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    Enchanted
    Enchanted
    Enchanted
    Audiobook7 hours

    Enchanted

    Written by Alethea Kontis

    Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

    4/5

    ()

    About this audiobook

    Audie Award Nominee, Best Teens Category, 2013

    Sunday Woodcutter is the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter. Not only does that come with an enormous family, but the things she writes in her journal also have a tendency to come true. When Sunday meets a frog in the Enchanted Wood who asks about her stories, the two develop a unique and precious friendship that quickly deepens into something quite magical.

    One night, Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold—rebellious crown prince of Arilland and a man Sunday’s family despises. The prince returns to his castle and announces a royal ball, inviting every eligible young woman in the country. Rumbold hopes to make Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is and not the frog he was.

    Sunday does feel a strange, strong attraction to this prince she barely knows. But what other twisted secrets might lie hidden in his past…and hers?

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherBrilliance Audio
    Release dateMay 8, 2012
    ISBN9781469202907
    Enchanted
    Author

    Alethea Kontis

    Alethea Kontis is the author of two picture books and many short stories. Alethea was a student of science fiction greats Andre Norton and Orson Scott Card, and she has worked in a number of book-related jobs. She lives in Virginia. Visit her at www.aletheakontis.com.

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    Reviews for Enchanted

    4/5

    84 ratings48 reviews

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    • 5/5
      Wasn't sure but decided to give it a go and boy, wasn't I MOST pleasantly surprised. Couldn't stop. Am looking for more by this author.
    • 4/5
      A good solid mash-up with interesting, not stereotypical characters. Looking forward to a sequel.
    • 4/5
      Review originally published on my blog: AWordsWorth.blogspot.comI've been wanting to read this one for a while - look at that cover, and tell me you're not intrigued! - so I was very happy when it arrived at my library. (A signed edition, no less!) Sunday is the youngest of the Woodcutter children, and as the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, has quite a future ahead of her. Only, she doesn't realize it. All she knows is that what she writes comes true, and her family has had its unfair share of strange "luck." Oh, and she met an enchanted frog in the woods and fell in love - only to have him disappear the day of a horrible storm that wrought changes of untold scope on Sunday's life.We're all familiar with the story of "The Frog Prince," but Enchanted is a fun, sometimes strange, take on the story - weaving in other stories and elements that are just begging to be built upon in future novels. I fell in love with Sunday's spunk and free-ness, but the whole cast of characters is quirky and personable. Prince Rumbold is endearingly human in his post-frog incarnation, and his faithful friends are colorful persons in their own right. Enchanted ended too soon, and I dearly hope that more of the Woodcutter stories are told!
    • 4/5
      This was a really fun mash up of so many fairy tales I couldn't even keep track. A great suggestion for those who loved JDG's Princess series.
    • 4/5
      This was a strange amalgamation of several fairy tales, beginning with the frog prince. The plot skips and jumps, quite appropriately, like a frog on lily pads. You never quite know what's going to happen next. Every time I thought I knew which direction the author was taking the story, it jumped in a different direction and surprised me.
    • 4/5
      Summary: Sunday Woodcutter is the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter and a seventh son, and is supposedly destined for a life that's blithe and bonny and gay. But being the youngest in a family like hers isn't always easy. One day when Sunday is alone in the woods with her journal, she comes across a talking frog named Grumble. They quickly strike up a friendship, as listening to Sunday's stories is almost enough to make Grumble remember parts of his life before he was enchanted, and that friendship quickly turns to love. Sunday's kiss is enough to de-enchant the frog, who is really the young Prince. But Sunday doesn't witness the transformation, caught up in family worries, and all she knows is that her friend is missing. Prince Rumbold, meanwhile, is trying to reclaim his life and his memory, wondering whether Sunday will still love him, despite the bad blood between her family and his, and uncovering the dark secrets that lies at the heart of his father's kingdom.Review: This book has a lot going on. A *lot*. And all of it is good - there's no single piece that I didn't like - but the way that it all is put together leaves the final product feeling jumbled and rushed.I'll start with the things that Enchanted does