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Ravenspire #2
The Wish Granter
The world has turned upside down for Thad and Ari Glavan, the bastard twins of Súndraille’s king. Their mother was murdered. The royal family died mysteriously. And now Thad sits on the throne of a kingdom whose streets are suddenly overrun with violence he can’t stop.
Growing up ignored by the nobility, Ari never wanted to be a proper princess. And when Thad suddenly starts training Ari to take his place, she realizes that her brother’s ascension to the throne wasn’t fate. It was the work of a Wish Granter named Alistair Teague who tricked Thad into wishing away both the safety of his people and his soul in exchange for the crown.
So Ari recruits the help of Thad’s enigmatic new weapons master, Sebastian Vaughn, to teach her how to fight Teague. With secret ties to Teague’s criminal empire, Sebastian might just hold the key to discovering Alistair’s weaknesses, saving Ari’s brother—and herself.
But Teague is ruthless and more than ready to destroy anyone who dares stand in his way—and now he has his sights set on the princess. And if Ari can’t outwit him, she’ll lose Sebastian, her brother…and her soul.
Growing up ignored by the nobility, Ari never wanted to be a proper princess. And when Thad suddenly starts training Ari to take his place, she realizes that her brother’s ascension to the throne wasn’t fate. It was the work of a Wish Granter named Alistair Teague who tricked Thad into wishing away both the safety of his people and his soul in exchange for the crown.
So Ari recruits the help of Thad’s enigmatic new weapons master, Sebastian Vaughn, to teach her how to fight Teague. With secret ties to Teague’s criminal empire, Sebastian might just hold the key to discovering Alistair’s weaknesses, saving Ari’s brother—and herself.
But Teague is ruthless and more than ready to destroy anyone who dares stand in his way—and now he has his sights set on the princess. And if Ari can’t outwit him, she’ll lose Sebastian, her brother…and her soul.
432 pages, ebook
First published February 14, 2017
About the author
C.J. Redwine
20 books3,923 followers**Please read my FAQ before sending any requests: http://cjredwine.blogspot.com/p/faq.html **
C.J. Redwine loves fairy tales, Harry Potter, and going to the movies. If the novel writing gig ever falls through, she’ll join the Avengers and wear a cape to work every day. To learn more about C.J., visit her website at www.cjredwine.com
C.J. Redwine loves fairy tales, Harry Potter, and going to the movies. If the novel writing gig ever falls through, she’ll join the Avengers and wear a cape to work every day. To learn more about C.J., visit her website at www.cjredwine.com
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March 30, 2018 I really love these characters, and I hope my readers do too. <3
February 10, 2017
“In the stories, wishes always comes with a price.” The prince squared his shoulders as if braced for a blow.
“Everything comes with a price.” Teague stepped closer. “But I’m all that stands between your sister and death. Is there a price you wouldn’t pay for her life?”
It would be doing a disservice not to explain that this book is a standalone within a series of standalone novels - all of which are fairy tale retellings. They are set in adjoining kingdoms with the possibility of characters from previous books making an appearance. You could 100% start with The Wish Granter with zero problems. The first book was a Snow White retelling, while this one is an interesting spin on the tale of Rumplestiltskin.
The story once again begins with a "once upon a time" prologue to set everything up. It introduces us to Alistair Teague and his complete detest for humans. Teague has a plan that will never let a human have power over him again. And this is the start of him setting it in motion... The Wish Granter is Alistair Teague. He is a villainous fae with the power to grant wishes, but you have to remember...all wishes come with a price.
Twins Thad and Ari are the bastard children of the king of Súndraille. When the Queen gives birth to a legitimate heir, their world is ripped from them. After their servant mother is killed, Thad gets desperate enough to make a wish to the Wish Granter. All he wants is to protect Ari. Manipulated by the Wish Granter into making just the right wish that would help him accomplish his own plan, Thad ends up wishing to be the rightful king. What ever could go wrong?
And when Ari finds out about the wish, she is determined to save her brother's life even if it means recruiting help from Sebastian, the new weapons master, and learning to fight.
Sebastian has had quite a rough life. He is a man of few words at eighteen and has a deep fear of becoming like his cruel father. And he just might have knowledge about Alistair Teague that could help bring him down.
Ari is a reluctant princess. She never wanted to be an "official princess." Perfectly happy as the illegitimate heir who lived in the servants' quarters, cleaned, cooked, etc. She is very likable as a relatable, smart, humble, caring, and determined young lady. Ari is a curvy girl and gets flak for it, but she does not care. Screw your corset!! The girl loves to bake and truly loves food. It is hard not to love Ari. She is such a refreshing protagonist.
The story is written in third person and follows the perspectives of Ari, Sebastian, and occasionally Alistair Teague. I enjoyed Alistair Teague as the villain. There was a depth to him that's hard not to appreciate. I didn't care much for the romance. It felt forced and lacked any real chemistry. I could have used more on Sebastian's family members especially his mother and brother. I didn't understand certain aspects of how he became the person he is. The ending felt way too easy. Some things didn't make sense. And there was a slight bit of predictability. This was however better than it's predecessor The Shadow Queen.
If you enjoy young adult fairy tale retellings or the story of Rumplestiltskin, you may want to check this out. I am excited to see what other spins on classic tales pop up later on.
February 7, 2017
***Review posted on The Eater of Books! blog***
The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine
Book Two of the Ravenspire series
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: February 14, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
Summary (from Goodreads):
An epic fantasy inspired by the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale, about a bastard princess who must take on an evil fae to save her brother’s soul, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Shadow Queen.
The world has turned upside down for Thad and Ari Glavan, the bastard twins of Súndraille’s king. Their mother was murdered. The royal family died mysteriously. And now Thad sits on the throne of a kingdom whose streets are suddenly overrun with violence that he can’t stop.
Growing up ignored by the nobility, Ari never wanted to be a proper princess. And when Thad suddenly starts training Ari to take his place, she realizes that her brother’s ascension to the throne wasn’t fate. It was the work of a Wish Granter named Alistair Teague, who tricked Thad into wishing away both the safety of his people and his soul in exchange for the crown.
So Ari recruits the help of Thad’s enigmatic new weapons master, Sebastian Vaughn, to teach her how to fight Teague. With secret ties to Teague’s criminal empire, Sebastian might just hold the key to discovering Alistair’s weaknesses, saving Ari’s brother—and herself.
But Teague is ruthless and more than ready to destroy anyone who dares stand in his way—and now he has his sights set on the princess. And if Ari can’t outwit him, she’ll lose Sebastian, her brother...and her soul.
What I Liked:
C.J. Redwine has yet to disappoint me! I love her books and I am always looking forward to reading more from her. This latest novel was a delight, and it had a different feel compared to the rest of her books. It was a delightful story!
