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rgyger's review against another edition
4.0
This story goes into one of Lionheart's adventures during his travels that is not described in the novels. Though it is told from Munny's perspective, Lionheart is a central character. The moment I realized that he was in this novella, I think I might have screamed... and scared my dog.
The new culture described in this novella, that of seafarers, was amazing and added a new depth to the world of The Tales of Goldstone World. The action was brilliant and some of Lionheart's comments were hilarious.
My one complaint was that it was not long enough. There were a few things that felt as though they should have been explained better or had their own plot twist (the peonies for example). Perhaps they will make an appearance in a later novel? (Looks as Anne Elisabeth in question).
To know what other books I back, go to my blog at http://backingbooks.blogspot.com/
The new culture described in this novella, that of seafarers, was amazing and added a new depth to the world of The Tales of Goldstone World. The action was brilliant and some of Lionheart's comments were hilarious.
My one complaint was that it was not long enough. There were a few things that felt as though they should have been explained better or had their own plot twist (the peonies for example). Perhaps they will make an appearance in a later novel? (Looks as Anne Elisabeth in question).
To know what other books I back, go to my blog at http://backingbooks.blogspot.com/
what_ella_reads's review against another edition
5.0
This novella is a quick, easy read. It kind of reminded me of 'The Voyage of the Dawn Treader'.
helenafaustina's review against another edition
5.0
This was very short and sweet! Stengl fans will love it! You won’t miss anything big in the series if you don’t read it, but it’s a really nice additional story and a nice extra look at Leo.
story_sanctuary's review against another edition
4.0
A young sailor eager to learn of life on the seas finds himself the keeper of a foreign stowaway. Despite the crew’s whispers of the goddess who demands to be given the lives of those found hiding aboard merchant vessels, the captain promises safe passage to the mysterious traveler. The young boy, Munny, struggles to understand why the captain would risk the lives of his crew to spare this strange man. As the enraged goddess tosses the ship about on enraged seas, Munny becomes caught between the captain’s order to protect the passenger and the crew’s plots to throw him overboard.
Fans of the Tales of Goldstone Wood series will recognize the mysterious stowaway as the adventurous Leonard from books two and three. Stengl weaves humor into the story through the language barrier between Leonard and Munny, who seldom understand one another, sometimes leading to hilarious results. Munny lives in bondage to the fear of the goddess who controls the seas, and yet through the story he learns of a greater power, one personal and benevolent and of the beauty of grace and its power to banish vengeance. Goddess Tithe is a beautiful story, though its length prevents it from developing the complexity of Stengl’s longer stories. Series fans will find the same lovely prose and deep spiritual undercurrents classic to all of the Goldstone Wood novels.
Fans of the Tales of Goldstone Wood series will recognize the mysterious stowaway as the adventurous Leonard from books two and three. Stengl weaves humor into the story through the language barrier between Leonard and Munny, who seldom understand one another, sometimes leading to hilarious results. Munny lives in bondage to the fear of the goddess who controls the seas, and yet through the story he learns of a greater power, one personal and benevolent and of the beauty of grace and its power to banish vengeance. Goddess Tithe is a beautiful story, though its length prevents it from developing the complexity of Stengl’s longer stories. Series fans will find the same lovely prose and deep spiritual undercurrents classic to all of the Goldstone Wood novels.
josiahdegraaf's review against another edition
4.0
As someone who doesn't really come to Christian fantasy with high expectations, this was a surprisingly enjoyable read. Since it's only a novella, there's only so much you can do with it, but I found the setting interesting and the conflict was pretty engaging. There's a lot of worldbuilding for just a novella (though I understand its from a larger series). The one thing I was on the fence about was whether or not the foreigner in this story fell into too many stereotypes, but since it appears that he's a more central figure in the full series (which I haven't read yet), I'll withhold judgment on that.
Overall, an enjoyable novella that makes me want to read more of this series.
Overall, an enjoyable novella that makes me want to read more of this series.
ewil6681's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
quoththegirl's review against another edition
4.0
2020: Continuing our Tales of Goldstone Wood read-aloud. This was a nice, quick break in between the much longer Dragonwitch and Shadow Hand, and I had a new appreciation for the illustrations (also done by Stengl) this time around.
2013: I read Goddess Tithe in a couple quick gulps because I couldn't bring myself to put it down. Maritime fantasy is pretty much guaranteed to make me happy, and this little fellow was no exception. The novella stands alone, but it also covers an untold chapter in Stengl's second book, Veiled Rose, in which we get to know a certain character from Goddess Tithe even better. However, Munny is the star of Goddess Tithe, and I loved meeting him and getting to know a hitherto-unexplored part of Stengl's world. If you're a fan of Stengl's universe, don't miss this chapter--and if you're new to Goldstone Wood, this makes for a lovely introduction.