well. If you love fairy tales, this is the book for you, because: it's got all of them. Seriously, all of them. Name a fairy tale, and there's probably some element of it that works its way into some aspect of Sunday's or Rumbold's life, or their families. There are fairy godmothers and missing slippers and beanstalks and enchanted swords and just about everything else you can think of. Kontis is very clever with it, and almost everything feels organic to the story, like Sunday and the rest of the woodcutters really do live in this enchanted world, and these events that seem ordinary to them maybe are the source of all of the fairy tales that leak through to our world. (Also, hah, "Enchanted" world, see what I did there? Terrible, I know, but it is an apt description.)I also really, really loved the characters. Sunday especially; she is smart and resourceful and kind and strong-willed, and yes, maybe she falls in love with Grumble a little easily, but on the one hand: it's a fairy tale, and on the other hand, she has a good idea of who she is and what she wants and is not going to put up with anyone treating her badly. And on the third hand: she isn't a damsel in distress. Even when she's in trouble, she's not relying on Rumbold to save her, and she's equally responsible for saving him or her family members when they're in trouble. As fairy tale heroines go, I liked her a lot. The other characters are equally interesting; Sunday's siblings and parents and Rumbold's friends and courtiers are all well-drawn, and add their own strengths to the story. (I particularly liked Sunday's older/younger brother, the changeling Trix, maybe because he reminded me of my younger brother.) Where things didn't quite work for me was in the way it all fit together. The basic plot of the story - girl meets frog, girl loves frog, girl loses frog, girl finds boy who was frog but who isn't telling her he was frog, complications ensue - flows well enough. But there is *so much else* going on that the story kept feeling like it was getting sidetracked. There's the fate of Sunday's eldest twin sisters, and then the past history with her oldest brother and his enchantment, and the relationships between the various fairy godmothers, and the details of Rumbold's transformation and missing memories, and then a bit with the Pirate King (who happens to be married to another of Sunday's sisters, and then Sunday's suddenly learning how to do magic, and then the ghost of Rumbold's dead mother, and then all of the freaky stuff going on with his father, and then... etc. More and more elements keep being added in as the story unrolls, and while a lot of them do come together by the end, they frequently felt like they were coming out of left field - and more than once, I glanced down at my MP3 player to make sure I hadn't accidentally skipped a track; the shifts were that abrupt. Apart from there not being cues to mark the large shifts in the story, the audio production was quite good. Katherine Kellgren is a very good narrator, although I've noticed that she has a distinct difference in her voice when she's narrating YA books (e.g. The Kane Chronicles) vs. adult fiction (e.g. Blackout/All Clear). She does a nice job with the various voices as always, making them distinguishable and not fake-growly for the men, but for the first few chapters, I was hearing her basic YA girl voice and associating it with Sadie Kane, who is a rather different character than Sunday Woodcutter, which threw me a bit. (I got used to it eventually, though.)So, overall, I definitely enjoyed this book, and there are a lot of strong elements present. Just... maybe too many strong elements, too fast, and I think the story might have benefitted from a little less complication and a little more room to breathe. But I still had enough fun with it, and liked Sunday and her family so much that I'll certainly be looking out for the sequels. 3.5 out of 5 stars.Recommendation: Between the weaving together of lots of different fairy tales, the large family with lots of sisters, and the frog prince, this book reminded me a lot of Wildwood Dancing, although I preferred Enchanted: it's warmer, and with more of a sense of humor. I think fairy tale fans should have fun with this book, despite (or maybe because of?) the feeling that occasionally Kontis was trying to cram All The Fairytales into the story.
    • 5/5
      I received this book for free through the firstreads Goodreads program =)

      Loved, loved, loved this book!! I read it all within 24 hours save 17 pages. I love how this book weaves other fairy tales in to its own plot. It's also done in such a graceful way and a way that makes sense. It seems a lot of the popular classic fairy tales find their way into this story.

      The characters are so easy to love as well. I loved Sunday. Wednesday was also a favourite of mine.

      I also must admit that during the ball scene, I had to stop and watch the video to "Love Story" by Taylor Swift as that scene reminded me so much of the video! After that, I kept picturing Sunday as Taylor Swift and Wednesday as Amy Lee (of Evanescence).

