Girls is a short story collection of retold fairy tales where the girls always get a happy ending. Sometimes they are rescued, but sometimes they rescue themselves. Though I did enjoy all the stories, my ranking is as follows:
1. Frog: a girl kisses a frog, and he doesn't turn into a prince
2. Monster Girl: a princess is born a monster, raised in isolation, awaiting her ultimate princely rescue
3. Blue: two sisters, sibling rivalry, an overly self-righteous Reverend needing a housekeeper
4. Wolf: a predator is tamed
5. Biscuits: Gretta eats all the cookies, commercialization, child labor exploitation
6. Sleeper: a sick twin is valued more than her sister by everyone including the sister
7. Mr. Stiltskin: a girl dreams in gold, a bit more child exploitation, and the second most disappointing monarch of the bunch
The last one was actually the first in the collection, but it is also my least favorite fable that serves as the basis for the retelling as well, so please take that for what it is worth. This is a great collection of retellings that I could see sampled in a high school setting.
Thanks to NetGalley and Pushkin Children's for this ARC to review!

~3.5~

I'll be quite honest, I should've writing this review months ago, but life got in the way.

I do remember I liked reading most short stories, but I can't really pin point anything that particularly stood out to me.

It's a great book, I must say; loved reading these new versions of fairy tales with strong female characters actually showing they can handle things.

Signing off,
B.

(Free ARC from NetGalley and Pushkin Press | Pushkin Children's Books that I chose to review after reading - Cross-posted on Goodreads on March 9th, 2025)

I love a good fairy tale and I love a good retelling of a fairy tale even more. And if, in the process, I get to discover a (new to me) Dutch author, even if it is in translation (shame on me), then that is an excellent bonus. In Girls, Annet Schaap brings seven fairy tales into the 21st century for a YA audience, presenting new twists and familiar moments. Thanks to Pushkin Press and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Retelling fairy tales from a feminist angle has been a hot trend ever since Angela Carter's The Bloody Chamber. I remember the illicit pleasure I felt at reading her stories, as well as the warm discomfort at having to talk about them in class. While remaining essentially true to the structure and themes of the fairy tales, Carter reshaped them into something that was wildly alive and sensuous, into something that spoke directly to the darker parts of being a woman in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Since then, almost everyone has tried their hand at adapting fairy tales into something new and much of the Romantasy hype is indebted to one of those (I see you, ACOTAR). Many of these adaptations are brilliant, but equally many fall into the Disney trap of creating idealised versions of these tales, re-emphasising, rather than questioning, the heteronormative, conservative values that warped many of these fairy tales in the 19th and 20th centuries. What makes a good fairy tale adaptation for me is recognising this questioning in the earlier versions and continue it, but with new forms. Carter focused, extensively, on the repression of female sexuality and alterity, for example, complicating the happy ever after ending of a marriage. Turning to Schaap's Girls, it is worth bearing in mind that it is aimed mostly at a YA audience. If one comes into this collection expecting Carter's overt bloodiness and sensuality, one might be disappointed. Schaap carries the same intention as Carter though, wanting to re-explore these familiar fairy tales for a new kind of audience, with attention to issues that arise for modern young women.

'Girls' features seven retold fairy tales. I enjoyed 'Mr Stiltskin', which is a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin and thematised the fact that many of the girls in the collection remain somewhat unnamed. In a way it remains the most faithful to the "original" of all the fairy tales, but it serves as a good introduction to the collection. 'Wolf' is a delightful take on 'Red Riding Hood', which raised questions about why we are sanitising and safe-proofing so much of life and whether we aren't robbing ourselves of something important by doing so. 'Biscuits' is a take on 'Hansel & Gretel', in which two sisters set out to find their father but end up trapped in a capitalist marketing scheme. It is definitely critical of parental figures, but also ends on a rather melancholic note. I did enjoy 'Frog', in which Schaap has her girl questioning what a prince really is. One could read a "give a nice guy a try"-mentality into it, but I think that is rather accidental. The final three stories are probably my favourites. 'Blue' retells 'Bluebeard' through the eyes of two sisters. Rather than focus on the horrors of the man's actions, Schaap reconfigures the tale to be about the relationship between the two sisters and how it is tested in a moment of crisis. 'Sleeper' focalises the 'Sleeping Beauty' story on the sister of the sleeper, her endless sacrifices, and her potential chance at living an actual life. Finally, 'Monster Girl' finishes off the collection and I was rather fond of this one. Born to be a princess, our girl is unfortunately a monster, and ends up on an island with a chaperone. Her life is one of endless constrictions and lessons, with the distant hope she will shrink herself into the ideal princess and that a prince will come. What comes instead is a foul-mouthed pirate and a form of freedom.