Ari and her twin brother Thad are illegitimate children of the king of Súndraille. When the queen finally gives birth to a son - the new legitimate heir - she sends bounty hunters to kill Thad and Ari. But Thad makes a wish with the Wish Granter, Alistair Teague: let him (Thad) become king of Súndraille. And so it happens, because being king has consequences. Teague is a ruthless fae that tricked Thad into being king so that he (Teague) could gain control of the kingdom, and begin to take over other kingdoms. But Ari won't sit around and let it happen - especially since she isn't under any contract of Teague. With the help of the new weapons master, Sebastian Vaughn, Ari begins to devise a plan to take down Teague. But Teague is hundreds of years old - and a fae - and he is much cleverer than any human. Sebastian and Ari must both make sacrifices in order to see the kingdom - and each other - safe.
I love how Redwine creates a world and makes it unique and wholly her own. This particular world spans across this entire Ravenpsire series. However, this book is set in the kingdom of Súndraille. In this kingdom, there is abundant crime, poverty, and drugs. The problems of this kingdom seem so modern and understandable - so like today's problems. I love how the author has the characters approaching the problems with actual solutions. How do we get rid of criminals? How do we get drugs off the streets?
Another thing that Redwine does so well is dig deep into her characters. Each one of her characters, whether primary or secondary, are so fleshed out. Ari, for example. She is the bastard daughter of the king, and she grew up like a servant. She isn't comfortable being a princess, the sister of the newly declared king. She prefers simple clothes and she doesn't mind getting her hands dirty. She is good at bargaining, baking, and numbers, and she loves having plans and lists. Ari isn't a sword-wielding kickbutt female - rather, she is insanely clever and a very talented baker.
Sebastian is quite possibly the youngest weapons master to ever exist, at eighteen. He knows how to use any and every weapon in the king's arsenal. He grew up under the care of one of Teague's most deadly collectors, and his father was cruel and hard on Sebastian. He doesn't like being touched, he hates crowds, and he doesn't say much. A man of few words, but the words he says are carefully chosen and hold a wealth of meaning. Everything about Sebastian is disciplined and precise - because he fears turning into his brutal and cold father.
This book is written in third-person limited POV, and we get chapters from Ari's POV, Sebastian's POV, and surprisingly (or not surprisingly, if you've read Redwine's novels), Teague's POV. I like third-person, and I liked the triad of perspectives from which this story is told.
It's always interesting, how Redwine gives her villains a voice in the story (i.e. a POV). Her villains aren't just evil caricatures out to kill everyone and take over the world. Redwine gives the villain a backstory and a purpose. Teague isn't a soulless Wish Granter (ha! pun intended). There are reasons for him being the way he is. Don't get me wrong, he's still a villain. But we better understand his origins, his motives, and his intent, with the elaborate backstory.
I love fairy tale retellings! This is a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, but not in the way you think. The girl spinning gold is not Ari, though you can probably guess that Teague is Rumpelstiltskin. This story is based on Rumpelstiltskin, though I'm not sure I'd necessarily call it a retelling, since most of this book does not follow the story of Rumpelstiltskin. But it's so cool how Redwine took the original story of Rumpelstiltskin and made it into something different, interesting, and fascinating.
This book seemed lighter and more fun than her other books, though there were high stakes and heartbreak in this book. A key part of this book is Ari's baking - she loves food, and she loves to bake. Also, the way this book is told is almost humorous, with the writing style being so candid and almost conversational.
The story itself is indirectly split into two parts - the first half being about Thad and Ari's adjustment to being royals, and Ari getting to know Sebastian and starting to plan how to take down Teague; the second half being about them dealing directly with Teague, in which he forces Ari's hand and she signs a contract with him, and Sebastian comes up with a plan to save her. I like how the story was set up, because there was enough action and twists to keep me extremely invested.
I like the romance! It was slow and sweet, definitely there but there weren't a lot of scenes devoted solely to the romance. There wasn't a ton of physical interaction, but you could really feel how Sebastian and Ari fall for each other and develop feelings for each other. There is no doubt of their emotional connection.
I love how this book ends! It's a wonderful ending, and everything feels fairly wrapped up. Redwine ends the book a little differently from what you might expect, and I like the ending (though a part of me would have loved her to go a little further). Still, it was a great ending to a lovely book!
What I Did Not Like:
There wasn't anything specific that detracted from the story! I personally would have loved more Sebastian/Ari moments (you know what I mean), but their relationship wasn't a potent, chemistry-filled one. It was a sweet romance, and I can't complain (too much) about that. Again, nothing specific really took away from the story.
Would I Recommend It:
Personally I'd recommend any of Redwine's books, this one included. I love that her latest novels are standalone novels. As much as I liked her Defiance series, not having to wait for the book to know what happens next is really satisfying. I recommend this one if you like fantasy, fairy tale retellings, sweet romances, clever girls, and strong, silently brooding boys. (Here's looking at you, Sebastian.)
Rating:
4 stars. I can always trust Redwine to write an interesting and clever story! I love how her heroines are uniquely their own - smart, yet not without faults - and her heroes the same - intelligent and strong, yet not without weaknesses. I look forward to reading the next Ravenspire novel! I'm hoping that there will be cameos from this book and book one, in the next book.
Eeeee! :D :D
The Wish Granter by C.J. Redwine
Book Two of the Ravenspire series
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Publication Date: February 14, 2017
Rating: 4 stars
Source: eARC from Edelweiss
Summary (from Goodreads):
An epic fantasy inspired by the Rumpelstiltskin fairy tale, about a bastard princess who must take on an evil fae to save her brother’s soul, from the New York Times bestselling author of The Shadow Queen.
The world has turned upside down for Thad and Ari Glavan, the bastard twins of Súndraille’s king. Their mother was murdered. The royal family died mysteriously. And now Thad sits on the throne of a kingdom whose streets are suddenly overrun with violence that he can’t stop.
Growing up ignored by the nobility, Ari never wanted to be a proper princess. And when Thad suddenly starts training Ari to take his place, she realizes that her brother’s ascension to the throne wasn’t fate. It was the work of a Wish Granter named Alistair Teague, who tricked Thad into wishing away both the safety of his people and his soul in exchange for the crown.
So Ari recruits the help of Thad’s enigmatic new weapons master, Sebastian Vaughn, to teach her how to fight Teague. With secret ties to Teague’s criminal empire, Sebastian might just hold the key to discovering Alistair’s weaknesses, saving Ari’s brother—and herself.
But Teague is ruthless and more than ready to destroy anyone who dares stand in his way—and now he has his sights set on the princess. And if Ari can’t outwit him, she’ll lose Sebastian, her brother...and her soul.
What I Liked:
C.J. Redwine has yet to disappoint me! I love her books and I am always looking forward to reading more from her. This latest novel was a delight, and it had a different feel compared to the rest of her books. It was a delightful story!
