Ahoy there me mateys! I received this short story collection eARC from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. So here be me honest musings . . .
the emerald circus (Jane Yolen)
Title: the emerald circus
Author: Jane Yolen
Publisher: Tachyon Publications
Publication Date: Available Now!!! (paperback/e-book)
ISBN: 978-1616962739
Source: Edelweiss
While I have read many of Jane Yolen’s works, most have been her novels. It has only been recently that I have been reading her short stories. And I have been missing out. I was saving this collection for a day when I needed a pick me up. So when I was stuck in rain and fog and feeling under the weather, I picked this up to be transported to a more magical time and place.
This collection has 16 varied tales. Like any collection, I liked some better than others. But all show Yolen’s skill and love of storytelling. In addition this book also had something I wasn’t expecting. The end of the book has author reflections on how the stories came to be along with some of her poetry. I don’t really know much about the author’s life but she sounds like one awesome lady and this look into her writing process was lovely.
I don’t want to spoil the magic of the stories and can’t really do them justice with me own paltry words but I will try to give ye an idea of the bare bones of the stories and me thoughts on me favourites:
“Andersen’s Witch” – a Snow Queen retelling with a wonderful twist; poignant and lovely start to the book
“Lost Girls” – a Peter Pan novelette where girls take over; this be me favourite of the collection by far and won the 1998 Nebula. I want to rave about how clever it is but can’t cause spoilers!
“Tough Alice” – the first Alice in Wonderland retelling wherein Alice has to fight her own battle and is entertainment for the Wonderland gang; there are three Wonderland stories in this collection. This was me favourite but it was wonderful to read and compare the differences between the three.
“Blown Away” – a tale of what really happened after Dorothy was sucked up by a tornado; this piece is where the collection title comes from. It is told from an awesome perspective that I wasn’t expecting. I also will never look at Toto the same way.
“A Knot of Toads” – a women goes back to her hometown for her father’s funeral and discovers the real reason behind her father’s death and also some truths about his life; witches and toads and Scotland. I loved it.
“The Quiet Monk” – a story about what actually happened to Lancelot; I have to admit that I am not the biggest fan of Arthurian tales but I loved the feel of this one and the fabulous ending.
“The Bird” – a story about Edgar Allan Poe and his wife Virginia. Oh and a raven of course; bittersweet and wonderful.
“Belle Bloody Merciless Dame” – this is about a treacherous elf on midsummer’s day; this was the weak link for me even though it was well written. I just didn’t love it.
“Jewel in the Toad Queen’s Crown” – fun piece about the relationship between Queen Victoria and Prime Minister Disraeli with magic of course!
“A Gift of Magicians” – a Beauty and the Beast story; my other favourite piece of the collection. The ending!
“Rabbit Hole” – what happens when Alice goes back down the rabbit hole at 80; such a cool concept.
“Our Lady of the Greenwood” – a Robin Hood origin story; because surely he had to come from somewhere; I particularly loved how he got his name.
“The Confession of Brother Blaise” – a Merlin origin story; this was me other least liked story. Though I did like the idea of the death bed confession. It was certainly different.
“Wonder Land” – the last Wonderland retelling, this time an Alice/little red riding hood mashup; this was me least favourite of the three. Allison is going through the woods to a friends house and meets scary creatures along the way.
“Evian Steel” – this was a tale about the forging of the sword for King Arthur; I loved that the women of the island forged the steel. This story was compelling and fascinating. Ye get to see where Guinevere comes from.
“Sister Emily’s Lightship” – This last story talk about Emily Dickinson meeting a Martian; Another Nebula winner for Best Short Story in 1997, what I most loved about it was Emily’s secret nocturnal life and her relationship with her dog.
I had to admit that I was immensely cheered up by reading this collection and will be thinking about me favourites for quite some time. If ye be a Jane Yolen fan, this should tickle yer fancy. If ye aren’t familiar with her work then this might be a good place to start. Arrrr!
So lastly . . .
Thank you Tachyon Publications!
Goodreads’ website has this to say about the book:
It’s time to go back to—and beyond—the treasured tales you thought you knew: The Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and many more. Ringmaster and internationally bestselling author Jane Yolen (Briar Rose, Sister Emily’s Lightship) spins modern fantasy classics for delighted readers. A girl blown away from Kansas returns as a sophisticate with unusual gymnastic abilities. A talented apprentice, forging her first sword, is suddenly left to the mercies of Merlin. Alice’s infamous nemesis has jaws and claws, but also lacks the essential: a sense of humor.
