Cold Hearted

Book 8 of 8: Villains

Published: 6, July 2021
Author: Serena Valentino
 
Genres: Teen & Young Adult Media Tie-In, Teen & Young Adult Fairy Tale & Folklore Adaptations, Children's Folk Tales & Myths, Teen & Young Adult Myths & Legends, Fantasy, Disney
 
This was an unexpected story, you know these are villains but a villain that is going to make you cry is here. We all know Cinderella’s stepmother Lady Tremaine; almost everyone hates her for the way she treats Cinderella and wants to ruin her life, but after reading this book, I am sure lots of people are going to feel sad for her because of the circumstances and the way her bad choices and mistake after mistake changed her life.
 
This book is going to tell us something about bad people and why people do bad stuff to others and in some cases; they lost something or want love or approval from a loved one. But then you find out something else and that is, some people are just bad, it doesn’t matter how they lived or how good you are to them, they will be bad no matter what.
 
I hope everyone who reads this book is going to learn from it. A simple and fast read as with all the books from this series. The author is actually well versed in Disney’s animated movies and the characters from these movies and stories. She took all these villains and gave them her own touch to make us understand the cause of evil they represent, but after reading this series you are going to feel differently about many of them.
 
I think this is not the last book in this series because I felt a lot of explanations are due from the main series and a lot of villains are left for us to read about. I am sure after reading this book you are going to end up pitying Lady Tremaine and then you are going to want more of these books with other villains that are still not included in this series.
 
A good and fast read with something for everyone. You can finish it in less than three hours if not a fast reader. Just start from the first book and read in sequence to enjoy all these books to the fullest. It was a wonderful series and it is very close to my heart even I am not from the recommended age. But for me, age has nothing to do with what I read or do. Because I follow “Peter Pan” philosophy of “you start to grow old as soon as you stop being a kid” (my own saying) and I never stopped being a kid and never will.
 
This paragraph is going to be the same for this book series so If you already read it previously then just skip to the next paragraph - This book series is about Walt Disney’s villains and about the life they had and what caused them to be like what you saw them on the screen. I always wanted to know about the other side of the story when I saw a villain do something evil. And I think now is the time when we can see and read about that because I see movies and read books about antiheroes and even villain’s backgrounds. Our society is at last evolving and adopting the open-minded approach and that is why we are trying to learn the opposite side’s story also.
 
Warning: This book may make you shed some tears depending on how hard it tugs at your heartstrings so just in case, keep a few tissues close at hand.
 
Synopsis:
“This was supposed to be her happily ever after...
 
It’s a familiar tale: A kind and beautiful young girl, reeling from loss. A doting father, frantic to bring a mother’s love back into his daughter’s life. And the selfish, cruel woman who insinuates herself into that family―a woman so unfeeling, so cold hearted, that when her new husband dies, she makes the girl a servant in her own home.
 
But who is that evil stepmother, that icy lady of the house? How did she become so closed off that, in the face of a child’s grief, she thought only to seek wealth and power for herself and her abhorrent daughters? Before that fateful ball, before the glass slipper and the prince, there was another story―a story of love and grief, of hope and of dreams dashed. It is the story of Lady Tremaine.
 
Even the coldest of villains are sometimes wives and mothers, women who loved and lost and hoped for something grander for their lives . . . once upon a dream.
 
The latest novel in Serena Valentino’s deliciously devious Villains series introduces the most famed and hated wicked stepmother of them all―but turns everything you know about her on its head.”
 
 
The audiobook is not available yet but I’ll add the link as soon as the audio version of this book is out.
 
I suggest buying the hardcover version if you are a true fan or want to give it as a gift to someone who is a fan.
 
 
Rating: 100/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.
 
