After reading the buzz on Verla’s board, I had to read this book.

As the type of kid who read the author’s note first to find out the real story behind the story, I was thrilled to see a potential explanation for the Rumplestiltskin fairy tale (and yes, I read Bunce’s author’s note first, heh).

Charlotte is a strong and likeable heroine, who also infuriates the reader at times, which made her more realistic to me. I almost wondered if I was missing something when her relationship with Randall fizzled, but it fit perfectly with her character, so I bought it.

As a young mother, I was much more terrified by Charlotte’s situation than in the original fairy tale. I was completely drawn in by her emotion and by her predicament. What would the reader do in her place?

The only part that was too drawn-out for me was the side story with the uncle and his (and thus Charlotte’s) family history. It wasn’t dramatic enough for so much attention to me.

Overall, I love these modern retellings which offer us explanations – everything from Gregory Maguire’s books to the 2005 movie “The Brothers Grimm,” and Bunce’s CURSE takes its place right beside those as an excellent work of fiction.