Review: Golden Daughter

Golden Daughter by Anne Elisabeth Stengl is the 7th book in the Tales of Goldstone Wood series. I really enjoyed this book and thought it was much better than the last one in the series! This story was so detailed and everything was finessed to perfection. I was immersed in the characters stories and was unsure of what the final outcome would be. I think it may be my new favorite of this series!

Masayi Sairu is a Golden Daughter. These women are trained from a very young age to be guardians of others usually princes. Their lives are destined to be loveless because love can be used as a weapon against them. The unique thing about these women is that they are the Emporer's daughters yet they are trained to serve others. Intriguing concept!

A very talented Dream Walker needs help and Masayi Sairu manages to become her servant for life. But what she doesn't understand is why a cat with strange abilities is following her mistress. Or why a slave is so important to the Dream Walker. As she struggles to protect her mistress from harm she finds herself fighting love and doubts. Can she protect the Dream Walker from the dragon and his army or will they be too strong?

I give you fair warning! Once you start this book, you won't be able to put it down. It is interesting from the beginning to the end, and even though it is a long book, I wasn't ready to be finished with the story! The characters were so well thought out and the whole time period was magnificently done. The author is a master with characters and regions making you, the reader, feel like you are a part of their world. There were so many plots and subplots centering around the one overriding story line, and it all meshes together so perfectly in the end. Eanrin seemed more approachable and caring than usual in this story but was still the typical cat. ;-) LOL

You don't have to read the other books in the series to read this one. It's pretty much a stand alone novel. :-) Hope you all enjoy it as much as I did!

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Review: Shadow Hand

Shadow Hand by Anne Elisabeth Stengl is the sixth book in the Tales of Goldstone Wood series. I have loved all her books and was so excited to read this! But... I didn't really enjoy it. I was shocked actually. I hated how all the characters jumped back and forth. Not only was the story line vague, but it was very confusing. There were just too many story lines and main characters. Plus, I am really tired of never getting to read the finished story of anyone! Well, the first one about Princess Una got completed, but all the other characters we know and love have been left behind in a labyrinth of other stories. I did love reading about Lionheart again. He is one of my favorite characters. But I wish she would finish his and Rose Red's story!

It's Lady Daylily's wedding day, but when she received a letter from Prince Foxbrush she couldn't take it anymore and ran away into the Wood Between. Torn and bloodied by the creatures found there, she lays as one dead. Sun Eagle has been stuck in the Wood Between for thousands of years. He finds Daylily and takes her under his wing, but he doesn't have her best interests at heart. Sun Eagle takes her down a path to a Southlands of old. Confused and bewildered by everything that has happened, Daylily does as he bids her.

Foxbrush is determined to save Daylily without any help from Lionheart, but he didn't count on the craziness of the Wood Between. Without knowing it, Foxbrush is following the right path through the Wood when he meets a strange creature who is little child and grown woman mixed into one, Nidawi the Everblooming. She sees the path he walks and leads him to the gate to Southlands, but it's not a Southlands he knows. He stumbles upon the Eldest's husband who helps him reorient himself, and it is there that he hears of a red haired woman that fits his intended's description. How did Daylily end up here, too?

I wanted to read about Foxbrush and Lady Daylily, but this story made me like them less. It was way too dark and vague. Not to mention strange. Needless to say, this is my least favorite story in the series, and I'm hoping the next book is much better.

I was given this book free from Bethany House in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Goddess Tithe

Goddess Tithe by Anne Elisabeth Stengl is set in The Tales of Goldstone Wood series. What makes this novella different from her other books is that it is illustrated by the author. I loved being able to see how she views her characters! If you haven't read any of her books, you can still read this story. And for all you fans of the series, this book is set during Veiled Rose. I wasn't expecting to read about Leonard so that was a nice surprise!

Munny, a cabin boy, is learning the ropes on his first sea voyage. When a stowaway is discovered on board, everyone expects the Captain to throw him overboard to fulfill the laws of the sea. But when he doesn't, fear grips everyone. Captain Sunan tasks Munny with keeping an eye on the foreigner. As Munny works alongside Leonard, he can't help but be drawn to him. Can the Captain really save the stowaway from Risafeth? Come join the crew in this tale of a sea monster who exacts a heavy penalty on those who cross her.

I really enjoyed this little tale, but I was left wanting to hear more about Munny! Who is he really?! I'm hoping we will hear more about him in later novellas or books. :-) Another masterfully written tale, and I don't know about you, but Shadow Hand can't get here soon enough for me!