My rating is 3.5-4 stars
My Comments
Before I even started reading this enchanting tale, I just looked at that beautiful cover and knew I was in for something special. *periodically glancing at cover while reading* The writing strongly reminded me of C.S. Lewiss The Chronicles of Narnia. Once you have fallen in love with any C.S. Lewis book, you never forget the experience, it changes you as a reader. Stengl definitely has the same talent. No matter what danger is present, no matter what goes wrong, there is a tangible innocence in the characters and in the narration. There is hope for each character and nothing is as it seems. Another element to Stengls writing that is similar to Lewiss, there is a lot of symbolism in the plot. In fact, very little of this story is literal so even though the story grabs you, its a different sort of reality.
My first impression of DayLily as she ran from her wedding, What is she DOING? Surely this fiery young woman CANNOT be that selfish as to stand up her groom in such a way! However, with nothing as it seems clearly being in the writing, I started wondering..is DayLily really selfish or is she protecting Prince Foxbrush? Will DayLily continue holding on or will she finally let go?
One of my favorite scenes in the story is when a son returns to make peace with his father, The Eldest. For the childlikeness found within this story, scenes like this one add greater substance and can humble the most arrogant character.
My favorite character is Prince Foxbrush. He doesnt belong in this kind of story with his logical ways, mindset, and mannerisms yet there he is. He was determined to give DayLily the perfect wedding and to romance her with sweet love letters knowing her first choice was someone else, yet he finds himself in a dangerous magical place in the Wood Between (a place that defies all logic) seeking out his beloved who has already refused him. Foxbrush makes sense to me as a character and he helps me navigate my way through a story like this one while amusing me and winning me over as he goes.
Three different characters, three very different journeys..will they survive the unknown land and all the dangers it holds? Even more importantly, will any of them be the same when all has been set right? I did not connect with this story as I had hoped I would, but Stengl is a brilliant storyteller who knows her characters and what their limits are. She doesnt hold back when it comes to magical places and beings, but there is a purpose in every obstacle faced. This journey is sometimes creepy, usually illogical, but always with hope and heart for those who endure to the end.
I want to thank the author and publisher for the review copy received. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
My Comments
Before I even started reading this enchanting tale, I just looked at that beautiful cover and knew I was in for something special. *periodically glancing at cover while reading* The writing strongly reminded me of C.S. Lewiss The Chronicles of Narnia. Once you have fallen in love with any C.S. Lewis book, you never forget the experience, it changes you as a reader. Stengl definitely has the same talent. No matter what danger is present, no matter what goes wrong, there is a tangible innocence in the characters and in the narration. There is hope for each character and nothing is as it seems. Another element to Stengls writing that is similar to Lewiss, there is a lot of symbolism in the plot. In fact, very little of this story is literal so even though the story grabs you, its a different sort of reality.
My first impression of DayLily as she ran from her wedding, What is she DOING? Surely this fiery young woman CANNOT be that selfish as to stand up her groom in such a way! However, with nothing as it seems clearly being in the writing, I started wondering..is DayLily really selfish or is she protecting Prince Foxbrush? Will DayLily continue holding on or will she finally let go?
One of my favorite scenes in the story is when a son returns to make peace with his father, The Eldest. For the childlikeness found within this story, scenes like this one add greater substance and can humble the most arrogant character.
My favorite character is Prince Foxbrush. He doesnt belong in this kind of story with his logical ways, mindset, and mannerisms yet there he is. He was determined to give DayLily the perfect wedding and to romance her with sweet love letters knowing her first choice was someone else, yet he finds himself in a dangerous magical place in the Wood Between (a place that defies all logic) seeking out his beloved who has already refused him. Foxbrush makes sense to me as a character and he helps me navigate my way through a story like this one while amusing me and winning me over as he goes.
Three different characters, three very different journeys..will they survive the unknown land and all the dangers it holds? Even more importantly, will any of them be the same when all has been set right? I did not connect with this story as I had hoped I would, but Stengl is a brilliant storyteller who knows her characters and what their limits are. She doesnt hold back when it comes to magical places and beings, but there is a purpose in every obstacle faced. This journey is sometimes creepy, usually illogical, but always with hope and heart for those who endure to the end.
I want to thank the author and publisher for the review copy received. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.