      I can not fault this book in any way, shape or form. There is nothing bad about this book except that it ended =)

      I'm hoping that there will be a second book since I loved this one so dearly!
    • 4/5
      This is a super cute story. I really love stories that are character driven and Alethea Kontis did an excellent job making me feel and relate to the characters. I thought it was an interesting idea, combining a bunch of fairy tales in one story.
    • 4/5
      Sunday is the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter - all named after days of the week. Her greatest joy comes in writing stories; however, Sunday's stories tend to come true so she only writes about things that have already happened. One day while writing, she meets an enchanted frog who listens to her stories and the two become friends. Each day as Sunday leaves him, she kisses him. One night, when she kisses him, unbeknownst to Sunday, he turns back to into the prince - the exact prince that her family hates.

      This story was chock full of sweet, sugary goodness. It was all romance and love. There was never any doubt that the prince loved Sunday and that Sunday loved him. My favorite part of the story was how the author threw nearly every fairy tale in the canon into the book. She also had lots of different, subtle differences in the fairy tales to make them fit her story. It was a very creative and sweet story.
    • 3/5
      While I loved the idea of this book (a tale set in a world of fairy tales, with a number of them intersecting), the reality is that the author got so caught up in the premise that she lost sight of the plot. Things are shoehorned in in awkward ways and leave loose ends hanging regularly. The main plot - the friendship of a girl and a frog which turns into the romance between a girl and a prince - is poorly handled and unconvincing. It's not unusual for love in fairy tales to happen in a matter of days, but this book steeped itself in enough other 'regular' emotions (there were some nice points on family especially) that it feels very, very odd. Worse, near the middle of the book the plot skitters off on a side path that could have been interesting, but ultimately ends up quite confusing. There were scenes I had to read three times, and I'm still not sure I was clear on what was going on in them. Overall, a great premise, an extremely mediocre execution.
    • 5/5
      I absolutely love the book it Felt as though I was a child listening to fairytales around the fireplace. Very creative I love the way they spun the fairytales that we all know and love. Into different versions and all-in-one story. Ones like sleeping beauty Cinderella ,Jack in the beanstalk ,Cinderella and many more.The narrator had such a beautiful Voice. She was very Talented for that when she spoke and told the stories. It was as though I was right there in the story. It was as if I was right there with the characters fighting the battles. Doing the chores walking in the woods dancing in the palace. The story was told in such great detail. I really have no complaints I wouldn't change anything about the book even if I could. The author is very talented and she has a very creative and wonderful imagination. The narrator was awesome very wonderful. I cannot wait till the next book. I shall listen to that book as soon as I can. I cannot wait to sit and disappear into the world of enchantment again.
    • 2/5
      I was really excited for this book because the description seemed so cute. It had so many problems, though...

      I can excuse the insta-love, since this is a fairytale retelling, but that doesn't make it any less dissatisfying.
      Sunday, the main character, is bonny and good, etc. But basically that's all she is, any of her sisters was a more interesting character than Sunday. The prince was a bit more interesting, but not by much.
      While the writing was ok, the plot just tried to do too much. The main plot wasn't strong or particularly convincing. This wasn't improved by every fairytale ever making an appearance. It detracted from the main plot, which wasn't compelling enough on its own to withstand this.