Annet Schaap finds the balance between simplicity and depth which, for me, makes up a good fairy tale. They are meant to be deceptively simple, only to haunt you with questions in the days to come. Her stories feature the kind of girls meant to make up her audience, I think, somewhere between childhood and early adulthood, both aware of the world around them and yet also still somewhat caught by the stories told about said world. I think Schaap also finds a good way of covering more difficult themes, such as death, love, sex, and abandonment, for a YA audience, retaining that slightly illicit pleasure I felt with Carter, but for a younger teen audience. I will say that many of the stories wrap up quite quickly and in a way which, to me, slightly belies the collection's subtitle, 'Life Isn't a Fairy Tale'. While I appreciate wanting to give young girls stories through which they can imagine a different kind of freedom or life, perhaps, in order to really remain "achingly true to real life", as the blurb states, we needed to actually allow for tragedy or cruelty to remain. The only story which really gets close to that, in my opinion, is 'Biscuits', which is why it is the one that has stuck with me most. Laura Watkinson provides an excellent translation as well, which matches well to the excerpts of the collection I've read in Dutch. Dutch literature, for me at least, always manages a certain intimate directness, which English cannot always match. Watkinson, however, manages it! The fairy tales are also accompanied by illustrations by Schaap herself. I will definitely be looking into getting one of Annet Schaap's works in Dutch soon!

Girls is an excellent collection of fairy tales for a YA audience. It provides a fresh take on the known versions of the tales, bringing all, one way or another, into the 21st century without sacrificing the fairy tale-feel.

I loved these retellings as they give an insight into how the world is now with added feminism, humour and reality,

"Girls" by Annet Schaap is a mesmerizing collection of seven reimagined fairy tales that breathe new life into classic stories. Drawing inspiration from the Brothers Grimm and Charles Perrault, Schaap weaves a tapestry of narratives that feel both familiar and entirely new. These are not the traditional fairy tales we grew up with; instead, they are nuanced, haunting, and deeply human, exploring the complexities of identity, autonomy, and resilience.

Each of the seven tales follows a different girl, transforming what were once archetypal characters into fully fleshed individuals with distinct personalities, struggles, and desires. Unlike their original counterparts, these protagonists are not passive figures waiting to be saved; they take charge of their destinies, making choices that reflect their agency rather than conforming to predetermined roles. Schaap’s approach strips away the conventional magic of fairy tales and replaces it with something more profound—the magic of self-discovery.

The prose in "Girls" is both poetic and evocative, creating a rich atmosphere that lingers long after the final page. Schaap’s writing is delicate yet powerful, balancing beauty with darkness in a way that enhances the emotional weight of each story. Her language is precise, her descriptions vivid, and her storytelling masterfully controlled, ensuring that every word carries meaning. The result is a book that is not only compelling but also beautifully crafted.

Beyond the narrative depth, this book also subverts traditional expectations. Familiar fairy tale tropes are turned on their heads, challenging the reader to reconsider the roles of women in these timeless stories. The retelling of "Bluebeard", for instance, stands out as a particularly gripping and unsettling piece, maintaining the sinister tone of the original while offering a fresh perspective that makes it even more impactful. Similarly, other tales unravel the notions of love, duty, and sacrifice in ways that feel unexpectedly modern.

While the book is marketed towards young readers, it resonates just as strongly with adults. The themes of longing, fear, empowerment, and self-acceptance transcend age, making this collection an insightful and rewarding read for anyone interested in fairy tale retellings or feminist literature.

Overall, "Girls" is a stunning achievement, demonstrating Annet Schaap’s talent for storytelling and her ability to reinvent age-old narratives in a timeless and urgent way. This book invites its readers to look beyond the surface of familiar stories and find the deeper truths hidden within. A must-read for lovers of fairy tales and thought-provoking literature alike.

Of course, I could have read this book in Dutch. However, for some reason I had never heard about this book before I stumbled upon it on Netgalley. I requested a digital review copy and Pushkin Press granted me one. Last week it was time to dive in and I tried to limit myself to reading one story a day. I eventually couldn't stop myself from just finishing this book.

I love fairytales. I love fairytale retellings. I love it even more if authors twist these tales and change the message and moral of the story. This author did an amazing job. The well known elements of the fairytales were still there. It was quite easy to recognize which tale was being retold. However, each and every story contained a very nice surprise.

What I love about this collection of short stories is that each story is different and has a different tone. Therefore each and every twist was different and a surprise. Some stories were hopeful and inspiring, some stories were a little sad, some stories were modern, some stories were magical, some stories were historical. But each story was unique.

I also liked the small drawings adding to the atmosphere. This book is marketed as a middle grade and although quite a lot of middle grades don't add illustrations anymore, it did fit in this book. The illustrations gave this book an even more fairytale feel. And the end result is a fairytale book that can be read to modern girls (and boys), without the sometimes problematic messages.

