Reviewed by K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

A Bittersweet Collection of Tales and Stories by Miranda Pardee is a work of fiction in the fantasy, adventure, and action subgenres. It is best suited for an adult audience due to some violence and occasional strong language. This work features a collection of fantasy stories that tackle different themes, creatures, concepts, and adventure tropes, but each story is given a tonal or circumstantial twist that illustrates how not every fantasy tale ends happily ever after. From clever twists on classic fairytales to original stories based on mythology and folklore, there are many lessons to learn about human emotion and imperfection.

Author Miranda Pardee has some fantastic ideas in this highly original and enjoyable collection, which subverts classic storytelling and delivers fantasy situations from the days of old with a modern attitude and narrative style. While I did feel the development of certain scenes and the presentation of dialogue could be enhanced for a bit more clarity when reading, the stories have a lot of action, and the ideas are exciting enough to keep readers flipping the pages. The pacing for each tale is just enough to enjoy during a coffee break or as a quick read before bed, making for an experience that doesn’t skimp on character, relationships, and plot. Overall, A Bittersweet Collection of Tales and Stories is a read that will undoubtedly capture the imaginations of those seeking original and action-packed alternative fantasy fiction.