These novellas are only available in the UK for some reason. I don’ understand why they couldn’t include them in the US anthology book. Feels very arbitrary and obviously forces me to pay extra for shippimg just so I can see what these short stories are about. Nonetheless, I can say I have read almost all the books in the series now and here are my thoughts.
An Expert in Gibberish by Tiffany Schmidt
What if Milo decided not to stay in Atlantis. . . ?
When Kida, the Queen of Atlantis, asks Milo to stay with her in the once-lost city, he instead chooses to return home. But Milo can’t escape a terrible decision: should he try to salvage his grandfather’s legacy, or fight for his own happiness?
A cute novella that allows for further exploration of Milo’s insecurities. The movie arc shows Milo gaining confidence when he saved Atlantis, but Schmidt shows a more realistic aftermath. After the adrenaline wears off and Kida offers Milo the chance to be king by her side, his insecurity of being a laughing stock rears his head. I mean, this guy has been considered a joke for years. That sort of thing doesn’t go away after one adventure. He doesn’t think he is ready for the responsibility.
Schmidt also highlights Milo’s relationship with her grandfather, seeing it as his duty to vindicate his reputation in front of the L.E.A.D. Board now that he has proof of Atlantis. Of course we know this is more about Milo’s ego than his grandfather’s and the rest of the crew and Mr. Whitmore try to guide Milo to that epiphany-love how Schmidt characterizes the crew’s new familial dynamics. Plus she retains the humor of the original.
The arc of Milo recognizing his worth and seeing that his original dreams are no longer what he wants is nicely paced for the short story. And drops real truth bombs about the era’s attitudes as Milo calls them out. Actually I’ll leave it here because it’s so good.
“You run the board of one of the best museums in the world. You have so much power, so much funding at your disposal- and you’re not curious. You don’t vaue knowledge or questioning or exploration. You don’t value the opinion of anyone who doesn’t look like you or share your economic privilege, (37)”.
Their respect isn’t worth it. My favorite story out of the collection.
4 atlantean crystals
Best of Friends by Mari Mancusi
What if the Widow Tweed stood her ground?
When Cooper is faced with being sent to the pound, he decides to brave the dangerous forest alone. Little does he know, a certain fox has followed him, worried for his former friend’s safety.
Most kids were traumatized by Bambi’s mother being shot. I was so traumatized by this movie that I’ve only seen it once. It’s just so sad. However, the novella eases some of that sadness. Taking place after Chief’s injury and Tod and Cooper’s break in friendship, the Widow Tweed stands against Amos’ harassment and calls the cops on him.
Good for her. But leads to a domino effect of the dogs almost being sent to the pound and Cooper running to find their AWOL master in a rainstorm.
This one has the calm atmosphere of the movie’s nature-infused vibes. Slow, slightly bittersweet with moments of terrifying acts of nature. From the animal POV. I enjoyed seeing Tod’s steadfast loyalty to his friend and determination to make things right for Chief. Same with Cooper realizing how he hadn’t helped in the situation by taking his anger out on his friend. Plus an encounter with a coyote pack make him realize that his actions as a hunting dog affect lives other than his own. And for what? So Amos could have a fur pelt on his wall. He may have been following orders but that didn’t make his actions good. Kinda surreal to have that analogy in a animal story but it worked.
Plus the reunion between Tod and Cooper eased my trauma, as I said before. Very cute.
3 baby birds
Lady Saves The Tramp by Farrah Rochon
What if the dog catcher captured Tramp instead of Lady?
When Tramp is snatched off the streets by the vicious dogcatcher, Lady is determined to save him. But can she overcome the dangers of the terrifying new world beyond her privileged life in time to save Tramp?
A cute albeit predictable story of Lady mustering her newfound dog instincts to rescue Tramp. I liked how Lady utilized some of her human knowledge (like stairs) in order to outwit the territorial strays, teaming up with Jock and Rusty to lead a jailbreak (pound-break?) and overall, asserting her new confidence that she is capable and competent. Fine for the story but no big twists that you can’t predict.
3 pasta dishes
Human Again by Jen Calonita
What if the Enchantress gave Mrs. Pitt the chance to break the curse?
The Beast’s enchanted servants have lost all hope of ever being human again- even the ever-optimistic Mrs. Potts. But when the Enchantress offers them a gift, will their dreas become reality?
