Ursula Vernon never disappoints me with her prose, and this collection is no exception. The title story Toad Words is quirky, interesting, and a thoughtful examination on finding the blessing within the most unpleasant curse. Her take on Snow White in the novella Boar and Apples is an fun romp through a far grittier fairy tale land than your usual Disney fare, and her treatment of the Red Riding Hood tale leaves me wanting a return to that place. I can't recommend this collection enough!

(Confession: I didn't buy it on iTunes. But now I can read it on iBooks or Marvin. So.) This anthology is primarily re-tellings of fairy tales... With twists. Very good twists. The twists aren't there just for Being A Twist, but to give depth. To play with "what if." Sample if you don't already know "T. Kingfisher's" work, but it's an insta-buy for me & I was not disappointed. The Intro alone is excellent.