      Personally, I found it all very boring, but maybe this just wasn't my cup of tea, since the book is getting good ratings, so don't stop yourself from giving it a chance based on my review alone.
    • 4/5
      I'd have to start by saying that I really enjoy fairytales and fairytale retellings even more. Originally I thought that Enchanted was a retelling of the Princess and the Frog, but it is really so much more then this. It brought in a number of classic fairy tales from Princess and the Frog to Cinderella to Jack and the Beanstalk and more! — but it's much more than simply re-telling these tales. Alethea Kontis has blended them perfectly into an original and surprisingly complex story, adding in an interesting cast of characters including the entire Woodcutter family that had me hooked from the start. I loved Sunday Woodcutter! She's sweet, caring, determined and clever and both she and Rumbold (her frog prince) warmed my heart repeatedly. There was certainly a spark from the moment Sunday meets the frog in the woods but the author managed to pull it off perfectly without making it feel like overwhelming devotion! Enchanted is beautifully rendered and certainly everything you'd want in a fairy tale. Alethea Kontis, like Sunday, is a masterful storyteller, and you should definitely be prepared to smile, and often, through out the book. Jack Murphy
    • 4/5
      I've been reading a lot of YA lit over the last year, and have enjoyed, to varying degrees, everything I have picked up. I also enjoyed Enchanted. However, this is one of those titles that leans more heavily toward the young than the adult.Kontis has designed quite a mash-up of fairy tales in her story of Sunday Woodcutter. Pretty much every major fairy tale has some trope that pops up in the book. Fairy godmothers, curses, magic kisses, magic beans, foundlings, changelings, and more all come to fruition. Sometimes I felt like the author threw everything but the kitchen sink into the story. It was interesting, but to encompass so many elements it required a lot of exposition. A lot. So, the characters don't do very much until the last third of the book. Thankfully, that last third was very entertaining, but I put the book down to do other things many times until I reached it.That said, the writing shows a lot of imagination, and potential. I loved learning about Sunday's sisters, all named after the days of the week, and what made each of the special (or doomed, as the case may be!) The characters in this book are interesting. Still, at the heart of Enchanted is the love story of Sunday and her frog prince. So many obstacles are arrayed before them, deemed by fate and fairytale to keep them apart. When the characters do begin to take action, the last third of the book flew by right up to the HEA that only a true fairy tale can provide.Overall, this book was not as rich and satisfying for adults as other YA such as Daughter of Smoke and Bone, or Tempest: A Novel. However, it was enjoyable and a rare YA book that parents concerned about too many adult themes can give to their young teens without fear. 3.5 stars, recommended.
    • 4/5
      Sunday Woodcutter, the youngest in a family whose daughters are all named after days of the week, loves to write stories. She's even happier when she meets an enchanted frog in the woods who likes to listen to them. But when her kiss breaks the spell, the frog transforms into Prince Rumbold, whom her family despises. True love struggles to overcome family disputes in this clever adaptation of several fairy tales.
    • 3/5
      Recommended Readers are introduced to the Woodcutter family and their seven daughters. Sunday, the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter is the main character. Sunday likes to write stories, only what she write usually comes true. So she usually sticks to writing about the past. Sunday goes to the woods to write her stories and one day she meets and enchanted frog. Her kiss and her love transformed the frog back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland – a family that the Woodcutters do not like.This book is a mash up of several different fairy tales. It contains elements from the Frog Prince, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Princess and the Pea, Jack and the Beanstalk and Rumpelstiltskin. It can be a little overwhelming for readers to catch all the details or know where they have come from if they are not well versed in fairy tales. I did not think I would like this book, but it turned out to be surprisingly readable. It was well done in that the details made sense even though so many stories were used. The names were a little hard to keep track of because the girls were named for days of the week. But the names were clever and tied into a poem. I think this book would be appropriate for many levels of readers. Middle school students would like the fairy tale aspect, high school students would like the romance and the literary elements sprinkled throughout the book. It would work well for Literature classes on fairy tale units, to see how writers take the classic fairy tales and spin them into something more modern. It is a good example of a fantasy book. The female characters are strong. I do not think it would appeal to all readers because of the fairy tale aspect, but I would put it on a romance or good summer reads book display in the school library.
    • 4/5
      *I downloaded this title from Audiobook Sync during their summer program*Sunday Woodcutter lives in a unique family that is involved with a lot of magical nonsense. Her aunts are fairy godmothers (though, one of them is not quite good), her sisters each have a special talent or gift, and her adopted brother is part fae. So, it's not quite a surprise when she meets a human-turned-frog and develops a friendship with him. Eventually, they end up falling in love and she kisses him, not realizing that he'd turn human and that her dear friend Grumble is, in fact, Prince Rumbold. The man who the family blames for the death of Sunday's older brother -- talk about a tense situation.However, the two eventually come together to face the evil of Rumbold's seemingly ageless father and his lover, Sunday's evil fairy-godmother-aunt. They find out that not everything is as it seems in Arilland, and some events have been grossly misrepresented. In order to set things right, Sunday, her family, Rumbold, and his loyal friends come together to find out the truth about what's been going on in the kingdom for so long.I'm a sucker for fairy tales -- even more so when they're re-imagined and put together in a new way. (Just ask about my Once Upon a Time addiction.) For a fairy-tale lover like me, Enchanted is the perfect book to escape to for a little while.The first thing I noticed was that Kontis weaved some folk superstition into the fairy tale format. For example, Sunday is a seventh child of a seventh child, and that means she has a bit of extra magic in her. Though most of her family is magical, there are frequent mentions of Sunday's special magical abilities, though I'm not sure that those really played a huge part in the story. I'm hoping it'll be developed further in sequels. But I really liked this amalgamation of superstition from our world into this fairy tale world Kontis created -- for me, it made the story unique and interesting.Generally, I enjoyed the progression of this story. There are quite a few twists and turns throughout the plot, and the characters are lovely. While Sunday and Rumbold are interesting in and of themselves, I loved the minor characters and hope that we get to learn more about them. (Or maybe some of them can get their own books! I vote for Sunday's sister, Thursday!)Near the end of the middle, I scrounged for excuses to keep on listening. Everything came together so nicely, and I just needed to know what was going to happen next. I mean, what was Sunday's fairy godmother playing at? And would they save Sunday's sister from the king? And what about Sunday and Rumbold? Would they love each other again? A lot of questions, because there was a lot of drama going on. However, while I like having resolutions, the ending seemed a bit too rushed and tidy. A few things were left open to continue the series, but some things that the characters were making a huge deal about abruptly resolved themselves in an instant. Yes, this is a fairy tale retelling and those sorts of things happen in fairy tales, but I wanted a bit more build-up before getting that full resolution.As for the format, Kellgren is one of the best narrators I've ever heard. She is incredibly expressive with her voice, and I think that I would have enjoyed this story far less if I had read it in print. There were quite a few times where she said a line with a bit of irony and sarcasm that I don't think I would have caught or put into the words if I'd been reading it myself. As a result, I thought this to be a fairly funny story, and I laughed out loud quite a bit. If you have an option to listen to the audio -- do so. It is excellent.Overall, I would say this is good for light, fun reading. It's full of drama, fairy tale references, and has quite a bit of humor. I am looking forward to reading the sequel. Or, better yet, listening to it as an audiobook. I hope they've got Katherine Kellgren again!
    • 4/5
      It was a nice book
    • 5/5
      Enchanted introduces the reader to Sunday Woodcutter, a seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, who discovers and befriends a talking frog near the fairy well and begins telling him stories of her eccentric family. This family includes her rather normal father, her mother Seven, her sisters Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, her brothers Jack, Peter, and adopted brother Trix. The Woodcutter family were my favorite part of the story and I would love to read more of their adventures!