Ari and her twin brother Thad are illegitimate children of the king of Súndraille. When the queen finally gives birth to a son - the new legitimate heir - she sends bounty hunters to kill Thad and Ari. But Thad makes a wish with the Wish Granter, Alistair Teague: let him (Thad) become king of Súndraille. And so it happens, because being king has consequences. Teague is a ruthless fae that tricked Thad into being king so that he (Teague) could gain control of the kingdom, and begin to take over other kingdoms. But Ari won't sit around and let it happen - especially since she isn't under any contract of Teague. With the help of the new weapons master, Sebastian Vaughn, Ari begins to devise a plan to take down Teague. But Teague is hundreds of years old - and a fae - and he is much cleverer than any human. Sebastian and Ari must both make sacrifices in order to see the kingdom - and each other - safe.
I love how Redwine creates a world and makes it unique and wholly her own. This particular world spans across this entire Ravenpsire series. However, this book is set in the kingdom of Súndraille. In this kingdom, there is abundant crime, poverty, and drugs. The problems of this kingdom seem so modern and understandable - so like today's problems. I love how the author has the characters approaching the problems with actual solutions. How do we get rid of criminals? How do we get drugs off the streets?
Another thing that Redwine does so well is dig deep into her characters. Each one of her characters, whether primary or secondary, are so fleshed out. Ari, for example. She is the bastard daughter of the king, and she grew up like a servant. She isn't comfortable being a princess, the sister of the newly declared king. She prefers simple clothes and she doesn't mind getting her hands dirty. She is good at bargaining, baking, and numbers, and she loves having plans and lists. Ari isn't a sword-wielding kickbutt female - rather, she is insanely clever and a very talented baker.
Sebastian is quite possibly the youngest weapons master to ever exist, at eighteen. He knows how to use any and every weapon in the king's arsenal. He grew up under the care of one of Teague's most deadly collectors, and his father was cruel and hard on Sebastian. He doesn't like being touched, he hates crowds, and he doesn't say much. A man of few words, but the words he says are carefully chosen and hold a wealth of meaning. Everything about Sebastian is disciplined and precise - because he fears turning into his brutal and cold father.
This book is written in third-person limited POV, and we get chapters from Ari's POV, Sebastian's POV, and surprisingly (or not surprisingly, if you've read Redwine's novels), Teague's POV. I like third-person, and I liked the triad of perspectives from which this story is told.
It's always interesting, how Redwine gives her villains a voice in the story (i.e. a POV). Her villains aren't just evil caricatures out to kill everyone and take over the world. Redwine gives the villain a backstory and a purpose. Teague isn't a soulless Wish Granter (ha! pun intended). There are reasons for him being the way he is. Don't get me wrong, he's still a villain. But we better understand his origins, his motives, and his intent, with the elaborate backstory.
I love fairy tale retellings! This is a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, but not in the way you think. The girl spinning gold is not Ari, though you can probably guess that Teague is Rumpelstiltskin. This story is based on Rumpelstiltskin, though I'm not sure I'd necessarily call it a retelling, since most of this book does not follow the story of Rumpelstiltskin. But it's so cool how Redwine took the original story of Rumpelstiltskin and made it into something different, interesting, and fascinating.
This book seemed lighter and more fun than her other books, though there were high stakes and heartbreak in this book. A key part of this book is Ari's baking - she loves food, and she loves to bake. Also, the way this book is told is almost humorous, with the writing style being so candid and almost conversational.
The story itself is indirectly split into two parts - the first half being about Thad and Ari's adjustment to being royals, and Ari getting to know Sebastian and starting to plan how to take down Teague; the second half being about them dealing directly with Teague, in which he forces Ari's hand and she signs a contract with him, and Sebastian comes up with a plan to save her. I like how the story was set up, because there was enough action and twists to keep me extremely invested.
I like the romance! It was slow and sweet, definitely there but there weren't a lot of scenes devoted solely to the romance. There wasn't a ton of physical interaction, but you could really feel how Sebastian and Ari fall for each other and develop feelings for each other. There is no doubt of their emotional connection.
I love how this book ends! It's a wonderful ending, and everything feels fairly wrapped up. Redwine ends the book a little differently from what you might expect, and I like the ending (though a part of me would have loved her to go a little further). Still, it was a great ending to a lovely book!
What I Did Not Like:
There wasn't anything specific that detracted from the story! I personally would have loved more Sebastian/Ari moments (you know what I mean), but their relationship wasn't a potent, chemistry-filled one. It was a sweet romance, and I can't complain (too much) about that. Again, nothing specific really took away from the story.
Would I Recommend It:
Personally I'd recommend any of Redwine's books, this one included. I love that her latest novels are standalone novels. As much as I liked her Defiance series, not having to wait for the book to know what happens next is really satisfying. I recommend this one if you like fantasy, fairy tale retellings, sweet romances, clever girls, and strong, silently brooding boys. (Here's looking at you, Sebastian.)
Rating:
4 stars. I can always trust Redwine to write an interesting and clever story! I love how her heroines are uniquely their own - smart, yet not without faults - and her heroes the same - intelligent and strong, yet not without weaknesses. I look forward to reading the next Ravenspire novel! I'm hoping that there will be cameos from this book and book one, in the next book.
Eeeee! :D :D
February 10, 2017
(I received an advance copy of this book for free. Thanks to HarperCollins and Edelweiss.)
This was a YA fantasy retelling of Rumpelstiltskin.
I liked Ari in this, and I liked the fact that she had ‘generous curves’ and ate like a real person. She was also brave and kind, and I liked how she wasn’t bothered about titles, and treated everybody the same no matter if they were nobles or servants.
The storyline in this was about Ari’s twin brother being tricked into making a wish to be king with a fae wish granter called Teague, and ending up owing his soul in return. The rest of the story was about Ari trying to find a way to break the contract and save her brother, but finding Teague one step ahead of her all the time. There were a few twists to the story, but the pace was quite slow. We did also get a bit of romance, but I’d have liked for there to have been a little bit more.
The ending to this was pretty good, and things were wrapped up nicely.
6.5 out of 10
“Teague would destroy her if he caught her trying to ruin him.
She had to do it anyway.”
This was a YA fantasy retelling of Rumpelstiltskin.
I liked Ari in this, and I liked the fact that she had ‘generous curves’ and ate like a real person. She was also brave and kind, and I liked how she wasn’t bothered about titles, and treated everybody the same no matter if they were nobles or servants.
The storyline in this was about Ari’s twin brother being tricked into making a wish to be king with a fae wish granter called Teague, and ending up owing his soul in return. The rest of the story was about Ari trying to find a way to break the contract and save her brother, but finding Teague one step ahead of her all the time. There were a few twists to the story, but the pace was quite slow. We did also get a bit of romance, but I’d have liked for there to have been a little bit more.
The ending to this was pretty good, and things were wrapped up nicely.
6.5 out of 10
January 9, 2018
I don’t know why I waited so long to read this one because I loved it.
Love love loved Ari and Sebastian. She’s sassy and calculating and loves pie. He’s quiet and loyal and claims to be able to live without pie. Together they’re adorable. She gets him to open up and he gets her to plan before she acts. I absolutely loved every scene of them together.
