The Captive Maiden (Hagenheim)

Title: The Captive Maiden

Series: Hagenheim (Book #4)

Year: 2013

Author: Melanie Dickerson

Summary: Gisela's childhood was filled with laughter and visits from nobles such as the duke and his young son. But since her father's death, each day has been filled with nothing but servitude to her stepmother. So when Gisela meets the duke's son, Valten--the boy she has daydreamed about for years--and learns he is throwing a ball, she vows to attend, even if it's only for a taste of a life she'll never have. To her surprise, she catches Valten's eye. Though he is rough around the edges, Gisela finds Valten has completely captured her heart. But other forces are bent on keeping the two from falling further in love, putting Gisela in more danger than she ever imagined. (from Goodreads)

Main Characters:
~ Gisela Mueller
~ Valten, Earl of Hamlin

Review: On the whole, I can't say that I'm overly pleased with all of Melanie Dickerson's books. Some of them present a fresh take on the old-fashioned fairy tales we all know and love, yet they almost have a cliche taste to them. I'll save reviews for the other books later (I'm hoping to get around to reviewing them all one day), but let's see what I've got for The Captive Maiden, Melanie's retelling of Cinderella. The good and the bad. Ready?

First of all, I did enjoy the whole of the tournaments. Charles Perrault's original Cinderella tale shows our little cinder girl going, not to one, but three balls, and Melanie Dickerson kept that alive in her three tournaments, adding a ball in at the end to wrap everything up. My favorite scenes were probably those in which Valten mounted Seiger and got hammered at with lance and sword in the tournaments. The action was paced nicely, and the descriptions almost made me feel like I was there. Plus? Definitely.

Gisela... well, I wrestled with my feelings for her. Having just written my own Cinderella retelling (Secret of the Hazel Tree, once I get around to publishing it), I'm quite in love with all things cinders, so I was determined to like Gisela from the start. And at the start, she did not disappoint. She was riding horses, standing up to bullies in the street, and quite a different take on the usual timid Cinderella. I was so happy. And then she met Valten and became... (how to put this?) ... annoying. She lost most of her spunk and ended the book as a weeping damsel in distress. Mind, I don't like the modern I-can-do-anything-a-man-can-do heroine, and Gisela wasn't, yet I thought her character development could have been bettered. Valten was an interesting hero, to say in the least. But after a while, he annoyed me, too. The author emphasized the point that he wasn't a ladies' man, and he didn't know what to do when around them. Yes, that point was perhaps made a little too clear. I got tired of hearing how he didn't know what to say to Gisela and how he wasn't like his brother Gabe.

The minor characters were excellent. I loved Ava and wished there could have been more of her in the novel. Even Gisela's stepfamily were well written. When Gisela becomes competition to her wishes of a marriage with the duke's son to her daughter, the stepmother sells Gisela off to a not very nice man to get her out of the way - stab at Ever After? I think so. {highlight previous for spoilers} There was a lot of captures and chases going on, and I find I have to echo another reviewer (Jaye Knight on Goodreads) who said that the characters escaped multiple times only to be recaptured. While I understand how it was important to the story, it got old the more times it happened. Personally, I would have liked to see other obstacles rather just another recapture hinder our daring characters. 

Advisory: Some violence as tournaments and kidnappings take place; one character breaks a bone and gets it set; but nothing is described in an overly graphic tone. 

Also, the romance. While nothing got out of hand, I grew quickly irritated with the number of times the word "kiss" was mentioned in the novel. The characters seemed to dwell on thoughts of kissing and actually kissing a lot, and I found it awkward. Especially between two characters who were not married. Sorry, folks, but there's more to love than smooching. While I did appreciate the fact that the author did put in mentions of their falling in love with each other's personalities (i.e. he/she was brave, fierce, etc.), I did not enjoy the "bulging muscles" comments. 

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Click here to buy The Captive Maiden on Amazon!

