“Feminist fairytales, timeless stories.”Meet a horse that tells only lies, wolves who speak of curses, and a magical raven who utters riddles.“A Dash of Magic, and a Hint of Wicked.”From the landscapes of medieval castles, modern skyscrapers, and Regency ballrooms, this short story collection features strong female leads and women saving themselves. “A literary glass of bourbon after a long day.”… themselves.
“A literary glass of bourbon after a long day.”
A powerful debut book by Byrd Nash.
WARNING: This collection draws upon the original fairytale source material and is Grimm-esque. It will not be suitable for all readers.
THE FAIRYTALE SHORT STORIES
The Wicked Wolves of Windsor
“I’m not going to eat you,” said the wolf as he kept pace with the bicycle. “I only want to talk.”
Between the wicked wolves of the Wild Hunt and her violent father, Doireann needs all of her wits to survive. A dark retelling of Red Riding Hood in a magical fantasy England, post WWI.
The Queen’s Favorite
Feeling the rough scaliness of his hand, the queen could only whisper, “The witch lies, sire. Who knows what mischief she wanted to cause between us?”
Queen Elaine and her talking horse must speak the truth to free themselves from a monster. An empowering tale of surviving domestic violence set in a medieval landscape.
A Society of Heartless Women
Murder, betrayal, and revenge is in fashion in this Jane Austen horror satire set in Regency Bath, England.
Granny Starseed
Between drownings and gunfire, when will granny leave? A hippy witch and her talking raven upset the lives of her family when she comes to visit their suburban home.
Milking Time
A magical fantasy set in Regency England, where a not-so-ordinary farm girl duels a sorcerer.
The Prince Learns a Lesson
A graduate student is given an impossible task: transform a spoiled prince within three days. A contemporary magical fairytale.
more
Book Review by Pauline Reid The Wicked Wolves of Windsor by Byrd Nash
Synopsis/Blurb
Explore fairytales with a twist in these magical stories featuring strong women.
Meet a talking horse that tells only lies and a magical raven who speaks in riddles. Find powerful witches, cursed wolves, and fae changelings in medieval castles, modern skyscrapers, and Regency ballrooms in this short story collection.
My Thoughts
I was quite intrigued by the short story titles in this book. Eight short stories in all. Milking Time. The Wicked Wolves of Windsor. The Queens favourite. The Prince learns a lesson. A Society Òf Heartless Women.
Granny Starseed.
Although these were short stories, some were a lengthy size. Now these retellings of fairy tales are not suitable for children/YA but are written more for an adult audience. Some I didn’t really get and I asked myself, what was that all about and others I thought, yes, the meaning and morals stand true. I really liked, The Prince Learns A Lesson, but probably the most I felt drawn to was Granny Starseed, her eccentric nature, her ability to be just herself, and so she should be, given that she’s a Granny, if she hasn’t learnt to be herself at her ripe old age, then there is no hope for her at all.
Quotes I enjoyed
“I’ve got some pretty good chocolate chip cookies at my place,” his grandmother said.”
Why did I chose this one? Yes, I know, I was particularly very hungry when reading at this particular time, so I guess it took my fancy, but not only that, but these chocolate chip cookies, bickies, as we call them in New Zealand were very special, in the story they could do stuff that I’ve never seen bickies do before … but watch your teeth, they can become hard as rocks!
And another I enjoyed
“Mara, the raven, hopped onto the back head rest and investigated each of the packages until Bab pulled out a package of sunflower seeds to stop his nosy behavior.”
Why did I chose this one?
Well come on, what’s not to like about sunflowers and birds (so sorry, no raven emoji, an eagle will have to do).
Star Rating 4 stars
Recommendation
If you want a retelling of favourite fairytales this one is for you, it has horses, witches, roses, medieval castles, wolves, and even an eccentric lady that’s very wise and has some very interesting things to say. If short stories are for you, this would be a good one to read, although some of these stories are longer than your average lunch time break and lastly if you like morals to your stories these are good ones.
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The Wicked Wolves of Windsor and other fairytales by Byrd Nash is a wonderful set of fairytales that I have fallen in ove reading very much. This wonderful set of fairytales was writen by a brand new author for me to read. I highly recommend this wonderfu set of fairytales to everyone who loves reading about fantasy.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I am not usually a big fan of anthologies since I prefer to read a long story or even a whole book series but I make an exception with fairy tales. u2063u2063
I love original fairy tales as much as fairy tales retellings and Byrd Nash is an incredible story-teller. She captured the essence and core of traditional fairy tales and gave them a unique, modern twist. The Grimm Brothers would give this book thumbs up! I loved the elements of feminism, eerie mood, ominous and joyful moments, and a few deeply disturbing scenes that added a shocking twist to the stories. I really liked that the stories were not diluted which helped to keep the core authentic since most original fairy tales have a hefty dose of violence and beauty along with some valuable lessons. u2063u2063
This book would read just as well in a medieval tavern over a pint of ale and a rustic apple pie, as it would over a pumpkin latte in a modern Starbucks. u2063u2063
It managed to surpass my high expectations
This book had such a classic feel to it! It was refreshing. A definite must read for those who love classic fairytales with real morals.