Plot wise, I was captivated from the start. I loved how crafty Rumpelstiltskin was and how Ari and Sebastian get things worked out is perfection. There were a couple of deaths I was bummed about and a couple of reveals I was supposed to see. It kept me guessing in ways I wasn’t expecting.
Overall, it was a great story with characters who were super easy to root for. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series.
**Huge thanks to Balzer + Bray for providing the arc free of charge**
Love love loved Ari and Sebastian. She’s sassy and calculating and loves pie. He’s quiet and loyal and claims to be able to live without pie. Together they’re adorable. She gets him to open up and he gets her to plan before she acts. I absolutely loved every scene of them together.
Plot wise, I was captivated from the start. I loved how crafty Rumpelstiltskin was and how Ari and Sebastian get things worked out is perfection. There were a couple of deaths I was bummed about and a couple of reveals I was supposed to see. It kept me guessing in ways I wasn’t expecting.
Overall, it was a great story with characters who were super easy to root for. I can’t wait to read the next one in the series.
**Huge thanks to Balzer + Bray for providing the arc free of charge**
June 6, 2017
This was a cute book but I did find my mind wandering. There were parts that kept my interest but some were like going through the motions. I love fairytale retellings and I am not the biggest fan of the Rumpelstiltskin tale but this was a great spin on it.
September 17, 2016
I was never a huge Rumplestiltskin fan but I think CJ has made me one! I loved this! I think I may have even liked it better than The Shadow Queen! And Sebastian *swoons* I have a new book boyfriend!
February 19, 2017
"He'll grant you the deepest desire of your heart, but in ten years he'll return for your soul."
As soon as I saw mention of a Rumpelstiltskin retelling, I knew I had to read this. Alistair Teague was exactly the conniving, cruel, vengeful character that I hoped he would be. While also being The Wish Granter, he's also somewhat of a drug lord in the kingdom of Súndraille, and no one dares to defy him. That is, until Ari Glavan.
Fooled into a wish, Ari's brother, Thad, is the new ruler of Súndraille. To protect her brother's soul, Ari ventures into a dangerous journey, with help from the weapon's master, in hopes of destroying Alistair Teague and the contract binding her brother. This girl was amazing. Not only was she smart, levelheaded, and kind, but she also loved food.
"Dancing is for people who don't truly appreciate the buffet."
The romance was genuine. The action was booming. It had all the elements I love from the original tale, too. I'm incredibly pleased with this one.
As soon as I saw mention of a Rumpelstiltskin retelling, I knew I had to read this. Alistair Teague was exactly the conniving, cruel, vengeful character that I hoped he would be. While also being The Wish Granter, he's also somewhat of a drug lord in the kingdom of Súndraille, and no one dares to defy him. That is, until Ari Glavan.
Fooled into a wish, Ari's brother, Thad, is the new ruler of Súndraille. To protect her brother's soul, Ari ventures into a dangerous journey, with help from the weapon's master, in hopes of destroying Alistair Teague and the contract binding her brother. This girl was amazing. Not only was she smart, levelheaded, and kind, but she also loved food.
"Dancing is for people who don't truly appreciate the buffet."
The romance was genuine. The action was booming. It had all the elements I love from the original tale, too. I'm incredibly pleased with this one.
December 26, 2018
So so good...I loved it so much. This is more of a 4.75 stars but it is still an amazing book. First of all...The cover is insanely beautiful and I loved Ari's humour and everything about Sebastian....❤ I loved the concept of creating a rumplestiltskin themed retelling and since rumplestiltskin is my favourite villain apart from the evil Queen...I enjoyed it even more. If you haven't read this already... your missing out on a lot so go read it!!!
Rtc
Rtc
January 31, 2018
Actual Rating: 2.5 stars
Warning: Possible spoilers below.
I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. I absolutely love fairy tales and retellings, but this one just wasn't for me. Maybe part of me was biased going into it (I decided to read it more because I liked the first book in the series than because I was actually interested based on the summary).
The Wish Granter is a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. Thad and Ari Glavan are the bastard twins of the king of Súndraille and upon the birth of a true born heir, the queen orders their deaths in order to ensure that her child will remain heir to the throne. Thad then makes a wish with the wish granter (Alistair Teague) in order to procure his sister's safety, but the only way he can do so is by wishing to become king in exchange for his soul.
Going into this book, I thought that there would be a good emphasis on a strong sibling relationship where they worked together to protect each other and defeat Teague (with some romance on the side because the description does mention Ari teaming up with the new, young weapons master Sebastian). What it ended up being was a romance that bordered on instalove with a minor focus on the relationship between Thad and Ari, which mainly showed a lack of trust and communication between the two, as Thad was reluctant to tell Ari anything or listen to her ideas. Ari also had a tendency to forget about Thad and saving his soul whenever Sebastian was around.
On top of the story not being quite what I was expecting, I also didn't really care for any of the characters. I am not sure if it was a lack of development (which is probably the case for some of them) or if I just didn't connect with them, but I had a hard time finding myself caring about any of them. For the most part, I didn't mind Ari, but her lack of focus when she was in danger () and her obsession with food made me dislike her somewhat. I should note that it is great that Ari is a main character who is not thin. She loves food and doesn't care who knows or who sees her eating or how much she eats, but there were WAY too many mentions of exactly what she was making for breakfast or what she was baking or what she wanted for lunch, etc.
What doesn't help is that I am also not the biggest fan of Rumpelstiltskin. While I like the fairytale enough, I think that a whole novel based on it was just not my thing. I'm pretty sure I am in the minority when I say that I actually preferred The Shadow Queen (which admittedly does have some of the same flaws as this book but I think I overlooked them more because I actually liked the characters and the retelling) to this novel. I will probably continue on with the next Ravenspire novel anyway, in hopes that I like it more than this one.
Based on how I feel, I can't in good faith recommend this, but I think that if you like fairytale retellings, it's worth giving it a shot because maybe you'll like it better than I did!
Warning: Possible spoilers below.
I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. I absolutely love fairy tales and retellings, but this one just wasn't for me. Maybe part of me was biased going into it (I decided to read it more because I liked the first book in the series than because I was actually interested based on the summary).
The Wish Granter is a retelling of Rumpelstiltskin. Thad and Ari Glavan are the bastard twins of the king of Súndraille and upon the birth of a true born heir, the queen orders their deaths in order to ensure that her child will remain heir to the throne. Thad then makes a wish with the wish granter (Alistair Teague) in order to procure his sister's safety, but the only way he can do so is by wishing to become king in exchange for his soul.
Going into this book, I thought that there would be a good emphasis on a strong sibling relationship where they worked together to protect each other and defeat Teague (with some romance on the side because the description does mention Ari teaming up with the new, young weapons master Sebastian). What it ended up being was a romance that bordered on instalove with a minor focus on the relationship between Thad and Ari, which mainly showed a lack of trust and communication between the two, as Thad was reluctant to tell Ari anything or listen to her ideas. Ari also had a tendency to forget about Thad and saving his soul whenever Sebastian was around.
