Magnificent Standalone Full of Dangerous Wishes, Deadly Curses and Magic Wells! --"Wishtress" by Nadine Brandes -- Review

 

My Review:

“Wishtress”, by the talented Nadine Brandes, is a new standalone young adult fantasy novel. Let me tell you, you are in for a treat, a boost for your faith and an incredible, edge of your seat adventure!

If this does not convince you, let me give more reasons why “Wishtress” has made it onto my favorites list. One reason is because the world and plot of “Wishtress” is so unique (in true Brandes fashion)! Brandes tells her story with a fresh voice that has the feel of an old fairytale. “Wishtress” reads like a fairytale that has allegory mixed in and includes nods to the Dutch and German cultures. I found myself in awe of the imaginative world and magic system. I especially loved how Brandes weaves incredible symbolism and allegory into the story, even while the narrative itself can be enjoyed for the amazing story that it is! The allegory is so powerful that I found myself super encouraged in my own faith and walk with the Lord by the end of this book!!!  From about two-thirds through the book, there is nonstop action, tension and it is extremely hard to put down!

Brandes writes many incredible characters in “Wishtress”!  Myrthe, the protagonist, is relatable in so many ways. When she discovers who she is and what her talent is, she does not know whether it is truly a gift or a curse, and she questions how to use it. Myrthe undergoes a huge transformation throughout the story. In the beginning, Myrthe feels that people value her tears more than her heart. She is tired of being controlled by her grandmother and longs to live her own life, learn about her gift and to use it to help people. Her journey in many ways mirrors our faith journey. Something I love about Myrthe is that she deals with chronic pain! But I have to stop gushing before I give too much more away!

Will Myrthe become who she was created to be or will she and her gifts fall into the hands of the wrong people and become a curse?  Do not pass up the opportunity to read this deep, thought-provoking, and exciting story!

Content: I give this book a PG-13 rating. Some examples of the content are: a woman emotionally and physically abuses and controls her granddaughter; a person curses, but the word is not actually written; people are physically tortured; a girl was forced into prostitution in her past; a man drinks ale; there are descriptions of violence and some gore.

Rating:  I give this book 5 stars and a place on my favorites shelf!

I want to thank Nadine Brandes, NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

About the Author:

Hello friend! What will it be? Tea? Coffee? Lemonade? Water? All the best conversations and introductions happen at a coffee shop, in my opinion.  Okay, a little about me:

• I’m the author of five Young Adult books: ROMANOV, FAWKES, and The Out of Time Series.
• I’m an adventurer.
• I’m a Harry Potter super-nerd who has been known to eat an entire package of Oreos (family-size) by herself.
• I watch Fiddler on the Roof at least once a year. (Wait…you don’t?)
• I love the word bumbershoot.
• I learned to write using a fountain pen. They are the magic behind avoiding hand cramps. For reals.
• I hate kale with an immeasurable loathing, but I like brussel sprouts. (Sorry if you just gasped and gagged at the same time.)
• I’ve driven a dogsled, eaten a raw potato, walked a tightwire, and waded through a cattail marsh all for the sake of book research.
• I’ve been journaling since I was 9-years-old.
• I love love love Jesus. He’s my auto-buy author. 
• I have two new books coming in 2022 and 2024 and the best way to not miss any of the news is to be subscribed to my newsletter!

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Sweet and Inspiring "Sleeping Beauty" Retelling--"Veil of Winter" by Melanie Dickerson--Review

My Review

“Veil of Winter” by Melanie Dickerson is a sweet and inspiring retelling, loosely based on “Sleeping Beauty.”  It is the third book in Dickerson’s “Dericott Tales” series. The series does not need to be read in order.

I have read all of Dickerson’s many fairy tale retellings and “Veil of Winter” is one of my favorites! One reason is because I can relate so much to the main character, Princess Elyce (and I think many other readers will be able to relate to her as well). Another reason is that I love the multiple layers in this story. It is a sweet, clean, wholesome journey filled with romance and adventure. But it goes deeper, as it is also about Elyce’s internal journey as well.

I see Elyce as a sort of “Katniss Everdeen,” as she wants to save her people from oppression (they face terrible working conditions and have tyrants as rulers). She decides to do whatever it will take to escape marriage to an evil ruler—even take a sleeping potion, escape from her father’s castle, and face the elements of the harsh winter landscape; all to find a way to save her people!