Around the World in Eighty Days & Five Weeks in a Balloon

Title: Around the World in Eighty Days & Five Weeks in a Balloon

Series: None

Year: 1873 (first published)

Author: Jules Verne

Summary: 
Around the World in Eighty Days: One ill-fated evening at the Reform Club, Phileas Fogg rashly bets his companions £20,000 that he can travel around the entire globe in just eighty days - and he is determined not to lose. Breaking the well-established routine of his daily life, the reserved Englishman immediately sets off for Dover, accompanied by his hot-blooded French manservant Passepartout. Travelling by train, steamship, sailing boat, sledge and even elephant, they must overcome storms, kidnappings, natural disasters, Sioux attacks and the dogged Inspector Fix of Scotland Yard - who believes that Fogg has robbed the Bank of England - to win the extraordinary wager. Around the World in Eighty Days gripped audiences on its publication and remains hugely popular, combining exploration, adventure and a thrilling race against time. (from Goodreads)

Five Weeks in a Balloon: There was a large audience assembled on the 14th of January, 1862, at the session of the Royal Geographical Society, No. 3 Waterloo Place, London. The president, Sir Francis M -, made an important communication to his colleagues, in an address that was frequently interrupted by applause. This rare specimen of eloquence terminated with the following sonorous phrases bubbling over with patriotism: "England has always marched at the head of nations" (for, the reader will observe, the nations always march at the head of each other), "by the intrepidity of her explorers in the line of geographical discovery." (General assent). "Dr. Samuel Ferguson, one of her most glorious sons, will not reflect discredit on his origin." ("No, indeed!" from all parts of the hall.) (from Goodreads)

Main Characters:
(Around the World in Eighty Days)
~ Phileas Fogg
~ Passepartout
~ Aouda
~ Detective Fix

(Five Weeks in a Balloon)
~ Samuel Fergusson
~ Dick Kennedy
~ Joe

Review: Well, well! Would ya look at that! This here's a two-for-one special review! To be honest, I thought I should split this up since it is technically *two* reviews, but couldn't persuade myself to do so. After all, it's all in one book. While I love my copy, it's kinda a shame I don't have the stories separately. *shrugs* Anywho...

Around the World in Eighty Days was awesome and far better than I had ever hoped! I loved it so much, I read the entire thing and went around the world myself in less than ten hours. *nods* Yup. This was my first-ever, unabridged Jules Verne, and I was not disappointed in the least. Phileas Fogg was an admirable hero, and Passepartout was the epic sidekick/servant. It's non-stop adventure from page one, and the ending is completely unexpected and wonderful. One of my absolute favorite quotes from this book described Passepartout -- His hair, which was brown, was somewhat ruffled. If the sculptors of antiquity knew eighteen ways of dressing Minerva's locks, Passepartout knew but one for the disposal of his: three strokes of a large toothcomb, and the operation was over.

Five Weeks in a Balloon was a bit more of a mouthful. Don't get me wrong; I still really enjoyed it, but the idea of going around the world, to me, was much more interesting than flying over a jungle and desert strewn continent. Dr. Fergusson merely wanted to go over Africa in a balloon, not around the world, and he leisurely allows the balloon to float how it will. But many unexpected happenings send some excitement into the trip. Lions await at yearned-for oases in the desert; treacherous birds and native arrows threaten to throw the balloon out of the sky. Joe was my favorite character, with his loyalty, sudden love of gold, and willingness to sacrifice his own interests so that his master (Fergusson) could get the greater gain. For those who love the culture/geography of Africa, or aeronautics, or a good adventure, or if you just enjoy Jules Verne, then you should read this book. 

Advisory: A bit of language; also some violence. FWiaB contains some descriptions of the African tribes Dr. Fergusson and his partners encounter, and they stray toward the unpleasantly graphic. While I realize cannibals and warring tribes are not light topics, do be warned that Jules Verne does not take them lightly. Those particular chapters are not for the faint-of-heart.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Click here to buy this book on Amazon!

