TALES FROM THE HINTERLAND

The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert was the story of Alice, living an itinerant life with her mother till the day her mother disappears. Alice soon connects this with a collection of dark fairy tales her grandmother Althea Proserpine had written, and with that begins her adventure looking for Hinterland where the tales are set. Tales from the Hinterland is that collection of stories.This is a collection of twelve stories—each very dark, and many with a twist that one doesn’t see coming. We have ‘The Door that Wasn’t There’ in which Anya and her sister Lisbeth find a way out of their house where the stepmother has locked them; but their escape turns out to be very different from what they expected. This one had a few shades of The Bear and the Nightingale; and if I remember right this one was in the Hazel Wood as well.‘Hansa the Traveller’ decides to escape the restrictions placed on her by her family (of not going out at night) and while this does take her on the adventure of a lifetime, one is left wondering whether it was worth it?In ‘The Clockwork Bride’, two children are fascinated by a magical toyshop but can’t afford its offerings. A chance to play there comes their way but at a price. What when the time comes to pay that price?Jenny in ‘Jenny and the Nightwomen’ is an extremely spoiled little girl who accepts help from a strange girl when her parents decide to take her in hand. But naturally, the stranger has her own agenda.In ‘The Skinned Maiden’, a cruel and heartless prince becomes smitten with a beautiful girl he sees by a lake. But she is no ordinary girl and in a bid to gain her he ends up taking away her very essence. Can she regain it?‘Alice Three Times’ is the story of a strange princess Alice, born to the queen illegitimately. Alice also grows in the strangest of ways. The Queen wishes to rid herself of this daughter and as soon as she is old enough finds her some grooms; but neither the grooms nor the Queen know what they are getting themselves into.In ‘The House under the Stairwell’, Isobel who has suffered a broken engagement has a strange dream after she and her sisters try a dark spell of sorts to see their future husbands. When Isobel manages to get over her past and finds a chance at happiness, she must contend with the consequences of that dream.Ilsa in ‘Ilsa Waits’, who has seven brothers happens to be able to see death. But he comes and takes those dear to her but never herself till she decides to pit her wits against him. But is it so simple to take on death?In ‘The Sea Cellar’, we have Alba whose sister is sent as a bride to a strange home where brides go but are never seen or heard of anymore nor is the groom ever seen. She decides to go there as a bride herself and solve the mystery but what does she uncover?In ‘The Mother and the Dagger’, a queen from a magical land tries her hand at some dark magic to have a child but can’t make the sacrifice required of her. For this she must pay, and so must others.Katherine in ‘Twice Killed Katherine’ is the only one of a sorcerer’s children who has his powers. He decides to take her under his wing and protect her at any cost.A King and Queen’s children are cruelly killed in ‘Death and the Woodwife’ but then she is blessed with a strange child. When this child grows up and is set to marry, she ends up with a dark suitor. Can she escape?The stories had some lovely (and vivid) descriptions of places magical like in ‘The Clockwork Bride’The shop nestled among darkened buildings like a lit birthday cake. From its open door poured tinkling music-box notes and thick golden light…. There before them were all the toymaker’s treasures. The paper ballerinas had grown to the size of children, with the small heads and slim limbs of women. They pirouetted in skirts of taffeta netting, their laughter scattering like light….Or dark like in ‘The House under the Stairwell’There was no sky here, but a roof of earth, heavy coils of roots running through it. Moths larger than men perched on the roofs with their wings open wide, casting a delicate glow. In the distance stood a house with lights shining through every window and before it a grove of gold and silver trees. A masked figure waited beneath each tree, limbs too long and fingers hidden in dark gloves. Above their masks each painted with a man’s face, stood grey wolf ears.As you can gauge from the descriptions, these are very imaginative stories indeed. I thought the author did a great job at creating some really creepy tales. While one might feel sorry for a few of the characters, others (even central characters) are dark and not particularly likeable, and there are also evil stepmothers, mothers and fathers galore. Since one can’t really tell where each story will lead, each has its share of surprises. There are also illustrations at the beginning of each story and I think full page illustrations in the final version. These would be great for Halloween or any time you’re in the mood for something very creepy. But be warned, most of these don’t have happy endings, and will leave you feeling unsettled more than anything else…

Arrived very quickly, can't wait to read the 3rd book in the series

Everything The Hazel Wood promised it would be, plus more. Albert's fairytales, Tales from the Hinterland, were worth the wait. The Hazel Wood and The Night Country were so wonderfully intriguing that the announcement of Tales from the Hinterland was the most exciting news I had received for a long while and gave me much too look forward to.Tales from the Hinterland can be read without reading the previous books in the series. I can not wait for more! Melissa Albert quickly became one of my favorite authors the month The Hazel Wood released and I am excited to see where else she will take us with her writing.

Totally amazing book, the stories are magical and dark and creepy all at the same time. Hansa the Traveller was my favourite, it’s odd and beautiful, a great read on a cold dark night while your surrounded by flickering candles.

I've read the hazel wood and the night country so it's nice to have context for some of the characters in those books. It's also a good stand alone book!

Amazing read! After reading the other Hinterland novels I could not wait to read this book of tales. Although a little dark and disturbing, I have fully enjoyed each story. Melissa Albert is such an amazing writer.