Dearest by Alethea Kontis

 Endearing and sweet! 

 (third book after Hero)

 Just like that the magical trilogy of an oddball family is over. *sniff* It was nice while it lasted though.

Finally, it is Friday's chance for romance! Things get interesting when she stumbles upon seven slumbering men in a tall tower. She must help them turn back into humans permanently before it is too late for there is a Kingdom at risk, and truths to be revealed.

This story plays on the Wild Swans and Goosegirl tale that Kontis cleverly combines into a heartwarming and tragic sibling tale. The magic was enchanting, the romantic cliches adorable, and some of the harsh realities were eye opening since not everyone can have a perfect happily ever after. Dearest was definitely a good end, for our sweet Friday finally finds love and grows into her unique gifts. Alas, I couldn't help but feel that so many questions of the series were left entirely unanswered. 

Luckily though, I recently discovered that release of Trix's tale! I'll have to read that soon and figure out what happened to our playful, adopted fairy child!

All in all though, Kontis did a fun twist on the usual mish mash of fairy tales, and I was thoroughly entertained. I hope to see more from Kontis in the future!

Lauren - 4 stars

Hero by Alethea Kontis

4 stars

Another gorgeous cover!

(sequel to Enchanted)


Meet Saturday Woodcutter, a fierce, muscular girl who would much rather gallivant around the forest chopping down trees with her axe, than dance at a ball least alone in a dress!
A girl who is a fun rolemodel for tomboys out there!

While Enchanted was a mash up of fairy tales, Saturday's was more of an adventure. We pick up with the Woodcutter family's lifestyle completely changed thanks to the golden egg laying goose, so they find themselves with more steady financial support. Saturday's axe has changed into a sword, and she finds herself questioning her purpose and if she's really all the special since she believes herself to be the only non-magical person in her family.

But once she summons an ocean in her backyard, she finds out that she is more than she could ever imagine. Saturday sets out on her journey, but once she is captured by a witch she meets an Earl's son, a man who is more than he appears. They will need each other's help in order to get out of their predicament, and love will of course be part of the adventure, though Saturday wishes it didn't have to be so.

I once again found myself falling in love with the Woodcutter family.

They are all so unique, close together, and amazing. Saturday is such a brave woman that is an admirable heroine in this book and her love interest, Peregrine, is quite admirable and unique himself, and their chimera friend tops off the trio perfectly. Though the story is slightly cheesy, it is really enjoyable and fantastical none the less.

We don't get much insight into the villains from Enchanted until the end, which leaves me wondering if things will be summed up in Friday's book, Dearest, or if there will be more?

Enchanted by Alethea Kontis

5 stars

Gorgeous cover, amazing story.

"He wished he could bottle up the smile she gave him and save it for a rainy day. Of course, if all went as it should he'd have those smiles every day, bottle or no, rain or shine, now and forever, until the end of time and after."

That is just too cute.

I have to start off with saying that I felt the summary did not give justice to this book. And if you are a book cover fan like me, look under the dust cover! I felt it was very elegant and pretty! :) I found myself completely enchanted by this novel! While it remains unique in it's own way, it is a mash-up of several different fairy tales like Rumpelstiltskin, a slight pinch of Rapunzel, a reference to the rhyme of the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, as well as Princess and the Frog.
I immediately fell in love with the Woodcutter family and their overall bizarreness, for each family member is unique in their own magical way. Sunday's story is very intriguing, and it jumps right into the part where she meets Grumble the frog who becomes her companion, her friend, and her love. Of course as the story goes, she kisses Grumble and he later transforms into Prince Rumbold.

The story was light, entertaining, creative, and unique to say the least. I found all of Sunday's family, including herself, to be quite loveable. The scenery was described and written beautifully I found myself longing to see the Elder Woods, and I also found Rumbold's character to be adorably complicated, especially post-frog enchantment. He was just so eager to love Sunday...

The tale takes a steady route, and while you know where it's heading it's still an excellent read that you can get caught up in. I was actually surprised at actually how dark the book became regarding the King and his reign.

Follow my review for Hero!