On top of the story not being quite what I was expecting, I also didn't really care for any of the characters. I am not sure if it was a lack of development (which is probably the case for some of them) or if I just didn't connect with them, but I had a hard time finding myself caring about any of them. For the most part, I didn't mind Ari, but her lack of focus when she was in danger () and her obsession with food made me dislike her somewhat. I should note that it is great that Ari is a main character who is not thin. She loves food and doesn't care who knows or who sees her eating or how much she eats, but there were WAY too many mentions of exactly what she was making for breakfast or what she was baking or what she wanted for lunch, etc.
What doesn't help is that I am also not the biggest fan of Rumpelstiltskin. While I like the fairytale enough, I think that a whole novel based on it was just not my thing. I'm pretty sure I am in the minority when I say that I actually preferred The Shadow Queen (which admittedly does have some of the same flaws as this book but I think I overlooked them more because I actually liked the characters and the retelling) to this novel. I will probably continue on with the next Ravenspire novel anyway, in hopes that I like it more than this one.
Based on how I feel, I can't in good faith recommend this, but I think that if you like fairytale retellings, it's worth giving it a shot because maybe you'll like it better than I did!
Read
March 7, 2017This was a great take on the Rumpelstiltskin story. You will root for the hero and heroine and if you don't end up craving pastries by the end, I'd be shocked. Love immersing myself in this world. Hope another one is coming.
May 21, 2017
Arianna is now a Princess to the Sundraille throne with her brother Thaddeus as the youngest King in the land. When an evil little Fae man known as Alastair Teague makes her brother keep out of his criminal drug business or else, Arianna is determined to save her brother and their kingdom from the creature's evil plans. Will they succeed? Read on and find out for yourself.
This was a pretty good take on the Brothers Grimm Fairytale Rumplestiltskin. Whenever I read of Alastair Teague's character, it reminded me of Rumple from the show Once Upon A Time and the Hallmark Channel animated series version of it in Timeless Tales. It is a very interesting and action packed story with a love interest in it. If you like fairy tales, be sure to check this book out. This is part of the Ravenspire fairy tale stand-alone series. Look for this book at your local library and wherever books are sold.
This was a pretty good take on the Brothers Grimm Fairytale Rumplestiltskin. Whenever I read of Alastair Teague's character, it reminded me of Rumple from the show Once Upon A Time and the Hallmark Channel animated series version of it in Timeless Tales. It is a very interesting and action packed story with a love interest in it. If you like fairy tales, be sure to check this book out. This is part of the Ravenspire fairy tale stand-alone series. Look for this book at your local library and wherever books are sold.
February 9, 2017
4.5-4.75 stars. I'm utterly delighted by THE WISH GRANTER. It takes elements from the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, and integrates it into a fun, fast-paced story of a girl determined to save her brother and her kingdom, and a boy who is determined to escape his past. A few minor quibbles, but I definitely enjoyed this one!
April 19, 2018
I need to make this clear: I HATE Rumpelstiltskin. So I was going into this book with really low expectations. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I actually liked this book. It's definitely not as good as The Shadow Queen, in my opinion, but it's very interesting.
My favorite thing about this book is Ari's love for eating. She's so passionate about it and so I am. Just... she's A M A Z I N G!
My favorite thing about this book is Ari's love for eating. She's so passionate about it and so I am. Just... she's A M A Z I N G!
September 16, 2017
"Thad: But this is a boy, and you need to think of your reputation if you're spending time alone with him...
Ari: Learning how to put a man's eye out or take him down at the knees. Very romantic stuff, Thad. Very romantic. Oh, and we also hid a body together, so we're practically engaged."
I AM SO HAPPY THAT I READ THIS BOOK.
I LOVE THIS BOOK.
I LOVE C.J.
Now The Wish Granter is a standalone in a series where each book is a standalone... But I am not disappointed at alllllll. Like I said earlier, I really did love this book. I liked the characters and I was really happy that there was a small scene where Lorelai and Kol were mentioned (they are from the first book The Shadow Queen).
Since Shadow Queen was a fun re-telling about Snow White, the Wish Granter is a re-telling of Rumpelstiltskin. The new king is a bastard and his sister is, you guessed it, the new princess who is also a bastard. They are also known as King Thad and Princess Ari.
I absolutely adored Ari. She acted the complete opposite of how a princess is supposed to act. This is due to her upbringing--because her mother was a commoner. Thad and her received an education that the privilege earned but they lived much simpler lives like commoners. At least until their real dad, his wife, and newborn son mysteriously died. Also, how she had generous curves and wasn't the stereotypical beautiful stick girl. Although I did hate when other characters would call her "fat" because I wanted to reach into the book and bitch slap them so hard.
The amount of sass on this girl impressed me too. Because she didn't take anyone's shit. If anyone pissed her off she would definitely put them in their place. I loved her!! Then there's Thad. Ugh I just pictured him weak-minded. I get that he was trying to save his sister from the huntsmen that the Queen hired to kill both of them... but I mean he made a deal and didn't even read the fine print!! WHO DOES THAT?!? I didn't really care for his character because he didn't really do anything. Ari basically saved his ass every damn time.
Then there's Sebastian <3. Aw man, I loved his character. I loved his relationship with Ari. I loved how they worked together to take down Teague (aka Rumpel). Aw man I loved them. I wanted more of them but I was satisfied with the ending. I wanted them together. She needed a real guy to protect her but then butt heads with her at the same time.
I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book, The Traitor Prince. Anyone wanna give it to me?!? ANYONE?!?! I need it pronto.
Ari: Learning how to put a man's eye out or take him down at the knees. Very romantic stuff, Thad. Very romantic. Oh, and we also hid a body together, so we're practically engaged."
I AM SO HAPPY THAT I READ THIS BOOK.
I LOVE THIS BOOK.
I LOVE C.J.
Now The Wish Granter is a standalone in a series where each book is a standalone... But I am not disappointed at alllllll. Like I said earlier, I really did love this book. I liked the characters and I was really happy that there was a small scene where Lorelai and Kol were mentioned (they are from the first book The Shadow Queen).
Since Shadow Queen was a fun re-telling about Snow White, the Wish Granter is a re-telling of Rumpelstiltskin. The new king is a bastard and his sister is, you guessed it, the new princess who is also a bastard. They are also known as King Thad and Princess Ari.
I absolutely adored Ari. She acted the complete opposite of how a princess is supposed to act. This is due to her upbringing--because her mother was a commoner. Thad and her received an education that the privilege earned but they lived much simpler lives like commoners. At least until their real dad, his wife, and newborn son mysteriously died. Also, how she had generous curves and wasn't the stereotypical beautiful stick girl. Although I did hate when other characters would call her "fat" because I wanted to reach into the book and bitch slap them so hard.
