Helpful Score: 1
15-year-old Lucinda Chapdelaine used to be the daughter of well-to-do merchants, intimate with the royal family themselves. Then, her parents die in an accident, the family's wealth mysteriously disappears, and Lucinda is forced to live with her uncle and her horrible aunt. Lucinda lives and works like a servant, never even daring to dwell on the past or dream of a better life.
Then, a beautiful stone sets off a chain of events that changes Lucinda's life. She befriends Beryl, a mysterious lady with witch-like powers, who gives Lucinda a difficult task. If she succeeds, she may end up with all her former glory restored, and perhaps even more in the way of friendships and love. If she fails, however, it may cost Lucinda and her friends their lives.
Julie Berry does an admirable job of modernizing the feel of a classic fairy tale. The tone of the story is lilting and reminiscent of old stories, full of peril and triumph, and then more peril and more triumph. I really enjoyed all the fantastical elements of THE AMARANTH ENCHANTMENT: this is a mixture of beloved fairy tales like Cinderella and more.
The characters, however, were not very easy to connect with. Berry's storyteller writing contributes to the fairy tale feel of the novel, but also distances us from the characters at the same time. It took most of the book to convince me to care for Lucinda, her ragamuffin friend Peter, and Prince Gregor--although the hint of a love triangle between the three really helped keep my feelings of apathy at a minimum.
Overall, THE AMARANTH ENCHANTMENT will satisfy readers looking for a tale full of magic, heroic actions, wonder, and victory.
Then, a beautiful stone sets off a chain of events that changes Lucinda's life. She befriends Beryl, a mysterious lady with witch-like powers, who gives Lucinda a difficult task. If she succeeds, she may end up with all her former glory restored, and perhaps even more in the way of friendships and love. If she fails, however, it may cost Lucinda and her friends their lives.
Julie Berry does an admirable job of modernizing the feel of a classic fairy tale. The tone of the story is lilting and reminiscent of old stories, full of peril and triumph, and then more peril and more triumph. I really enjoyed all the fantastical elements of THE AMARANTH ENCHANTMENT: this is a mixture of beloved fairy tales like Cinderella and more.
The characters, however, were not very easy to connect with. Berry's storyteller writing contributes to the fairy tale feel of the novel, but also distances us from the characters at the same time. It took most of the book to convince me to care for Lucinda, her ragamuffin friend Peter, and Prince Gregor--although the hint of a love triangle between the three really helped keep my feelings of apathy at a minimum.
Overall, THE AMARANTH ENCHANTMENT will satisfy readers looking for a tale full of magic, heroic actions, wonder, and victory.
Helpful Score: 1
Reviewed by Ashley B for TeensReadToo.com
Lucinda Chapdelaine has been an orphan ever since her parents left for a ball and never returned. She was taken in by her uncle at his jewelry shop, and must endure her wicked step-aunt.
And then a woman named Beryl came into the shop. Since then, Lucinda's life has changed forever.
All in the same day that she saw Beryl, the Prince comes to the shop, and a thief boy sneaks into Lucinda's room and stays the night. Peter, the thief, steals something from Lucinda, and she must find him to get it back to Beryl, the rightful owner.
But she isn't the only one looking for it.
When she finally finds the thief, he has sold it - to the Prince for his betrothed.
What will Lucinda do to get it back to Beryl? What other twists and turns will she get herself into along the way?
This story, overall, was very interesting. It kept me guessing and that made it hard to put down. My favorite character was Peter, the young thief, because he was fun and sarcastic. The only thing I wasn't happy with was the ending. It was very abrupt, and it gives you hardly a hint as to what happens to all of the characters.
Other than that, the story was well-written, and I really enjoyed it.
Lucinda Chapdelaine has been an orphan ever since her parents left for a ball and never returned. She was taken in by her uncle at his jewelry shop, and must endure her wicked step-aunt.
And then a woman named Beryl came into the shop. Since then, Lucinda's life has changed forever.
All in the same day that she saw Beryl, the Prince comes to the shop, and a thief boy sneaks into Lucinda's room and stays the night. Peter, the thief, steals something from Lucinda, and she must find him to get it back to Beryl, the rightful owner.
But she isn't the only one looking for it.
When she finally finds the thief, he has sold it - to the Prince for his betrothed.
What will Lucinda do to get it back to Beryl? What other twists and turns will she get herself into along the way?
This story, overall, was very interesting. It kept me guessing and that made it hard to put down. My favorite character was Peter, the young thief, because he was fun and sarcastic. The only thing I wasn't happy with was the ending. It was very abrupt, and it gives you hardly a hint as to what happens to all of the characters.
Other than that, the story was well-written, and I really enjoyed it.
