The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic by Leigh Bardugo, Illustrated by Sara Kipin
The Language of Thorns: Midnight Tales and Dangerous Magic by Leigh Bardugo, Illustrated by Sara Kipin
“Love speaks in flowers. Truth requires thorns."
Leigh Bardugo has written these dark and twisted “retellings" of some classic fairytales, while creating a few new fairytales. Although haunting, each of these short stories is stunningly written and kept me entertained on every page.
I don't know if I'd fully call these retellings of some of the classic fairytales, as Bardugo has a very different message in some of them, or completely changes what happens to certain characters so it is not fully true to the originals. But I think this is what made me enjoy each story so much, because it was a completely new, refreshing take that kept me intrigued and wondering how each would wrap up. Some of them also felt a little more realistic with the messages the reader is left with.
It is also worth it to get the hardcover copy. The illustrations by Sara Kipin are gorgeous and I love that they frame the story and slowly grow with each page until the ending when you have a complete illustration. Each illustration is personalized to the exact spot of the story you are reading, adding small details that go with the plot.
Overall, I'd definitely recommend this to someone who likes reading fairytales and retellings, and is up for something a bit darker.
Synopsis: This collection of six stories includes three brand-new tales, all of them lavishly illustrated with art that changes with each turn of the page, culminating in six stunning full-spread illustrations as rich in detail as the stories themselves. These tales will transport you to lands both familiar and strange, through a world of dangerous magic from the novels of Grishaverse. Filled with betrayal, revenge, sacrifice and love.