Do you dare read this collection of terrifyingly gruesome tales? In this gripping volume, author Jen Campbell offers young readers an edgy, contemporary, and inclusive take on classic fairy tales, taking them back to their gory beginnings while updating them for a modern audience with queer and disabled characters and positive representation of disfigurement.
Featuring fourteen short stories from China, India, Ireland, and across the globe, The Sister Who Ate Her Brothers is an international collection of the creepiest folk tales. Illustrated with Adam de Souza’s brooding art, this book’s style is a totally original blend of nineteenth-century Gothic engravings meets moody film noir graphic novels. Headlined by the Korean tale of a carnivorous child, The Sister Who Ate Her Brothers is a truly thrilling gift for brave young readers.
Thank you to the publisher, Thames & Hudson, for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
As soon as I saw that this book existed, I wanted to pick it up. This is something I’ve seen recently more with short stories becoming more diverse and retellings changing aspects (Vampires Never Get Old comes to mind)! This one is aimed at a middle grade audience, which also made it interesting to read.
I loved a lot of aspects about this book. The illustrations were drop dead gorgeous and complemented the stories beautifully. The whole design and layout of the book was so beautiful, and I also love how this took the fairytales from all over the world.
As always with short story collections, there are ups and downs. I liked a lot of these stories, but most of them didn’t blow me away and I didn’t love them. My favourite was definitely The House That Was Filled With Ghosts and is the only one that really stood out for me as being really enjoyable. I don’t know if that was because it was the least gruesome story and therefore just suited me a little more, so if you feel like you’d enjoy more twisted and dark stories this one is definitely for you!
I read this one in one sitting and it was such a fun and interesting journey. If it sounds like something you’d enjoy, I’d definitely recommend it, just be aware it does live up to it’s name!
★★★★
3.5 out of 5 stars
-Beth
May your shelves forever overflow with books! ☽
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