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A review by amandasbookreview
Goldheart by Kenley Davidson
5.0
This novella is the second in the Andari Chronicles. While it is considerably shorter than other books in the series so far, it is no less charming. Goldheart by Kenley Davidson is a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. If you have not read book one and intend to read it, SPOILERS AHEAD. Elaine Westover was kidnapped as a part of a plot against the King. She has never quite recovered. But now she is home and her father has passed. Her home is falling apart and she needs to keep up with the bills. Her only talent is painting. When her banker says he will pay handsomely for a portrait, she accepts. The banker locks her in a room and the portrait??—it is an impossible task. Her task? To paint his beloved wife, not as she is now, but as she was when he met her. Since she is on her death bed, the task proves impossible. But being locked away doesn’t help. Will tends to his friend, Blaise, who shuts himself away from society, but especially from his father, the banker. Will and Blaise soon discover that there is a woman being locked away…
Instead of spinning straw into gold, Elaine must paint a masterpiece. But there is so much more to this novella in just a handful of pages. Blaise is an albino. His condition makes it difficult to be in the sun for extended amounts of time but also the staring. People find him terrifying and he is a disappointment to his father. I have to say I almost cried at Elaine’s reaction when she meets Blaise. It is utterly beautiful and heartwarming.
Speaking of Elaine, she is an amazing main character. I only wish she received a full-length novel. She suffers from PTSD from her kidnapping. While most authors would talk about how she overcomes that, Davidson provides a very realistic approach. She suffers and sometimes doesn’t see a way out. She discovers that talking about it helps–which could be this book’s version of therapy perhaps? I really appreciate this view, especially in a fairytale retelling.
Again, this book is narrated by Esther Wane. As always, I will listen to anything she narrates! I loved this story, and it makes for a wonderful afternoon listen! 5 out of 5 stars!
Instead of spinning straw into gold, Elaine must paint a masterpiece. But there is so much more to this novella in just a handful of pages. Blaise is an albino. His condition makes it difficult to be in the sun for extended amounts of time but also the staring. People find him terrifying and he is a disappointment to his father. I have to say I almost cried at Elaine’s reaction when she meets Blaise. It is utterly beautiful and heartwarming.
Speaking of Elaine, she is an amazing main character. I only wish she received a full-length novel. She suffers from PTSD from her kidnapping. While most authors would talk about how she overcomes that, Davidson provides a very realistic approach. She suffers and sometimes doesn’t see a way out. She discovers that talking about it helps–which could be this book’s version of therapy perhaps? I really appreciate this view, especially in a fairytale retelling.
Again, this book is narrated by Esther Wane. As always, I will listen to anything she narrates! I loved this story, and it makes for a wonderful afternoon listen! 5 out of 5 stars!