Modern fairy tale with a classic flair. WINDOWS by @BrambleCasey #bookreview
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A BROKEN FAIRY TALE
Written by Casey Bramble
Genre: Epic Fantasy, Fairy Tale
Hush little baby don’t say a word
The Darkness hides in an ivory bird
But if that ivory bird can’t sing
That’s when the Witches’ Hammer swings.
-- Nursery rhyme
A year ago Sarah Petty could not dream of the life she now lived. In those days she was one of the downtrodden masses; an unremarkable body upon which the upper caste built their castles of gold. Luckier than most, she at least had her blacksmithing skills to keep a roof over her head, though she went hungry more often than not. All of that changed with one fatal decision.
She said yes.
Lady Raven Chandlish, a sorceress with a smile that lit up the night and enough magical power to level a city, asked Sarah to open a shop with her in a different duchy. After moving things felt like they were on a definite upswing. There was food in the cupboard, money in the bank, and someone she might be falling in love with. Sarah didn’t dare pinch herself just in case it was all a dream. Like all dreams, this sunlit world was a feeble defense against the encroaching darkness.
Buried deep within Raven’s soul was Malleus Maleficarum, an ancient demon that nearly destroyed the world twice before. Drawing on feelings stronger than the weapons she forged, Sarah learned to trust Raven could contain the demon. Malleus had other plans.
When enemies of the Chandlish family attacked, Malleus used a momentary distraction to take over Raven’s body. While hundreds of soldiers battled for the fate of cities, a terrified blacksmith battled for the fate of a world. With no hope of rescue, Sarah whispered into the leering face of madness, praying love would save her.
John B 's Review
Most of us grew up on fairy tales, starting with once upon a time, the wicked step-mother, the fairy-godmother, and some element of magic all culminating in the happily ever after.
This tale encompasses all of that.
The story is well written and it brings together both the old with horses and dragons folding in the technology of today giving the book a somewhat familiar feel.
The heroine of the story, Sarah Petty is a blacksmith that has inherited the shop and trade from her father. She dreams of a better life but knows that is not to be her destiny.
Then one day a mysterious person shows up at her door step offering her everything she could ever dream of. Lady Raven Chandlish turns Sarah's world upside down in ways she could never have imagined.
Sarah hesitantly accepts Raven's offer and is plunged into a world of high society and subterfuge surrounded by magic, dragons, yes even the wicked step-mother.
Sarah is a delight in many ways; she is pragmatic and plays off Raven's childlike and impulsive character well. This adds an element to the story which endears the characters to the reader.
Raven while being the Lady of high upbringing is herself shrouded in mystery and has a deep secret she is hiding.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fairy tale story that is a bit more modernized still with elements of the classic flair to it.
The only thing that kept me from giving it five stars is that while Casey creates a fantastic fantasy world filled with believable people and even it's own currency occasionally she slips and falls back to our own standard currency.
Review Disclaimer: Book provided in exchange for an honest review.
