Sketching Spotlight

You may have read my post earlier this month about a wonderful book called Plenilune by Jennifer Freitag.  Here is my sketch of two of its main characters, Margaret and a certain important fox:

Monday Review: Five Enchanted Roses: A Collection of Beauty and the Beast Stories By Kaycee Browning, Savannah Jezowski, Jenelle Schmidt, Dorian Tsukioka, and Hayden Wand

1.  Title, Author, and Cover

Five Enchanted Roses: A Collection of Beauty and the Beast Stories

By Kaycee Browning, Savannah Jezowski, Jenelle Schmidt, Dorian Tsukioka, and Hayden Wand

2.  Genre and Reading Level

Fairy Tale Retellings – Fantasy and Historical

Teenage and up

3.  My Summary

Five Enchanted Roses is a collection of Beauty and the Beast retellings.  These are the five short stories:

Esprit de la Rose by Kaycee Browning

Beauty and the Beast splashes to new life with ships, mermaids, and pirates in this imaginative retelling.  Life has never been easy for Cecilia, but when the Fee come to punish her privateer father for theft, they accidentally take her instead, and she is transported to another world where sailors, robbed of their human forms, suffer for the sins of their past.  They, like her, are trapped on the ship of the fearsome but charismatic Captain Pepin, but she may just be the key to their freedom.  The problem is, their return to the real world could come at a terrible cost for Cecilia.

Wither by Savannah Jezowski

Imagine a world where people must build walls and hire Spooks to keep their towns safe from ghouls and the living dead.  Amid this dark and frightful world, there are still darker legends and rumors about Briarstone Abbey and the Beast who dwells there, so when the Beast demands gentle Sookie Haverly in payment for her father’s theft of a single rose, her sister marches in to take her place and save her life.  However, Lilybet “Bet” Haverly never imagined exactly what Corwin really is or what has been doing in the Abbey, nor that her own priorities could be transformed.

Stone Curse by Jenelle Schmidt

After two years spent in a cursed castle, Karyna, lady-in-waiting to the missing princess, finally discovers a clue to breaking the curse.  If she is right, then she may finally be able to free her father and the other courtiers who’ve turned to stone, rescue the lost princess, and even return Prince Barend to his human form.  All she has to go on is a dream of another castle she and the princess visited together as children, but she sets off boldly, knowing all the while that ending the curse may cost her the easy friendship she has formed with the cursed prince.  Meanwhile, another hero also seeks to end the curse, and a beast of another kind needs of redemption.

Rosara and the Jungle King by Dorian Tsukioka

A primitive village in a wild jungle may seem an unlikely place for a beauty and a beast to live out their story, yet Rosara and Tupa, the jaguar, experience their tale as old as time in the vibrant world of their jungle home.  A violent and brutal warrior named Maor seeks to replace Rosara’s father as chief by forcefully claiming her as his third wife, but she finds an unusual ally in Tupa.  Still, she cannot run forever, and her desperation leads her to seek the help of a mischievous jungle spirit.

The Wulver’s Rose by Hayden Wand

An old and evil magic exists in the highlands of Scotland.  After a childish mistake drives Seònaid “Bonnie” Alleway and her family to the rugged moors, she senses the dark power in a nearby forest and begins experiencing dreams of an old castle, yellow roses, and a child’s plea for help.  When a wulver demands young Bonnie come to this same castle after her father takes one rose, Bonnie immediately sets off for the monster’s home.  She knows nothing of the curse placed upon Lauchlan and his daughter Róis, but she believes God has led her to the Beast and his castle for a purpose which she will need to uncover before it is too late.

4.  My Opinion (With a rating)

Overall: 6 Stars

All five stories from Five Enchanted Roses truly are enchanting.  The retellings hold true to the original fairy tale, but with unique twists, loveable characters, and vivid settings.

Steel, sparkle, and scripture are scattered throughout all five tales in varying amounts.

Esprit de la Rose by Kaycee Browning: 6 stars

This story is probably the most unusual in the set with a brave and sympathetic heroine and a suave pirate beast.  The language is beautiful, and the plot is packed with suspense and adventure.

I’m still on the fence with the rating of this story because it is so close to a seven (it is really that good).  There is plenty of Sparkle with witty banter, loveable characters, and fantastical creatures.  The Scriptural theme is also strong and brilliantly executed.  The only thing I would have enjoyed a bit more of is the Steel.  Adventure is plentiful and stakes are high, but I wanted just a bit more depth.  However, this was only a minor detail, especially in a short story.  I loved it.

Wither by Savannah Jezowski: 6 stars

The world of this story is dark and foreboding.  It is full of real grit and Steel, its heroine is a perfect match, both for the tale and for her beast.  The Scripture aspect is also strong in the truth of Corwin’s duties at Briarstone Abbey.  There is little Sparkle in the story, but it can be glimpsed here and there in the relationships between characters and in the beautiful ending.

Stone Curse by Jenelle Schmidt: 6 Stars

Karyna is daring, determined, humble and loyal, and Prince Barend will follow her to the ends of the earth, even if it means losing his mind and humanity.  Their bond is the main source of Sparkle in this tale.  Steel can also be found in their determination.  The Scriptural side is a bit subtle, but it’s there, especially in the undeserved love of one hero for an unexpected beast.

