Scan barcode
A review by atrailofpages
Alliana, Girl of Dragons by Julie Abe
5.0
I ADORE this book!
"Sometimes, we may be in a magical tale but not even know it until far, far afterward".
This story follows Alliana. She lives and works at the inn her stepmother owns trying to pay off her debt so that she can leave. She has dreams to attend the Royal Academy, but to do this, one most attend the annual ball where a royal advisor will be with a scrying witch or wizard who will determine who qualifies to attend. She thinks she may be able to go, until her Grandmother Mari dies suddenly and leaves her with a letter asking her to take care of her step family. Alliana thinks she must stay for her Grandmother, even if she does not want to. Then some interesting things occur to Alliana. First, she finds a young dragon which are feared amongst the humans. She hides him and takes care of him in secret. Second, one day she meets a young witch called Nelalithimus Evergreen, or Nela, a very bubbly and adorable witch who believes Alliana can help her and her crew to help with the Abyss, where many dangerous and horrifying creatures live. Alliana begins to experience the world outside of the inn and crave it, but will her stepmother prevent her from ever truly being free?
This is a Japanese Cinderella retelling, and I think it was well done! I loved the Cinderella references in this book, I adored the little dragon, and of course I adored Nela Evergreen! I know some mentioned in their reviews they're disappointed there was not more reference to dragons in this book, and I can see why, but I think the overall story made up for it. It really is about Alliana, and she does have her little dragon companion, but it is ultimately about this girl who learns about how big the world is and how she wants to be a part of it and how she needs to overcome her fear of her stepmother and her guilt to leave thinking her Grandmother would not want that. I love the friendships she develops with Nela(who is seriously adorable and so much fun!), Isao, Taichi and Hayato. Her and Nela are adorable together and you can see how their friendship just blossoms, and I love watching Alliana grow and have this determination to have that freedom she deserves.
I've not read the other books in this same world, but after reading this, I probably will! I love the world, and the people and creatures in it. This was a well written Cinderella retelling that has a found family, and even maybe potential young love in there...anyways, if you love retellings, and dragons, I recommend this one for you!
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and TBR Beyond Tours for the free copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
"Sometimes, we may be in a magical tale but not even know it until far, far afterward".
This story follows Alliana. She lives and works at the inn her stepmother owns trying to pay off her debt so that she can leave. She has dreams to attend the Royal Academy, but to do this, one most attend the annual ball where a royal advisor will be with a scrying witch or wizard who will determine who qualifies to attend. She thinks she may be able to go, until her Grandmother Mari dies suddenly and leaves her with a letter asking her to take care of her step family. Alliana thinks she must stay for her Grandmother, even if she does not want to. Then some interesting things occur to Alliana. First, she finds a young dragon which are feared amongst the humans. She hides him and takes care of him in secret. Second, one day she meets a young witch called Nelalithimus Evergreen, or Nela, a very bubbly and adorable witch who believes Alliana can help her and her crew to help with the Abyss, where many dangerous and horrifying creatures live. Alliana begins to experience the world outside of the inn and crave it, but will her stepmother prevent her from ever truly being free?
This is a Japanese Cinderella retelling, and I think it was well done! I loved the Cinderella references in this book, I adored the little dragon, and of course I adored Nela Evergreen! I know some mentioned in their reviews they're disappointed there was not more reference to dragons in this book, and I can see why, but I think the overall story made up for it. It really is about Alliana, and she does have her little dragon companion, but it is ultimately about this girl who learns about how big the world is and how she wants to be a part of it and how she needs to overcome her fear of her stepmother and her guilt to leave thinking her Grandmother would not want that. I love the friendships she develops with Nela(who is seriously adorable and so much fun!), Isao, Taichi and Hayato. Her and Nela are adorable together and you can see how their friendship just blossoms, and I love watching Alliana grow and have this determination to have that freedom she deserves.
I've not read the other books in this same world, but after reading this, I probably will! I love the world, and the people and creatures in it. This was a well written Cinderella retelling that has a found family, and even maybe potential young love in there...anyways, if you love retellings, and dragons, I recommend this one for you!
Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and TBR Beyond Tours for the free copy to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own.