stefu1
Written on Jun 23, 2016
In her third book about the delightful Woodcutter sisters, Alethea Kontis masterfully weaves "The Wild Swans," "The Goose Girl," and a few other fine-feathered fairy tales into a magical, romantic companion novel to Enchanted and Hero.
Readers met the Woodcutter sisters (named after the days of the week) in Enchanted and Hero. In this delightful third book, Alethea Kontis weaves together some fine-feathered fairy tales to focus on Friday Woodcutter, the kind and loving seamstress. When Friday stumbles upon seven sleeping brothers in her sister Sunday's palace, she takes one look at Tristan and knows he's her future. But the brothers are cursed to be swans by day. Can Friday's unique magic somehow break the spell?
- ISBN10 054407372X
- ISBN13 9780544073722
- Publish Date 3 February 2015
- Publish Status Active
- Publish Country US
- Imprint Houghton Mifflin
- Format eBook
- Pages 293
- Language English
Reviews
ladygrey
Written on Apr 18, 2015
I liked that it wasn't what I expected. After Friday left in Enchanted, I expected this to pick up with her adventures in the North. I think that's one of the reasons I wasn't eager to start it. Another adventure off in another kingdom just didn't excite me. But a story in Arilland where there's characters I already know was really fun.
And I liked that the end you expect wasn't really the end. It left so much room for the story to become unpredictable. With each novel, Kontis expands her universe and develops the magic in it. The one thing I was hoping for, however, was more of the unfolding arc of this series. Unfortunately, the circumstances of this book's publishing prevented some of that. But I'm excited to see where Kontis takes the larger story as she moves into self-publishing.
I'll also be curious to see if/how that changes the tone of the stories. This one enters into some dark areas but does so almost elegantly. It's not obscure or unclear but it also doesn't darken the whole book or drag it into distasteful realms. Some of Kontis' self-published short stories aren't as subtle but I hope she keeps the tone of the first three as the series continues.
The characters, of course, were good. I liked that Friday is sweet and content with being content and still she is dimensional and interesting. I liked Tristan a lot, though I was confused with Philippe at the end. She did a surprising job of keeping all the other brothers distinct (except the twins but they're twins). And it was so much fun to have Sunday, Monday, Velius, Rumbold and Peter and Jack Sr. I'd have liked even more of them.
I would have also liked a little more ending. Returning to Arilland took like 2 paragraphs and while I didn't need an in depth scene, a few more sentences drawing out a few of the descriptions wouldn't have hurt. And I lost a very tiny thread at the very end where it seemed like something was going to come back around but then it didn't but I seemed to be the only one to notice so...
Still, this is another good book in a lovely fairy tale series.
bookishzelda
Written on Feb 12, 2015
Friday Woodcutter is gentle, patient, kind and selfless and at first I thought that would be nauseating. Friday however, is also humorous, witty and strong. She is also an empath which often causes her to have strong immediate emotional connections to people. Which is where her plight of often falling in love comes from. Alethea has this magical way of having characters wait their turn to shine. Although she remained in the background of the other books she really pulls front and center for Dearest. I adored her and wanted to be her best friend. I also want her to sew me a patchwork skirt.
Tristan is a cutie. He has this innocence about the way he loves that fits Friday perfectly. I’m not sure the best way to explain it. I also really loved his brothers and the way they banter and fight with one another and of course our silent sister.
I loved that this focused on the Fairy Tale of the seven swans and not only that but also another story that I am familiar with. It shows up at the end of the book so I won’t give it away but it involves baths and immortality. (I watched something on the history channel about it). The story is so fast moving I flew through the book (like a swan, get it, ha!) but it was just so engaging. So many wonderful things come together to keep the plot moving. So many wonderful characters.
We find out more about the man with yellow eyes!! Do you remember him?? I hope you do.
I’m always sad when these books end because you get so wrapped up in the Woodcutter family. I could just keep reading about them forever. I hope to be looking forward to Thursday’s book next? The pirate sister?? yes please?? I’m pretty sure Alethea has a bit of magic herself.