The Lunar Chronicles: Cress

Title: Cress

Series: The Lunar Chronicles (Book #3)

Year: 2014

Author: Marissa Meyer

Summary: In this third book in the Lunar Chronicles, Cinder and Captain Thorne are fugitives on the run, now with Scarlet and Wolf in tow. Together, they’re plotting to overthrow Queen Levana and her army. 

Their best hope lies with Cress, a girl imprisoned on a satellite since childhood who's only ever had her netscreens as company. All that screen time has made Cress an excellent hacker. Unfortunately, she’s just received orders from Levana to track down Cinder and her handsome accomplice. When a daring rescue of Cress goes awry, the group is separated. Cress finally has her freedom, but it comes at a high price. Meanwhile, Queen Levana will let nothing prevent her marriage to Emperor Kai. Cress, Scarlet, and Cinder may not have signed up to save the world, but they may be the only hope the world has. (from Goodreads)

Main Characters:
~ Linh Cinder
~ Emperor Kaito
~ Iko
~ Crescent Moon
~ Captain Thorne
~ Jacin Clay
~ Dr. Dmitri Erland

Review: Rapunzel is one of my favorite fairy tales (and no, I'm not biased because I myself have long, blonde hair), so I was pretty excited when I heard that Marissa Meyer's third book in The Lunar Chronicles would be based off that character. And in many ways, Cress did not disappoint. There were plenty of references back to the original fairy tale, yet the author wove a lot of the unique into the novel. Honestly, it was hard to put down.

Among the things that I liked in Cress was its complexity. It was true to the books earlier in the series (Cinder and Scarlet), yet it had a style all its own. Cinder was once again my favorite as she battled internal and external enemies to try to save Kai and, ultimately, the world from the evil clutches of the Lunar queen, Levana. From the dark regions of space to dry, desert towns in Africa, the plot weaves around splendidly, never giving you a moment's peace. Of course, more secrets come to light, and all you can think about at the end is, "When is book four going to be out?"

Cress was a sweet girl, but I found her at times to be a little on the annoying side as she daydreamed. Yes, she reminded me a lot of Disney's Rapunzel, and I'll admit, with other readers, that there were several things in the novel that made me think of Tangled. While it was fun to be reminded of one of my favorite films, I did think the author could have been a little more original. Scarlet disappeared for most of the book, as her actions took her in a different course than both Cinder and Cress. While I was a bit saddened that she didn't have a bigger role, I did enjoy the time I got to spend learning more about the other girls.

Advisory: Violence is a given, knowing that Cinder and her company are pretty much outlaws and have armies from both earth and Lunar after them. It's all set in a fantasy-type setting. The plague that terrified everyone in Cinder is back, and is again taking its toll. Highlight for spoilers: One character gets part of a finger chopped off, but it's not described graphically. 
I think there's more romance in Cress than in either Cinder or Scarlet. Personally, I didn't care much for the amount of time Marissa Meyer spent on Cress's romantic imaginings and thoughts, but nothing gets out of hand. I counted two kisses, no more. Highlight for spoilers: There is also a scene in which a girl is taking a bath and a blind man walks in on her. Nothing is described, but I found that highly uncomfortable to read.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Related reviews: Cinder (The Lunar Chronicles)
                        Scarlet (The Lunar Chronicles)

Click here to buy Cress on Amazon!

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Title: The Hunchback of Notre Dame

Series: None

Year: 

Author: Victor Hugo

Summary: In the vaulted Gothic towers of Notre-Dame lives Quasimodo, the hunchbacked bellringer. Mocked and shunned for his appearance, he is pitied only by Esmeralda, a beautiful gypsy dancer to whom he becomes completely devoted. Esmeralda, however, has also attracted the attention of the sinister archdeacon Claude Frollo, and when she rejects his lecherous approaches, Frollo hatches a plot to destroy her that only Quasimodo can prevent. Victor Hugo's sensational, evocative novel brings life to the medieval Paris he loved, and mourns its passing in one of the greatest historical romances of the nineteenth century. (from Goodreads)

Main Characters:
~ Quasimodo
~ La Esmeralda
~ Dom Claude Frollo
~ Pierre Gringoire
~ Captain Phoebus de Chatepeaurs

Review: For those of you who think you know the story of the hunchback, think again. One does not simply base all knowledge on the Disney film. The filmmakers took more than one liberty in putting this onscreen, yet I can't say that I abhor the changes. For one thing, I really love Alan Menken's score, so that's a plus. And yes, I had the soundtrack stuck in my head as I read the book.

