The Fool’s Girl by Celia Rees. © 2010 Bloomsbury USA Children’s Books. ISBN 9781599904863. Hardback. Historical/Young Adult. 297 pages. $16.99 US. Source: copy supplied by GOOD GOLLY MISS HOLLY ARC TOURS

• Shop Indie Bookstores
• Order Online from Amazon

Synopsis: Young and beautiful Violetta may be of royal blood, but her kingdom is in shambles when she arrives in London on a mysterious mission. Her journey has been long and her adventures many, but it is not until she meets the playwright William Shakespeare that she gets to tell the entire story from beginning to end. Violetta and her comic companion, Feste, have come in search of an ancient holy relic that the evil Malvolio has stolen from their kingdom. But where will their remarkable quest—and their most unusual story—lead? In classic Celia Rees style, it is an engrossing journey, full of political intrigue, danger, and romance.

Review: As those familiar with Shakespeare can tell from the description, this book is spun around the comedic play, Twelfth Night. However, it is not a retelling (though a little is included) but an original account of what after the couples are wed. It is told mainly from the viewpoint of Violetta, Viola and the Duke’s daughter. She, and the fool Feste, fled from Illyria to England when their beloved homeland was under a horrific siege from Sebastian and Antonio. They came to London in search for the holy relic of Illyria which has been stolen by Malvolio (who seeks to rule Illyria as Duke). Without this relic, Violetta will not be able to reunite her country’s people and take the rightful place, by birth, as Duchess.

Shakespeare himself enters the story when Violetta seeks out his assistance. After telling him the story of her homeland, William feels compelled to aid her. Together they travel from London to Oxford to Stratford-upon-Avon in search of Malvolio and the relic. In their travels, Violetta meets friends from Illyria, falls in love and finds the courage to fight for her native land, while Shakespeare finds the inspiration that will become one of his greatest plays. Read more

Teresa

Teresa (nom de plume: Torrance Sené) is a self-proclaimed geek, a Janeite, a lover of werewolves and bad-ass angels, an aspiring novelist and an avid book reader who freelances as a web designer. You can follow her on Twitter at @eireannoir.

Website - More Posts

The Fire Lord’s Lover (Elven Lords, #1) by Kathryne Kennedy. © 2010 Sourcebooks Casablanca. ISBN 9781402236525. Mass Market Paperback. Historical Fiction/Romance. 384 pages. $7.99 US. Source: advance copy (arc). Shop Indie Bookstores or Purchase online from Amazon.

Synopsis
In a magical land ruled by ruthless Elven lords, the Fire Lord’s son Dominic Raikes plays a deadly game to conceal his growing might from his malevolent father—until his arranged bride awakens in him passions he thought he had buried forever.

Lady Cassandra has been raised in outward purity and innocence, while secretly being trained as an assassin. Her mission is to bring down the Elven Lord and his champion son. But when she gets to court she discovers that nothing is what it seems, least of all the man she married.

Review
This is my first introduction to Kathryne Kennedy so I can’t really speak on how this holds up to her previous works, but I was rather impressed. While I wouldn’t put her up there with J.R.R. Tolkien in regards to world creation, this alternative Georgian England—ruled over by six Elf Lords who have deserted their native Elfhame out of boredom—is lavish, intriguing and highly creative. It is a remarkable and thoroughly enjoyable blend of fantasy, historical fiction and high romance.

Those who love a good Regency or Georgian romance shouldn’t be intimidated by the fantasy within The Fire Lord’s Lover. The detail to life in England at that time is still the same despite the magic, Elves and dragons. We still have our lucullan nobles and well-favored cravats *wink*. Read more

Teresa

Teresa (nom de plume: Torrance Sené) is a self-proclaimed geek, a Janeite, a lover of werewolves and bad-ass angels, an aspiring novelist and an avid book reader who freelances as a web designer. You can follow her on Twitter at @eireannoir.

Website - More Posts