This review originally posted at More Than Just Magic 
 I love fairy tale re-tellings in all their forms. But I especially love when those re-tellings capture the feel of the original story they were inspired by. Strands of Bronze and Gold is a perfect example of this. It is a captivating read that is just a creepy and mysterious as the original. 
 That being said, if you've never read the original tale of Bluebeard or if you only know the bare bones of the story, that's ok! Strands of Bronze and Gold does not make any assumptions about its readers. It presents itself as if it was a brand new tale. I was only familiar with the basic premise of the story (and the Fables version and I never felt like I miss any information, or that the story was moving on without me. I also think not knowing the story adds an extra creepiness factor to this book, as you begin to suspect what's really going on. 
 As I mentioned at the beginning of this review, Jane Nickerson does a superb job of capturing the original feel of the fairy tale. Classic fairy tales often have this creepy, mysterious and poetic feel to them but not many re-tellings are able to capture this style. Strands of Bronze and Gold is the best example of this style I've read since Ash by Malinda Lo. Strands of Bronze and Gold takes place in the pre-Civil War era of the South and it very atmospheric. I truly felt as though I had been transported into another time and place. The descriptions of Wyndriven Abbey and it's surrounding land were haunting and made me wish it was a real place I could go visit. 
 At the centre of all this wonderful story is our heroine -Sophia. I found her a little naive in the beginning but as I continued to read I found there was much more to her than that. Most of all I like that she makes up her own mind up about things - such as her position on slavery - and does what she can with her situation. She finds her own way to work around Bernard's fluctuating moods, puts herself in danger by assisting with the Underground Railroad and breaks all of societies conventions when it comes to a certain pastor... No matter the situation she finds a way despite the difficulty of her situation. 
 Recommendation: A fantastic and atmospheric fairy tale re-telling, with a plucky heroine and creeptastic plot. Strands of Bronze and Gold is not to be missed!