In the beginning, Elyce feels unloved, having been told to repress her emotions. She feels deeply and believes that there is something innately wrong with her, due to the way she was treated by her father and aunt. Her enthusiastic nature and emotions are wrong and must be repressed because no man will love her otherwise. She starts out very hurt and she is living with false beliefs about herself, causing her to not be able to realize her true potential and become fully who God created her to be.

Enter our hero, the sweet, brave, “cinnamon roll,” Sir Gerard. You may recognize him from previous books in the series and now he has his own story. He is the perfect match for Elyce and assures her that she is not too much, and her emotions and passionate nature are beautiful. Who would not love that kind of man?!  Their journey together is fraught with much adventure, excitement, and danger. The story is a good pace and many times kept me on the edge of my seat. Throughout the outward journey, Elyce is slowly learning to replace her false thoughts and beliefs with the truth and to be gentle with herself. The winter journey that Elyce takes can be compared to her inner journey from being rejected and unloved to learning and realizing her true identity. The journey also mirrors “Sleeping Beauty’s” journey from sleep to a new state of awakening! This story is so beautifully done and encourages the reader to also reject any false beliefs they may have picked up over the years, to love themselves the way God made them and to realize their true potential and identity in Christ! I highly recommend this book!

Content: I give this book a PG rating. An example of the content is that a father physically and mentally abuses his daughter.

Rating: I give this book 5 stars.

I want to thank Melanie Dickerson and Thomas Nelson for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

About the Author

Melanie Dickerson is the New York Times bestselling author who combines her love for history, adventure, and romance. Her books have won a Christy Award, two Maggie Awards, The National Reader’s Choice Award, the Christian Retailing’s Best Award, the Book Buyer’s Best Award, the Golden Quill, and the Carol Award. She earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from The University of Alabama and has taught children and adults in the U.S., Germany, and Ukraine. Now she spends her time writing stories of love and adventure near Huntsville, Alabama.

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Shadows, Secrets and Surprises--"Shadows of Swanford Abbey" by Julie Klassen—Review

 

My Review

“Shadows of Swanford Abbey” by Julie Klassen is a Regency mystery and romance novel.  Ms. Klassen is the queen of inspirational regency fiction.  Her newest addition is touted as Agatha Christie meets Jane Austen.  In this story you will travel to an old abbey-turned-hotel, which is possibly haunted!  Add in a murder and you have quite a story!

This book is more of a mystery novel than many of Ms. Klassen’s previous works.  But do not worry, there is still a super sweet romance reminiscent of Austen’s “Persuasion” and “Mansfield Park.”  I was also reminded of “Northanger Abbey” with the Gothic feel and the mystery aspects.  Speaking of nods to great literature, there are many fun character names and situations that brought to mind Austen, Brontë, Dickens and Christie.

The atmospheric setting of an abbey that has been converted into a hotel is the perfect place for a murder mystery, as there are many guests gathered together.  One gets to see characters from both “upstairs” and “downstairs”—people of all classes and walks of life.  As one gets to know them, one wonders, what are their connections to one another?  What could their motives be?  Everyone seems to be hiding a secret of some sort.  I feel the story lagged a bit in the middle, but it really picked up at the end.  I also listened to parts of it as an audiobook and it was hard to feel the suspense and Gothic shivers because of the narrator’s chipper voice (but this is certainly no fault of the author’s).  

The mystery keeps you guessing till the end!  There are as many twists and turns as the old abbey and just when you think you have figured something out, new evidence and information is presented.

I highly recommend this book!

Content: I give this book a PG rating.  Some examples of the content are: a man is shown dealing with depression; a wife was unfaithful to her husband; references to liquor, opium and addiction; talk of women “entertaining” men at night in their rooms; a man is drunk and another high; descriptions of how the mentally ill are treated poorly with some asylums.  Mental health does play a role in the story, and it is treated with sensitivity and respect. 

Rating: I give this book 4 stars.

I want to thank Julie Klassen and Bethany House Publishers for the complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I express in this review are my own. This is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s CFR 16, Part 255.

About the Author

Julie Klassen loves all things Jane–Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for 16 years and now writes full-time. Her novels have sold over 1 million copies, and three of her books, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for Genre Fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and a Christian Retailing‘s Best Award, and has been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards and ACFW’s Carol Awards. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.

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