The sub-title is a bit misleading as it’s more of a gift from the Enchantress in recognition of Mrs. Pott’s work to keep up everyone’s spirits during the curse. Calonita does well in softening the Enchantress’ nature. It does seem harsh for her to curse the entire castle for their master’s arrogance. Taking place a unknown amount of years since the first curse, but before it started dropping petels everyone is losing heart that it will end. The Enchantress offers Mrs. Potts a chance to be human in order to reignite her spirits. Mrs. Potts being an absolute angel accepts only if everyone does to. The day back in their human forms allows them a memory that will keep them fueled for the decade to come, and it’s so sweet to see everyone’s palpable excitement and how they choose to spend their time. One maid wants to try clothes all day long. Fifi and Lumiere have a picnic. A stable hand swims in the lake. Cogsworth just wants cheese and bread. Mrs. Potts with Chip is absolutely adorable as they chow down on eclairs and Chip gets to see kids his own age again.
It also allows Mrs. Potts a time to reflect on how she can help Beast improve only to bump against the obstacle of how can he improve if he’s so isolated. That wisdom brings the Enchantress back in the picture and Calonita once again softens her from her movie incarnation by accepting Mrs. Potts’ wisdom and discreetly acknowledging her fault in making such a isolated curse, hiding them from the world. It makes her more of a benevolent sorceress as the movie intended and the curse execution muddled.
It was a heartening new perspective of the years between Beauty and the Beast and made me realize that Mrs. Potts is an underrated character. The whole enchanted servants are and I would totally read a stand-alone book about them. Much like Rochon’s novel about the Muses from Hercules.
4 roses
Snow This is Love by Julie Murphy, Jasmine Guillory, Zoraida Cordueva, Christiana Lauren and Jesse Q Sutanto
Since this is also a anthology, I thought I’d throw in my thoughts on this too.
Come in from the cold and let your heart melt this holiday season with five all-new cozy romance stories from the best-selling authors of Disney’s Meant to Be collection. From Christmas to New Year’s Eve to Lunar New Year, today’s best romance writers reimagine beloved Disney tales as contemporary romances with a dusting of holiday magic.
“Deck the Heels” by Julie Murphy: Nothing says Merry Christmas like a televised fairy tale wedding produced by your not-so-evil stepmother.
A nice continuation of the original novel allowing Cindy to finally confront a major flaw regarding her ambitions and Henry’s communication issues which elevated the predictable “let’s marry for us not for the spectacle” ending. Also I found the reality show challenges fun and cool to see Cindy’s family again.
“Beauty and the Baking Battle” by Jasmine Guillory: A brainy beauty and her (reformed) beast’s visions of sugar plums for their dream baking competition turn into a nightmare.
Belle and Beau get on the Amazing British Baking Battle, and like any homage to the Great British Baking Show, I love the story as the couple showcase how far they have come in their communication, showcasing Belle’s ultra-competitive side, and the contestants coming together agsint the producers to push what makes the baking show great- it’s the cozy, work together spirit that viewers want, not drama.
“Siren in the Snow” by Zoraida Córdova: She’s the girl who has everything. He has nothing, when he loses his luggage and control of his romantic Christmas surprise.
While I loved the humor and chaos of Eric trying to pull off a perfect proposal with Ariel’s sisters/his band and the bittersweet reflections of Ariel reminiscing about her mother and what she’d like to do in her memory, it didn’t feel like there was enough stakes to keep my interest for the whole story.
“Best (New Year’s) Day Ever” by Christina Lauren: Can a sunshine and not-quite grump check off everything on their holiday bucket-list and make it home for their first New Year’s Eve kiss?
This was cute. I love a road trip story and it was fun to see the couple have romantic New Orleans day, Ren embrace her inner showgirl and them enjoy an amusement park that is an obvious expy to Disneyland. However, it gets so stinking sweet that I couldn’t get into it. There was no real conflict and while I love a healthy, totally devoted couple, pages of googly eyes can get tiresome.
“Dreaming of a Perfect Lunar New Year” by Jesse Q. Sutanto: A possible curse, a meddling family, and a disastrous Lunar New Year party almost come between a couple that is meant to be.
I love Sutanto’s books and this was no exception as Mulan shows off her ladyboss skills, drops some truth bombs about women in the workplace and meddling family members to make a memorable Lunar New Year.
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