The amount of sass on this girl impressed me too. Because she didn't take anyone's shit. If anyone pissed her off she would definitely put them in their place. I loved her!! Then there's Thad. Ugh I just pictured him weak-minded. I get that he was trying to save his sister from the huntsmen that the Queen hired to kill both of them... but I mean he made a deal and didn't even read the fine print!! WHO DOES THAT?!? I didn't really care for his character because he didn't really do anything. Ari basically saved his ass every damn time.
Then there's Sebastian <3. Aw man, I loved his character. I loved his relationship with Ari. I loved how they worked together to take down Teague (aka Rumpel). Aw man I loved them. I wanted more of them but I was satisfied with the ending. I wanted them together. She needed a real guy to protect her but then butt heads with her at the same time.
I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book, The Traitor Prince. Anyone wanna give it to me?!? ANYONE?!?! I need it pronto.
May 4, 2017
2.5 stars
review to come
Ok well ....
I liked a lot of things about this book. The MC is awesome, the characters are interesting and somewhat complex, there is magic and its a freaking Rumpelstiltskin retelling which is awesome!
But ... I did not really enjoy this book ...
AND I DONT KNOW WHY?
So I'm going to think about this before I review.
review to come
Ok well ....
I liked a lot of things about this book. The MC is awesome, the characters are interesting and somewhat complex, there is magic and its a freaking Rumpelstiltskin retelling which is awesome!
But ... I did not really enjoy this book ...
AND I DONT KNOW WHY?
So I'm going to think about this before I review.
April 13, 2018
3.5 stars
April 5, 2018
This was a really interesting novel, it was a lot darker than the previous book. I did enjoy the first book slightly more but it was still a great read.
January 30, 2018
3 stars
I've read The Wish Granter quite recently and it was a fun, if not very original read.
It's a retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin fairytale, but since I'm not familiar with the original tale, I can't comment on how accurate was the adaptation.
Princess Ari never wanted her position in court and doesn't give a damn what people think of her. She and her brother are bastard children of the king, and their lives are in danger because of it. In an act of desperation her brother makes a deal with the Wish Granter to save their lives, and pledges his soul in exchange. Ari is desperate to save her brother, but can she really do anything against the powerful and ancient monster who now owns her brother's soul?
It was a really fun read, full of magic and witty dialogues, and let's not forget about the awesome fighting scenes and sassy heroine. There were also some delicious cupcakes, and a sweet slow burn romance that gave me all the feels.
The villain was evil and frightening, and yet wonderfully characterized. His actions made sense and even though monstrous and cruel, his motives were well explained and he never felt cartoonish.
However, while it was certainly entertaining, it lacked a more concise characterization and it felt slightly underdeveloped.
I loved the Wish Granter and how he was characterized, but there were so many more things that could have been expanded upon in the story, and the ending felt a bit too convenient.
Ari, Thad and Sebastian all felt slightly underdeveloped and I would have loved to have a further glimpse into Sebastian's troubled past. The way he dealt with years of abuse and hunger was merely glossed over and he had a strangely blasé attitude about it that I found unrealistic.
Overall this book is a very fun way of spending a couple of hours, but don't go in expecting high fantasy or well rounded characters.
Thad: “But this is a boy, and you need to think of your reputation if you’re spending time alone with him—”
Ari: ”Learning how to put a man's eye out or take him down at the knees. Very romantic stuff, Thad. Very romantic. Oh, and we also hid a body together, so we're practically engaged.”
I've read The Wish Granter quite recently and it was a fun, if not very original read.
It's a retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin fairytale, but since I'm not familiar with the original tale, I can't comment on how accurate was the adaptation.
Princess Ari never wanted her position in court and doesn't give a damn what people think of her. She and her brother are bastard children of the king, and their lives are in danger because of it. In an act of desperation her brother makes a deal with the Wish Granter to save their lives, and pledges his soul in exchange. Ari is desperate to save her brother, but can she really do anything against the powerful and ancient monster who now owns her brother's soul?
It was a really fun read, full of magic and witty dialogues, and let's not forget about the awesome fighting scenes and sassy heroine. There were also some delicious cupcakes, and a sweet slow burn romance that gave me all the feels.
The villain was evil and frightening, and yet wonderfully characterized. His actions made sense and even though monstrous and cruel, his motives were well explained and he never felt cartoonish.
However, while it was certainly entertaining, it lacked a more concise characterization and it felt slightly underdeveloped.
I loved the Wish Granter and how he was characterized, but there were so many more things that could have been expanded upon in the story, and the ending felt a bit too convenient.
Ari, Thad and Sebastian all felt slightly underdeveloped and I would have loved to have a further glimpse into Sebastian's troubled past. The way he dealt with years of abuse and hunger was merely glossed over and he had a strangely blasé attitude about it that I found unrealistic.
Overall this book is a very fun way of spending a couple of hours, but don't go in expecting high fantasy or well rounded characters.
Thad: “But this is a boy, and you need to think of your reputation if you’re spending time alone with him—”
Ari: ”Learning how to put a man's eye out or take him down at the knees. Very romantic stuff, Thad. Very romantic. Oh, and we also hid a body together, so we're practically engaged.”
April 25, 2017
Review to come! : )
February 17, 2019
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4.5/5 Stars
Thad and Ari are the bastard children of the King. When their mother is murdered and the royal family are mysteriously killed, Thad finds himself the new King. Ari has never wanted to be royalty, but then Thad begins training her to take his place on the throne. Ari realizes that the Wish Granter, Alistair Teague, is responsible for Thad becoming the King. As time goes on, Ari learns the terms of Thad's agreement and decides to free him from the contract. With the help of the new weapons master, Sebastian, Ari must find a way to defeat Alistair before he claims Thad's soul.
I love fairytale retellings so I was very excited to pick this one up! I was a bit hesitant to pick this up since I found The Shadow Queen, Redwine's first novel in this series to be a very average read for me, but I've never read as Rumpelstiltskin retelling and was very intrigued by this story. The writing style flowed nicely and was easy to read. The plot was engaging and exciting and I found myself unable to put the book down. I was so engrossed in this world and the tale of Rumpelstiltskin. I was so invested on learning about how Ari planned to defeat him!
The characters are what really shined for me in this book. Each character, whether they are a main or side character are well-developed and intriguing. The story is told from three POVs, Ari, Sebastian and sometimes Teague. I LOVED Ari and her quick humor and wit. She was so fiercely loyal and I loved reading about her love for her family and friends. She was just a genuinely caring and nice person. She was also insanely resourceful and smart. I loved how she turned to others for help when she needed it. I loved her friendship with Cleo, it was so sweet. The sibling relationship between her and Thad was also well done. I also loved how she is described as curvy and ACTUALLY LOVES IT ABOUT HERSELF! I hate when authors write self-hating characters but
Ari was definitely not that. I loved how she was unapologetically herself and didn't change for anyone. I also really loved Sebastian. His development through his friendship with Ari was so beautiful to watch. I loved how he learned to trust and care for Ari and how she showed him that he didn't have to be alone. The relationship that develops between them is slow and sweet and I loved watching it grow. Teague was an extremely intriguing character to me. He had so much hatred for humans and it was interesting to learn more about his backstory.
