Once Upon A Wood--A Goldstone Tribute

Once Upon A Time......there was a young girl who needed a good book. She loved beautiful things and she had a tender but particular soul that made finding good books a difficult task. Still she searched high and low, and one day while searching through a library, she remembered a book whose cover had caught her eye. But despite that it had an ominous (but cool) title (HEARTLESS!!!!) and was deep within the "adult" section (HORROR)....she gained the permission of her mother to venture into the new world within the pages. 

And such a world she found. A world where the character's heartbeat could be felt pulsing in the letters, hear their breath in the flutter of the pages. Characters so real and their tales so potent that they consumed her waking thoughts and sprang to new life under her artistic pen. She loved how the characters strove to be noble and good, and that even though they failed many times, they found redemption from the love of a pure and powerful Prince.

Better still, there was a Queen who wielded that world, and as the young girl and many more wandered into that Wood, she welcomed them with love and friendship. Those who loved the Wood soon became friends, some of them very close and would go on to find each other in the other world they left behind. Each year, the Queen gave the gift of hosting contests where the wanderers of the wood could display their art of the tales and write out imagined tales of their own. There were some who she took under her wing to teach the power of words and the wisdom, patience, and dedication it took to wield them well. 

As the years passed, the tales grew in size and they also grew more serious and sometimes darker, but the readers were ready, for they had matured with and through the world as well. They knew that Hope was their lamp in the deepest darkness. They knew that dragons could be saved if they were brave and humble enough to trust the power of the Dragonslayer. They knew life could await beyond the Final Water. 

But in the mortal realm, some things do not always go as we wish. Life is not always what we expect. New tales are silent for now, for the Queen's own kingdom has grown and she must see it cared for. Someday, perhaps, she will return. 

Yet even if not, the Tales of Goldstone Wood...like the mysterious Wood itself.....are timeless, and a wanderer may venture in at any time and find themselves on a journey such as they have never known, and what they learn there may guide them to a Path greater than it had been before. 

The Dashing & Smashing 2016 Character Awards

So this is a TERRIBLY fun tag created by a terribly fun blogger whom I don't believe I have encountered before now.....Cait at https://paperfury.com/2016-ya-book-character-awards/. You should go check out her amusing post and here is mine!

 

The painful thing about this tag is that my latest obsession is not published, so while I would happily plug in names to these questions nobody would know who I was talking about and may not know for some time to come......sigh.....happily I have a great backup storage of other obsessions.

So I'm afraid I read a pathetic amount of books this year.......I don't know why.....it's sad. So I'm cheating and just using this as my tag for all time.....in my opinion currently this year.

1. MOST RELATABLE CHARACTER

Kaladin from The Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson. Having just watched It's A Wonderful Life, I muse that Kaladin is really a sort of George Baily man in fantasy literature. It's not his life that's relatable, not in the slightest.....it's how he responds to it. I think that's what makes him such a compelling and beloved character....he's not perfect in the slightest: he's depressed, angry, prejudiced.....but he's also noble, sometimes even against his own judgement. I can just see Syl saying, "You've been given a wonderful gift, Kaladin....don't you see what a shame it would be to throw it away?"

2. MOST PURE AND PRECIOUS ANIMAL COMPANION

Scatter from The Moon Master's Ball by Clara Diane Thompson (Five Glass Slippers collection)

*UGLY SOBBING*

Also, Melly from The Silver Eye by Laura Hollingsworth which is a webcomic you can read right here http://www.thesilvereye.com/comic/chapter-1-cover-4/ (prepare to begin the unfinished adventure of your life)

3. FIERCEST FIGHTER

Sairu from Golden Daughter by Anne Elisabeth Stengl. She's tiny, she's pretty, and she wears knives up the sleeves of her kimono. She fights dreams, dragons, and has a trio of fierce attack fluff dogs.

4. MOST AMAZING SIDEKICK

Sylphrena from The Stormlight Archives by Brandon Sanderson. She's this little wind spirit that goes about being cute, and sassy, and amazingly powerful and surprisingly wise.

