Fantasy | Lost in a Good Book

The Princess Companion by Melanie Cellier

29 Jan 2016 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, Australian Women Writers, Book Bingo, Fantasy, Young Adult Tags: australian women writers challenge, aww, aww 2016, book bingo, fairy tale, fantasy, five stars, melanie cellier, young adult

Published: 2nd January 2016
Publisher: Luminant Publications
Pages: 244
Format: ebook
Genre: Young Adult/Fantasy/Fairy Tale
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

One dark and stormy night, lost and alone, Alyssa finds herself knocking on the door of a castle.

After a lifetime spent in the deep forest, Alyssa has no idea what to expect on the other side.

What she finds is two unruly young princesses and one very handsome prince. When Alyssa accepts the job of Princess Companion she knows her life will change. What she doesn’t know is that the royal family is about to be swept up in unexpected danger and intrigue and that she just might be the only thing standing between her kingdom and destruction.

This retelling of the classic fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea, reimagines the risks and rewards that come when one royal family goes searching for a true princess.

Danger and romance await a woodcutter’s daughter in a royal palace.

Note: I was provided with a copy of this book from the author for review.

Fairy tale retellings are some of my favourite books and fairy tales themselves are one of my favourite genres. I love everything about them, their universality, their ability to become any story possible while still being recognised at a level as being a fairy tale, and I love that there are one hundred ways to tell the exact same story and have it come out one hundred different ways.

Cellier’s story is exactly this. It is The Princess and the Pea story we all recognise, but told in a way that it becomes a whole new story on its own. There is still so much of a fairytale in this story: woodcutter’s daughter, godmothers, princes and kingdoms, but Cellier manages to create something more intricate and complex than the original tale. It is sweet, creative, incredibly clever, and even sneaks in another fairy tale reference and shows us what happens at the end of a happily ever after.

The writing feels really honest. Cellier easily could have fallen into the trap of having misunderstandings resulting in the stereotypical drama caused by miscommunication, but she doesn’t. Alyssa is upfront and honest about mistakes and even though it doesn’t always work it, she is never is dishonest or deceptive.

The narration stays with Alyssa for the majority of the book which is a wonderful move as we get to see the palace life and her experience through her eyes and thoughts. You really can’t ask for a better character than Alyssa. She is honest and intelligent, filled with wisdom but also delightfully innocent at the same time. Where readers can see the affection between Max and Alyssa, she always comes to the wrong conclusion. It’s so sweet, and it is a nice change than having her pine for a prince she can’t have.

Alyssa’s role as a Princess Companion brings about all sorts of adventure and danger, and seeing her develop and change, along with all the other characters, is quite rewarding. When the romance emerges it is beautifully told; Cellier doesn’t spring it on us, she weaves it through, misdirection and ignorance throughout. I can’t go on enough about how well this is written.

The original Princess and the Pea fairy tale is not an overly popular retelling compared to Cinderella or Beauty and the Beast, but Cellier has expanded on this incredibly short fairy tale phenomenally, giving depth and fullness to every character and creating a solid and emotionally stable story all within the beginning and end of the traditional fairy tale.

Reading this novel gives you the warm fuzzy feeling that a well-told story produces, and this simple fairy tale has been filled with so much, so many details and complexities, tiny moments that add so much meaning but seem so innocent. It’s fantastic. Cellier truly has written an enchanting, enthralling, and brilliant novel that still feels like you are reading a classic fairy tale.

You can purchase The Princess Companion via the following

Amazon

Amazon Aust

AWW16

The Pharaoh’s Cat by Maria Luisa Lang

02 Sep 2015 Leave a comment

by Amy in 3 Stars, Fantasy, Humour Tags: fantasy, humour, maria luisa lang, three stars

Published: 16th May 2015
Publisher: Self Published
Pages: 182
Format: Paperback
Genre: Humour/Fantasy
★ ★ ★ – 3 Stars

The Pharaoh’s Cat, narrated in the present tense by the cat himself, is the story of a free-spirited, quick-witted stray in ancient Egypt who suddenly finds himself with human powers joined to his feline nature.

