Once Upon a Time III Challenge Wrap Up
The generous and talented Carl hosted the third round of what is probably one of the book blogosphere’s most popular challenges! I completed Quest the Second, which called for me reading one book in each of four categories (fantasy, folklore, fairy tales, and mythology), and then there were some extras. :)
Books read (linked through to reviews):
- Ysabel by Guy Gavriel Kay (fantasy) (I swear I reviewed this in a Sunday Salon, but now I can’t find it!)
- Elementals by A.S. Byatt (folklore)
- Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier (fairy tales)
- The Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula LeGuin (fantasy)
- Tom’s Midnight Garden by Phillipa Pearce (fantasy)
- Ain’t Myth Behaving by Katie Macalister (mythology)
- The Fox Woman by Kij Johnson (folklore)
- Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko (fantasy)
- Wondrous Strange by Lesley Livingston (fantasy)
- Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan (fairy tales)
The best book: Tender Morsels hands down. My other two favourites were The Fox Woman and Wildwood Dancing
Any new authors? Yep! Margo Lanagan (who I definitely want to read more of), Lesley Livingston, Sergei Lukyanenko, Kij Johnson (also want to read more of), Katie Macalister, Philippa Pearce, and Guy Gavriel Kay (I didn’t love Ysabel, but I think I’ll try another one or two of his)
Books I did not finish: None! I thought about abandoning Nightwatch, though.
What did I learn from this challenge? I already knew how much I loved fantasy. :) But I discovered several new authors that I’ll definitely be checking out in the future, which is great! And that I should read more fairy tale retellings. Also, I made a big pool at the beginning of the challenge that I’ll probably keep reading from throughout the year.
A Striped Armchair 
I love the idea of this challenge. I must bring this to my writer’s group!
Thanks!!!
Considering how I felt about The Fox Woman and Tender Morsels, it sounds like I should get my hands on Wildwood Dancing asap!
Way to go! I’m always impressed when someone completes a challenge.
Ooooh, I want to read most every single book on your list!!! But first up, I think absolutely must be Tender Morsels.
Great job on the challenge, Eva!
Just bought Ysabel at the big B&N sale … I hope it’s not too bad!
Great books! I have several of these on my wishlist. Can’t wait to get hold of some of ’em!
Congratulations Eva! I’m glad you likes Tender Morsels, Lanagan has become one of my favorite authors. I have to add Wildwood Dancing to my TBR list.
Vodka Mom, no problem! :)
Nymeth, I think you’d definitely enjoy Wildwood Dancing. It’s not quirw at the same complexity level as Fox Woman and Tender Morsels, but it’s great!
Bermuda Onion, thanks!
Debi, yep: Tender Morsels should be the first one!
Kristen, I wouldn’t call Ysabel bad. It was very readable, and I was totally drawn along into the story. Just the contemporary notes felt a touch jarring for me.
Andi, awesome!
Gavin, I have Black Juice out from her now. :)
Carl is the challenge king!! I didn’t right a wrap up post, but enjoyed the fantasy books I read this year.
Stephanie, he is isn’t he?!
You did so great on your challenge! I still want to read Tender Morsels… one of these days :)
I didn’t do so well with the challenge this time around but hey I’m ready for Carl’s RIP challenge!
Congrats on finishing the challenge. I am due to read Ysabel hopefully next month. I also hope to read Elementals at some point as well as Tender Morsels. I love Juliet Marillier and just read Cybele’s Secret the follow up to Wildwood Dancing. I highly recommend her Sevenwaters series though. Beautiful books with beautiful covers!