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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Princess Alyrra enjoys nothing more than spending time in the kitchen or out in the woods. She doesn't enjoy being a princess and really doesn't enjoy the abuse heaped on her by her mother and brother. When a king from a foreign land comes looking for a bride for his son, she acquiesces and goes off with them. Her mother sends Lady Valka along, mainly to get rid of her. Along the journey, Valka, with the help of a Fae Lady, switches bodies with Alyrra and becomes the princess. Once they reach the kingdom, Valka orders Alyrra away and she is sent to be the goose girl. There she becomes friends with the others in the stables and learns all about her new kingdom. Alyrra is joined in the stables by Falada, a talking Horse. However, Valka is nothing like Alyrra and soon Prince Kestrin comes asking questions Alyrra, now Thorn, can't answer because of her curse. Thorn has to figure out what she truly wants. Can she live with Valka as her successor? Can she allow the injustice she sees in the city to continue? Can she stand aside while Kestrin falls under the power of the Lady?
I truly enjoyed this retelling of the Goose Girl. Alyrra/Thorn is a wonderful character. She is strong and has a good heart. She can't stand for injustice even if she might be better off looking the other way. I liked the fact that while I was sure there was going to be a happy ending I wasn't really sure how we were going to get there. And it wasn't all happy along the way. There are some really dark and terrible things that happen during the course of this book that help shape who Alyrra becomes. I went back and reread the tale of the Goose Girl and was pleasantly surprised at how close to the original Khanani kept the story. It really was a pleasure to read.
I received this book from Netgalley.
I truly enjoyed this retelling of the Goose Girl. Alyrra/Thorn is a wonderful character. She is strong and has a good heart. She can't stand for injustice even if she might be better off looking the other way. I liked the fact that while I was sure there was going to be a happy ending I wasn't really sure how we were going to get there. And it wasn't all happy along the way. There are some really dark and terrible things that happen during the course of this book that help shape who Alyrra becomes. I went back and reread the tale of the Goose Girl and was pleasantly surprised at how close to the original Khanani kept the story. It really was a pleasure to read.
I received this book from Netgalley.
The first book in a long time that I read in one sitting! (Technically)
A co-worker had recommended this book to me and I started reading it one evening while out and then continued it when I'd made my way back home and stayed up until I'd finished the whole thing and quite frankly, I don't regret missing those hours of sleep at all.
I honestly had no idea that this was a loose fairy tale retelling but even without knowing, there were many fairy tale elements in this story (magic, wicked family members, a cursed prince, and a princess whose kindness stands strong in the face of adversity).
However, it's so much more than just a fairy tale. There are the elements of street justice in the face of systemic justice failure and indifference, the inheritance of hatred and prejudice, survival from abusive relatives, sexism, and the learning of one's identity when stripped of everything you thought you were.
Alyrra, our princess in this tale, is undoubtedly kind, but there's a wariness in her that influences her decisions throughout the story. Understandably, her experiences with her family have left their mark. And while she would be more than happy to leave court life behind, her own unwavering morals won't allow her to shy from seeking justice and her own responsibilities. While the story may have started seemingly slow, I actually thought that Alyrra carried the story well, and I found myself invested in seeing her survive and thrive.
A co-worker had recommended this book to me and I started reading it one evening while out and then continued it when I'd made my way back home and stayed up until I'd finished the whole thing and quite frankly, I don't regret missing those hours of sleep at all.
I honestly had no idea that this was a loose fairy tale retelling but even without knowing, there were many fairy tale elements in this story (magic, wicked family members, a cursed prince, and a princess whose kindness stands strong in the face of adversity).
However, it's so much more than just a fairy tale. There are the elements of street justice in the face of systemic justice failure and indifference, the inheritance of hatred and prejudice, survival from abusive relatives, sexism, and the learning of one's identity when stripped of everything you thought you were.
Alyrra, our princess in this tale, is undoubtedly kind, but there's a wariness in her that influences her decisions throughout the story. Understandably, her experiences with her family have left their mark. And while she would be more than happy to leave court life behind, her own unwavering morals won't allow her to shy from seeking justice and her own responsibilities. While the story may have started seemingly slow, I actually thought that Alyrra carried the story well, and I found myself invested in seeing her survive and thrive.
Ok, so I’m going to preface this review with the fact that the author is a friend of mine from high school. But if it were going to be a bad review, I just wouldn’t post anything. :p
This. Book. Rocked. Seriously. I had never heard of the goose girl tale, so I went into this story with no knowledge of how it “should” play out. I’m a big fan of fantasy, and this definitely hit all the right spots for it. I was a bit disappointed that Alyrra didn’t turn out to be magical herself; I thought the Wind was going to be part of that, then Falada spoke only to her - magical! I mean, it played itself out perfectly, but I had hoped for a little “omg look at the magic I had inside and never knew!” Perhaps that will be a different story to come, hint hint...
Not ashamed to say that I cried when Falada was killed. The emotion packed into those scenes were so strong. I don’t cry easily in books but you could just FEEL Alyrra’s pain. And the pain and hopelessness at the beginning with her family - palpable emotions. Show, don’t tell,” right?! Superbly conveyed.
I enjoyed the themes of justice and the difference in classes. I know the next book features Rae from the short story at the end, and I can’t wait to dive into that one. But I hope we still see Alyrra and Kestrin’s growth as a couple and perhaps change in royalty rules, more on Falada (because he was the best and hello, talking head!) and how Rae fits into all this too.
Five stars. Can’t wait for the next one.