Overall a very entertaining read with an amazing cast of characters you can't help but love.
4.5/5 Stars
Thad and Ari are the bastard children of the King. When their mother is murdered and the royal family are mysteriously killed, Thad finds himself the new King. Ari has never wanted to be royalty, but then Thad begins training her to take his place on the throne. Ari realizes that the Wish Granter, Alistair Teague, is responsible for Thad becoming the King. As time goes on, Ari learns the terms of Thad's agreement and decides to free him from the contract. With the help of the new weapons master, Sebastian, Ari must find a way to defeat Alistair before he claims Thad's soul.
I love fairytale retellings so I was very excited to pick this one up! I was a bit hesitant to pick this up since I found The Shadow Queen, Redwine's first novel in this series to be a very average read for me, but I've never read as Rumpelstiltskin retelling and was very intrigued by this story. The writing style flowed nicely and was easy to read. The plot was engaging and exciting and I found myself unable to put the book down. I was so engrossed in this world and the tale of Rumpelstiltskin. I was so invested on learning about how Ari planned to defeat him!
The characters are what really shined for me in this book. Each character, whether they are a main or side character are well-developed and intriguing. The story is told from three POVs, Ari, Sebastian and sometimes Teague. I LOVED Ari and her quick humor and wit. She was so fiercely loyal and I loved reading about her love for her family and friends. She was just a genuinely caring and nice person. She was also insanely resourceful and smart. I loved how she turned to others for help when she needed it. I loved her friendship with Cleo, it was so sweet. The sibling relationship between her and Thad was also well done. I also loved how she is described as curvy and ACTUALLY LOVES IT ABOUT HERSELF! I hate when authors write self-hating characters but
Ari was definitely not that. I loved how she was unapologetically herself and didn't change for anyone. I also really loved Sebastian. His development through his friendship with Ari was so beautiful to watch. I loved how he learned to trust and care for Ari and how she showed him that he didn't have to be alone. The relationship that develops between them is slow and sweet and I loved watching it grow. Teague was an extremely intriguing character to me. He had so much hatred for humans and it was interesting to learn more about his backstory.
Overall a very entertaining read with an amazing cast of characters you can't help but love.
April 7, 2020
Guys, I found one of my new favorite fairytale retellings.
While I enjoyed The Shadow Queen last summer, I LOVED The Wish Granter. Something about the southern kingdom of Sundraille, the character chemistry, and (of course) the fact that this is a RUMPELSTILTSKIN retelling was just... *chef's kiss*
For starters, Ari is not a typical princess. In fact, she wasn't even treated as a princess until the beginning of this book, because as one of the king's bastard twins, she amounted to very little, politically speaking. Circumstances thrust her into the limelight, however, and now she has a ton more responsibility to contend with. Her intelligence, confidence, pragmatic nature, and passion for food made me love her. She can talk her way out of anything and serve you bacon while she's doing it.
Then there's Sebastian. This boy landed on my good side immediately because I love his name, but he also turned out to be a total softie with a tragic past--and I know that sounds cliché, but trust me. He's amazing. The way he overcame the abuse from his past, faced his weaknesses square in the face, and slowly began to feel safe and at home in Ari's presence... PARDON THE FANGIRLING, BUT I SHIP THEM SO MUCH.
Ari's twin brother, Thad, wasn't in here much, but he was precious too. So was her best friend, Cleo.
Another shining point in this story's favor is Teague. I was worried at first that he would follow in the footsteps of the iconic Mr. Gold from Once Upon a Time, but Teague was very much his own person while still hitting the must-have Rumpelstiltskin traits. He was positively chilling. I feel like not many villains are truly scary, but he was preeeetty darn creepy and intimidating. For the longest time, I couldn't see how he could be beaten. He also well and truly shocked me a couple times, so props to CJ Redwine for not pulling punches.
I've seen some reviews saying the plot was slow, but I honestly didn't find it dragged at all. Something was always developing, whether it was Ari's mission to save her brother from his deadly deal with the Wish Granter, the relationship between Ari and Sebastian (can we call them Aribastian? yes? yes.), the subplot with Hansel and Gretel (loved!), or Sebastian's dogged determination to keep Ari safe.
(Speaking of which, I really appreciated Ari's maturity toward Sebastian. She gave him space to breathe, respected him instead of pitying him, and affirmed his identity in such a powerful way.)
And... you know you're reading a good retelling when one of the ORIGINAL PLOT POINTS from the ORIGINAL FAIRY TALE still takes you by surprise. I was too caught up in the story to remember what was coming.
My only complaint is that I wish a couple things about the ending hadn't happened so fast; for one magical thing in particular, I could've used a smidgen more clarity.
But this book was delicious, and I'm already pining away for book 3. Five golden spinning wheels from me!!!
While I enjoyed The Shadow Queen last summer, I LOVED The Wish Granter. Something about the southern kingdom of Sundraille, the character chemistry, and (of course) the fact that this is a RUMPELSTILTSKIN retelling was just... *chef's kiss*
For starters, Ari is not a typical princess. In fact, she wasn't even treated as a princess until the beginning of this book, because as one of the king's bastard twins, she amounted to very little, politically speaking. Circumstances thrust her into the limelight, however, and now she has a ton more responsibility to contend with. Her intelligence, confidence, pragmatic nature, and passion for food made me love her. She can talk her way out of anything and serve you bacon while she's doing it.
Then there's Sebastian. This boy landed on my good side immediately because I love his name, but he also turned out to be a total softie with a tragic past--and I know that sounds cliché, but trust me. He's amazing. The way he overcame the abuse from his past, faced his weaknesses square in the face, and slowly began to feel safe and at home in Ari's presence... PARDON THE FANGIRLING, BUT I SHIP THEM SO MUCH.
Ari's twin brother, Thad, wasn't in here much, but he was precious too. So was her best friend, Cleo.
Another shining point in this story's favor is Teague. I was worried at first that he would follow in the footsteps of the iconic Mr. Gold from Once Upon a Time, but Teague was very much his own person while still hitting the must-have Rumpelstiltskin traits. He was positively chilling. I feel like not many villains are truly scary, but he was preeeetty darn creepy and intimidating. For the longest time, I couldn't see how he could be beaten. He also well and truly shocked me a couple times, so props to CJ Redwine for not pulling punches.
I've seen some reviews saying the plot was slow, but I honestly didn't find it dragged at all. Something was always developing, whether it was Ari's mission to save her brother from his deadly deal with the Wish Granter, the relationship between Ari and Sebastian (can we call them Aribastian? yes? yes.), the subplot with Hansel and Gretel (loved!), or Sebastian's dogged determination to keep Ari safe.
(Speaking of which, I really appreciated Ari's maturity toward Sebastian. She gave him space to breathe, respected him instead of pitying him, and affirmed his identity in such a powerful way.)
