Admittedly, I was hesitant to read this novel because I knew the Elisa/Hector swoonsHECTOR!!!!!! Hectorhectorhectorhectorhector!!!!! Okay, I'm done.
Admittedly, I was hesitant to read this novel because I knew the Elisa/Hector swoons would be non-existent since this is Hector's POV prior to Elisa's reign in Joya d'Arena. But then all I had to remember was how I love Hector and that he's quite possibly one of my favorite love interests ever, and I was convinced this novella needed to be read, despite the fact that I've already finished reading the full-length novels in the series.
And I'm really glad I did. Not only do you get a peak at Hector as a young man, vying for his spot as a member of the Royal Guard, but you get to see Alejandro with his first wife, Rosaura. Oh, and how Hector is instrumental in Rosario's birth. It's quite priceless. I never would have guessed...
Also, Fernando. I had to double-check the name, but as soon as he was described as a superior archer, I knew it had to be that Fernando. Not that he was given much mention in the books, but the fact that I remember him is significant. But I do have a fondness for archery. =)
I've loved all of the novellas in this series, but I think this is my favorite because even though we know Hector as the honorable man he is now, it was nice to see that he was the same at the tender age of 15.
**You don't have to read any of the prequel novellas, but you totally should.**
Admittedly, I was hesitant to read this novel because I knew the Elisa/Hector swoons would be non-existent since this is Hector's POV prior to Elisa's reign in Joya d'Arena. But then all I had to remember was how I love Hector and that he's quite possibly one of my favorite love interests ever, and I was convinced this novella needed to be read, despite the fact that I've already finished reading the full-length novels in the series.
And I'm really glad I did. Not only do you get a peak at Hector as a young man, vying for his spot as a member of the Royal Guard, but you get to see Alejandro with his first wife, Rosaura. Oh, and how Hector is instrumental in Rosario's birth. It's quite priceless. I never would have guessed...
Also, Fernando. I had to double-check the name, but as soon as he was described as a superior archer, I knew it had to be that Fernando. Not that he was given much mention in the books, but the fact that I remember him is significant. But I do have a fondness for archery. =)
I've loved all of the novellas in this series, but I think this is my favorite because even though we know Hector as the honorable man he is now, it was nice to see that he was the same at the tender age of 15.
**You don't have to read any of the prequel novellas, but you totally should.**
I wasn't quite as captivated by this companion novel, but I still found it delightful. You've still got the X-Men-like powers -- though this time it'sI wasn't quite as captivated by this companion novel, but I still found it delightful. You've still got the X-Men-like powers -- though this time it's focused on the gift of seeing events in the past, present, or future -- and another headstrong main character, though Sophia is hellbent on revenge and not escape like Elinor. And this book was more of a mystery novel a la Sherlock Holmes, while Burning Bright was a tale set on the high seas in the vein of Pirates of the Caribbean. Still, tons of fun to be had. If my library had the third book, I'd be continuing the series, but alas, it does not. :(
Merged review:
I wasn't quite as captivated by this companion novel, but I still found it delightful. You've still got the X-Men-like powers -- though this time it's focused on the gift of seeing events in the past, present, or future -- and another headstrong main character, though Sophia is hellbent on revenge and not escape like Elinor. And this book was more of a mystery novel a la Sherlock Holmes, while Burning Bright was a tale set on the high seas in the vein of Pirates of the Caribbean. Still, tons of fun to be had. If my library had the third book, I'd be continuing the series, but alas, it does not. :(...more
I was perusing Edelweiss in search of another book when I stumbled across this one. The title was giving me Beauty and the Beast vibes so I downloadedI was perusing Edelweiss in search of another book when I stumbled across this one. The title was giving me Beauty and the Beast vibes so I downloaded it without really reading the summary, even though I don't read much YA at all these days. Not the story I was expecting and definitely not a BatB retelling...more like if you crossed The Selection with Red Queen and The Cruel Prince.
A Bachelor-style competition to find a bride for the Queen's faerie son. Two princes, one girl. And more faerie bargains than seems reasonable -- as in one per loyal subject of England upon their eighteenth birthday. That all sounds interesting and the story had its moments, though I could have done without the suitor drama, having never been a fan of those types of shows myself.
The dialogue left something to be desired, as it was a bit modern at times for the setting. And the switch to other perspectives for one chapter only was a bit jarring. Not knowing if this was a planned series but suspecting it was also left me feeling unbalanced. I didn't know whether to hope for a neat and tidy resolution because I'm weary of starting new series or one fraught with tension and the obvious cliffhanger the story was headed toward because it finally started to get interesting. (One guess which one we got.)
If you liked any of the comps I mentioned, you'll probably enjoy this novel. Those were two or three-star reads for me, except TCP, and the things I loved about that one were lacking in this until the very end. So I will not likely be picking up the next book, should it be greenlit....more
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