5. ONE YOU’RE SURPRISED YOU LOVED

Lord Vetinari from Discworld by Terry Pratchett. He's not my type. Oldish, tyrantish, not moral for the sake of morality. Except. He's brilliant. He's a master puppeteer. And he's soooooooooooo awesome.

Also Sorrow from Wildwood Dancing.  (me: ew, ew, I don't like vampires or vampire romances) (me later: *gasp* He's not a vam---*proceeds into spoilerish jumble*)


6. BEST SASSMASTER

Sir Eanrin, the charming bard, knight, man and cat from The Tales of Goldstone Wood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl. Proof listed below.

"You may call me Sir. Or Your Grace. Even Your Eminence. I'm not especially picky."

"The greatest art is that least appreciated but done for art's own sake. I shall take myself and my art from your presence, most unappreciative of dames, and leave you to your mundane tasks."

"That wasn't a half-bad monologue. Do you find yourself inspired to new heights of ambition?"

"I don't believe cats can speak in the tongues of men."
"Good," said the cat. "Neither do I."

7. BEST ANTI-HERO AND MORALLY GREY GRAPE

Imoo Tau from A Branch of Silver, A Branch of Gold by Anne Elisabeth Stengl. He's the faerie prince of the Family of Night, a dark lion, a pained brother, and a loyal son. The people dearest to his heart compel him different ways, leading him to commit acts both horrid and admirable. He has a strong sense of honor and admiration for a strong enemy.

8. BEST WORST VILLAIN TO HATE

The Dragon from The Tales of Goldstone Wood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl. He's just so creepy, and clever, and astonishingly appalling!

Aetius the axeman from The Silver Eye by Laura Hollingsworth.....I mean look at that smile......the first time he is EVER seen.....(bottom of page: http://www.thesilvereye.com/comic/8x28/)  he's kind of super handsome and plus the author makes the most hilarious jokes with him.....oh yeah, but he's horrible, he like tries to kill my favorite characters.

9. TRULY ASTOUNDING WORST PARENTS

Draven's Light by Anne Elisabeth Stengl. I don't care if you're some bloody warchief who believes in honor through death or whatever. You disowned your only son because he wouldn't murder. And then you about killed your daughter except she was too bad-awesome. 

10. TRULY ASTOUNDING BEST PARENTS

Sam Vimes and Lady Sybil from Thud by Terry Pratchett. Because of these words: "WHERE'S MY COW????" *bows* *the case is closed*

11. TOOT TOOT BEST SHIP OF THEM ALL

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/472878029606565471/

 Eugenides and Irene from The Queen's Thief by Megan Whalen Turner. Whhhhhhhhhhhhhy do I love them so much, they are like so not a perfect couple and I usually don't like couples who are sometimes mean to each other (um.....meanness might be a meager word). Except here's the thing----they have such a deep love for each other that transcends politics, past wrongs, physical attraction, or their personal irritations. They are both so real and relatable and yet so above anybody else.

Also Charlie and Ella from The Lady and the Lionheart by Joanne Bischof was just...........wow, so sweet. Go read it, you'll see what I mean.


12. THE MOST IN NEED OF PROTECTION

Jace in The Ilyon Chronicles by Jaye L. Knight. I'm sorry, Jace. You're written by that sort of author (of whom I am one) who finds great interest in the physical distress of their beloved main man.

And Finnick! (From The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, but I'm sure you know that.) Sometimes you get a guy who has all the skills to protect himself and yet he willingly suffers because he's so busy protecting other people. I wish someone could have protected him from the Capitol aristocrats. I wish his fellow "elite" team had actually, you know, watched his back, the last man out, and rained down gunfire on the mutts while he climbed the ladder. Great job working together, folks! *sarcasm* Seriously though, those who feel bad for Finnick, don't let your pity go to waste, look into ways you can support anti-human-trafficking.

13. MOST BORING AS A BARNACLE

I'm sorry....I can't. I may be critical of stories and if I feel an author has dirtied my soul, I will loudly speak out......but I cannot name somebody's brainchild "boring as a barnacle." So I abstain.


