Dwarves of Calcus (Fairytale Galaxy Chronicles #3)

Author Katie Hamstead has done it again; shared with us a solid futuristic fairy-tale re-telling. This time, the storyline centers around Snow White and her seven dwarves, while alluding to other characters and plotlines in her Fairytale Galaxy Chronicles.

As expected, Snow’s evil stepmother arranged for a huntsman to kill Snow when she was a young teenager, and she successfully ran away and fell in with some dwarves. Being that this is the Fairytale Galaxy Chronicles, the dwarves have magic abilities. Snow lives with them on their home planet of Calcus, working for the mine owner, White Enterprises. When the heir to the White corporation visits, the relationship that develops between him and Snow is nothing short of a charming fairy-tale.

Like our Sleeping Beauty, Apolline, Snow is a smart, resourceful, and spirited heroine, though she is a pacifist and has no fighting or hunting skills to speak of. She does, however, enjoy the thrill of street racing in her fixed-up ancient Earth automobile against dwarf hovercrafts.

While ‘Dwarves of Calcus’ was not combined with any other fairy-tale that I’m aware of, Hamstead incorporated original and creative plots and characters into the traditional story of Snow White. The dwarves each had personalities and their interactions with each other, the humans, and other magical beings provided some comedy. Additionally, not only does the evil stepmother, Geneva, send the huntsman back after Snow, she also unwittingly sends her current husband (husband #3) to Calcus, which creates some humorous scenes. Though Snow’s charming Timothy White and Geneva’s current husband were boyhood rivals, this is the magical world of Katie Hamstead’s fairy-tales; nothing remotely close to resembling a love triangle occurs.

Perfect for fans of Marissa Meyer’s ‘The Lunar Chronicles’!

Thanks to Curiosity Quills Press for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

‘Dwarves of Calcus’ will be available on March 6, 2018 as part of the Kindle Unlimited program!

#DwarvesOfCalcus #NetGalley

We’re back to the Fairytale Galaxy Chronicles and this time it’s all about Snow White. Katie Hamstead has managed yet again to take another classic fairytale and spin it in a way I’d have never imagined. The tale of Snow White gets an all new, completely inventive reimagining in this book and I can say that I enjoyed every minute of it!

This book was a super fast-paced read. From the get go we’re thrown into Snow’s life and it doesn’t slow down from there. Switching between the character’s was a great way to keep everything going but each character still had their own personality, which is sometimes hard to achieve. I liked the way Snow was written as being a pacifist so she used her wits and brains to get through more difficult situations. Snow was an extremely likable heroine, funny, kind to others and bold in her own unique ways. Her relationship with the dwarves was so sweet and heartwarming, you could almost feel the love emanating off the page.

Snow’s romance with Timothy was a whirlwind for sure and at first I’ll admit I wasn’t too fond of that just because I usually like the slow-burn or at least longer developed romances, but in the end their quick coupling worked into something really adorable. The way it progressed over the book helped grow them as a couple and as individual characters and it was so wonderful to read. It came across as so pure and charming like a true fairytale. Plus it was refreshing to see a book couple stay together from the start of a book through to the end.

Timothy’s character was probably the most enjoyable out of all the characters in the book. His adorable awkwardness and occasional humor were so endearing and his growth over the story was lovely to read as he’s coming into his own being with Snow and growing in confidence.

It was interesting too getting to spend more time with the villain of the story and I’m glad that there wasn’t any kind of redemptive plot for her, sometimes the villain just needs to stay the villain. As creepy as some of the stuff Geneva did was, it was also cool to see how the story of the Evil Queen would fit into the already developing narrative, and it turned out so great. I especially loved how everything ended up with the enchanted mirror, again, while super creepy, that was an awesome way to end things.

The dwarves were so fascinating and it’ll be hard to watch the Disney movie and not want to picture them differently now, but I like the semi-modern spin that Hamstead puts on all of these books. It makes everything easier to imagine, but yet still fantastical enough to be exciting. I enjoy finding out more about the places in these books like Calcus, where the dwarves live and Yenolia, where the leprechauns are. Of course I wish I knew every little detail and Hamstead is good about leaving just enough unsaid so that there’s plenty of mystery still surrounding this world she’s created.

So overall, another fantastic addition to the Fairytale Galaxy Chronicles. I look forward to reading any further additions in the future!

Movie over Mario and Princess Peach! There is a new Street Racing Queen coming you a planet near you! A street savvy Snow White! Oh, YES! I think I am in love! This author did a fantastic job reimagining the classic fairytale! Even in the outer reaches of space, Snow’s Step-Mother seeks to ruin the good reputation of her innocent charge and have her murdered! What she didn’t expect was Snow to fall in with magically inclined Dwarves! Because yeah why wouldn’t they have superpowers? Pff. There were so many twists and turns in this wonderous storyline that I thought I was on a Mario Kart track with Snow zooming at lightspeed!

After her stepmother tries to give her the preverbal ax, Snow finds comfort on Calcus with her seven dwarves and does the mining 9 to 5 with them at White Enterprises. So, there should be no surprise that sparks flew when the heir to the White Corporation shows up for an inspection and really drives home the Fairytale Romance. Snow does not have the normal skill set of fighting or defense, but she does own a sweet souped up Earth automobile that she uses against Dwarf hovercrafts! (Omg! Dreams do come true!)
Of course, the evil Step, Geneva, would not leave well enough alone and sent the Huntsman back out to finish the job as well as the new husband. Her third husband! (Not sayin’ she is a Black Widow but hey! You can’t fight love! Right?) Coincidentally, Timothy Snow and Hubby 3 have to be lifelong rivals to drive the plot and inject humor! I am not even mad! It was great!
Wonderous setting. Imaginative plot and character development. Fast ‘N the Furious Space style racing? Umm… whats not to love!?!
I would recommend this book to anyone that loves retellings of their favorite fairytales! Or those who loved the Lunar Chronicles!
I had not read the other two books, but I do not feel I missed out on anything and I just purchased them because how can they be bad?!!!!
GO BUY THIS SERIES AND THANK ME LATER FOR IT WHEN YOU COME UP FOR AIR!
Thank you, Netgalley and Curiosity Quills Press for allowing me access to the title and thank you Katie Hamstead for writing the best retelling I have ever had the pleasure to read! You are now on my priority author list!