that doesn't happen at all!
Of course, I give this a Paige-Turn and I can't wait to start reading more of these!
See you soon!
-Paige

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The Rose Bride by Nancy Holder

Read a synopsis here!
Number of pages: 245
This is the fourth book I've read in the Once Upon a Time retelling series and it was just as good as the other one's I've read! This is the retelling of "The White Bride and the Black Bride" and I had actually never heard of that fairy tale so I looked it up here. This retelling wasn't as predictable as the other stories that I've read, especially near the end. I was really surprised about that and it could have to do with the fact that this is a lesser known fairy tale so many people may not know the outcome.
The way that this book is written is so beautiful. The description of all the flowing dresses and beautiful roses is just amazing. It really sucks you into the story and makes you feel like you're there.
Some of the characters also speak sporadic French throughout the story. You may have to look up some words or phrases (I did not because I've taken 2 French classes!) The words are really basic though, like please, thank you, bonjour, and the like.
Overall a great read! I wholeheartedly give this a Paige-Turn and I can't wait to start reading more of the series!!
See you soon!
-Paige

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The Night Dance by Suzanne Weyn

Read a synopsis here!
How much it cost me: Around $2-$3 (bought at used bookstore)
Retail price: $6.00
Number of pages: 193
So I realized today that unless you read my synopsis link you have no idea what I'm talking about sometimes, when I do these reviews. So just a warning! Please read the synopsis to further understand what I'm talking about! (And that site that it always takes you to for the synopsis' is wonderful! Search any author/book and it will give you all the books in order for that series and all the books the author has written. Love it!)
Anyways, as of all the books that I've read in the Once Upon a Time series, I LOVED this one! This specific one was a retelling of the Twelve Dancing Princesses. I've never read or heard of the Twelve Dancing Princess so I had to Google the story and I found a quick synopsis, so that I could understand The Night Dance better.)
The story itself was predictable but it's a fairy tale! The story was so cute, I loved everything about it and the way Suzanne Weyn described everything was so eloquent! I could see the dresses and walk the halls of the expansive manor. Just beautifully written!
It's a fairly (no pun intended) short read, so if you love fairy tales I would definitely check this out. Really fun read too!
Hope you enjoyed!
-Paige

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The Crimson Thread by Suzanne Weyn

Read a synopsis here!
How much it cost me: $3.50 (bought at used bookstore!)
Retail price: $7.00
Number of pages: 207
I think this is my favorite book in the Once Upon a Time series, but I can't totally confirm that because this is only the second one I've ever read! (My first one was Snow by Tracy Lynn and that one was really good too! Here's a whole list of the series.) I plowed through this one in only a few hours because it was such easy reading and the story was so captivating.
I really felt for the characters and all the hardships they went through. It was very sad at times to read about how they had to live their lives. (Most of the characters were Irish immigrants who had just come to America in search for the "American Dream") I guess I had to relate to them though because my great great grandparents were Irish immigrants too.
Anyways, the setting, characters, and plot were all so well developed! I could actually see and feel 19th century America and there were a lot of characters that I loved to hate too. The ending of this book (the last 20 or so pages) were by far my favorite. I love how the story flowed together at the end and concluded. It was very....I'm speechless! Read it and tell me what you think! :)
Overall, I would give this book a Paige-Turn and I can't wait to read the next Once Upon a Time book that I bought! (The Night Dance by Suzanne Weyn; I'm reading it right now so expect a review soon!)
Hope you enjoyed!
-Paige

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