The Grimm Diary Prequels: A Dark and Interesting Spin on Classics

Everyone knows the classic stories of Cinderella, Snow White, Pinocchio etc. Or rather, you at least know the PG, watered down versions or adaptations by Disney.

Not saying those depictions aren't great as we grew up on them but now that we're adults we require more stimulation from our entertainment. That's why I love the Grimm Diaries, the prequel series is a collection of short stories in the form of diary entries by different characters. Not just the "heroes" but also the "villains" and those titles are in quotations because this series makes you question who those titles were allocated to. The very 1st entry is called "Snow White Blood Red", maybe you can guess what dark spin was put on this character and this entry is by none other than The Evil Queen (Snow Whites' step mother). Ever wonder why we never knew her name?

This book series explores the backstories of previously under-portrayed characters like never before, making the plots more complex and story even more gripping the further along you get. As displayed in the image above, here are the first 6 books in this prequel series - including whom they are written in the narrative of.

1. Snow White Blood Red (As Told by The Evil Queen)

2. Ashes to Ashes, Cinder to Cinder (As Told by Alice Grimm) *Not Alice in Wonderland, that's another series.

3.Beauty Never Dies (As Told by Peter Pan)

4.Ladle Rat Rotten Hut (As Told by Little Red Riding Hood)

5.Mary Mary Quite Contrary (As Told by ??)

6.Blood Apples (As Told by The Evil Queen)

I highly recommend this book series, there are so many unexpected connections between characters, characters with traits and identities that are as dark as they are intriguing and entities with influence that you probably never considered to be a part of this world.

Although most of the plot is the work of the author Cameron Jace, this book series sticks closely to the original stories that were first published in 1812. Remember that year because it's very important and integral to the foundation of the series. The author also uses real historical events, crazes and phenomena to add authenticity and realism. The use of real events is so well used that the author even has you contemplating if these characters were real life people - it's surreal!

The further along you read, the more you hear from characters that have never made an appearance - like Snow White's father!!

The Grimm diaries prequels are an intricate blend of fairy tale meets horror, with the later installments getting darker and a little more twisted. A endless snow fall, a darkness to scare the Devil himself and a red reaper are just a few of the goings on in this series. The famous colors of white, black and red - remember where you've heard those before? They are a constant theme and very important to the progression of the diaries. Traditionally, the color white symbolizes purity and goodness, black signifies darkness and evil and red can connote either blood and violence or passion and love - but the lines between them are thin and blurry.

Out of the first six books in this prequel series that I noted previously, I'd have to say that my favorite is number 4, "Ladle Rat Rotten Hut". It just sounds funny and weird, the story itself has, what I think is, a very cool concept that that be deeply explored and you find that the narrator of this diary entry has an integral role and a heavy burden upon their shoulders.

As to not give too much away, I won't say anymore. To check out this amazing book series, click the link below:

https://amzn.to/32hX7kJ