And... you know you're reading a good retelling when one of the ORIGINAL PLOT POINTS from the ORIGINAL FAIRY TALE still takes you by surprise. I was too caught up in the story to remember what was coming.
My only complaint is that I wish a couple things about the ending hadn't happened so fast; for one magical thing in particular, I could've used a smidgen more clarity.
But this book was delicious, and I'm already pining away for book 3. Five golden spinning wheels from me!!!
April 5, 2017
I really liked this, it was so much fun. I've always thought Rumpelstilskin was creepy, even as a kid, I remember my Dad reading it to me. The character always stayed with me. He was brutal in this. Story was good and Ari took no crap. I'll be watching for what comes next in this series. I hope author picks something that's not been overtold, there is so much to choose from. I liked this one more than the first, just a bit.
December 18, 2016
absolutely loved this retelling of Rumpelstiltskin! This book had me hooked from the very first chapter! I literally could not put it down! I have been obsessed with CJ's writing ever since I read Deception (the first book in the Defiance series) and I think this is possibly my most favorite of all her books!!! Full review to come!!
Shelved as 'i-need'
August 28, 2016OKAY- I need it as much as I need air!!
October 8, 2017
Rating ~3.5
*Review to Come*
*Review to Come*
March 20, 2017
4-4.5 stars
Totally did not expect to love this book as much as I did, and for it to become my new favorite C.J. Redwine book - and ship! I'm always a sucker for fairy tale retellings, and The Wish Granter had me invested from beginning to end. The best part was it's characters, Ari and Sebastian, two beautiful souls who found each other at the perfect time. Their romance gave me all the butterflies!
June 13, 2017
4.5/5
I finally have time to read! I liked this book more than I thought I would and that's really great! And let us not forget how the cover is charming! I'm never bored of reading books and tales about faeries, they interest me so much. After I finished this book and saw the reviews I realized that this book is actually a retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin's tale... I have to read it.
The characters in this book were adorable, even the wish granter. I liked the way his feelings and cruelty showed up on his face with that smile of his which sent chills through spines.
Looking forward to read the other books of C.J. Redwine!
I finally have time to read! I liked this book more than I thought I would and that's really great! And let us not forget how the cover is charming! I'm never bored of reading books and tales about faeries, they interest me so much. After I finished this book and saw the reviews I realized that this book is actually a retelling of the Rumpelstiltskin's tale... I have to read it.
The characters in this book were adorable, even the wish granter. I liked the way his feelings and cruelty showed up on his face with that smile of his which sent chills through spines.
Looking forward to read the other books of C.J. Redwine!
September 9, 2019
“If all you ever do is look for a person’s moments of weakness, you’ll miss out on the best they have to offer.”
In this exciting retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, Princess Ari must do anything necessary to save her brother’s soul from the manipulative trickster, Alistair Teague. Ari enlists her friends and arms herself with weapons and knowledge she thinks will defeat Alistair, but she just may be in over her head, and now she risks losing not only her brother but everyone she loves.
This book is somewhat part of a series, but each one stands alone as a retelling. So while The Wish Granter wasn’t the first book, I was able to read, understand, and enjoy it with no issues. But after reading this one, I desperately need the others! Such an amazing and dark retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, a villain we don’t read enough about!
For the most part, the characters were my favorite part, namely Ari and Alistair. Alistair was a perfectly ruthless villain with just enough complexity to make you root on the sidelines for the possible discovery of some small bit of his humanity. I thought this was just a semi-lighthearted fairy-tale retelling, and then Alistair would do something so unexpectedly horrible and evil that left me completely shocked.
Ari was one of the most relatable female characters I’ve read in a while. She’s not overly talented, but she learns. She’s not “perfect” by physical, modern standards; it’s mentioned more than once of her love of food and her curvy figure. Although one thing I disliked was how characters kept called her fat: it was a bit unnecessary in my opinion. I think the number of times Ari thinks and talks about food could’ve been dialed down a bit as they felt out of place in a few situations. Another thing I appreciated was how she approached her “love interest”, wanting to be friends with him and build a foundation; unfortunately he did the opposite and it felt as if he created a “insta-love” vibe.
Redwine’s writing and storytelling style hooked me from the start, and her new approach to an old fairytale was not an adventure I’ll soon forget. The world building and detail created a story that felt equally timeless and fresh, with a perfect balance of action, romance, sass, heartbreak, and intrigue. This book was a pleasant surprise from beginning to end, and I can’t wait to read the others in the series! 4/5
In this exciting retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, Princess Ari must do anything necessary to save her brother’s soul from the manipulative trickster, Alistair Teague. Ari enlists her friends and arms herself with weapons and knowledge she thinks will defeat Alistair, but she just may be in over her head, and now she risks losing not only her brother but everyone she loves.
This book is somewhat part of a series, but each one stands alone as a retelling. So while The Wish Granter wasn’t the first book, I was able to read, understand, and enjoy it with no issues. But after reading this one, I desperately need the others! Such an amazing and dark retelling of Rumpelstiltskin, a villain we don’t read enough about!
For the most part, the characters were my favorite part, namely Ari and Alistair. Alistair was a perfectly ruthless villain with just enough complexity to make you root on the sidelines for the possible discovery of some small bit of his humanity. I thought this was just a semi-lighthearted fairy-tale retelling, and then Alistair would do something so unexpectedly horrible and evil that left me completely shocked.
Ari was one of the most relatable female characters I’ve read in a while. She’s not overly talented, but she learns. She’s not “perfect” by physical, modern standards; it’s mentioned more than once of her love of food and her curvy figure. Although one thing I disliked was how characters kept called her fat: it was a bit unnecessary in my opinion. I think the number of times Ari thinks and talks about food could’ve been dialed down a bit as they felt out of place in a few situations. Another thing I appreciated was how she approached her “love interest”, wanting to be friends with him and build a foundation; unfortunately he did the opposite and it felt as if he created a “insta-love” vibe.
Redwine’s writing and storytelling style hooked me from the start, and her new approach to an old fairytale was not an adventure I’ll soon forget. The world building and detail created a story that felt equally timeless and fresh, with a perfect balance of action, romance, sass, heartbreak, and intrigue. This book was a pleasant surprise from beginning to end, and I can’t wait to read the others in the series! 4/5
February 27, 2017
2 + 1/2 stars.
The ending was definitely the best part of the story :D
Quite an entertaining read, but
Other than this, Ari was a lovely, fleshed-out character and she wasn't taking no for an answer. The romance was also sweet; my heart ached for the love interest and I loved how the deep scars took their time to heal.
Ari?!
Definitely meant to be mine!
I can't wait to get my hands on the book and hopefully I'll also love this story!
The ending was definitely the best part of the story :D
Quite an entertaining read, but
Other than this, Ari was a lovely, fleshed-out character and she wasn't taking no for an answer. The romance was also sweet; my heart ached for the love interest and I loved how the deep scars took their time to heal.
Definitely meant to be mine!
I can't wait to get my hands on the book and hopefully I'll also love this story!
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