The Doomsday Book of Fairy Tales

By: Emily Brewes

Narrated by: Daniela Acitelli

An astounding tale of a dangerous quest, a talking dog, and fragmented fairy tales in an eerie post-climate collapse future.

A long time ago, the Vanderchucks fled the growing climate disaster and followed their neighbors into the Underground. Jesse Vanderchuck thought it was the end. Of the world. Of life. Eventually, Jesse's little sister, Olivia, ran away and Jesse started picking through trash heaps in Toronto's abandoned subway tunnels. Day in, day out.

Now, years later, Jesse meets a talking dog. Fighting illness and the hostile world aboveground, Jesse and Doggo embark on a fool's errand to find Olivia - or die trying. Along the way, Jesse spins a series of fairy tales from threads of memories, weaving together the past, present, and future into stories of brave girls, of cunning lads, of love in the face of wickedness, and of hope in the midst of despair.

©2021 Emily Brewes (P)2022 Tantor

Post-apocalyptic tale of one woman's journey

This is one of the most unique books I've ever read. It has your standard Post-apocalyptic fare, but manages to bring an element of humanity that brings the reader right into the story, making it an unforgettable experience. I also love the way the author incorporates fairy tales into the narrative, its refreshing in a way you wouldn't expect, but somehow works.

The question of what was actually real toward the end of the book was a nice twist.

Honestly, the story starts promisingly, but then begins to drag. The whole storytelling thing really didn’t work for me, and I found myself getting a bit bored. The narrator’s deadpan delivery also rather contributed to that.