From the description: Don't miss this stunning Golden Phoenix Award-winning novel!
Serving as Controller of Magical Creatures at the illustrious Faraway Castle resort, Ellie Calmer knows her place. She is a servant, and she has no business thinking about handsome Prince Omar, a regular visitor at the resort, much less talking to him!
But then a unicorn on the resort grounds attacks a party of riders, frightening the guests, and a band of young and adventurous nobles decide to hunt it down. Suddenly Ellie needs Omar's help. She knows something must be wrong to have driven the unicorn to such desperate extremes. Can she and Omar find the unicorn before it's too late? And will she somehow protect her heart against the irresistible attraction she feels for the kind and gentle prince?
Ok let's start with what I loved, Ellie is amazing. This is not some meek female who lets the mice get the job done. Sometimes having such a strong character can wash out the scenes and other characters. Ms. Stengl does a good job of balancing it all out and letting the minor characters shine. The story flows well and we meet more magical creatures. I also see where the story branches out and begins to weave into other tales. I felt strong connections to the characters and have eternal thankfulness that no singing mice were involved.
My son, of course, loved the Cinder Sprites! (I preferred the unicorn, but apparently, when you are a 10 year old boy a glowing horse is nothing compared to something that bursts into flames.) He thinks they are still the most amazing magical creature, ever. (Side note, our poor Guinea pig is being casted to play a Cinder Sprite)
I would have liked to have seen Ellie's reunification with her parents. I think it would have been neat. Plus the way Stengl described the mom I was interested to see how the mother/daughter relationship would function. I also would have loved to have heard her guardian's side of the tale. There are some other loose ends like the director of the resort that were left hanging. I'm hopeful that they are in a future stories because they are worthy to be told.
Overall, this is probably my favorite retelling. With vibrant characters, Cinder Sprites galore, and a flowing story line, this book will have you under it's spell. So plan on picking up your copy when it comes out! In the mean time, pick up the prequel. You can get it here! Happy Reading!
Disclaimer: *Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a copy of this book for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
Dear Amy, please tell your son for me that guinea pigs make wonderful cinder sprites, lacking only the heat and horns.
ReplyDeleteSecret: The Elder Sprite is based on my beloved Royal Starfire, a Peruvian piggy who would come when I called him and do his best to jump on my shoulder (I had to catch him partway). He wasn't much good at chasing away pixies though. ;-)
Thank you for the lovely review!