This. Book. Rocked. Seriously. I had never heard of the goose girl tale, so I went into this story with no knowledge of how it “should” play out. I’m a big fan of fantasy, and this definitely hit all the right spots for it. I was a bit disappointed that Alyrra didn’t turn out to be magical herself; I thought the Wind was going to be part of that, then Falada spoke only to her - magical! I mean, it played itself out perfectly, but I had hoped for a little “omg look at the magic I had inside and never knew!” Perhaps that will be a different story to come, hint hint...
Not ashamed to say that I cried when Falada was killed. The emotion packed into those scenes were so strong. I don’t cry easily in books but you could just FEEL Alyrra’s pain. And the pain and hopelessness at the beginning with her family - palpable emotions. Show, don’t tell,” right?! Superbly conveyed.
I enjoyed the themes of justice and the difference in classes. I know the next book features Rae from the short story at the end, and I can’t wait to dive into that one. But I hope we still see Alyrra and Kestrin’s growth as a couple and perhaps change in royalty rules, more on Falada (because he was the best and hello, talking head!) and how Rae fits into all this too.
Five stars. Can’t wait for the next one.
Couldn’t complete
This is a fiction book, of a fantasy nature. I hadn’t known of this when I read the opening pages...
It started off well and then the openings to the chapters was very Handmaid's Tale-esque. Starting with the setting, soon after the character waits...
I gave this book a chance, it’s a little off focus and the writer kept introducing new characters. The story of the first character was left incomplete.
Ultimately, I had no patience to complete this book. It wasn’t what I had thought it would be. For a Young Adult book, it is different, has none of the same thought provoking themes.
This is not a book that can read itself! The magic and the mystery of it wasn’t enough to get me. I wouldn’t read again...
This is a fiction book, of a fantasy nature. I hadn’t known of this when I read the opening pages...
It started off well and then the openings to the chapters was very Handmaid's Tale-esque. Starting with the setting, soon after the character waits...
I gave this book a chance, it’s a little off focus and the writer kept introducing new characters. The story of the first character was left incomplete.
Ultimately, I had no patience to complete this book. It wasn’t what I had thought it would be. For a Young Adult book, it is different, has none of the same thought provoking themes.
This is not a book that can read itself! The magic and the mystery of it wasn’t enough to get me. I wouldn’t read again...
All I've been able to think about tbe past two days was this book and when I could get back to reading it. It is packed with intrique, warring ideas of what "justice" means, characters you grow to love, and a story I want to keep reading once the book is done.
Didn't realize this was a Goose Girl retelling, apparently I like those.
Fairytale vibes and a lot of fun.
Fairytale vibes and a lot of fun.
I am wary of retellings.
Perhaps it is my own skepticism, but I feel like too many of them are a bland rehash of a story I've known a hundred thousand times. Or, like the fate of far too many movies and TV shows, adapted soullessly to appeal to a different crowd in a different time.
So. When I initially saw this book, I actually didn't want to read it. I don't even remember adding it to my favorites list on my library app. I think there were two reasons I did: 1. It was recommended as similar to The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh, a duology I absolutely adored. 2. The cover was intriguing in its simplicity.
I picked it up yesterday out of a desire to read something simple and light, and found myself pleasantly surprised.
Because retellings can be done well. If you honor the spirit of the original story, but also remember to place your own spin upon it. Give it depth and heart and enough twists to interest a familiar reader.
And this book did.
It kept enough of the original elements of folk tale, but expanded on characters and fleshed them out, inviting us into an intimate but broken world in need of healing, and introducing us to a heroine who is eager to obtain the one thing that everyone always seems to overlook: a simple life.
I also really appreciated that the romance was not rushed. I definitely think we'll get there in the end (as I understand there will be a couple more books in the series, though I don't know if they will follow the same characters). No love triangles. No insta love. A relationship that has struggles and is built on mutual trust and understanding. So very refreshing.
I greatly look forward to the next installment.
Perhaps it is my own skepticism, but I feel like too many of them are a bland rehash of a story I've known a hundred thousand times. Or, like the fate of far too many movies and TV shows, adapted soullessly to appeal to a different crowd in a different time.
So. When I initially saw this book, I actually didn't want to read it. I don't even remember adding it to my favorites list on my library app. I think there were two reasons I did: 1. It was recommended as similar to The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh, a duology I absolutely adored. 2. The cover was intriguing in its simplicity.
I picked it up yesterday out of a desire to read something simple and light, and found myself pleasantly surprised.
Because retellings can be done well. If you honor the spirit of the original story, but also remember to place your own spin upon it. Give it depth and heart and enough twists to interest a familiar reader.
And this book did.
It kept enough of the original elements of folk tale, but expanded on characters and fleshed them out, inviting us into an intimate but broken world in need of healing, and introducing us to a heroine who is eager to obtain the one thing that everyone always seems to overlook: a simple life.
I also really appreciated that the romance was not rushed. I definitely think we'll get there in the end (as I understand there will be a couple more books in the series, though I don't know if they will follow the same characters). No love triangles. No insta love. A relationship that has struggles and is built on mutual trust and understanding. So very refreshing.
I greatly look forward to the next installment.
I devoured this book. A recommend for my daughter. I was most surprised about the theme of what is justice, and how imperfect justice delivered has its own cost. That gave the book more deep depth than I expected.
I believe I've found a new favourite!!! This is a beautiful, moving and breath-catching retelling of the goose girl fairytale in a Middle Eastern setting, and I couldn't recommend it highly enough!
5 stars!
5 stars!