14. BEST LITTLE ROYAL

Winter from Winter by Marissa Meyer. She's such a sweet kind thing despite her step-mom's best efforts and the entire culture of her world. The only way she can be that is by being a little crazy---LITERALLY. But how can we not LOVE her when she throws back her head in the middle of a pack of werewolves and cutely (and crazily) sings, "And all the little wolves go ah-wooooooooo...!"

15. VERY SURPRISED YOU’RE STILL ALIVE

Velvare from The Silver Eye by Laura Hollingsworth
I mean.....I'm not surprised that you're still alive, I just don't understand how.  (http://www.thesilvereye.com/comic/9x36/


16. BEST AT HORRIBLE DECISION MAKING

Enel from The Silver Eye. It's so wonderful to have your examples illustrated. http://www.thesilvereye.com/comic/11x20/
This may not look like a horrible decision but it is. Though I'm not quite sure Enel ever thinks enough to make a real decision. He just follows his gut. And usually his gut is wrong.

http://laurahollingsworth.deviantart.com/art/Enel-Goggles-431833970

17. CUTEST DORK

Auren from Out of the Tomb by Ashley Stangl. Okay, you're not reeeeally a dork............................okay, so you kind of are.....I mean, you can't help it when you're a prince a hundred years behind time in a criminal's world. 


18. CLEVEREST LITTLE HELLION

 Safiki from The Thieves of Yorsha Doon (The Wingfeather Tales) by Andrew Peterson. No, this book is not officially out yet. It will be soon. So wait for it, my friends, wait most greedily.


19. MOST IN NEED OF A NAP

Charlie from The Lady and the Lionheart. Sir.....you trot about from town to town with a circus, wrassle around with your lion friends, father and care for your beloved baby niece, run a small church, and at nights when the circus is in town, sacrifice yourself in a nightmarish and soul-taxing event all for the sake of said beloved baby niece. WHEN DO YOU SLEEP? Oh that's right, in the very sweet little nap scene the author gave through the hospitality of the sweet heroine. Thank you, dear author, for satisfying Charlie's needs......and also the reader's. 

Also, Sir Eanrin from The Tales of Goldstone Wood......because while you may be a sassy and awesome faerie knight.....you are also a cat. And every cat needs a nap basically whenever they can get it.

20. WANT TO READ MORE ABOUT YOU

All of the above, my friends. All of the above. 

The Christmas Character Tag

Hullo! Remember me? Possibly not, because I have been gone so long. But never fear, I am yet alive (and for those who care, yes, so is Moonscript...very much so).

Work has eased up a little bit, so I popped over to the blogging world and discovered this fun tag from a blogger friend, Sarah!

Here's how the rules go!

1. Acknowledge the person who tagged you. Thanking them is nice, but not necessary. You can be annoyed at them if you like. (Though, if you're annoyed, why are you doing the tag anyway?)
2. Pick your characters. I advise having several, though not too many. They can all be from the same story, or they can be from different stories. If they're from different stories, make sure to specify who's from the same story.
3. Answer the questions. This should be self-explanatory.
4. Tag people. If you want. Don't tag more people than you have characters in the tag. If you don't want to tag anyone, you can do that too.
5. Listen to your favorite Christmas song. Because putting the effort in to write a post deserves a reward, my friend!

So. My characters. I will pull them from my fantasy book, Moonscript.....I would LOVE to include characters from the entire series, but new characters or the development of the original ones is a bit...spoilery.

All right, so my cast.....Tellie, fourteen year old chipper orphan girl...her best friend, the dependable young Kelm...Errance, the distrustful former captive who barely knows what a good time is, so we'll see how this goes....Tryss, the mother hen who watches over them all....Coren, the swashbuckling smuggler and his sassy partner, Zizain.

1. If any of your characters are from Earth: what are some of their Christmas traditions? If your characters aren't from Earth: does their world have an equivalent to Christmas, and if so, how do they celebrate it?

Nope. Not from earth. From a world called Orim, and while there are indeed holidays in their world, there is not a Christmas one yet, because in this time of history God's redemption plan for the world has not yet happened, so really there is no holiday that could compare to Christmas exactly. BUT. Because they are *my* characters I tote them wherever I go, so if I want them to come and celebrate Christmas, they shall do it!