      I LOVED everything about this book. Enchanted is an enchanting blend of many popular fairy tales into one whimsical feel-good story. It is sweet and charming without being syrupy. There is a bit in the middle where I got a little confused with how the story was jumping around, but all loose ends were tied up at the end.

      This is the perfect story for anyone who enjoys fairy tales or for something light and fun to read in between reading a "heavier" series.
    • 3/5
      There were moments in the book that intrigued me, but it seemed to drag on a bit. I ended up skimming the last quarter of the book just to finish it. I wanted to really like it, but I just couldn't. It does intrigue me enough that I want to read the second book, to read about Saturday's story. We will see if I like that any better.
    • 5/5
      I have read a lot of books based on fairy tales, and a good handful that tries to combine fairy tales, but none have completely hit the mark as well as Kontis. Enchanted is a fun and adorable read for any fairy tale lover, young or old.
    • 5/5
      Enchanted introduces the reader to Sunday Woodcutter, a seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, who discovers and befriends a talking frog near the fairy well and begins telling him stories of her eccentric family. This family includes her rather normal father, her mother Seven, her sisters Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, her brothers Jack, Peter, and adopted brother Trix. The Woodcutter family were my favorite part of the story and I would love to read more of their adventures!

      I LOVED everything about this book. Enchanted is an enchanting blend of many popular fairy tales into one whimsical feel-good story. It is sweet and charming without being syrupy. There is a bit in the middle where I got a little confused with how the story was jumping around, but all loose ends were tied up at the end.

