Book Review--Golden Daughter by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

It is clear from the beginning that this tale is unique from all the other Tales. It takes place in a far different and more ruthless world than we have met before in the series. Even the time we spend in the Between is a different place than we have seen. But despite almost an entirely new cast and setting, this Tale is VITAL to the series. I dare not reveal all the incredible things revealed here. It is the first night of Moonblood. It is the first part of Sunan's history (it is hard to believe that this Sunan is the same Sunan we love later on). And we learn the history of the Goldstone. And--oh, so much!

Any newcomers into Goldstone Wood might be surprised to find out Golden Daughter is "Christian" fantasy. After all, most of the characters and the very culture dedicates itself to their goddess, the moon. And while some perform their rituals with hypocritical ease, others carry out their dedication with disturbing loyalty. Unlike most Christian fantasy, this doesn't take the point of view of the "Christian" character.

This is the real world. Not to say that is actually exists, but because the foundation of it is true. A corrupt world. Fallen. Deceived. As such, there is false religion, and people devoted and aloof to it. There is an awareness of the more lewd sides of the world that adds a certain maturity that wasn't so present in other Goldstone Novels. It shows us that men trying to connect with the spiritual worlds without God's summoning leads to damaging consequences. But this book takes us by the hand, and guides us through the lies, shows the fragility of the promises of the world, and brings us to a profound and beautiful portrayal of God's character and ultimate power.

And actually, there does turn out to be a parallel here with a familiar Bible story. But perhaps because it is so obvious, we overlook it, because I never recognized it until thinking about the story later. 

This is definitely the most violent of the Tales so far. Not really graphic or disturbing, but it still packs some punch. It might be a bit too harsh for the very sensitive reader. The headcount by the end is rather high....and Anne Elisabeth has this way of making you feel each one, even the people you didn't particularly like.

That is another of her gifts. Creating real people, so real you have trouble liking them. Oh, to be sure, there are plenty of characters to love here: Sairu--one of the funnest and most darling (and deadly) female characters I've met in a while, Jovann--who is AWESOME, Eanrin--who...who brings a whole new level to the words "I love him." But then we have characters who we see or know to commit heinous and cold deeds--characters who we might call "bad"--shock us with their depth. They may have few loves and loyalties left, but to those few they cling with a resilience that is truly admirable. We also have plain evil characters who are just totally consumed with evil.

The Dragon reaches a new tier in villainy here. (Somehow it is more chilling when a villain kills an innocent, cute little animal, than say, a random brash knight. Okay, fine, it was the way he killed the animal.)

And then there is Lady Hariawan...she is...nothing. Not to say the reader doesn't see other sides, things she might be...but the decisions she makes, the road she takes...she acts soulless. This aspect of her character is completely intentional and necessary. It is even explained, if you read between the lines and know the laws of Faerie. But really, I think I despise her more than any other character I've met in Goldstone Wood. Gleamdren (in Starflower) was cute and funny in her annoyingly selfish way. Hariawan is chilling, using other people for her own ends with absolutely no true care in her heart. Indeed, Sairu's continuous devotion to her was one of the only things I couldn't understand. I guess being raised to always protect your master is pretty strong. Sairu's loyalty wasn't unrealistic, just not something I could relate to. The same goes for a few other motivations in the story; they weren't flaws, just not something I understood.

Foreboding, strange, and ruthless are the worlds through which this tale weaves. It is difficult to discern what the will of the Song Giver is, what role the characters will play. But to those who are willing to take the journey, they will find a beauty at its peak, a hope of infinite glory. I do not believe I have yet read in a fantasy a more powerful, more beautiful representation of God as is found here in these pages. Indeed, in the midst of reading it, I found my eyes swimming with tears, for the potency of His majesty, love, and grandeur rang true in my own life.

And that is the work of a master storyteller.