Dark Fairy Tales: A Midnight Dynasty Anthology

Here's my rating for all the short stories:King Midas by Skye Warren - 🌟🌟🌟🌟Rumpelstiltskin by Celia Aaron - 🌟🌟🌟🌟American Witch by Sierra Simone - 🌟🌟🌟🌟King Thrushbeard by Cora Reilly - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Jack and the beanstalk by Marley Valentine - 🌟🌟🌟Beauty and the beast by Willow Winters - 🌟🌟🌟.5The Swan Maiden by Natasha Knight - 🌟🌟🌟🌟.5Danger's First Kiss by Aleatha Romig - 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Red and the Wolf by Karina Halle - 🌟🌟🌟.5The Ugly Duckling CJ Roberts - 🌟🌟 (Not my genre)The Fairest by TM Frazier - 🌟🌟🌟🌟

I voluntarily read advance review copy of this bookBEAUTY AND THE BEAST BY WILLOW WINTERS!This entire series is a modern-day fairytale retelling using the characters from Author’s existing world. All of these are short stories, taking place in and around Fancy gala.I read Beauty and the beast by Willow winters. As usual writing style by Willow is wonderful. It’s so short that, the thirst for it will not quench in any way. Looking at the name you can guess the story.In the short time that we experience the characters, they develop a sexy relationship that has you wanting more. The chemistry is intense and the setting is mysterious. I would have wished more for stronger plot and stronger character development. It's nice simple short story. This dark fairy tale is only one of many that can be found in the Dark Fairy Tales anthology.

I Love this anthology so much...The plot was original but with a hint of uniquenes😍..All the romance short stories were to die for...each story will keep you wanting for more...All the authors have done it again...Thank god I gave this book a chance...some stories had so much twist that I was in awe how this plot could be included in a short story!!I highly recommend this book to all dark gritty romance lovers who are looking for innocent fairy tales retelling turn into hot panty melting dark delicious romance...

To say this one surprised me was an understatement 😳 I picked it up, free on Kindle. It was the gorgeous cover that first reeled me in. I imagined it to be an adult (dark, because that’s what it’s called) retelling of fairy tales. I hadn’t heard of any of the contributing authors so I didn’t know what to expect.It WASN’T what I expected. It is indeed an adult retelling, but an erotic one. I thought there’d be adult themes of course but I didn’t think it would be so sexual.The premise was good; each story features a different set of characters heading to the same masquerade ball - a sweet sixteen party. It’s inappropriate how much overt sex is being had at this birthday bash, for starters, so that made no sense. But it was interesting how each story tied into a bigger picture.I didn’t finish this one; I won’t lie. I read three of the eleven stories and gave up. I couldn’t get on board with the themes - they bordered on inappropriate; many of the stories featuring a woman being abused. Blackmail, rape, blood fetish... it just wasn’t my thing at all. Nowhere in the synopsis was this mentioned, otherwise I’d have given it a miss. It’s a collection of stories that caters to a very specific taste, I suppose.

I’m not usually a huge fan of anthologies but when I read the list of contributing authors to Dark Fairy Tales and saw that some of my favourite writers had taken part I couldn’t resist buying this book and I absolutely loved it. It’s like a box of chocolates filled with all of my favourites soft centres and none of the nasty coffee creams. The stories themselves are all based on the more popular fairy tales and have been given a modern day dark slant that will have Walt Disney spinning in his grave and will leave readers hungry for more. My one complaint would be that there isn’t a second layer to this box of delights but here’s hoping these authors all intend to expand their novellas into full length novels.One of my favourite stories in the collection has to be Willow Winter’s retelling of Beauty and the Beast. A story of obsession and desire. Calum has lusted after Belle from afar and now he finally has her father right where he wants him leaving Belle in the position of having to submit to Calum’s whims, whatever they might be, or see her father lose everything. I can’t wait to see if Ms Winters expands on this brief story. I’d love to find out more about how Calum became the eponymous beast of the title.

Popsugar Challenge 2020 - An anthologyEleven short stories all tied together by the same masked ball.My highlights:I really liked Princess and the Pea and how that tackled not only switching but how it feels as a strong independent woman to be a sub and those internal feelings of guilt that you are letting down the sisterhood and overcoming them.Jack and the Beanstalk is the best male male sex scene ever, the steam factor was through the roof.Snow White, forever the best hostage scene! Really enjoyed this one.King Midas by Skye Warren - 3/5Rumpelstiltskin by Celia Aaron - 3.5/5The Princess and the Pea by Sierra Simone - 4/5Little Red Riding Hood by Karina Halle - 3/5The Ugly Duckling by CJ Roberts - 2/5Beauty and the Beast by Willow Winters - 3/5Jack and the Beanstalk by Market Valentine - 4/5King Thrushbeard by Cora Reilly - 3/5The Swan Princess by Natasha Knight - 3/5Cinderella by Aleatha Romig - 3/5Snow White by T.M. Frazier - 4/5

Dark fairytales by some of my favourite authors. Sounds perfect!!I've only read one story so far, but can't wait to read more. If this one is anything to go by, this anthology will be amazing!-The Swan Princess by Natasha Knight:What a wonderful introduction to Lucia and Salvatore's story. Based on the fairytale of the same name, it's not long, I read it in one sitting but I couldn't stop turning the pages, I loved it.For those who have already read Natasha's book Salvatore, their full length story, I'm sure you'll love this little extra to their backstory. To my shame (as I am a big fan of this author), I haven't read it yet but it has certainly inspired me to go and read it asap and find out if their story follows the fairytale or if they make their own ending.I loved the feel to both these characters. Lucia is the trapped princess but she obviously has a feisty, rebellious streak and I suspect isn't going to go down meekly. Her comparison to the Swan Princess seems perfect! Salvatore is the mafia villain but I really liked him, I'm sure there is a lot of darkness to his character but I'm excited to find how much light is layered in.Rating 5 stars

A very solid anthology from some surprising authors. It's exactly what it says on the tin. Dark reimagings of well known fairy tales all set around this one masquerade ball. Very impressive. Thanks to Valentine PR and the authors for providing me with an ARC to review. My review is unbiased.Snow White by T.M Frazier 5* I really enjoyed this. Tied for favourite story in the whole anthology. A very different story to what I usually read from this author, but no less..dark. Would love to see this or something similar in a full length.The Swan Princess by Natasha Knight. 3* I enjoyed this a lot. Really teasing look into one of her mafia series that's going straight onto my TBR.King Thrushbeard by Cora Reilly 3* A fun little quick novella about deception and a family in need of a marriage for their daughter. Not what I usually get from Ms. Reilly but pleasant enough"Beauty And The Beast by Willow Winters 4* This is the kind of dark and sexy story I've come to expect with this author and it was a wise choice for her to take on this tale."Little Red Riding Hood by Karina Halle 4* Karina got a lot darker than I was expecting with this. I didn't hate it."The Princess And The Pea by Sierra Simone 5* So much steam. It's nice to hear from side characters in the New Camelot world. I wasn't sure how she would work The Princess And The Pea but..yeah it works."King Midas by Skye Warren 4* Hot little tale of riches and longing."