2. Which of your characters gets the most into Christmas? The least? Who gets annoyed at the commercialization, and who doesn't care because it's CHRISTMAS?

Tellie loves anything that involves family and love and cozy traditions, so celebrating Christmas would be like giving her a little slice of heaven. As mentioned before, Errance would not know what to do with Christmas. He's learning to live again currently, so we'll have to give him a measure of grace. However as the kids have more and more fun, he may start to unthaw....Tryss would be completely disgusted with commercialization, because what a disgrace to distract from true spiritual meaning and the joy of the heart-given gift (honestly what is the world coming to?) Kelm, on the other hand, is the apprentice of a merchant, so he would be totally about how to sell and buy the coolest things.

3. All the characters try to decorate a Christmas tree together. What happens?

Errance is the prince of Aselvia, kingdom of the earth elves, and he would not understand why you have to cut a tree when you could just grow one in your house and never let it die. Still, decorating trees is something that may have a special place in the vaults of his memory so he would watch on....muttering things about the tree being crooked and that's what comes of crummy tree stands.....Kelm and Tellie would argue over how to do decorations, and Tryss would go in after they were finished and fix everything.



4. What's each character's favorite Christmas song?

Tryss loves Silent Night. When you're a caretaker of noisy children, its the dream that matters. Tellie goes about singing I'll be Home for Christmas or There's Always Tomorrow and tries to get Errance to duo with her, but he's having none of it. Kelm would belt out Frosty the Snowman.Coren and Zizain love anything upbeat that they can dance to.

5. Can your characters agree on a Christmas movie to watch together? What happens if they try?

Tellie would love to watch Hallmark Christmas movies and Tryss would remind her that they aren't realistic, but she secretly enjoys them too. However, the guys are not going to go for that, so how about something more traditional......It's A Wonderful Life! And then at the end, Errance is going to be sitting there, quivering inside from both anger and desperate hope, wondering how he got suckered into a movie anyway.

6. Speaking of which, who cries at Christmas movies? Anyone? 

Tellie cries at happy endings because she herself wants one so terribly. Tryss might cry if the actor is doing a really convincing sob job. Kelm wouldn't cry unless a dog died. Errance only cries inside.

7. What's each character's favorite Christmas treat?

 Tryss would loooove creme brulee. Kelm would spend days on his Gingerbread house and then decide it deserved a place on the mantle instead of his stomach, which is an incredible sacrifice for a growing young man. Tellie drinks hot chocolate and starts to chow down sweet cakes, but then remembers she has a round little figure and worries over it getting rounder (silly thing, it's Christmas!) 



8. Who among your characters likes eggnog? Who thinks it's disgusting?

Tryss would love it, and say how much it reminds her of her people's milthi moth milk, and everybody else who had been enjoying it thoroughly would suddenly lose their appetite.

9. Who's meeting who under the mistletoe? Who's catching those people and teasing them about it forever?

Kelm would be waiting for Tellie to walk by, totally shy but stoically determined (and hoping he is not going to get his face laughed off). Coren and Zizain would both appear there at the same time, grin slyly at each other for a second and then coolly saunter on by (each breathing a little sigh of disappointment). If Errance or Tryss happened to come together under the mistletoe...............Errance would be out of there like a shot but not before Tellie and Kelm saw them and went "Ooooooooooooooo" and made Tryss blush like a rose.

10. Who makes all the Christmas cookies and other treats? Who eats all the Christmas cookies?

Tryss is the eldest of 13 children and is used to being her sibling's caretaker, so is quite handy on making a tasty snack. She'd try to get Tellie to stay and help her, insisting a girl ought to be able to cook, but after Tellie mixes up the measurements for the baking soda and baking powder, she lets the poor girl go. Kelm comes by and starts eating the cookies, but didn't realize Tryss likes her food spicy, so he is back to chugging eggnog. Coren and Zizain proceed to stuff the cookies in each other's mouths. Errance abstains because you just can't trust food that sparkles.

11. Who stays (or used to stay) up late waiting for Santa?  

Tellie. She's a dreamer like that. And if she'd been brought up believing in Santa Claus, she would be one of those poor little kids whose hearts are utterly crushed. 


