Author: Chantal Gadoury
Publication Date: August 22nd 2017 by The Parliament House
Plot: Once Upon a Time…
In the kingdom of Tranen, a king makes a promise to his dying wife that he'll only remarry a woman who possesses her golden hair. In time, the king's eyes are turned by his daughter. Realizing her father’s intentions, Princess Aurelia tries to trick him by requesting impossible gifts: dresses created by the sun, moon and stars, and a coat made of a thousand furs. But when he is successful, Aurelia sacrifices her privileged life and flees her kingdom, disguised by the cloak and a new name, Allerleirauh.
She enters the safe haven of Saarland der Licht, where the handsome and gentle Prince Klaus takes her under his care. Hoping not to be discovered by her father’s courtiers, Allerleirauh tries to remain hidden under her new identity when she finds unexpected love with Prince Klaus, even though his arranged marriage to the princess of a neighboring kingdom approaches. Risking everything, Allerleirauh must face her troubled past and her fears of the future along her journey to self-acceptance in this triumphant retelling of the classic Grimm Fairy Tale.
In the kingdom of Tranen, a king makes a promise to his dying wife that he'll only remarry a woman who possesses her golden hair. In time, the king's eyes are turned by his daughter. Realizing her father’s intentions, Princess Aurelia tries to trick him by requesting impossible gifts: dresses created by the sun, moon and stars, and a coat made of a thousand furs. But when he is successful, Aurelia sacrifices her privileged life and flees her kingdom, disguised by the cloak and a new name, Allerleirauh.
She enters the safe haven of Saarland der Licht, where the handsome and gentle Prince Klaus takes her under his care. Hoping not to be discovered by her father’s courtiers, Allerleirauh tries to remain hidden under her new identity when she finds unexpected love with Prince Klaus, even though his arranged marriage to the princess of a neighboring kingdom approaches. Risking everything, Allerleirauh must face her troubled past and her fears of the future along her journey to self-acceptance in this triumphant retelling of the classic Grimm Fairy Tale.
☆✮ My Review ✮☆
Not going to lie, when I first read that the plot revolves around a father trying to marry his daughter I was pretty darn disturbed. I mean, even if he had made a promise to his dieing wife, after vying for other maidens who meet her request, I would never go as far as to court and breed my own daughter for an heir. But then again, this man, as you read is no father, husband or ruler of the year (or ever) period. He's in every definition and sense of the word: a monster.
As for the story protagonist, Aurelia's character was a likable one for me. She starts off innocent and naive, but she's no dummy. She knows she's a pawn stuck in a web of power and deceit and so when she discovers all of her hunches about her father are true, she derives a plan to escape and take control of her own life. Even if it means going up against her very own father.
I also found Klaus, Mr. Prince Charming himself, to be likable as well. Normally I feel like most authors tend to personify male royalty, particularly the young ones, as cocky and entitled but Klaus was the complete opposite which was both refreshing and intriguing.
Lastly again, back to the plot. I heard others compare this to Brothers Grimm work, but as I have no idea which tale they're probably comparing this too, all I can say is that originality wise it was okay. It wasn't particularly anything I hadn't heard of before, storywise, but all in all throughout I really enjoyed it a lot. Especially the character growth in Aurelia.
Not going to lie, when I first read that the plot revolves around a father trying to marry his daughter I was pretty darn disturbed. I mean, even if he had made a promise to his dieing wife, after vying for other maidens who meet her request, I would never go as far as to court and breed my own daughter for an heir. But then again, this man, as you read is no father, husband or ruler of the year (or ever) period. He's in every definition and sense of the word: a monster.
As for the story protagonist, Aurelia's character was a likable one for me. She starts off innocent and naive, but she's no dummy. She knows she's a pawn stuck in a web of power and deceit and so when she discovers all of her hunches about her father are true, she derives a plan to escape and take control of her own life. Even if it means going up against her very own father.
I also found Klaus, Mr. Prince Charming himself, to be likable as well. Normally I feel like most authors tend to personify male royalty, particularly the young ones, as cocky and entitled but Klaus was the complete opposite which was both refreshing and intriguing.
Lastly again, back to the plot. I heard others compare this to Brothers Grimm work, but as I have no idea which tale they're probably comparing this too, all I can say is that originality wise it was okay. It wasn't particularly anything I hadn't heard of before, storywise, but all in all throughout I really enjoyed it a lot. Especially the character growth in Aurelia.
My Rating:
♥♥♥♥
☆✮ Excerpt ✮☆
“I won’t ever let them near you again, Aurelia. I swear it,” he promised as his grief-filled eyes met mine. “You must know I love you. It never mattered to me whether you were a princess or not. It matters not to me if you think you are soiled, because to me . . . you are more . . . You are more than what has happened to you, and you always shall be,” he said softly as his hand slid to my cheek. Carefully, his thumb wiped a tear away. “You are this wonderful, head-strong, and brave woman,” Klaus continued. “No one has any right to ever try to take such a thing away from you. It should only ever be admired and cherished.”
More tears began to spill over my cheeks as relief flooded me. Klaus would not turn me away; instead, he accepted me. I rested my forehead against his shoulder, as I felt his arms slowly wrap around me.
“Tell me what you wish for me to do, my sweet Aurelia, and I will do it.”
More tears began to spill over my cheeks as relief flooded me. Klaus would not turn me away; instead, he accepted me. I rested my forehead against his shoulder, as I felt his arms slowly wrap around me.
“Tell me what you wish for me to do, my sweet Aurelia, and I will do it.”
☆✮ Teasers ✮☆
☆✮ About the Author ✮☆
Chantal Gadoury is a 2011 graduate from Susquehanna University with a degree in Creative Writing. Since graduation, she has published three novels, “Seven Seeds of Summer,” Allerleirauh” and “The Songs in Our Hearts.” Writing has always come naturally to her, beginning at the early age of seven. Her love of writing evolved from a passion to read and document everything about her life in journals. (A Real-Life Harriett the Spy, without the Spying!) While Chantal is pursuing writing avenues, she enjoys acrylic painting, watching Disney and romantic historical movies and spending time with her family.
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