Witty and bold, and unexpected, these tales go well beyond the rabbit hole and back again.
To visit the author’s website go to:
To buy the collection go to:
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Previous Log Entries for this Author
a plague of unicorns (Captain’s Log – Young Adult Fantasy)
a glory of unicorns (On the Horizon – Fantasy)
the transfigured hart (On the Horizon – Young Adult Fantasy eArc)
Captain's Quarters 
I’m impressed that Jane Yolen has two short story collections out so close to each other! I just picked up How to Fracture a Fairy Tale from NetGalley– a short story collection by Jane Yolen all featuring fractured fairy tales. It sounds similar to this! How to Fracture a Fairy Tale won’t be released until November, so I have some time to read it still. I look forward to comparing our reviews!
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Oh I have that collection too! I am looking forward to it. It shouldn’t have any overlap since they are published by the same folks. In fact the publisher told me the second collection was coming out and to look for it. I look forward to comparing our reviews too!
x The Captain
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That’s good to know! I’m waiting until next month to pick up How to Fracture a Fairy Tale, but I’m super excited. I’ve missed Yolen’s writing.
It’s so cool that you’re in touch with publishers! Do you like having that sort of relationship?
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Well I only kinda have that relationship with this one publisher. And only because the company nicely emailed me when I commented on NetGalley that I wasn’t reviewing a book because I had missed downloading me eArc by one day because of missing the approval notification. So when I thanked the marketing and publicity director directly on me review he told me it wasn’t necessary and then told me to watch for more from the author soon. Since then I have not spoken directly with the publisher because frankly I don’t want to bother them. But I have been approved for several more titles which is cool and nice of them. It does make me happy. Especially because I have been banned by another publisher for an honest review recently. There are two publishers that I would like to establish direct relationships for but I a) don’t want to be a pest and b) can’t really keep up with all the books I have anyways. So I haven’t done anything on that front. But the awesome publishing company that produced this book just approved me for the last unicorn in a new edition with expanded material. I be so excited I think I am going to drop all me other reads to savour the experience this weekend. Arr!
x The Captain
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!! You were *banned* by a publisher for a review?! WHAT?! That seems horribly unprofessional. I am so sorry. How did you even learn you were banned? Ugh. I’m so angry for you. Grrr*
I can understand the challenge of feeling pulled to establish a relationship with a publisher but not being able to connect to all the books. There are so many hours in the day! How on earth can we read them all?! 😉
Amanda @ Cover2CoverMom and I are buddy reading The Last Unicorn next month! I’m super excited. 🙂 I hope that you enjoy this new edition!
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Aye matey. It is because I reviewed a book with a bad portrayal of excusing rape. Then I posted me link on one website and the publisher wrote me to demand why I was trying to provoke the author. I wrote back explaining that it was not provocation but an honest opinion. They never wrote back to me response. And denied all me other book requests from them. So that relationship is over. And now there are two authors whose books I can personally never read again. It left a bad taste all around. But I still stand by thoughts on it.
And I be so very glad ye be reading the last unicorn. Make sure to watch the animated movie after finishing it. I did read the short story version and it was odd. Interesting but odd.
x The Captain
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Ugh. I’m so sorry you went through that. That’s such childish behavior on behalf of the publisher. I’m consistently shocked at the lack of professionalism social media and the internet seems to empower people to feel. Rude.
I’m glad you’re standing by your thoughts on the book, and staying away from those authors/publisher. I know that’s unfair on some levels, but there are only so many hours for reading. You cannot waste your time with abusers.
I’ll definitely watch the animated film after reading the book. Thank you for the tip!
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I get mad if I think about it, especially with all of the crap goin’ on in politics right now on the issue. But I have been trying to focus on other publishers and books. And enjoying meself. Arrr!
x The Captain
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THIS SOUNDS AMAZING. Robin Hood origin story + gender-bent Peter Pan + multiple Alice in Wonderland retellings + Edgar Allen Poe? I must have this compilation!
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It was excellent. I was so excited to get an Arc for this. Plus the publishers are nice. It is a quick read that I spread out over two days to savour. Thanks for the lovely comment matey.
x The Captain
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