      This is the perfect story for anyone who enjoys fairy tales or for something light and fun to read in between reading a "heavier" series.
    • 3/5
      I, like my fellow reviewers, found this book to be a pastiche of fairy tales, with plots taken haphazardly from one and inserted into another. At times it felt as though the author had to meet some sort of allusion quota, or that I were playing a 'Name that Tale!' game. But unlike my fellow reviewers, I was not captivated by this novel. The premise is simple: girl meets frog, girl kisses frog, frog becomes prince, prince loves girl, girl rejects prince. The story just didn't get more complex than that.Robin McKinley has proven that it's possible to take a classic fairy story and give it mature, nuanced substance. I found the substance lacking in this novel. Too whimsical? Maybe. I like my fairy tales with a slightly darker edge. If, however, you're looking for a cute, mood lifting tale to occupy an afternoon, Enchanted may be just what you're looking for.
    • 4/5
      Loved this one. Great reimagining of fairy tales, especially how they are all interconnected. I'm looking forward to future books in this series; I'm fully expecting Rapunzel to have a more central role (did you spot her in this one?). I hope to hear Saturday's story soon too.
    • 5/5
      I'm a sucker for good, old-fashioned fairy tales. Always have been. Therefore, when I read modern takes on fairy tales, I'm extra critical. Probably the most important thing with a fairy tale isn't the setting or even the magic--it's that voice, a childlike feeling of wonder that accepts the extraordinary as it is.Enchanted absolutely nails this. And the setting. And the magic. The entire book feels cozy and endearing. It's YA, the sort of YA that's perfect for anyone 11 and up who loves a solid, nostalgic fairy tale.Sunday is a relatable heroine, the youngest of a full brood of siblings. Within the first few pages, she encounters a talking frog. She takes this quite in stride. This frog is, of course, a prince under enchantment. She and the prince have an incredible chemistry. I wouldn't call this a romance book, though their attraction is vital to the story, but wow, is it a lovely romance. Again, it feels cozy and just plain RIGHT. It's probably the best chemistry I've encountered in a YA book in a while.Rumbold, the prince, has a dark past. Living as a frog isn't easy, but even before that time he didn't have an easy life--which was partly his own doing, and that is something he must come to accept. Too often, it feels like the woman in the romance is the one who must change or adapt while the guy is hunky and perfect and if he has a dark past, that's just part of the twisted allure. Not so here. They both mature a great deal, which also allows them to grow together.The supporting cast sparkles with life. Sunday's family is unique, and sometimes a tad confusing because of the sheer number of characters, but since they are all distinct individuals, it becomes clear soon enough. Many, many fairy tales are woven into this single novel, and to name them all would spoil things. Sunday's family alone is a tangled knot of fairy tale references, and part of the fun is noticing the references and how they come together in entirely unexpected ways.I did receive this book for free as part of my 2012 Hugo and Nebula Award reading, but this is one I absolutely want to buy and share. It's just that good. I will definitely read the next books in the series as they come out.
    • 4/5
      the frog prince and every other fairy tale for a long while- jack and the beanstalk, cinderella, sleeping beauty, snow white, etc. all seemlessly melded into a glorious new tale.
    • 4/5
      Interesting mix of fairytale lore all in one place. I started to anticipate what would happen next based on the characters introduced. Fun, quick read for those fans of any of the fairytale spin-offs like The Princess and the Hound; Sun and Moon, Ice and Snow; The Goose Girl; Princess of Glass; and Entwined.
    • 3/5
      Due to copy and paste, formatting has been lost.I honestly think that I may have waited a bit too long to review Enchanted, but hey. Whatever, right? Anywho, when Enchanted started off, I was really excited about it! Another fairytale retelling, woohoo! But then, well, it became another fairytale retelling. Which...wasn't all that awesome, although this was still an enjoyable story. I liked the take on most fairytales being linked to the same family (they have all kinds linked to them. You don't even know), but I felt like everyone else was most of the story.There was way too many unneeded details, like how stylish and fancy and whatever some random person's dress was, as well as the fact that the evil godmother that cursed so-and-so was the good godmother's sister who was related to Sunday's mom who was a magical person in her own right...it's like, I don't know. I just felt like I didn't need all of those little connections. It was neat, sure. But it overpowered the story in it's own right.It almost crossed the line into way weird, but I think it strayed back enough to be alright. But you'd think after all the connections of the fairytales...well, that the story of Sunday and Rumbold would have been cooler. And it was okay, I just...I felt like there was no real reason for it. What use is it finding your soulmate (after losing him) if you don't even recognize his personality/soul? I don't understand, you know?I liked the spin, and the alternating points of view, but I think that the premise and overall execution could have been better. But it did have a nice, peaceful, resolved ending.