I'll admit that I (32 F) requested this book without realizing that it is a series of folk tales adapted for young adults. I *almost* didn't pick it up. I'm very very glad I did. There is something so delicious and nostalgic about re-reading folk tales and the stories in "Girls" have been adapted for older audiences. Theres a hint of darkness that kept me engaged, and kept the stories fresh. I will be purchasing copies for my teenage nieces. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

Girls by Annet Schaap is an interesting collection of various fairytales and fables with a unique feminine twist on them. I enjoyed reading the traditional stories I grew up with but with their different perspectives or timelines. This collection is more in line with the darker tales of Grimm and other original stories and I loved the darker vibe. Girls has teeth and it's not afraid to show them.

This twisted jar of deliciously darkish fairy tale reimaginings is definitely my jam! Solid four out of five stars and I'm removing one only because I didn't like the Wolf story.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

Girls is a collection of seven dark and in places, funny, fairytale retellings with illustrations included. Each retelling is written with the aim of inspiring girls in ways that the original fairytales didn't offer the reader. The stories included are:

A miller’s daughter with a special gift decides marrying a prince wasn’t such a good idea after all.

A determined girl gives up on trying to kiss a frog.

A fearless heroine comes face-to-face with a not-so Big Bad Wolf.

A monstrous princess, held captive on a deserted island, yearns to break free and find her true place in the world.

Two sisters, abandoned by their father, wander lost in the big city, until they meet a pair of very helpful old ladies.

A young maid finds something terrible in a locked room while she is cleaning the Reverend’s house – then the Reverend arrives home.

A forgotten young girl learns to finally let go of her sleeping big sister and live her own life.

This was a great little read of a book, and I had fun reading it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of this book. This collection takes us on a fairy tale journey of retellings of some popular tales, like Little Red Riding Hood, Rumpelstiltskin and Beauty and the Beast, to name a few. It is well written and provides a new, modern take on these fairy tale classics, allowing girls to be their own heroes. I enjoyed them all.

A girl who employed a strange, short man with a funny name to spin gold from wheat is forced to put her firstborn child up as a wage for the task, unless she can find a way to counteract the contract. A girl in red tries to take some grocery deliveries to her nan, but there is a wolf in the way – or there would be, but there is also a tag on its back and a wire fence in the way. Hanna and Greta are forced to traverse their city, leaving bits of biscuit at every junction, in search of their workaholic father – until lo and behold, more and more biscuits get offered to them. A lass with a golden ball and a frog for a partner just cannot get him to turn into a Prince – perhaps life really isn't a fairy tale. Two girls fight to get a job as housemaid to a reverend – a reverend who insists a certain room stays private and locked.

The whole issue with these books is – how different, how twisted, how Tangled, have the fairy tales become? Is it just a predictable gender swap? Is it a complaint about princes kissing sleeping girls and lack of consent etc etc yadda yadda? Is it something interesting – that one of a countless number of quick kids' picture books hasn't actually already done? Well, here, as we can see, things have been doctored in quite different ways. And things have still changed the same – in the Bluebeard variant, it's the "ugly" sister who is goading the opening of the room, and the "pretty" one reluctant to break the rules. And throughout there is still the sense that this could well be a kids' read – what if Sleeping Beauty has a sister guardienne?

That being one of the more fun-to-read entries here is indicative of what I thought of it all. It was fine, and I was certainly glad it lacked the "sistas! What you doing thinking about princes for?!" diatribes one might have feared. But was this different enough – did it really gain by putting Little Red Riding Hood in a red safety jacket and the wolf in a kind of rewilding programme, complete with tracking tag? Does Bluebeard gain by having a second girl to do the wicked persuading that the door needs opening?

This is thoroughly readable, and nicely illustrated in a quiet way – a lot of the images are almost cameos swimming in a full page, showing a visual motto for the story as opposed to illustrating an actual event or scene. But I think you get the most out of it the least you've read these books – if you know how wickedly inventive some picture books can be at doing this kind of thing, then some of this is merely pleasantly diverting.

Best for me were the Sleeping Beauty, and the final piece, which seems so much more like an original – although it could be based on something that is yet to cross my path in classic form. It certainly gained by playing for humour, and not comedy against any of the characters either, just the situation. Worst – well, there could be a couple of candidates, but nothing that was exactly bad. It's just I'm loathe, with my experience, to give this volume four stars just because it's a more literary, adult, Angela Carter style of thing when compared to many of its peers. It's certainly no woven gold thread, and it's certainly no emperor's new clothes. But it is definitely a three and a half star middle ground, where five stars would really have had to be something genre re-defining and startling.

My obsession with “girls” by Anne schaap knows no bounds. I needed it the second I saw the cover and now I know I need it on my shelf, along with the other publications in this group. This collection so so fun and full of whimsy, I’m obsessed with it.

