We all know fairy tale stories; we have them read to us from a young age before going on to read them ourselves. And we have all seen films based on fairy tales: Cinderella, Snow White and Sleeping Beauty for example. Fairy tales are not necessarily tales about fairies, more folklore – stories with some grounding in the truth that have been passed on through the generations, embellished and twisted along the way. But what are their origins? Fairy tales were often much darker than today’s sanitised versions and were quite often for adults or as warnings for children. The Fairy Godmother’s Tale by Robert B. Marks is a captivating journey into the origins of fairy tales, blending history, fantasy with a touch of whimsy and is a really enjoyable read. It takes readers on an adventure through the life of Elisa, a humble bookbinder’s daughter who discovers she can grant people their deepest wish.
Once upon a time… on a forgotten island kingdom in the Baltic Sea, 15 year old Elisa finds herself with a unique talent – she can see people’s deepest wishes and has the power to grant them.
But her first attempt at granting wishes dramatically backfires (she attempts to grant every wish on the island), causing a revolution that destroys everyone and everything she loves. To atone for her actions she begins a penance, travelling throughout Germany, in which she uses her power to help people (people like Ella, you might know her as Cinderella). Her journey takes her into a conflict with an evil wish-granter and a friendship with the devil.
Overall, The Fairy Godmother’s Tale by Robert B. Marks is a fantastic tale that incorporates several well-known and loved fairy tales, not as the fluffy ones we all read today, but the dark and sometimes terrifying original tales (Grimm’s Fairy Tales). As well as crafting a story around some of our favourite characters from these children’s tales, the story is woven around German history, including the Napoleonic wars. It is not a fairy tale that you would read to children.
I found The Fairy Godmother’s Tale to be a fantastic fantasy tale of good vs evil, religion and the horrors of war. The blend of the dark fairy tales with violence, murder and history creates a fascinating tale, a tale that draws you in. As you read, you will recognise plenty of fairy tales that shape the story and history buffs will recognise significant periods in German and European history.
Elisa as the protagonist of the story is very compelling. Starting the story as a 15 year old naïve girl, the story follows her rise to becoming a powerful wish-granter, or fairy godmother. The supporting characters, including Clever Gretel and the Devil, add a good depth and intrigue to the story.
The telling of the story is very engaging and really immerses the reader in the narrative. The authors ability to weave the fantasy and magic of fairy tales with historical elements creates a unique and enchanting tale which brings the story to life. While set hundreds of years ago (the story is told between the years 1658-1810), the story isn’t told in an old-fashioned way, even when going into accurate details about war. It is a very descriptive story that makes you feel that you could be there travelling thorough Elisa’s world.
Fairy tales all have their own themes and The Fairy Godmother’s Tale explores several themes including the consequences of actions, taking responsibility for them, and ultimately redemption. It examines the idea that even those who have the best intentions (like making everybody happy by granting their wishes) can make mistakes, but its how we learn from and rectify these mistakes that makes us grow as people.
The Fairy Godmother’s Tale is a beautifully crafted and fascinating story, but is definitely not a fairy tale for children. It is a story that will appeal to fans of fantasy and fairy tales – the original darker ones, and even history buffs. It really does offer readers a fresh perspective on the origins of beloved fairy tales. This book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys a blend of history, fantasy and a great story.
I loved the story, it isn’t a fluffy fairy tale – at times it is violent, has some swearing and is a fantastic read. But does everybody live happily ever after? You will have to read it for yourself to find out!
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £21.95 (Paperback) / £3.86 (Kindle)
For more information, visit robertbmarks.com. Available to buy from Amazon here.
