Because You Love to Hate Me

I went into this expecting a gimmicky rehash of fairy tales, but *Because You Love to Hate Me* surprised me with its depth and originality. The standout here is definitely the narration. Julia Whelan’s performance in *The Sleeper and the Spindle*—a dark, feminist twist on *Sleeping Beauty*—is electric, her voice crackling with tension as she weaves through the eerie, suspenseful twists. Kevin T. Collins nails the melancholic villainy in *Little Red Riding Hood’s* retelling (*Red*), his voice dripping with weary regret that makes you reconsider the whole ‘wolf as predator’ trope. Ameriie’s own narration in *The Queen’s Guide* is playful and poised, grounding the anthology with a mischievous energy. That said, not every story lands. *The Most Dangerous of Deceits* (a *Ugly Duckling* retelling) feels weighed down by its dense prose, and the pacing drags in sections. Some tales lean too hard into the ‘villain as misunderstood hero’ angle, making their redemption arcs feel unearned. Still, the sheer audacity of this collection makes up for its flaws. If you love fairy tales with bite—especially those that challenge your sympathies—this audiobook is a must-listen. Just don’t expect every track to hit the same high note.