This is basically just all those old fairytale but with a sharper edge. Mainly a more feminist take on all those old fairytales. Kind of written different and was hard to keep my focus but still an enjoyable read if you like the classics and want a fun and dark turn.

Publishing date: 04.03.2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the ARC. My opinions are my own.

This is a wonderful collection of girls finding out that life isn't a fairy tale. Every story is femme-centered and most have semi-feminist themes. I am a little reluctant to call them feminist as the story is usually: Here is a fairy tale setting, oh guess life isn't that fantastical, at least I am alive. A lot of the stories have open endings. Like it doesn't feel like an ending, or resolved per say, more like the start of something different.

Every story has a few illustrations to go along with them. These are so nice and add a lot of flavor. Sometimes the illustration appeared in the middle of a sentence and I had to read a little back and forth to remember what I was actually reading. This is a miniscule nitpick.

All in all, sweet, short, and exactly what I was looking for. My personal favorites were: Rumplestilskin, the Frog one, and the Cookies story.

Final ranking and star rating?
5 stars, S tier. Once again I prove to myself that retellings are my jam. I adored these stories and munched up at least one a day. Perfect to cleanse my palate and recharge for more books for 2025.

I would have loved to have a book like this to read when I was a little girl. While I'm not sure I would describe this as explicitly feminist, the author does a fantastic job at turning some traditional fairy tales into more truly female-centred stories. It reads a bit like The Bloody Chamber for middle graders, which is definitely intended as a compliment!

The book starts off very promisingly, rich with metaphors that are relevant to the world that we live in. But when I got to the ending of each short story, I felt a bit let down as the deeper message is not fully developed. I am really sorry for leaving a not-so-positive feedback and I know how so many others love it. But I just wish that each story were a bit longer so that the message could be developed further.

I think this collection started off strong - I really enjoyed Mr Stiltskin and Wolf. I loved the twist on the name guessing that came from Mr Stiltskin and how a modern setting impacted the dynamic between the wolf and red riding hood in Wolf.

I also enjoyed how a modern setting was used in Biscuits - a Hansel & Gretel retelling - and how the father, though still incompetent/neglectful, was more well-meaning than most iterations. The twist of the gingerbread house being a bakery/sweet shop was very clever.

I loved Frog - I just found the story of the girl realising the frog was good to her, even if he was no prince, compared to other men.

Blue and Sleeper were definitely the darkest stories. As a fan of Bluebeard as a fairytale, I enjoyed Blue and thought it was a nice twist on the original whilst still retaining the key elements of the story. Sleeper was just a tragedy, that made the hope of the ending's realisation all the more heartening.

Monster Girl was interesting, it was a very unique take and felt like a merging of Beauty & the Beast, Rapunzel and another tale that I can't quite recall the name of but remember studying in a fairytales module at university (it might be Straparola's Pig King I'm thinking of, but not completely certain). I liked it, and though I feel that Belle and the sailor could have bonded more, I understand fairytales often don't cover anything. I also may have missed some parts as whenever Belle spoke the text read ' '. ' and I'm not certain whether the lack of words in her speech was deliberate or a formatting issue of the eARC.

Regardless of possible formatting issues (e.g. 'fi' was missing from a lot of words as 'fine' became 'ne' and so on), I would recommend this collection to fans of fairytales - it feels very true to the genre and fits nicely amongst all the versions I read at uni.

Annet Schaap’s Girls is a spellbinding collection that breathes new life into seven classic fairy tales, transforming them into modern, darkly humorous narratives that resonate deeply with today’s young adult readers. These aren’t the familiar tales of passive princesses waiting for salvation; instead, Schaap’s heroines are bold, flawed, and undeniably real, navigating a world of relatable challenges with courage and wit.

Each retelling is a triumph of creativity. From the miller’s daughter questioning her happily ever after to the maid uncovering a sinister secret in a reverend's locked room, every story feels fresh and relevant. Schaap doesn’t just twist the tales; she uses them to explore themes of agency, independence, and self-discovery. The characters’ struggles and triumphs reflect the complexities of life, making their journeys both fantastical and achingly human.

The tone balances dark humor and emotional depth, capturing the rawness of facing fears and finding one's voice. Schaap’s prose, beautifully translated by Laura Watkinson, is enchanting—rich with vivid imagery and laced with poignant truths. Each story leaves a lingering impact, urging readers to question the roles we play and the narratives we accept.

Girls is more than a collection of fairy tale retellings. Perfect for readers who crave thought-provoking tales with a feminist edge, this book reminds us that sometimes the greatest magic lies in forging our own paths

Very interesting concept!! The stories were a bit forgettable to me and the writing was a bit too juvenile for me, but they will work well for a young audience