I finally obtained and read the first two novels in Regina Doman’s Fairy Tale series and I loved them.
I’ve read the series completely out of order but have found that each book stands on its own. I do want to go back and re-read Waking Rose now, however, so I can see it again from this new angle.
“Have you ever felt that there was something going on in life that not everyone was aware of?”
. . .
“As though there’s a story going on that everyone is a part of, but not everyone knows about? Maybe ‘story isn’t the right word—a sort of drama, a battle between what’s peripheral and what’s really important. As though the people you meet aren’t just their plain, prosaic selves, but are actually princes and princesses, gods and goddesses, fairies, shepherds, all sorts of fantastic creatures who’ve chosen to hide their real shape for some reason or another. Have you ever thought that?”
A while back I read the first chapter teaser for The Shadow of the Bear on Regina’s website. I was so hooked and haunted by the story I couldn’t wait to find out what was going to happen next. Yet I have this rule for myself about buying new books. I ration myself or else my book buying would get completely out of hand. So I had to wait. Fortunately, it was worth the wait.
The Shadow of the Bear is based on the Brothers Grimm tale, Snow White and Rose Red, which I must confess I was not as familiar with and I think that may be why this book didn’t immediately connect with me in quite the same way as the others—which isn’t to say that I didn’t like it, but it didn’t have exactly the same resonances. Still, the fairy-tale atmosphere that the story weaves doesn’t depend on a familiarity with the original. I found myself swept away by the combination of intriguing mystery, exciting action-adventure, and captivating romance and read the book in a day.
I loved the way she interpreted the characters, the enchanted prince, the treasure-stealing dwarf. She made some of the more improbable aspects of the story work, translating flawlessly from the land of faery to New York City, which I suppose has its own kind of magic.
Like the other novels in the series, this one delves into the dark and gets gritty, which if you know Grimm at all is true to the original sources. Regina has said that she wants her characters to battle real evil and they do. Also, the stakes are real, the risks are real, the heroism is real.
Black as Night, the second volume in the Fairy Tale series, is based on the more familiar tale Snow White and the Seven Dwarves, which I know not only from the Disney version but from the Grimm as well.
I loved the way Regina interpreted this fairy tale. Recasting the seven dwarves as Franciscan Friars of the Renewal was inspired as were the encounters between her Snow White character, and the wicked queen, which I won’t discuss in any detail lest I give too much away; but suffice it to say that in each one we encounter a different, distorted idea of femininity. I love that one of the themes in these novels is how to become a real hero/heroine.
The friars are shown to be well-rounded human beings, hard working, hard praying, fun loving. The “chariot race” scene of the friars pulling each other around in garbage cans is not to be missed. It is also refreshing to read a novel where faith is taken seriously and plays a primary role in the characters’ lives.
Can you sign another lease, perhaps for six months? I know that’s not what you really want, but is your landlord uneasy because you’re not under a lease, or because your status is uncertain? Maybe if he had you under a lease, the pressure would be off a bit. In the overall scheme of things, six months is not a long time to find a house, get the offer accepted, go through all the other stuff, and then close. And if you have painting to do, you’ll probably want to do it before you move in (especially since you have small children).
Things do happen for a reason. I had my offer accepted on a condo and then the buyers tried to change the terms of the deal. I said “see you later.” A couple of months later, my mother was diagnosed and I would have needed to be much closer than the town in which my “dream” condo was located.
You’ll find the right house for you. It’s so hard sometimes to wait on God’s timing, I know!
We probably could sign another lease. I think his biggest concern is the apartment being empty during the winter months. But our biggest concern is actually sort of the same thing: the cost of oil for heating this apartment. It’s an old, inefficient furnace and an old, not terribly well insulated house and even with the thermostat set at 60 last winter it cost a small fortune to heat. Which if we have to wait would then eat into our savings, ie moving costs and money to pay for fixing up a new place.
I am sure there is a rhyme and a reason in the great scheme of things but I am impatient and all I can see are the current difficulties. But thanks for the encouragement and reminder.
I’m so sorry you’ve been disappointed again! I’ve been there. It sounds very tiring to have to househunt an hour out of your way with little ones. I will be praying for you!
When we last moved (15 years ago!) we fell in love with a house and lost it. We ended up moving to a different town and a house that has turned out to be perfect for us – much bigger than the original heartbreaking one and in a very child-friendly area. Hang on in there – I’m sure God has a good plan for you!