The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a deep, dark story about love and vengeance. First off, Quasimodo, the ugly hunchback bellringer, grows up knowing no love; he's got only one eye, mismatching legs, a crooked spine, a shock of red hair, and he's also deaf from the sound of the bells. Frollo is his master, the only person who can bear to look upon him, and he only took Quasimodo in because of his younger brother (he couldn't bear to think what would happen to his brother should something happen to him and Jehan was thrown out in the streeet). Esmerelda is the young gypsy dancer with a goat for a best friend and a lonely baby shoe that is the only connection to her lost mother. Captain Phoebus is an amorous young fellow with a passion for women and good drink. And then, not from the movie, we've also got the poor poet Pierre Gringoire who, by unlucky chance, falls into the unruly gang of Paris' street people. 

You know all those sappy love triangles that pervade our YA genres? Yeah, HoND left them all behind. We got a love sextet over here. Get ready for this -- [Highlight for spoilers] Gringoire first falls in love with Esmeralda. He later "marries" her in a gyspy-type ceremony when she agrees to "wed" him to save him from the gallows. As she is indifferent to him, they agree to keep their relationship very brother-sister-like, and Gringoire eventually falls out of love with her as he discovers new pursuits. Then Frollo sees her dancing in the street and falls in love with her with a rather lustful passion. When Frollo tries to get Quasimodo to kidnap her, Phoebus jumps in and saves her, resulting in Esmeralda falling in love with Phoebus. Phoebus, meanwhile, is engaged to a young lady of some wealth for whom he only feels love when he is actually with her (the same feelings apply to his regard for Esmeralda). After Quasimodo is punished publicly for trying to kidnap Esmeralda, she takes pity on him and gives him water. Quasimodo then falls in love with Esmeralda. Complicated, ain't it?

In comparison with the Disney film, this novel hardly compares. The names and places are the same, with some of the same events, yet its themes are a lot darker. I really enjoyed the character of Phoebus in the movie, but he is absolutely dreadful in the book. [Highlight for spoilers] He's pretty much the character you want to die, but ends up being the only one who lives. He allows Esmeralda to fall in love with him, encouraging her affection in a rather *cough* ungentlemanly scene, but all the while only enjoying himself at her expense. He doesn't even love the girl he's engaged to! All he thinks about is scandalous, lustful images. Not good, not good. 

Pierre Gringoire, I thought, was probably my favorite character from the book. He's a poor poet (poor in both meanings of the word), and he's rather funny. One of my favorite parts came near the end when he enacted a rescue mission with two others who, lamentably, remained silent during that time. He says, "What unpleasant moods you two are in! I must do all the talking alone. That is what we call a monologue in tragedy." Too epic. 

Esmeralda is portrayed a a feisty heroine in the Disney film, yet in the book she's greatly different. In the film, I understood clearly why she took pity on Quasimodo and the horrible treatment he received ("God Help the Outcasts" anyone?), yet in the novel, I puzzled at why she'd take pity on him at all. She was a flighty, fifteen/sixteen year old girl who'd faint dead away at the sight of that much ugly on a man. Even after Quasimodo saved her and proved he was kind, she still couldn't bear to look at him. She's got little backbone, and her heart is swallowed whole in the adoration of her Phoebus. She permits him to place her in a compromising position in regards to her reputation (disgusting scene), and then is later called a witch and blamed for a murder she did not commit. 

