ABOUT THE BOOK
Genre: Young Adult Graphic Novel
Publishing date: September 20th, 2022
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Rep: Multiple Queer Representation
Synopsis
Once upon a time . . . happily ever after turned out differently than expected. In this new, feminist, queer fairy-tale collection, you’ll find the princesses, mermaids, knights, barmaids, children, and wise old women who have been forced to sit on the sidelines in classic stories taking center stage. A gorgeous all-new collection in graphic novel format from a Stonewall Honor-winning author and artist.
What if the giant who abducted you was actually thoughtful and kind? What if you didn’t want to marry your handsome, popular, but cold-inside suitor? What if your one true love has all the responsibilities that come with running a kingdom?
Award-winning author Melanie Gillman’s phenomenal colored-pencil art creates another “ever after” for the characters who are most worthy of it.
Review
A forest ranger is appointed to safeguard the forest but the ranger is looking out for a beast whilst being perturbed at the sight of a girl plucking the magical flowers.
A princess is rendered sleepless nights even though she has everything at her disposal. Servants, Royal Treasury and Loyal Subjects.
A commoner wants to break her marriage with a prince and evokes the Goddess of Mishap.
The treatment meted out in the stories reminded me of Princess Princess ever after where a prince is saved by the princess and two princesses live happily.
The stories are contemporary retellings of famous fairy tales that we heard in childhood. The girls are portrayed to be risk takers as opposed to just damsels in distress. The Matriarchs perform magic whilst the patriarch didn’t have any special powers. Happiness and love are what the characters desired and they went to any length to acquire them.
The other ever after breaks the preconceived notion of how quintessential characters are perceived by the readers. Contrary to the fairy tales that have happy ending, some of these tales do not end on a happy note but is dispensed to the imagination of the readers. The lettering is done by Microns and illustrations are hand drawn with Polychrome pencils on a Bristol board.
I liked the illustrations and most of the stories which are retold with good intent. I revelled in some of the worlds created by the author. There is POC, plus size character and indigenous people representation.
Rating: 3.5/5
Favorite Quotes
“We all know (for we are told it so often) that girls must make journeys.
Leaving their families, and entering the deep dark, dangerous woods”
Introduction
“Some things are worth a little risk.”
The King’s Forest
“There is no joy in castles when you know your parents sleep on the dirt floor.”
The Goose Girl
“There is no joy in feasts when the food was grown by people who starve. Nor warmth in splendid rooms when just outside a nation sleeps in the cold.”
The Goose Girl
“It will take time, but bit by bit we’ll heal.”
The Goose Girl
“When you laugh it will ring so beautifully, he will have no choice but to look”
Hesthete
Author Information
Melanie Gillman is the cartoonist behind this story. They hold an MFA in comics from the Center for Cartoon Studies, and currently live in Columbus, OH. Melanie is also the author of Stage Dreams, a lesbian western graphic novel, available from Lerner/Graphic Universe. They are represented by Jen Linnan, of Linnan Literary Management.
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