2013: I read Goddess Tithe in a couple quick gulps because I couldn't bring myself to put it down. Maritime fantasy is pretty much guaranteed to make me happy, and this little fellow was no exception. The novella stands alone, but it also covers an untold chapter in Stengl's second book, Veiled Rose, in which we get to know a certain character from Goddess Tithe even better. However, Munny is the star of Goddess Tithe, and I loved meeting him and getting to know a hitherto-unexplored part of Stengl's world. If you're a fan of Stengl's universe, don't miss this chapter--and if you're new to Goldstone Wood, this makes for a lovely introduction.
allison_r's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of "Goddess Tithe" from the author in exchange for an honest review. So. Here we go.
"Goddess Tithe" follows a young sailor, Munny, through the most dangerous voyage he has ever faced. When the crew finds a stowaway on board, instead of casting him overboard as the murderous sea-goddess demands, the captain grants him safe-passage to his destination. And even worse, he puts Munny in charge of the foreigner.
I liked this very much. Particularly since the jester-castaway was none other than Leo, the exiled prince of the Southlands, a principal character in Anne Elisabeth Stengl's earlier novels.
The plot:
I liked it. A vengeful sea-goddess demanding her tithe, and a captain who refuses to give it to her. The transition between the land of dreams and the world of reality is flawlessly handled. Admittedly, "Goddess Tithe" is a novella, so the plot is fairly to the point.
The characters:
Munny, the protagonist, is a very interesting individual. His mother is dying of sickness on the mainland, and all he wishes is to return to her before she passes away and bring her the white peonies she loved so dearly. Munny provides a way for the reader to see the rest of the crew. It was like looking up from a toddler's perspective, seeing all of these grand, frightening figures towering above. His age, or lack thereof, was handled masterfully.
I also liked the way his friendship with Leo progressed. Munny disliked him for a good long time before he finally warmed up to the irascible jester.
As for the rest of the cast, chiefly the crew and the captain, they were all sufficiently fleshed out to keep me interested. I am very curious of the captain's true identity and purpose and will enjoy seeing him return in future novels.
The writing:
Out of everything in this book, I enjoyed the descriptions the most. The bulk of "Goddess Tithe" takes place on the open sea, and the author beautifully captures its many moods, from raging storms to eerie calm. My favorite moment was the stunning imagery when Munny viewed the ship from underwater.
If I nitpick, and I feel I must in a review, I would say that the illustrations, although well-done, contributed little for me. They conflicted with the images I had formed of the characters, which is true for any illustration but I noticed particularly with these. The only one that decidedly helped me visualize the scene was the picture of Risafeth.
All in all, "Goddess Tithe" by Anne Elisabeth Stengl is another chapter in a beautifully stylized and polished series.
"Goddess Tithe" follows a young sailor, Munny, through the most dangerous voyage he has ever faced. When the crew finds a stowaway on board, instead of casting him overboard as the murderous sea-goddess demands, the captain grants him safe-passage to his destination. And even worse, he puts Munny in charge of the foreigner.
I liked this very much. Particularly since the jester-castaway was none other than Leo, the exiled prince of the Southlands, a principal character in Anne Elisabeth Stengl's earlier novels.
The plot:
I liked it. A vengeful sea-goddess demanding her tithe, and a captain who refuses to give it to her. The transition between the land of dreams and the world of reality is flawlessly handled. Admittedly, "Goddess Tithe" is a novella, so the plot is fairly to the point.
The characters:
Munny, the protagonist, is a very interesting individual. His mother is dying of sickness on the mainland, and all he wishes is to return to her before she passes away and bring her the white peonies she loved so dearly. Munny provides a way for the reader to see the rest of the crew. It was like looking up from a toddler's perspective, seeing all of these grand, frightening figures towering above. His age, or lack thereof, was handled masterfully.
I also liked the way his friendship with Leo progressed. Munny disliked him for a good long time before he finally warmed up to the irascible jester.
As for the rest of the cast, chiefly the crew and the captain, they were all sufficiently fleshed out to keep me interested. I am very curious of the captain's true identity and purpose and will enjoy seeing him return in future novels.
The writing:
Out of everything in this book, I enjoyed the descriptions the most. The bulk of "Goddess Tithe" takes place on the open sea, and the author beautifully captures its many moods, from raging storms to eerie calm. My favorite moment was the stunning imagery when Munny viewed the ship from underwater.
If I nitpick, and I feel I must in a review, I would say that the illustrations, although well-done, contributed little for me. They conflicted with the images I had formed of the characters, which is true for any illustration but I noticed particularly with these. The only one that decidedly helped me visualize the scene was the picture of Risafeth.
All in all, "Goddess Tithe" by Anne Elisabeth Stengl is another chapter in a beautifully stylized and polished series.
anna_catherman's review against another edition
3.0
My least favorite Tale, Goddess Tithe is quite short and lacks some of the length and depth of the other novels. Still a good read, and a quick one.
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