Enchanted by Alethea Kontis

Enchanted (Woodcutter Sisters, #1)

by Alethea Kontis

It isn't easy being the rather overlooked and unhappy youngest sibling to sisters named for the other six days of the week. Sunday's only comfort is writing stories, although what she writes has a terrible tendency to come true.

When Sunday meets an enchanted frog who asks about her stories, the two become friends. Soon that friendship deepens into something magical. One night Sunday kisses her frog goodbye and leaves, not realizing that her love has transformed him back into Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland--and a man Sunday's family despises.

The prince returns to his castle, intent on making Sunday fall in love with him as the man he is, not the frog he was. But Sunday is not so easy to woo. How can she feel such a strange, strong attraction for this prince she barely knows? And what twisted secrets lie hidden in his past--and hers?

Reviewed by kimbacaffeinate on

4 of 5 stars

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Enchanted by Alethea Kontis is the first book in the Woodcutter Sisters series, and was my first audio book experience. Thanks to Sync I was able to enjoy this for free. Carrying around my smart phone with ear buds as I cleaned and cooked was fun and I am so glad this particular book was my first. Three word review: magical, humorous and engaging.
Enchanted is a magical blend of familiar fairy tales from Rapunzel to Jack and the Beanstalk. We meet Sunday the woodcutter’s daughter who has befriended an enchanted frog. One evening Sunday kisses her from goodnight, not realizing that he is Rumbold, the crown prince of Arilland, sworn enemy of her family. But the heart loves who it chooses. A ball, evil stepmother, magic and feelings for a prince she hardly knows turns Sunday’s world upside down. The tale that unfolds is enchanting as one fairy tale blends into another keeping me thoroughly entertained.

The woodcutter’s children are all named after days of the week. Kontis did a wonderful job of giving them each their voice. Sunday is delightful, strong and a perfect heroine. Rumbold is a times stuffy and unsure, but he slowly comes into his own. The romance is cute, and perfect for this fable. Some of the the siblings really stood out and I am looking forward to their stories. There are humorous secondary characters and villains to keep the reader engaged.

Katherine Kellgren did a lovely job with the audio, from pitch to pacing, she enabled me to see the story unfold. Listening to a book is so different from reading one, and I actually had to train myself to focus since there was nothing visual keeping my mind occupied. Once I got the hang of it the tale unfolded at a wonderful pace. I loved all the tales the author weaved into the story. She blended them seamlessly and none of it felt forced. The world-building was wonderful and the castle and surrounding woods came to life. Adults and children alike would enjoy this and I think this would make a great road trip book. While this is part of a series, it ends with closure after a climactic scene. I can easily see why this was in the top ten in the category: Best Fiction for Young Adult in 2013.

Copy received free from sync and originally published @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer

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  • Started reading
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  • Started reading
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  • 1 September, 2013: Reviewed