Frollo? Um... let's not go there. I found him a loathsome creep. Just the sort of villain you relish hating. 

Oh? And folks? This is Victor Hugo, so expect one or two or several chapters on the history and architecture of Paris. Some of it I found interesting, but other parts.... well... let's just say it was typical Victor Hugo. 

Advisory: Some language as well as violence (characters are beaten, hung, mistreated, killed in many different ways, etc.). 

One of the things that brought this novel down in my estimation was the amount of immoral love that went on during the course of the story. The Hunchback of Notre Dame is a classic, true, but I would not recommend it for readers under 15 or even 16 years of age due to some of the scenes. I was uncomfortable reading about all of that, and I would have enjoyed the story a lot more if Victor Hugo would have left that out. For that, I can only give this book 3 stars.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars 

Click here to buy The Hunchback of Notre Dame on Amazon!

The Butterfly and the Violin (Hidden Masterpiece)

Title: The Butterfly and the Violin

Series: Hidden Masterpiece (Book #1)

Year: 2014

Author: Kristy Cambron

Summary: And then came war . . .

"Today." Sera James spends most of her time arranging auctions for the art world's elite clientele. When her search to uncover an original portrait of an unknown Holocaust victim leads her to William Hanover III, they learn that this painting is much more than it seems.

"Vienna, 1942." Adele Von Bron has always known what was expected of her. As a prodigy of Vienna's vast musical heritage, this concert violinist intends to carry on her family's tradition and play with the Vienna Philharmonic. But when the Nazis learn that she helped smuggle Jews out of the city, Adele is taken from her promising future and thrust into the horrifying world of Auschwitz.

The veil of innocence is lifted to expose a shuddering presence of evil, and Adele realizes that her God-given gift is her only advantage; she must play. Becoming a member of the Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz, she fights for survival. Adele's barbed-wire walls begin to kill her hope as the months drag into nearly two years in the camp. With surprising courage against the backdrop of murder and despair, Adele finally confronts a question that has been tugging at her heart: Even in the midst of evil, can she find hope in worshipping God with her gift?

As Sera and William learn more about the subject of the mysterious portrait--Adele--they are reminded that whatever horrors one might face, God's faithfulness never falters. (from Goodreads)

Main Characters:
~ Sera James
~ Adele Von Bron
~ William Hanover 

Review: Whew! Trying to arrange my thoughts about this book is like trying to catch bullets in an M&M bag. How that metaphor is supposed to make sense, I don't know, but that's kinda how I feel about this story.

Right off the bat, we're introduced to Sera James, an art gallery owner in Manhattan, and her quest to find a lost painting. Her assistant, Penny, picks up some information about an exact copy of the painting owned by a family in California, and so Sera gets an appointment, buys some tickets, and arrives in the sunny state prepared to strike a deal. However, there's a lot more going on with the Hanover family than is originally said, and although finding the painting is her top priority, she's not certain whether or not she can see the head of the Hanovers, a young man named William, to be friend or foe. Trusting men is something that does not come easily for Sera, and her rocky past is proof of that.

The book follows a few chapters at a time on Sera's story, and then drastically switches over to all things Austria, music, Nazi, and Holocaust. Adele Von Bron is Austria's Sweetheart, an accomplished violinist with a heart that's as big for music as it is for helping others. She is secretly in love with a fellow musician, the dashing cellist, yet she knows her parents would never approve the union. When a rescue mission to smuggle Jews out from under the eyes of Hitler goes wrong, Adele finds herself ripped from everything she loves and sent to a concentration camp where her only means of survival is her violin. Scared and bewildered, she joins an orchestra whose purpose is to play for the workers at the camp, workers who labor without mercy from day to day and then are sent to the gas chambers when they prove worthless. Adele hates her job, but what can she do? To make herself visible, to stand against what is expected, would mean swift and certain death.