12. What would each character say Christmas isn't Christmas without?

Tellie: Family is what matters most! Not that I would know....or...or maybe since I'm without one, I know most of all.
Kelm: You can't have Christmas without liiiights, and trees, and ho-ho-hos!
Tryss: It's the spirit that really counts. Christmas begins in the heart, and it supposed to be an unselfish season, so even if things aren't going well for you, you still can bring joy to others.
Errance: ........I don't know if I can even believe in Christmas.
Coren: There are always people out there without Christmas.....they're hurting, they're scared, and the best thing we could do on this holy day is get out there and bring them aid. *looks in interest at Errance*
Zizain: Mizoltole, of courze. (winks)

And here's an old comic I did of my character's celebrating Christmas...well, about half of these characters aren't mine, but a friend's. Because if you are friends with another author, its hilarious to see how your characters interact. (And no, these characters of mine are not limited to Moonscript time *gasp, spoilers*)

Now for the tag!

Bryn at https://todaybybryn.wordpress.com/
Shantelle at  http://shantellemaryh.blogspot.com/
Olivia at http://oliviakfisher.blogspot.com/
And anyone else who thinks this is fun!

Book Review--Fallen Star by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

She is a Knight of Farthestshore, a woman of courage ... and secrets. She has faced many perils in her time, but nothing has prepared her for the evil she is about to encounter in the treacherous Wood Between.

Through My Window

What I LOVED: Old friends! We have more familiar faces than just Beana in this story (though that's all I'll say), and how delicious it is to be traveling on those beautifully written words through the Wood and its terrors (of which the Unicorn has always been a favorite). And baby versions of favorite characters. Yes, we always need those because it creates a lot of "DAAAAAAW" moments. Such a perfect prequel to Veiled Rose!

What I didn't like: The ending was....rather abrupt. Granted, readers know just what happened soon after thanks to Veiled Rose, but nevertheless a tiny bit more closure would have been nice. Also, at the ending, there was the use of a potion as provided and used by the heroes. I've always appreciated the "otherness" of the magic system Anne Elisabeth writes and I was perturbed to see something so common and of poor repute to be used by some of our favorite people. I hope it doesn't occur more in future books, which it probably won't because of its specific purpose.

Of course, every Goldstone Fan needs to read this because its GOLDSTONE. I severely advise anyone who has not to go and begin with Book 1 and at least read to Book 3, because this story relies on knowing what has happened before and what will happen in the future.

In short, regardless of any little thing I frowned at, I love this story. Because who doesn't love an old friend? :)

Book Review--Once: Six Historically inspired Fairytales

 Through My Window

Overall, an excellent collection!! I was so excited to read this set of stories and I was not disappointed!

The Mountain of the Wolf--5 stars--This western completely transported me back to that rugged time era and I eagerly rode alongside our hero and heroine to unravel a mystery and see justice done. Buuuuut.....for the life of me, once I was done, I had *noooo* idea which fairytale I had just read a retelling of. It wasn't till a few hours later that I was like, "OH.....duh....the answer is in the title" Still, even though I did eventually recognize it, it was a very subtle background tone.

She But Sleepth--3 stars--weeeell.....I was a little thrown off by the heroine of the tale and got disgruntled by several turns in the story, especially the ending. But it was very cool to read about the true historical legend....its such a strange sad one and perfectly fitting for a Sleeping Beauty retelling.

Rumbled---4 stars---I liked the voice of this tale and it is certainly an exciting new setting on the classic tale. However, it is still very much like the original which is great but also.....well, frustrating for those who found the original frustrating. But it was also more deeply and emotionally explored.

Sweet Remembrance--5 stars--This. is. so. sad. Anyone who has read or watched The Little Match Girl already knows its sad. But have that girl grow up a bit, throw in a tragic love story, and set the story in the world of Polish Jew ghettos under the cruelty of the Nazi.... and yeah.....you get a reeeeally sad story. But also, it is touched with the eternal hope that lights up even the darkest places.