Buy the Kindle version here:
https://amzn.to/2WbRt3P
 
Buy the hardcover version here:
https://amzn.to/3y8XEmn
 
Villains Hardcover Book Series 1-7 Set 
https://amzn.to/3mfrXFM
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.
Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Namsu
Help me grow into a global force: https://www.patreon.com/namsu
Support with crypto coins/tokens: https://cointr.ee/namsu
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 
 

Evil Thing

Book 7 of 8: Villains

Published: 7, July 2020
Author: Serena Valentino
 
Genres: Teen & Young Adult Media Tie-In, Teen & Young Adult Fairy Tale & Folklore Adaptations, Children's Folk Tales & Myths, Teen & Young Adult Myths & Legends, Fantasy, Disney
 
At last, a book about a stylish villain Cruella De Vil. I know this series is about the villains from Disney and all of us started and thought as if we are going to read about the origins of all these villains but the author introduced her own new characters and we found out in most cases it was the hidden hand of these characters that were involved in shaping the lives and stories of most of these known characters. For some, it was a wonderful idea and for some it is boring, but for me, it is a great idea to show and expand on the universe so we can enjoy it more and find more stories and possibilities in this already huge universe.
 
Cruella does not belong in the same category as the other villains of the past books, because she belongs to the modern world. And that is why you are only going to find very few things that are going to connect this book to other books and the main background story. It is not much but I liked the hint and the touch writer gave to it. One more thing that I must clear is that I did not watch the new movie called “Cruella” yet so I don’t know if it is the same story or based on this book or not. (Going to watch the movie very soon, so keep an eye on this area for an update.)
 
The book tells Cruella's story as an autobiography and shows the side of her that we never knew and the reasons behind her turn to what we saw in the movies. I really love the first-person narrative and this one is no exception, Cruella tells her story in this book and surely you are going to love it plus the ending is great so be ready for saying wow at the end.
 
A fun and creative story to read, it makes you sad for the villain. Her plan to do what she wanted to do with the puppies is unforgivable but still as a human you are still going to be sad for her just like you felt sad for other villains in previous books.
 
I think I found a clue and it is something or a pair of things that are cursed and that is in my opinion going to be revealed later. (It is just my guess and may have nothing to do with the next stories. Ask me privately or comment if you found out what I am talking about)
 
This paragraph is going to be the same for this book series so If you already read it previously then just skip to the next paragraph - This book series is about Walt Disney’s villains and about the life they had and what caused them to be like what you saw them on the screen. I always wanted to know about the other side of the story when I saw a villain do something evil. And I think now is the time when we can see and read about that because I see movies and read books about antiheroes and even villain’s backgrounds. Our society is at last evolving and adopting the open-minded approach and that is why we are trying to learn the opposite side’s story also.
 
Synopsis:
“Cruella De Vil is the perfect villain: stylish, witty, relentless...and possibly cursed.
 
From her lonely childhood, to her iconic fashion choices, to that fateful car crash (you know the one), Cruella tells all in this marvelous memoir of a woman doomed. Even the cruelest villains have best friends, true loves, and daring dreams. Now it's Cruella’s turn to share hers.
 
This latest novel by the author of the wildly popular and darkly fascinating Villains series brings readers a tale told by the Evil Thing herself―a tale of the complicated bonds of female friendship, of mothers and daughters, and of burning, destructive desire.
 
After all, nothing is as simple as black and white.”
 

Not a long read and can be finished in one sitting and may take three hours if you are a fan of Cruella.
 
The audiobook is not out available, I was hoping to listen to this after listening to the last book’s audio because that was amazing. I’ll add the link as soon as the audio version of this book is out.
 
I suggest buying the hardcover version if you are a true fan or want to give it as a gift to someone who is a fan.
 
Rating: 95/100
Recommended: 100/100 Yes.
 
