HEARTLESS

I saw on facebook at the beginning of August that a fellow author was going to be having a book-signing in the Raleigh area. Having never been to a book signing (Ryne Sandberg's when I was 14 doesn't really count) I decided to attend and see if I could pick up a few tips. Little did I know that I was going to be picking up a new favorite book, as well.I apologize for the lack of consistent posting this week... but I've been completely consumed by reading this series of books this past month, and I ran out of pre-scheduled posts last Friday! :) However, I'm back now, and I want to tell you a bit about the first book in this series I just discovered. (I decided at the book-signing to go ahead and buy the first book in the series, as I didn't want to read them out of order, even though the signing was primarily to promote "Dragonwitch" the 5th book in the series). I've never really had an author-signed copy of a book before... so that's also kind of exciting.Princess Una has just come of age, and is expecting suitors to start lining up at her door immediately. However, the first prince who comes calling is so contrary to her imagined perfect prince and visions of romance that she rebuffs his offer of marriage without even considering the man who is asking.When rumors of something terrible and dangerous that has taken over a neighboring kingdom start to reach the ears of Una and her family, the spoiled princess does not dream that these whispers could have anything to do with her. Wrapped up in her own concerns, Una does not realize she is in danger until it is far too late.Can true love really conquer all?I really enjoyed this story. It is what might be considered an "original fairy tale" - not really fantasy, not a re-telling, but a story set in a fairy tale world with fairy tale type characters. And while I love classic, epic fantasy, I must confess that I have a soft spot for fairy tales. Particularly original ones, though retellings are wonderful as well.I will admit that this book took me a little bit to get into, but once I had gotten a handle on who the characters were (maybe a chapter or two in), I was hooked. I devoured this book, and the rest of the series as well.There is also a hint of allegory to this tale. Thankfully, I did not feel that the allegory jumped out and smacked me across the face, nor did I feel that the story got sacrificed for the sake of the allegory - which is far too often the case in the Christian Fantasy genre. The allegory that is woven into this book is subtly and carefully handled. There is a beauty to its simplicity.This story has it all: princesses, knights, princes, dragons, sword-fights, ballads, romance, betrayal, jesters, and a blind cat (who is far more than he seems).I give it 5/5 stars. The characters are enjoyable, the story is well-crafted, and the writing is easy to follow.If you enjoy fairy tales, or just love a good villainous dragon... I highly recommend this book. (And the rest of the series... I'll post my reviews of the rest of the books later).