In my recent exploration of the gorgeous fairytale compilations by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling, I came across a young adult-oriented book of short stories called Swan Sister: Fairy Tales Retold. It is not my favorite among the books of theirs that I’ve read so far, but it’s still a very enjoyable collection that I would happily read a second time. Thirteen stories make up the thin but fun novel, including works by Neil Gaiman, Bruce Coville, Jane Yolen, Tanith Lee, and other favorites.

This collection is made up of strong heroines who save the day, making it a wonderful book for young women especially. In a retelling of Sleeping Beauty, rather than cursing the girl, the fairies are miffed that she is destined to yet another choiceless life of a princess, and they gift her with the 100 years of sleep so she can explore the world during the night, while the rest of the world sleeps. There is a brilliant tale about a girl who meets a magical fish but only asks for gifts for others, and a Latina version of Little Red Riding Hood in which Red is brave and destined to become a very powerful witch. A self-saving Rapunzel and the thinking behind Scheharazade are also included in the book.

Perhaps the most beautiful and moving tale of them all is the titular one, “My Swan Sister.” Though it is based upon The Wild Swans, it is also based on a true story about a baby who did not live past her first few months of life but changed the world around her for the better. It moved me to tears, reminding me of my own premature baby who was also on a green oxygen tank when she arrived home. The story was absolutely breathtaking, filled with imagery that blended the fairytale with life, which, I think, makes the most powerful type of story of all.

I think the reason this collection overall didn’t stay with me as strongly was simply because most of the stories weren’t that scary or disturbing—not that they should be; the previous collections were simply that much more vivid and likely to leave a lasting impression. Even so, the stories are still a lot of fun to read, and provide lovely metaphors and power to female characters that most traditional tales fail to do. Ideas, rather than the stories themselves, seem to really drive these particular tales—which is fine, just different. Most fairy tale readers would still enjoy this collection, I think, and it would be a wonderful gift for fantasy readers who may not be ready for the grisly collections just yet.