Buy the Kindle version here:
https://amzn.to/3zbYrEE
 
Buy the hardcover version here:
https://amzn.to/3mp3DRX
 
Villains Hardcover Book Series 1-7 Set 
https://amzn.to/3mfrXFM
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.
Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Namsu
Help me grow into a global force: https://www.patreon.com/namsu
Support with crypto coins/tokens: https://cointr.ee/namsu
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
 

The Odd Sisters

A Villains Novel

Book 6 of 8: Villains

Published: 2, July 2019

Author: Serena Valentino

Genres: Teen & Young Adult Media Tie-In, Teen & Young Adult Fairy Tale & Folklore Adaptations, Children's Folk Tales & Myths, Teen & Young Adult Myths & Legends, Wizards & Witches Fantasy, Epic Fantasy

The first thing that I immediately loved about this book was the maps of the kingdoms from these books and the artwork. It kind of gives the reader a sense of how a character looks like and a sense of reality and awareness when you see the maps. I am not sure if all the copies are the same as mine, I mean contain the maps and art or not but if you don’t have then basically it doesn’t matter and these won’t make the story any different than what it is. Besides you can imagine the places and characters in your mind as with any other book you read.

This book is a fast read and I was able to finish it in a couple of hours and was left wanting for more as with lots of good series like this one.

Lots of people are not happy with this book because once more they didn’t read the previous books and this time this story is kind of all about the new characters that are not actually in the movies. I liked the idea because you are not just bound to read about the few characters and villains that you already know. I am hoping that Disney is going to expand the animated universe and include the characters of this series as well.

After the ending of the fifth book, I was crazily waiting for this book and I was not disappointed to know what happens and as always it is all going to be a spoiler if I talk about any of the books because I know some people reading this review are first-time readers and may get a hint of what happens and may not like it if I ruin the story, suspense, and excitement for them.

The story expands even more and you know about one of the main evils behind lots of stuff that is happening. The mash-up of characters is my favorite thing in any media, especially games, comics, and books, and as with the review of the fifth book of this series "Mother Knows Best," I must remind you about the game Kingdom Hearts, this book series reminds me of that game series a lot and I must mention it so I can invite you to that huge and beautiful universe also. (Link to the game at the bottom with book links)

I must inform you about the audio version of this book here. It is amazing and I am sure you are going to love the voice actor and the way she is telling the story. It is true, I get a commission if you buy the audio but I only say it if I like the audio myself and you must go and check the sample from the link at the bottom to hear it for yourself and understand that I am telling the truth about the audio version of this book.

This paragraph is going to be the same for this book series so If you already read it previously then just skip to the next paragraph - This book series is about Walt Disney’s villains and about the life they had and what caused them to be like what you saw them on the screen. I always wanted to know about the other side of the story when I saw a villain do something evil. And I think now is the time when we can see and read about that because I see movies and read books about antiheroes and even villain’s backgrounds. Our society is at last evolving and adopting the open-minded approach and that is why we are trying to learn the opposite side’s story also.

Synopsis:

“Throughout the Villains series, the Odd Sisters have meddled in the lives of the Wicked Queen, The Beast, Ursula, Maleficent, and Mother Gothel, changing the course of fate for the greatest villains ever known. Now, it’s time for their reckoning.

This latest novel by the author of the wildly popular Villains series goes deeper into the lives of the twisted, diabolical Odd Sisters, finally revealing the dark truth about who they are and where they're from. The Odd Sisters will appeal to fans who can’t get enough of the mischievous sisters, as well as draw new readers to Serena Valentino’s darkly fascinating take on the Disney Villains.”

I suggest buying the hardcover version if you are a true fan or want to give it as a gift to someone who is a fan.

Rating: 100/100

Recommended: 100/100 Yes.

Buy the Kindle version here:

https://amzn.to/3j5NOgN

Buy the hardcover version here:

https://amzn.to/3kvZNEf

Villains Hardcover Book Series 1-7 Set

https://amzn.to/3mfrXFM

Free with the free trial of Audible:

https://amzn.to/2XDZDCG

The Games in Kingdom Hearts Series (All parts in one):

https://amzn.to/383dTHi

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Any kind of support, even a simple 'like, thumbs up or a small comment' is enough and helps me grow, create and freely do more stuff and work on projects for the benefit of many.

Buy Me A Coffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Namsu

Help me grow into a global force: https://www.patreon.com/namsu

Support with crypto coins/tokens: https://cointr.ee/namsu

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -