Title: Beauty’s Daughter: The Story of Hermione and Helen of Troy Author: Carolyn Meyer Published by HMH Books for Young Readers Year: 2013 Format Read: Kindle Pages: 353 Language: English ASIN: B00AUZS6K6 Dates Read: 2024, March 27 to April 14
In the past, I have read In Mozart’s Shadow and Patience, Princess Catherine by Carolyn Meyer. I loved them both. I appreciated her vivid use of first person, how she incorporated many historical figures into the story, and her deep emotional characters. I wanted to read another one of her novels, but I wanted to read a story with an ancient setting. I liked Troy by Adẻle Geras when I read it in middle school, so I decided to try Beauty’s Daughter.
Hermione is an evocative, inquisitive, and assertive protagonist. This story focuses on Hermione’s perspective before, during, and after the Trojan war. Throughout the novel, her thoughts and feelings of her mother, as well as others, change over time. The characters are used to convey plots of the war and other Ancient Greek stories (in case the reader is unfamiliar with these). Basically, many pages of the story’s first part is a summary of the Iliad and other ancient lore paraphrased from Hermione’s perspective with an emphasis on her relationships to others. I have not read all of these legends or myths, but I am familiar with the basic plot of many. Despite all of the details and references to Ancient Greek stories and characters, this book was still an easy read, and it is just the right length.
Due to the winding plot filled with many disappointments for the characters, I thought that the novel’s ending would be bittersweet, and I was prepared for the death or disappearance of Hermione or her lover. Also, I had gotten names and prior Greek stories confused. Orestes and Pylades are characters in this book, so I thought they were going to turn into stars or constellations by the end of the story. Fortunately, they do not, but I assumed this because I confused their names with Orion and Pleiades, persons from another myth I’ve either read or heard about. Anyway, the ending was alright, a little bittersweet, but the leads got a good ending.
There is an author’s note where Meyer explains how she uses myths combined with much of her own imagination and creativity to create this novel. I do think that this book is an easy read for 12 and up, but there is suggestive content in keeping with the spirit of the values and myths. I would recommend it if you like ancient world literature and retellings. I think that I like the other novels that I’ve read by this author better because they seem to have a better structure and more likable extra characters.
I was trying to find Christian fiction to read, and I found this series listed on the www.christianbook.com website. I thought that it was a Christian fantasy series, but it is more of a medieval fiction series with historical liberties.
Title: Tahn: A Novel Series: The Tahn Saga Serial: Book 1 Author: L.A. Kelly Published by Fleming H. Revell Year: 2005 Format Read: Kindle Pages: 337 Language: English ASIN: B00B85CMR0 Dates Read 2022 November 24 to November 26
Before the story begins, Kelly includes an author’s note explaining why she wrote the book. She was propelled to write it, and she hoped that the message of God’s mercy, love, and forgiveness are evident throughout the work. She does state that the book cannot be defined as truly historical fiction that takes place in Europe. The story “claimed a place and time all its own…” (page 8).
Within the first chapters, there is a lot of action and violence; Tahn kills a few people just within the first few pages. Tahn has to do the bidding of his evil mercenary master Samis. Samis took Tahn from a city as a child. Samis trained him to steal, kill, and destroy at his request. Even before the woman Netta, who Tahn kidnaps, shares the gospel with him, he is already somewhat redemptive. He had made the decision to disobey Samis and rescue several children from his lair. Tahn is trying to protect Netta’s life, honor, and he is not mercilessly mean. Despite all that she goes through, Netta is very devout: she teaches and preaches about the Christian faith throughout the entire novel. There are a lot of mini sermons and lessons; this book seems like something that Lynn Brooks could narrate on BBN radio during the time slot that they have her narrate a Christian story. There are several characters in this novel that have more characterization and emphasis in the next two novels. Not everyone accepts Christ, but a lot of the characters do. The events do have a good resolution, and a person could stop reading the series at the first novel.
Title: Return to Alastair Series: The Tahn Saga Serial: Book 2 Author: L.A. Kelly Published by Revell Year: 2006 Format Read: Kindle Pages: 369 Language: English ASIN: B00B85CN8I Dates Read 2022, November 27 to December 5
As of writing this, the book series is still out of order on Amazon. The website has this book listed as the last book in the series, but it is the second. There is no author’s note in this one. This book has many of the same characters as the first one, and it introduces some new characters, namely Tahn’s sister Tiarra. You learn how Tahn is related to nobility, and it’s another adventure. However, Tahn is sick for several pages, and it seems like the dreams he has while sick reveals a lot of the plot’s mystery.
Title: The Scarlet Trefoil Series: The Tahn Saga Serial: Book 3 Author: L.A. Kelly Published by Revell Year: 2007 Format Read: Kindle Pages: 305 Language: English ASIN: B007TV0VVG Dates Read 2022, December 9 to December 17
This book was more perilous and darker than the last two. It was hard to pause reading because many chapters end pitifully, and I kept wanting to take a break from reading on a happy note. It was a bit anguishing to read about Netta’s kidnapping and Tahn’s abuse at the hands of the bandits and others paid by Lionell Trent. Throughout the story, there is such an overwhelming amount of thoughts and emotions that to me, it started to get a bit repetitive. I know how all of the characters feel, please let’s continue advancing the plot. In my opinion, it was too much talking and feelings and not enough action.
Overall Impressions and Other Comments
This is a decent Christian fiction series. I thought that the series had a lovely ending. Although several priests are mentioned, and the setting is loosely based on Medieval Europe, there is emphasis on general themes of Christianity common to Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox. There is no mention of Mary, saints or The Five Solas. There is emphasis mainly on God’s providence, trust, prayer, assurance, forgiveness, stewardship, and redemption.
If any of the characters are memorable to me, they would be Tahn and Lucas. I loved their platonic relationship the most. I appreciated the camaraderie that Tahn, the Trillets, and others had with the children.
The one thing that I found confusing is what dialogue belonged to which character. Usually, when a different character speaks, a new paragraph is started, but here not so: “What can you tell us?” Netta whispered to Amos. “He rests well. Breathes stronger.” This is on pg 195 of The Scarlet Trefoil and it was hard for me to see that Amos started taking after Netta because both sets of dialogue are in the same paragraph.
There were some unrealistic elements to me. This could be historically accurate, but I did find it weird that people wear boots without stockings, socks, etc. Also, another odd thing is how Tahn’s relative complains about being barefoot throughout several pages, but I kept wondering what does she do during the winter. It was odd that Tahn is forced to walk barefoot for miles, but his feet do not hurt, just other parts of his body from injury. The scene where Tahn takes off Netta’s shoe to examine her ankle just seemed really forward of him, and I felt it could have been written better. The series increasingly has a lot of dialogue with a lot of emphasis on the various characters’ thoughts and feelings; I started to desire more action. The plot and story advancement takes a halt in order for us to review every thought and mental process of various characters.
Unfortunately, the author passed away in 2011 years ago with one of her children in a car accident. She wrote other books under her name Leisha Kelly. They look interesting, and I may try to read her other works.
Title: Daughter of Rome Author: Tessa Afshar Published by Tyndale House Publishers Year: 2020 Format Read: Kindle Pages: 378 Language: English ASIN: B07T32RZMF Dates Read: 2022, October 22 to October 30
The book was captivating. Every chapter is an adventure. The character, themes, and touching moments really pack a punch, and there is an edifying sermon every chapter. After reading Thief of Corinth, I wanted to read another book by this author. Priscilla and some others make a cameo appearance in Thief of Corinth. Some characters from that novel are mentioned in Daughter of Rome. I like how Afshar’s novels are somewhat linked, but they are not a series so a person can start with any book. At the start of the novel, I knew why Priscilla was trying to see the physician even before the reason was revealed. This was the only predictable part of the book for me, and the rest of the book was more unforeseeable and engaging.
The book gave me the impression that it would mainly be about Priscilla, but Aquila seems to have an equal part. They start out as both outcasts from their world who come to find love and acceptance. I love how the book shows that they are partners in ministry. For some reason, while reading this book, I kept imagining it as an anime. I wish there was an anime like this and relatively clean, popular and made especially for Christians. I especially loved how the story demonstrates Christian characters releasing or overlooking offenses, being able to love, extending hospitality, and showing grace even to some of the most infuriating people. I enjoyed how the story shows both married and single people caring for each other in a community and having deep love, concern, and relationships with each other like adopted siblings.
One scene that I thought that could have been crafted better is when certain characters go to rescue Paul from a kidnapping. The scene reminds me a bit of “TheBeggar’s Opera” by John Gay. Also, when the dog Ferox is introduced, I was given the impression that there would be a mysterious path there that would be eventually unraveled. He’s a mysterious dog that shows up out of nowhere. He saves Priscilla and is a part of the family but there’s no unraveling or discovery of his origins like there is for the orphan Marcus. Sometimes, to me, the romance scenes were very passionate and a bit more descriptive than I anticipated or thought necessary. Also, who gets her brother’s “estate” at the end or does it go to creditors? The book is a great read overall, and I look forward to reading Afshar’s other works.
Title: Lost in Darkness (Of Monsters and Men) Author: Michelle Griep Published by Barbour Books Year: November 2021 Format Read: Kindle Pages: 323 Language: English ASIN: B09FP1WHKN Dates Read: August 1 to August 8 2022
I was enthralled by Gallimore, so I wanted to read another book by this author. Since I absolutely loved reading Frankenstein in school, I decided to go with Lost in Darkness, a Christian novel inspired by the famous assigned reading. Each chapter begins with a quote from Shelley’s famous novel. The story setting is in 1815, England. I thought that it would take a few chapters to build intrigue, but the story immediately starts out dynamic. The entire novel has a pensive and/or ominous mood with just a few funny moments. It was a nice nod of Griep to write Mary Godwin/Shelley into the novel as a character-an eventual neighbor of main character Amelia. The historical notes and bibliography were very helpful in understanding time period elements included in the story.