Rosara and the Jungle King by Dorian Tsukioka: 6 Stars

This setting is another unique and yet appropriate twist for Beauty and the Beast.  The characters are strong, the stakes are high, and the plot is magical.  Some Sparkle can be seen in the easy relationship between Rosara and Tupa, in Rosara’s awe of her beloved and dangerous jungle, and in the final conclusion under the watchful eye of the seemingly mischievous jungle spirit. While there is certainly a redemptive quality to this tale as with the others, I did not feel an overly strong Scriptural connection in the story.  However, the Steel is there in undeniable quantities with the wild dangers of the jungle, the volatile magic, and the even more brutal human enemy.

The Wulver’s Rose by Hayden Wand: 7 Stars

Amid a lovely collection of stories, this tale stands out as a particularly beautiful retelling.  The plot very closely follows the original fairy tale but in a fresh way with a wholly new setting and characters who are both believable and admirable.  They make mistakes, but they learn and grow from them.  Bonnie carries a heavy guilt with her, but her faith grows as she learns to forgive herself.  The Scriptural message of trust and hope is beautiful.  At the same time, a witch’s dark intentions, the natural ruggedness of Scotland, and several debilitating accidents add a layer of Steel to the story.  In addition, the reality of all the characters, especially kind Bonnie and her loving family, adds an element of Sparkle.  All three aspects blend together perfectly into this beautiful little tale.

5.  Who would love this book?

I think this book’s biggest fans would be fairy tale aficionados, particularly those who have a special love for the original Beauty and the Beast.  However, I also think that fans of fantasy would love all the tales, and The Wulver’s Rose could also appeal to historical fiction fans.

Series Spotlight: Tales of Goldstone Wood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

The books of this series will certainly be showing up in my Monday reviews in the near future because every last one has instantly made it to my favorites list!

This fantasy series explores the epic worlds of Goldstone Wood over centuries of time.  Each story contains fantastic characters in a complex and unique plot with an important message at the heart of the tale.

Not only are the books amazing, but all of the cover art is breathtaking.  Take a look:

So what are you waiting for?  Grab a book and start reading!

Monday Review: Plenilune By Jennifer Freitag

1.  Title, Author, and Cover

 Plenilune

By Jennifer Freitag

2.  Genre and Reading Level

Planetary Fantasy / Epic Fantasy

Due to violence and other content, I’d say this book is for at least college-age and up.

3.  My Summary

Margaret Coventry knows she must leave her home in England find a husband after scandal strikes her family, but she never dreamed a suitor would find her or just how far from home he would take her.

Rupert de la Mare is ruthless in claiming whatever he wants, and, right now, he wants a bride so he can be named Overlord of Plenilune.  However, his choice may be more bring him more trouble than he bargained for.

A fox waits alone and ignored in a cellar, but his presence cannot be ignored forever.

Plenilune is a proud world, full of mighty people.  Now it needs an Overlord, as darkness and war hover on its horizon.  Can Margaret, a woman from another world, bring Plenilune the hope and leader its people truly need?

4.  My Opinion (With a rating)

6 Stars

What a beautiful piece of literature!

With lush descriptions, powerful characters, and an incredibly unique plot, Plenilune is certainly a memorable read, and only a few minor details prevented me from giving it an elusive seventh star.  Although the story is quite long, I felt like a bit more information would have been helpful, especially about Margaret’s life in England.  When I started the book, I couldn’t help but feel like I was starting to read the second book in a series without fully grasping what was going on.  Margaret was leaving home and a pushy mother after a scandal caused by her cousin, but I felt like a few more details about Margaret’s home life would have been helpful.  In addition, the book included a bit more swearing than I was comfortable with.

Still all of the characters were masterfully drawn into a fully-developed world with powerful prose.  Each character truly seemed to spring vibrantly from the pages.  Margaret in particular is intriguing.  Although kidnapped, she is not a damsel in distress.  Although stubborn, she is not invincible.  Margaret is a profound jumble of determination, refinement, pride, tenacity, vulnerability, and reserve.  Despite being dragged to a world vastly different from her own, she is able to adapt and discovers a real home, completely unlike the house she was raised in.  The man who thrusts her into the world of Plenilune is just as complex as her, although even more flawed.  Rupert de la Mare is uncompromising and domineering but self-conscious, desperate to claim what he desires, but unwilling to accept something he has not won.  When Rupert chooses Margaret for his bride, their personalities and wills clash in a flurry of sparks.  The main characters are all incredibly real and flawed as they live life to the fullest.  Even the minor characters are vividly drawn.  One of my favorite characters in the story is Dammerung, but his story is full of secrets and surprises which I will let you discover for yourself.

The text’s strikingly constructed language is powerful like steel, and the all the characters sparkle with life.  The story also includes many allusions to Christian ideas and themes, but I wanted a bit more of this scriptural element and less of the swearing and blunt violence.  Still, the overall combination of the language, the plot, and the characters of Plenilune unite to create a gorgeous and stunning story.  I absolutely loved reading this book!

5.  Who would love this book?

I believe this book would be perfect for lovers of fantasy.  The world of Plenilune is a character itself, and the adventure is outstanding.

Thursday Spotlight: What to Expect

There is less than a week now until I post my first book review, so I thought I might give you a bit of an idea of what to expect.  On the first and third weeks of every month, I’ll post a book review on Monday and a spotlight on another topic on Wednesday.  Additionally there will be some days when I post something special off-schedule.

Today is not the third Thursday of the month, but I still wanted to share something special with you.

So…

Here is a list of some of my favorite authors (and their books):

So what about you?  Do you see any of your favorite authors here?  Are any of your favorites missing?  I’d love some suggestions of great books!