The cat immediately captures the attention of the seventeen-year-old Pharaoh, making him laugh for the first time since his parents’ death, and is brought to live with him at the royal palace.
The cat also becomes friends with the High Priest of the god Amun-Ra and seeks his help in solving the mystery of his human powers and the supernatural manifestations that later plague him.

He has an enemy in the Vizier—the Pharaoh’s uncle and the second most powerful man in Egypt. The Vizier hates him for himself and even more for his relationship with the Pharaoh.
The cat participates in festivities at the royal palace, developing an insatiable appetite for good food, wine, and gossip. He later accompanies the Pharaoh on a trip through his kingdom, all the while renewing the Pharaoh’s ability to enjoy life and inspiring him to become a stronger leader.

Between the cat and the Pharaoh a bond of love gradually forms which will determine Egypt’s destiny.

The Pharaoh’s Cat imaginatively blends Egyptology with comedy, drama, and even time travel–the cat and the High Priest will meet Elena, a resident of the twenty-first century and the daughter of a renowned Egyptologist.

Note: I was provided with a copy of this book from the author for review.

Lang’s story is imaginative and unique, certainly quirky and a fun read. It is a sweet story filled with myth and magic and science fiction. There is time travel coupled with the mysticism of ancient Egyptian belief and practice and after you get used to the writing style and narrator you find yourself easily caught up in the story.

Told from the present tense point of view of Wrappa-Hamen, a cat, there is a strange perspective given initially which alludes to some things and describes different aspects of another based on how a cat may experience it. When Wrappa-Hamen is given human qualities by the cat goddess Bastet it expands his nature and experiences but Lang keeps his voice simple and instinctive, keeping the cat qualities while combining his new human abilities as well.

Wrappa-Hamen becomes friends and companion to the young Pharaoh and Lang explores the relationship and growing affection he has for the king. The relationship between Wrappa-Hamen and the Pharaoh is touching, and with the gifts bestowed on the cat means another element is provided, and manages to keep the story feeling genuine and not overly fanciful. The explanations provided tie in well with the Ancient Egyptian beliefs and doesn’t require too much explanation to ground it and make it feel valid.

There are many surprises in the story, not just in narrative but in the depth and complexity Lang achieves from a story that is for the most part humorous, light, and whimsical. The connection Wrappa-Hamen has with the Pharaoh, as well as the High Priest, remains wonderful and only improves. There is also a great exploration and expression of some of the roles and practices of the Pharaoh and Lang demonstrates various aspects of the ancient Egyptian culture nicely, while still keeping within the limits of a cat’s perspective.

The characters are rounded, given assessments by Wrappa-Hamen as he interacts with them which helps bring them to life, but there are only a handful of key characters that get a lot of attention. With each adventure and misadventure, the trouble that arises and the strange places Wrappa-Hamen finds himself in demonstrates another side of various characters and at times adds another side to their character.

One things that did surprise me was the ending, for a seemingly short book there is a lot packed into it and it isn’t until the end draws near do you realise how attached you’ve become to these characters. There are many ways in which Lang could have concluded Wrappa-Hamen’s story, some hinted at and others not, but I think she chose the best option. The ending is ideal, it is surprising, bittersweet, highly possible if you choose to believe it, and makes you realise things cannot always be as they were. With a sequel in the works, Lang provides a solid ending while also allowing new adventures to occur.

This is a story filled with comedy, love, hope, despair, loss, and friendship, set against the backdrop of Ancient Egypt and provides a little bit of magic alongside an inventive plot and the desires of a cat.