Several of the characters are Christian. At various times, one will act or say something super devout and full of spiritual wisdom, then at other times, the same character acts like someone new to the faith and full of doubt. Moreover, it’s like everyone, whether antagonist or protagonist, is kind of lost in their own darkness of some sort (unmended relationships, choices, full of regret, unruly emotions, pride).
For me, this story’s ending is bittersweet. I thought that the brother would have had a more satisfying ending. While reading the novel, I was thinking that either the surgery would be successful or that he would not have the surgery at all. I thought that either way, he would be able to go on with his life by the story’s end. He was portrayed as such a comprehensive and good-natured character that I was not expecting such a tragic end. I know that Frankenstein was not exactly a happy ending either, but I thought this novel would be a bit more hopeful. It was actually more realistic here than science fiction and fantastical. I thought that maybe he would actually get to have a normal appearance, but he has to learn not to become arrogant or something. Also, to me, it felt like the ending for the antagonist could have been different-something felt missing-perhaps a trial scene? However, the romance and career aspects among the two leads end rather well.
I am trying different authors and genres. I found this author on a blog; the blogger reviews a lot Christian fiction, and she was reviewing one of Griep’s books. I had a look at her books on Amazon, and I decided to read this one. This is probably the first time travel fiction novel that I have read since middle school. I really enjoyed this book! Although the opening chapter is sad, the rest of the story is extremely fun to read. The writing is both witty and profound, and the figures in the story have fantastic characterization. I am definitely interested in reading some of the author’s other writings.
In the acknowledgments, I love that Griep writes “To my own Captain of the Guard who will soon come for me. Rev.22:20”. The story emphasizes faith, God’s presence, God’s mysterious ways, burying grief, love, forgiveness, releasing pain. It’s interesting how the first chapter starts with Dan’s demise. Then, the story picks up with Jessica on a trip to England after the passing of her husband. She meets a stranger on the plane who gives her ideas for sightseeing. Eventually, she is caught in a storm while searching for Gallimore castle. She is “whisked away” to the 14th century. She meets several colorful characters including a forthright knight, the ancestor of the stranger on the plane, and his creepy villainous brother- the Earl who practices divination. Jessica’s exchanges with the characters are engaging! Some comments she makes about her dress, the foul odors, and treatment of the servants are realistic yet coated with humor. I was so caught up in the action that it was bittersweet when the storm came again and Jessica returned to the present. You know that she gets together with the guy from the plane and the miraculous event in her life is discussed in the epilogue. I love how the scenes are drawn and depicted.
I wanted to read a fairy tale retelling, and I decided to try out this book. The Fairest Beauty is a retelling of the fairy tale, Snow White. This version of the classic fairy tale does not contain common elements of magic and fantasy; however, it has a Christian-biblical worldview.The setting is Bavaria during the Holy Roman Empire; the scenes are written as realistic historical fiction. There are several devout and pious Christians, especially the main character, Sophie. She prays frequently, reads scriptures, and often recalls what the priest told her in the past. Characters discuss forgiveness and redemption and ponder the will of God. The duchess is the mean queen, and although nothing fantastical happens when she talks to her mirror, generally, her every thought and her every action is eccentric and malevolent. Some themes and takeaways from this book are Sophie’s abuse and her desire to be loved and cherished, Gabe’s sibling rivalry, the downfall of evil (Psalm 10), and God’s protection. Finally, a happy ending (or beginning of the next chapter in life). It was great to read this Christian retelling of a fairytale. I did not know what to expect, but the book was fine. It was very creative how the author reworked the reality of this classic story.
Dates Read January to February 2021
Title: The Piper’s Pursuit
Author: Melanie Dickerson
Series: Hagenheim/FairyTale Romance Series(10)
Published by Thomas Nelson
Year: 2019
Pages: 321
Format Read: Kindle
Language: English
Several fiction recommendations appeared on my Amazon account; this novel’s plot description seemed pretty interesting so I decided to read it. This is the second book by Melanie Dickerson that I have read. It’s a reimagining of The Pied Piper of Hamelin, and it is another young adult medieval romance fairy tale with a Christian worldview. It’s around the 14th century in the Holy Roman Empire. The heroine, Katerina, is brave and strong with a disdain for arrogant men like her stepfather and the new guy in town, Steffan, who is the Duke’s “prodigal” son. They try to work together to figure out the mysteries in town: the children disappearing, the rat infestations, the beast attacks. They eventually uncover her stepfather Hennek’s wrongdoings and the story really takes off; it’s a suspenseful adventure. Steffan and Kat learn about each other and begin to trust each other and dismantle assumptions. Katerina has to be strong because her stepfather is abusive to her and her mother; she has to be the one to protect them and handle issues. Steffan felt wronged by his place in life such as being the younger son and not getting the inheritance. In the story, it’s revealed that disobeyed his father and he feels ashamed of this. The father is a Father God figure in that he forgives his son and shows him love and mercy.
A Love So Wordy 