The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry
This is a very loose Cinderella retelling in which Lucinda, whose parents were friends with the king, but disappeared when she as young, resulting in her being raised by her kindly but poor uncle-by-marriage and his cruel second wife, who uses Lucinda as a servant in their jewelry shop. One day, the prince visits to look for a gift for his betrothed, a mysterious woman brings an unusual jewel to the shop, and a thief seeks shelter in her room for the night. These three events combine to result in Lucinda being hunted by the law, becoming a thief, finding her childhood home, and learning how to steal and con.
The book is fun when it’s being an adventure and is about Lucinda Doing Things and learning about her past, her parents, and Beryl, the fairy godmother character. It’s less interesting when focusing on the romance. Nothing wrong with either love interest, but she barely interacts with the prince, Gregor, despite their supposedly being madly in love, and the thief, Peter, comes across more as her mischievous kid brother who goads her into being bossy than anything else. And, frankly, that boy needed a manager, not a girlfriend. Fortunately, more attention was given to adventuring.
There’s nothing revolutionary about it for either YA fantasy or fairy tale retellings, but it’s a fun way to spend a few hours. I look forward to reading her new one when it comes out in paperback:
Evie Pomeroy dreams of being a physician, like her parents had been. A royal scholarship gives her her chance, and she sets out to the university accompanied by the boy next door. But bandits, shipwreck, a mysterious creature, and even the tug of friendship may tear from her what matters most.
The book is fun when it’s being an adventure and is about Lucinda Doing Things and learning about her past, her parents, and Beryl, the fairy godmother character. It’s less interesting when focusing on the romance. Nothing wrong with either love interest, but she barely interacts with the prince, Gregor, despite their supposedly being madly in love, and the thief, Peter, comes across more as her mischievous kid brother who goads her into being bossy than anything else. And, frankly, that boy needed a manager, not a girlfriend. Fortunately, more attention was given to adventuring.
There’s nothing revolutionary about it for either YA fantasy or fairy tale retellings, but it’s a fun way to spend a few hours. I look forward to reading her new one when it comes out in paperback:
Evie Pomeroy dreams of being a physician, like her parents had been. A royal scholarship gives her her chance, and she sets out to the university accompanied by the boy next door. But bandits, shipwreck, a mysterious creature, and even the tug of friendship may tear from her what matters most.