    • 5/5
      I have been wanting to read this book for a while now. This was an extremely fun read. It twists a number of fairy tales in a way that is fun, heartfelt, and clever. I thoroughly enjoyed it. The second book in this series will be titled, Hero, and is expected to release in October of 2013. I listened to this on audiobook and the audiobook was very well done. They voices were all very distinct and portray emotion well. My only complaint would be that some of the female voices were a bit shrill. The narrator has a wonderful English accent that suits the story well.Sunday is the youngest of seven daughters all named for days of the week and all cursed to characterize the epitome of their weekday name (Monday’s child is fair of face...you know that old poem). However Sunday is unhappy and her only refuge is stories. One day she meets a frog in the forest named Grumbold; they become friends, swap stories, and fall in love. Sunday kisses him but nothing happens...until the next morning when, unknown to Sunday, Grumbold turns into Prince Rumbold...who just happens to be a dreaded enemy of Sunday’s family. As you can imagine hilarious antics ensue.Sunday was an excellent character. She is a bit dreamy, but still fun and feisty. All of her sisters have very distinct personalities. The family dynamic was very interesting to read about and I enjoyed it.Rumbold was an interesting character because he is missing a lot of his memory for most of the story. As a result he gets to start life afresh without any of the baggage people normally accumulate as they grow up. It’s an interesting idea and thought-provoking...who would you be if you didn’t have any of your previous life experiences to shape you?What makes this book really fun though is how cleverly all the different fairy tales are tied together. There are references to numerous fairy tales woven in here and it is fun to try to spot them and place them. This book has references to The Princess and the Frog, Jack and the Beanstalk, the Twelve Dancing Princesses, and many many more. I absolutely love fairy tales and really enjoyed seeing them all twisted together like this.Overall this was a wonderfully fun read, I really enjoyed it. The characters are easy to engage with and very sweet, the plot is well done, and I loved how many different fairy tales are twisted into the mix. Highly recommended to fans of fairy tale retellings...this was just such a fun read! I can’t wait to see what Hero will be like!
    • 5/5
      I do love my fairy-tale stories and when I come across a retelling of not one fairy-tale, but a few of my favorites all entwined into one book - it is a must read for me! And because of that, I am going to have high expectations for it - and I'm happy to say, Alethea Kontis delivered an exceptional and enticing whimsical tale that swept me off my feet! For me, this story flowed quickly and beautifully... I really enjoyed the way Kontis was able to string so many fairy-tales together... The Frog Prince, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Peter Pan, Jack and the Beanstalk... while keeping the story going with what I would traditionally expect - the lessons to be learned, unforgettable characters, good versus evil and the innocence of true love.I loved all of the characters, even the 'evil' ones, lol! Their descriptions and personalities all shined through enough to make them individually memorable - and that was so important being that there were so many to keep track of. I applaud Kontis for being able to pull this off.Sunday is the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, which means, that she will possess great magical powers and destined for many good things. She is the youngest of 10 in the Woodcutter family, who loves to write stories, but limits herself to only writing about her family in fear of writing new stories that eventually come true... Sunday befriends Grumble, The Frog, and her three kisses turns him back into a man, Prince Rumbold. Unbeknownst to Sunday, the Prince returns home to gather his strength and creates a plan to meet Sunday again, and have her fall in love with him for his true self. And the quest begins with balls, fairy godmothers and dark magic.It does help if you are familiar with the more popular original tales. And even though the ending is somewhat predictable, it did not keep me from reading this book in one night.If you truly believe in fairy-tales, this is definitely a book for you!