A retelling of Sleeping Beauty

This is such a spectacular book. A retelling of Sleeping Beauty it may be, it is quite different, sort of. I liked the personality of Aurore, the princess, and Oswald, her cousin. I may not be seeing Oswald, but for me, he is simply gorgeous and deep down, a loving lad.

When I was nearing in the conclusion of the tale, I was expecting this and that to happen, but mostly, it didn't. Indeed, I tell you: It's unpredictable and very surprising. But, of course, I liked the ending better than what I was supposing to happen. I was like, "I haven’t thought of that."

In addition, though this is a retelling, it's still one of those books that made me wish I had written it.

“Undeniably unique and enchanting. This book is worth a read.”

Ever

Have you read the said book by the Newbery Honor author Gail Carson Levine?

It's simply unique and spectacular, not to mention, enchanting. Levine said that she based it in ancient Mesopotamia - the cradle of civilization. So, basically, the right and proper word or genre for the book is Historical Fantasy.

Historical, because, as I've mentioned, it was loosely rooted from ancient Mesopotamia in terms of: The gods, the underworld, the city, et cetera. Fantasy, because of the very presence of the gods. Yes, that’s it: gods.

It was written in present tense, in the first-person point of view of the two main protagonists, Olus and Kezi. (Alternate narration per chapter.)

Olus is the Akkan god of the wind while Kezi is a mortal and a dancer. And unfortunately and tragically, Kezi has only a month left to live and spend time with the persons she loves, particularly, her family.

Then, out of her realm of knowledge and expectation, Olus suddenly arrives in her life. Fate has so much unpredictable plans, hasn’t it?

I would admit that their first meeting was quite unbelievable, because they instantly fell in love with each other. Well, love at first sight is possible after all, isn't it?

I mean only for Kezi's part, since Olus is always watching Kezi with the use of his power, or magic.

Then with their love, they decided to thwart their fates. There followed a series of tests from the gods. If they fail, Kezi will have to do the sacrifice, and if they succeed, they can live happily ever after.

Chinese Cinderella

No, this story isn't about a girl who lost one of her glass slippers in a ball. But yes, this is a story of a young girl who was deprived of love by her stepmother and her children, and, sadly, even by her own father and siblings.

Chinese Cinderella is a true story of the first few years of the life of, as the name implies, a young Chinese girl (Adeline) in the midst of the Second World War. She wasn't living in rags, or in the attic; they were, in fact, rich.

When Adeline was born, her mother died two weeks after giving birth. Thus, since that tragic happening, poor Adeline had always been considered responsible for the death of her mother. Adeline, talented and intelligent as she may be, wanted nothing of the two, instead she yearned to be accepted and loved by her family.

Her life, and theirs too (her siblings, Aunt and Grandpa, too), worsened when their father married a young (only seventeen) Eurasian woman. So speaking, she was to play the role of the wicked stepmother. And yes, a wicked stepmother she was.

Adeline's story is simply moving. I've read it in one sitting, and, whilst indulging myself in the book, I couldn't help the specks of tears forming in the corner of my eyes to slide down on my cheeks. This is one of my most favorite biographies of all time, and one of the stories I will never forget.