The flare of history in this book was amazing. True, this is the Holocaust we're talking about, so don't expect some gentle this-and-that of what happened. The author gives us a realistic impression of what the Jews and enemies of the Nazis really endured while in the concentration camps. I was relieved that there were no gruesome spectacles, yet the descriptions were enough to portray the truth of the horror. WWII era history has always fascinated me, so to read something like this, something that revealed what really happened, was riveting. 

And the music! I wish I could have heard Adele play! Even when she was playing a concert for the people she hated, she still kept her love of the song high, to bring hope to those who had none. Yes, I'm a musician, so reading the music passages were probably my favorite.

Advisory: Obviously, violence. As I said before, nothing is overly graphic, but this book does contain some description of a horrible time in history. The Holocaust is not something to take lightly. 

 One of the things that put this book down in my opinion was the romance. Yeah... I'm starting to get to the point where historical fiction is ehh simply because the author wants to include a gushy love angle. The romance between Adele and Vladimir I thought sweet, for he was practically her hero, and he wanted to protect her above all else. They did exchange a kiss, but I don't recall much other mush between them. The romance the sprouted between Sera and William was another thing entirely. Sera was a moody heroine, content to relive the pain of the past at the cost of damaging the future. And as William was a California dude, you've got the whole gorgeous-eyes-and-flawless-complexion thing going on. Definitely not my cup of tea. They were without doubt more touchy-feely than Adele and Vladimir. 

For other thoughts... I do recall Adele had a flirtatious cousin, with whom she visited a Paris night club. And I think that might have been just about it.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Click here here to buy The Butterfly and the Violin on Amazon!

*Please note: I received a free copy of this book from BookLook Bloggers in exchange for my honest review.*

Remembering the Alamo

Title: Remembering the Alamo

Series: None

Year: 2014

Author: Alicia A. Willis

Summary: When Pastor Mark Siegler takes his youth group on a midsummer vacation to San Antonio, he anticipates teaching them about honor and sacrifice at the Alamo. But arrival at the historic landmark brings cutting disillusionment. A troubled teen is determined to make things difficult - and spread his embitterment to the rest of the group.

Mark has two choices: give up or try again. Midst his own discouragement, he decides to give them the story behind the legendary Alamo. And his perseverance results in the unforgettable.

The sweeping events of the Alamo comes to life through the eyes of an 1800's wheelwright named Silas Edwards. As his tale unfolds, his decision becomes a difficult one. Is defending the Alamo so important? Or are the principles behind opposing General Santa Anna worth sacrificing everything for?

Join Private Silas Edwards, David Crockett, William Travis, and Mark's youth group to discover the gripping events behind America's battlecry: "Remember the Alamo!" (from Goodreads)

Main Characters:
~ Mark Siegler
~ Silas Edwards
~ Wes

Review: In truth, this review should have be written months ago when Alicia first sent me a review copy of Remembering the Alamo when I won it in a giveaway. I've always been interested in Texas history and the Alamo in particular though, I confess, that I am numbered among the Disney-romanticized-version of fans. To read about the Alamo set in this light, the light that truly showed what happened there (albeit slightly fictionalized with its main character) was amazing. You can really tell that the author did her research, and did it well.

Mark is a young pastor taking a group of boys on a trip through San Antonio. Most of the boys are eager to see the famous Alamo and examine the collection of Bowie knives housed there, but not one realizes the truth of the courage, honor, and liberty behind what that old mission stands for. Mark loves the history behind it, and when opportunity presents itself, he shares the story of the Alamo like the boys have never heard it before. The first half of the book is mostly about Mark and the boys as they enjoy their trip. One of the boys, Dillian is a troubled youth, and Mark wonders how he might ever get through to him. It's about halfway in the novella that Mark sits his group down and tells them the story, at which point the POV switches to Silas Edwards, a fictionalized defender of the Alamo. The plot was easy to follow, yet gripping at the same time. 