Remarkably crafted fairy tales that I could read over and over again. It is impossible to pick a favorite. And the language, the tone, the style was beautiful. So grim tale-esque.
This is one of the best collections of retellings I’ve ever read. Nash offers diversity of culture and brilliant twists to well-known tales. I loved every single one.
The Wicked Wolves of Windsor: and other fairytales
By Byrd Nash
5 out of 5 stars
I loved reading this book of stories. The Wicked Wolves of Windsor: and other fairytales by Byrd Nash have interesting characters and intriguing storylines. They pulled me in, and I found myself not wanting to put this book down until I had read the last page. These are stories that include magic, witches, a sorcerer, and other magical beings that make these stories exciting and had me wondering what was going to happen next. The endings to some of these stories had me with my mouth open. I loved that there are strong women featured. The author writes in such a way that I felt I was right there surrounded by the characters. This is a book of fantasy stories that you don’t want to miss out on. I would highly recommend reading them.
Amazingly Unique Fairytales!
The author has spun six amazingly unique fairytales that belong on the shelf next to the classics. Readers will love the language and use of storytelling that each short story possesses. Truly captivating and fun.
Read May 24, 2019
The wicked wolves of Windsor: And other fairy tails By Byrd Nash
“I’m not going to eat you,” said the wolf as he kept pace with the bicycle. “I only want to talk.”
Between the wicked wolves of the Wild Hunt and her violent father, Doireann needs all of her wits to survive. A dark retelling of Red Riding Hood in a magical fantasy England, post-WWI.
Are you a fairytale lover? This is a great book for you. This is my first time reading this author and I’m hooked. I love fairytales always have so naturally I was intrigued to read this. Great writing style and great storytelling throughout the pages of this book. I look forward to reading more short stories and Fairytales from the Author.
The Wicked Wolves of Windsor by Byrd Nash is the exactly the book that all fairy-tale lovers need. It’s a wonderful modern twist that makes you still feel nostalgia for the tales of old. Byrd Nash crafted these fairy-tales into a masterpiece, that you can no doubt read more than one time. So, if you love fairy-tales, do yourself a favor and read this book! You will not be disappointed!
This is a first for me, I’m never taken a interest in short stories before, boy am I glad a took a chance. A brilliant twist on old tales will keep you gripped throughout. Reading this book took me back to my childhood, with magic and fairytales what more does a girl need? The female heroines were a delight. I throughly enjoyed some of the the tales were set modern time and would highly recommended The Wicked Wolves Of Windsor to anyone who love’s fairytales/folktale. I would say my favourite short was “Milking Time” Such a fun read!
The Wicked Wolves of Windsor: and other fairytales by Byrd Nash
4 of 5 Stars
This is a book containing eight separate stories, each one a modern day fairytale. Described as, “Feminist fairytales, timeless stories” and “A Dash of Magic, and a Hint of Wicked”.
I enjoyed this collection of short stories, each story is completely different to the others but they all have a strong female lead and feature a women who is intent on saving herself. The stories include, a pack of wolves who are not what they seem, a talking horse who lies, a humble milkmaid who is a stunning sorceress and a king who is a bit reptilian in nature. My favourite story was, the third one in the book, ‘The Queens Favourite’, the title story, ‘The Wicked Wolves of Windsor’, was also a favourite.
Each story by Byrd Nash is well written with an exciting and unpredictable storyline and although these are short stories they all have a plot and a satisfactory ending, which often left me speechless. Nash, herself calls this book a “collection of fantasy fairytales”, and they do not disappoint.
This book caught me by a pleasant surprise. I did know that it had a dark twist to the fairy tales, so I assumed it to be more in the lines of the movie Snow white or Maleficent, where the plot is given a dark twist and the characters are made more intense. I was prepared to see Little Red Riding hood taking on the wolves bare handed or may be turn evil trying to kill her own grandmother and the good wolf comes to the old lady’s rescue. But what I did not expect is that this book is actually a series of unique fairy tales with a slightly dark twist. The novelty of the stories took me by surprise. There are witches, wolves, ravens, unicorns, knights and princes, each of them unique, though you can remotely relate them to some fairy tale characters you knew. This book is a real gem with some brilliant authentic fairy tales. There is no grandeur, but a dash of authenticity and simplicity in them which makes it so endearing.