You can purchase The Pharaoh’s Cat via the following

Amazon

Amazon UK

Once Upon A Time in the North (#0.5) by Philip Pullman

28 Jul 2015 Leave a comment

by Amy in Fantasy, His Dark Materials, Novella Tags: 20th anniversary his dark materials, fantasy, five stars, His Dark Materials, novella, philip pullman

Published: 8th April 2008
Publisher: Knopf Books
Pages: 104
Format: Hardback
Genre: Fantasy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

In this prequel episode from Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials universe, Lee Scoresby — Texan aeronaut and future friend to Lyra Belacqua — is 24 years old. The story reveals the origins of Scoresby’s friendship with Iorek Byrnison as well as Scoresby’s aeronautical career.

After winning his hot-air balloon in a poker game, Scoresby finds himself floating north. On the Arctic island of Novy Odense, Scoresby and his dæmon Hester become involved in a deadly plot involving an oil magnate, a corrupt mayoral candidate, and a hired killer who is Lee’s longtime nemesis from the Dakota Country. Forming an alliance with one of the island’s reviled armored bears, Scoresby fights to break up the conspiracy.

This novella is a prequel of sorts to His Dark Materials; it is an episode in the past of characters Lee Scoresby and his dæmon Hester. It has little to do with the actual trilogy, it is more an expansion at the characters themselves.

The language is beautiful, it is simple, elegant, clever, humerous and sarcastic. Lee is a true gentleman and an honest fighter which adds a great deal of class to the story. The plot itself is one of corruption and scandal, with the right amount of wit and action to make it engaging.

Pullman hides many clues and hints through this story about the armoured bears, about Lee’s past and future, and those who know the references will delight in discovering them. But these clues are not spoilers, nor do they feel out of place in the story. Pullman connects everything remarkably well, but also makes sure the story stands on its own, a story about an adventure in Lee’s past and not a story that acts as an obvious prequel.

Lee’s character is explored in extra detail but he remains the same person we see later in his life. His sense of justice and doing the right thing, as well as the way he assesses people and discovers true intentions with charm and wit. His strong ethics are on show as well which makes the story even more wonderful to read. A lot of this is evident in the trilogy, Lee’s good character shines through remarkably well, but it is great to see it play out in numerous situations and to see it is just as refined when he is younger. In addition, the relationship between Lee and Hester is as always a delight to read about. Hester looks out for Lee and him her, and she is a great asset in everything he does.

The length may be short, but it has everything you need within it. It is complete, complicated, interesting and engaging. There are conflicts and friendship, and a whole world captured with detail and creativity. The design on the book makes it even more fun, not only the additional extras that come with it but the pocket-sized adventure makes it feel like the mini adventure it is supposed to be.

You can purchase Once Upon A Time in the North via the following

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Book Depository | Booktopia

Bookworld | QBD

Lyra’s Oxford (#3.5) by Philip Pullman

23 Jul 2015 Leave a comment

by Amy in 5 Stars, Fantasy, His Dark Materials, Novella Tags: 20th anniversary his dark materials, fantasy, five stars, His Dark Materials, lyra's oxford, novella, philip pullman

Published: 28th October 2003
Publisher: Knopf Books
Pages: 64
Format: Hardback
Genre: Fantasy
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ – 5 Stars

Lyra’s Oxford begins with Lyra and Pantalaimon spotting a witch’s daemon. Lyra shelters the daemon from the pursuit of a frenzied pack of birds, and then attempts to help by guiding the daemon to the home of an alchemist living in a part of Oxford known as Jericho. The journey through Oxford reveals more dangers than Lyra had anticipated.

This is a great little story and reads just as if it had been plucked from the trilogy itself, Pullman falls back into Lyra’s world wonderfully and from the beginning it’s easy to lose yourself in the world and the characters that are so familiar.

In true Pullman style he holds nothing back and keeps the story as honest and realistic as need be. While it may be a quick story, it is one that is filled with important detail, information, and insight. Lyra is two years older and settling into her life back at Oxford, but Pullman demonstrates that Lyra is still Lyra, while more mature and grown up, wiser and respectful, she is just as curious and just as willing to help.

