Say what you want about 1980s science fiction and fantasy, but some of it (like this novel) stands the test of time and the books are far better quality than those that are getting published these days! Patricia C. Wrede presents us with a tale inspired by a classic story from the Brothers Grimm, wherein two sisters (the titular Snow White and Rose Red, or in this case Blanche and Rosamund) must face a finicky foe to get their just rewards. The original is a strange little tale, but Wrede crafts a narrative that draws on a unique intersection of reality and Faerie in the London-adjacent town of Mortlak that works perfectly in the story’s Tudor setting. Sisters Blanche and Rosamund Arden live with their mother just outside of town, where they are easily able to traipse through the (Faerie-infested) woods for the herbs that make their mother’s healing business successful, setting the stage for some expected complications with their fae neighbours. But it is the townsfolk (namely true historical characters John Dee and Edward Kelly), who draw the ire of the fae when they cast a spell that steals the magic from one of the half-mortal princes of Faerie, Hugh, and transform him into a bear. In typical Shakespearean fashion, the bear shows up at the Arden’s cottage, and it falls to the sisters to figure out how to return Hugh to his rightful shape. Interposed are storylines which explore themes of the boundaries between the mortal and fae realms, carefully wrought magic lore, and lusciously described settings of the town and forest which work in perfect conjunction with Wrede’s lightly Elizabethan narrative style. While I may have read this novel before (years ago), it is so well written that the story remained fresh and even though I knew that both sisters would end up happily ever after I couldn’t wait to delve back into the book, chapter after chapter. And now apparently we’re accidentally rhyming, so we’ll leave Robin Goodfellow where we found him (spying for both sides and causing mischief, no matter the story in which he appears!) and bid the English forest and Mortlak adieu! ( )

One of my favorite childhood fairy tales. ( )

I'm a blonde and my closest sister is a redhead, so as one half of my own Snow White and Rose Red, I may have been predisposed to love this book. Still, there's something about the combination of Elizabethan England, a prince warped into bear form (and his determined brother), Faerie, selfish alchemists, and Robin Goodfellow that makes for a fantastic retelling...and one that I greatly enjoy rereading. ( )

Interesting Shakespeare and Fairy tale mix. I got rather bored with the Ned Kelly/Madini bits. And, with Wrede's previous strong and unique female characters I was rather disappointed in the averageness of these two girls. ( )

I'm DNFing because I just can't get into it. I've been reading it since October and have only gotten 78 pages. I think it's just the wrong time. I'm not finding it bad or anything, it's just timing.