A girl tending to a farm is actually a beautiful witch suppressed by her step mother, a fair queen seeks justice from her evil husband, the fierce king with an aid of a beautiful horse which talks to her, and a faithful knight who believes in her. A witch teaches a vain prince few good principles in life in her own way.
The book is mainly set in the regency era, except one story which is set in the more modern timeframe. The settings change from a farm to deep woods to a quaint town to a city so deftly that the reader is unaware of the switch from the fairy tale to the modern world. The characters do have a dash of “wickedness” and “darkness” in them, but when I finished one story to move on to another, I always did with a smile and content of a reader who’s just relished a good “dark” fairy tale.
I loved this book and would whole heartedly recommend to anyone to read. Kudos to the author and looking forward for more!!
Byrd Nash does it again with these wonderful fairy tales, managing to do a mixture of modern, fantasy and medieval with such ease it’s truly a great joy to read. With each of these stories we have a female Heroine who solve their own issues, or other characters issues, which is such a fresh new perspective especially with Fairy Tales.
The retelling of Little Red Riding Hood with a twist, a Queen with her lying horse, a hippy Witch upsetting her Urban living family and many more, each of these stories have such different interesting plots behind them and plot twists that you wouldn’t expect you can’t help but keep turning to the pages and reading on to find out what happens.
Each story is so different and fascinating but with the edge of having no links to one another so as a reader you have no idea what is coming next. Nash’s continuous way of writing in the passive and melodic narrative just helps link all the text together in a beautiful flowing Fairy Tale book. As with all Fairy Tales there is a moral aspect to each story, but these are hidden and flow so well that you don’t realise the moral is being taught to you until you have finished the short story and suddenly see it. To me this is a mark of an excellent writer.
Byrd Nash has managed to blur the lines between fantasy and modern so excellently you don’t even question the fact that you are reading about Fae’s, Witches and talking animals in an urban setting. She takes you on a different journey with each short story, and they are stories suitable for all age ranges. I believe everyone can find something enjoyable abut these stories; whether it’s the touch of humour, the meanings behind the stories or simply just for an enjoyable read there is something here for everyone. And I personally enjoyed it immensely.
I always love reading fairy tales and I especially love reading reimagined favorites. Nash does a beautiful job holding true to favorite themes and weaving in threads of fantasy. The imagery was vivid and the stories were simply magical. I get transported into each tale and enjoyed reading this book immensely!
The Wicked Wolves of Windsor by Byrd Nash is a book with multiple small stories retelling fairy tales. With a twist. I really like the authors imagination using fairy tales as her muse and twisting it into short stories of her own. This book is a well written piece of work with equal amounts entertainment and mystery.
In each story Byrd Nash brings her characters to life in different points of fantasy history. Very strong and independent female lead characters are showcased in each short story.
Of this fun collection of creative and witty short stories, the one I enjoyed the most was The Queen’s Favorite. This empowering story about a queen taking a stand and getting away from an abusing relationship. With an added bonus, a talking animal to bring the fantasy portion of this story full circle.
I was really impressed with this book. A new twist to old stories. I would recommend this book for women who enjoy strong willed protagonist in a paranormal setting during multiple different points of history.
The Wicked Wolves of Windsor: and other fairytales by Byrd Nash is a delightful collection of fairytales in a Grimm style of storytelling. These are not Disney versions of tales, but original stories ranging from Medieval times to modern-day settings. I honestly do not normally grab short stories but the title and premise intrigued me. I always loved Grimm’s when I was young and this is in the same vein but modernized. The stories are vivid and fun while still having the layer of being precautionary to the reader. I am really glad to have grabbed this book and will be looking for more from Byrd Nash in the future.
The Wicked Wolves of Windsor: and other fairytales by Byrd Nash
5-Stars
The Wicked Wolves of Windsor: and other fairytales by Byrd Nash was a wonderful collection of various stories. I loved how each one was creative and entertaining. I could not stop reading them. In loved the characters and scenery of each story. They were fun. My favorite stories were, “The Queens’s Favorite” and “Granny Starseed.” Both were magnificent and interesting. I loved the horse Malika in The Queen’s Favorite. It had a somewhat sad ending but was very enjoyable. Granny Starseed was funny and romantic. I highly recommend this book and I look forward to reading more from this author.
The Wicked Wolves of Windsor by Byrd Nash is a collection of 6 fairytales which are interesting and original- they have all the traditional flavour of the classics, but with a modern twist. It is a very quick and easy read. My favourite was Granny Starseed.
The collection contains:
-Milking Time
-The Wicked Wolves of Windsor
-The Queens Favorite
-The Prince Learns a Lesson
-A Society of Heartless Women
-Granny Starseed
A great little fantasy read- full of adventure, action, drama, quirky characters, and more.
Thank you, Byrd Nash!