It’s hard to imagine anything substantial could happen in such a brief snippet of Lyra’s life and yet in a small number of pages, Pullman adds another layer of complexity and mystery to Lyra’s world and her place within it, raising many more questions than answers, making it much more than a short story.

There is a feeling as you read that it’s acting as an introduction into something bigger, whether this will be seen in The Book of Dust is uncertain, but even if it isn’t, the things implied is enough to surprise and mull over, pique interests, and realise that Lyra’s importance and the layers of meaning in the world did not end at the conclusion of The Amber Spyglass.

Pullman manages to provide intrigue and mystery, as well as depth, understanding, and information from the first page to the last. It is a joy to have further closure and new details, no matter how small, and it once again a delight to lose yourself in the world of daemons and Oxford, even if it’s only for 64 pages.

You can purchase Lyra’s Oxford via the following

Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Book Depository | Booktopia

Bookworld | QBD

Dymocks | Kobo

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Demon Dance (#1) by Brian Freyermuth

26 Jun 2015 Leave a comment

by Amy in 4 Stars, Fantasy, Paranormal Tags: a sundancer novel, brian freyermuth, ebook, fantasy, four stars, paranormal

Published: 8th April 2013
Publisher: Middark Press
Pages: 334
Format: ebook
Genre: Fantasy/Paranormal
★ ★ ★ ★ – 4 Stars

You can run all you want, but the game’s in your blood. And blood never forgets…

Nick St. James was born different. His extraordinary gifts have saved him time and time again, but they couldn’t save the one thing he loved most: his wife.

Now he just wants to forget his old life, but more importantly, he wants to forget the magical underworld that lives beneath the “real” world. A place where a man’s faith can determine the very fabric of reality. Where ancient forgotten gods walk hidden among us, and angels and demons fight for our very souls.

But nothing stays hidden forever. Nick’s peaceful world is ripped apart when a demon slaughters his ex-partner and marks him for death. Now he must use all his gifts to find the one who summoned the nightmarish creature, but more importantly, he needs to find the one thing he lost long ago.

Himself.

Note: I was provided with a copy of this book from the author for review.

From an exciting beginning to an extraordinary conclusion, this is a novel that will astound you and keep you on your toes. The mixture of the supernatural world with our own is not uncommon, but Freyermuth’s approach is one that adds that little something extra to make it stand out.

Nick is an amazing character, I fell in love with him instantly. He has the ‘just want to live a quiet life’ thing going for him but it doesn’t come across as cliché or annoying. This desire is interrupted by his past catching up to him and his nature to do the right thing and it soon turns into something much bigger then it first appears. Nick is special but how special we have to wait and find out, Freyermuth giving off snippets of detail here and there. I loved that we aren’t told, and all references are included naturally and casually, never once feeling like a point of explanation for the reader.

As with Nick, the rest of this magical world is introduced to us slowly and in well-timed moments. What I loved was that we are actually told very little. Hints are dropped, and references are made but nothing is stated outright, and when answers are given it only adds to the story. This made reading it that much better because you can see how easy it would have been to sit us down and give us a long explanation, but instead it is woven brilliantly throughout.

The mix of characters are wonderful, and Freyermuth’s great writing captures banter, friendship, all the perks, quirks, and problems of having friends both in the supernatural world and out. There is depth and history given to these characters, both their history with Nick and their own lives, and with offhanded comments and throwaway lines histories and pasts can be conjured up quite excellently making the characters well rounded and more real.

The narration is wonderful, it is intense and fun and enthralling from the early pages and lasts until the very end. The mixture and balance and creativity of the real world and supernatural is sublime and there is never a dull moment and always something to marvel at and pique your interest. There are mysteries and not just for the reader but for Nick as well, and working them out as you read, creating theories and just generally being captivated by the story is where so much enjoyment lies. Freyermuth has written a brilliant story, it’s messy and complicated, has secrets and the supernatural, and is a truly amazing read.

You can purchase Demon Dance via the following

Amazon

Amazon Aust