Silas enjoys his life as a wheelwright. He's got his father, his sister, and an apprentice to keep him busy. It's not until his best friend, the Irishman Wes, starts talking about Texas and the Mexican dictator that Silas's thoughts go beyond the woods of Tennessee. Then Davy Crockett, the great legend, shows up looking for volunteers to defend Texas, and Wes encourages Silas to join alongside of him. It is only after much prayer that Silas follows the volunteers west under Crockett. His convictions bring the story to a personal level, where it's easy to see the defenders of the Alamo as real people who really lived, not just some glorified heroes portrayed in fiction. They were real. The Alamo is real. The battles and deaths really happened. 

In words, I don't think I could describe how much I loved this story. The themes were powerful, and the style brilliant. I almost felt that I was at the Alamo myself, brandishing a muzzleloader alongside Davy Crockett and Silas Edwards. I'm not particularly fond of when a writer takes a historical event and then twists it to meet their own purposes, yet this was completely straight-forward. Alicia didn't gloss over the gruesome facts, nor did she embellish where embellishment was not required. All I can say is "Well done." This story deserves all the five stars it can get.

Advisory: There are some descriptions of the battles fought at the Alamo, yet I didn't think it overly graphic. For the tone of the novella, I thought the author described it wonderfully. But for those who are more squeamish, this story does contain guns and blood and the like.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Click here to buy Remembering the Alamo on Amazon!

Coralina (The Nine Princesses Novellas)

Title: Coralina

Series: The Nine Princesses Novellas

Year: 2012

Author: Anita Valle

Summary: Coralina Corissa, known as “Coco” to her eight sisters, is the prettiest princess of a hundred kingdoms. And she knows it. Her beauty has always given her anything she wanted... and any man she wanted.

Runa Realm is facing a new threat. Strange bandits, disguised as nobles, are attacking beautiful women to steal their hair. Coralina isn’t concerned. Until Prince Luxley, her favorite (but not only) lover, gets clobbered by a peasant called Gord, who mistakenly assumed the prince was a bandit.Outraged, Coralina plans to punish the peasant by deliberately breaking his heart. But Gord is nearly blind. For the first time ever, Coralina must rely on more than her looks to ensnare a man. But the harder she flirts, the more Gord seems to hate her. And the more her own heart (and hair) becomes endangered. (from Goodreads)

Main Characters:
~ Princess Coralina
~ Princess Maelyn
~ Princess Jaedis
~ Princess Heidel
~ Kerrick
~ Gord
~ Prince Luxley
~ Willow

Review: Another short, but sweet, tale about the nine orphans adopted into the royal family. Coralina is the second eldest and the most beautiful of all nine. And she knows it. Her beauty, her old nurse once told her, would be a curse, yet as she grows up Coralina can see only the benefits she can gain from her features. Her beauty can get her anything she wants, and she's not used to being denied. Of course, all of that changes when she decides to seek revenge on a man that's nearly blind.

Coralina is your typical princess, beautiful, sassy, and completely full of herself. Although I didn't enjoy her story as much as I did Maelyn's (for some odd - very odd - reason, I related more to the bookworm princess than the snotty princess), Anita Valle did a wonderful job in creating something entirely new, yet so familiar. Coralina matched up perfectly to the end of Maelyn and left you wanting more, as the end, although strangely satisfying, is pretty unresolved. I cannot wait to read the third book in the series (Heidel) and find out more about what happens to these nine princesses! 

One thing that greatly interested me was the fact that, while this novella seemed to want to follow the standard, cliche story of a spoiled princess, Anita Valle did anything but. There were plenty of unexpected twists and turns, so that the end was far from what I first imagined it to be. All in all, a delightful read.

Advisory: Coralina's favorite pastime is flirting, and she uses her beauty, figure, features, and words as much as she can to entice a man. Her constant flirting got on my nerves, and she also had a disagreeable fondness for kisses. While nothing is overly described, it was still a little on the awkward side for me. There is also a bit of fantasy action, but nothing graphic.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Related reviews: Maelyn (The Nine Princesses Novellas)

Click here to buy Coralina on Amazon!