Death Be Not Proud--3 stars--I certainly loved the authentic and surprising feel to this era. But the tale was a murder mystery and I'm not incredibly fond of murder mystery. It also likes to completely leave out important parts until later so you are mislead on what is actually happening. Aaaaand while I love that in movies and in certain books, I got confused by this one. Possibly because I was reading too fast, lol. (Come on, how are you supposed to read slow in a murder mystery?)

With Blossoms Gold--5 stars--So I am already a very big fan of Hayden Wand. 90% of the reason I bought this book was so that I could read this story at the end. Which is why I read the story first. And of course, I loved it! Sweetly written, epically fraught, satisfyingly paced and concluded! A work of storytelling art!

Goldstone Wood Fan Fiction Contest

Hey dear blog readers of mine....who also happen to be Goldstone Wood Imps... Did you know that the Goldstone Wood Fan Fiction Contest is up and the stories are being voted on? This year it is kind of a small contest, but the poems and short stories within are beautiful and endearing as ever! You have until the 11th of September to vote and all the time you need to write the authors praise. :)

Travel on over!

Book Review--Five Magic Spindles

 

 Through My Window 

 

 

THIS. This is the fairytale collection I've been waiting for from Rooglewood Press. I certainly did not expect it, since Sleeping Beauty isn't a story of much interest for me, but each and every story in here STUNNED me with brilliant originality, gorgeous, unique writing, and perfectly crafted, paced, and concluded plot.

The Man on the Buckskin Horse: The first is a Western, and while I *may* not have recognized it as a Sleeping Beauty story without being told, each important aspect of the tale is nevertheless represented. Our POV, a midwife instead of a good fairy, has the cheekiest voice that never fails to amuse (especially while she's noting that gunman's looks!)

Guardian of Our Beauty: We travel far back in time and to a foreign yet familiar land set in a time of ziggurats and leviathans and pagan gods. Our heroine is determined to fulfill a prophecy and save her land, but she wishes it required more than just sleeping for hundred years. As it happens, the prophecy will require much more, as her special gifts and bright determination will need to help guide an unlikely hero to save her land.

The Ghost of Briardale: Delightfully wonky and so creative. Elves, dwarves, swamp-beasts, and yes, even true heroes a thing of the past. Believe in them or anything else strange (like say, a ghost) and you get declared insane and toted off the asylum in the dense, dangerous swamp. But as that ghost won't keep harassing our poor hapless hero, he might just need to listen up to her pleas and save the elf kingdom concealed in the asylum, wake the sleeping princess, and overthrow the vengeful witch...Really cute characters, surprising twists!

Spindle Cursed: Following a more classic old fantasy feel, we are deeply acquainted with the valiant prince (girls, he's a legit knight in shining armor without wearing...the armor...), his faithful 2nd-hand man, the princess frustrated by the lack of true love in all previous kisses she's received, her kooky fairy guardian, and the cunning Lady Regent whose chance has finally come to claim control of the kingdom--after all, when one has a dragon, who tells you no? Oh, that's right--knights in shining armor. And 2nd-hand mans, princesses, and kooky faeries might just want in on some of that action too...

Out of the Tomb: Okay, the first thing I did was zip to this final story because I've been wanting to read that ever since seeing its summary.

JUST WOW

THIS is my type of girl and guy story....

When embittered survivalist, tomb raider Tanza, accidentally wakes a missing prince from his 100 year stasis sleep, she discovers she's not so heartless as to abandon him, especially since his last memories were of tortured near death at the hands of the rebels that went on to destroy his entire kingdom and family. Things have changed since then. Their world has been taken over the alien human empire, bringing in new technologies, corruptions, and conveniences. While the prince's royal roots may have been rotten, he himself took on the responsibility of the 14 virtue names given him that were supposed to guide him through life. Of course, Tanza's difficult life has no room for virtue and Prince Auren will just have to learn the hard way...

Every aspect of this story is flawless and gripping! Yes, its sci-fi, but a world just coming out of a post-revolution and regicide era, where old cars are still sputtering about, and vengeful terrorists strike without mercy. Our heroes struggles, sacrifices, and triumphs are truly something to cheer.