An Occasionally Grim Fairy Tale: Desiderata, Book One (Desiderata Series 1)

by Ann M Noser

[kimbacaffeinate]

Prince Bane Baronne is in search of a wife with a mystical bloodline to bear him the heir of prophecy. He searches the kingdom far and wide with the aid of his seer. His search brings him to the county where sisters,  Maria and Anna Leon reside.

Maria and Anna can speak to plant life and bend them to their will. On the verge of financial ruin, their parents push Anna towards the young prince, and soon Bane believes he has found his vessel. The two become engaged, and the family is settled into the castle. When Anna learns more about Bane, she seeks the help of the stable boy to aid her escape. Convinced she is dead, Bane sets his eyes on Maria and soon they are wed. Suspenseful and dark the tale that unfolds was captivating as the night of the prophesized birth approaches.

Noser created quite the tale that spans two generations as the chosen one comes of age. Dark magic, secrets, deception and a ruthless King intent on power made for an addictive tale. 

The story centers around the prophecy and shares different POVs from Maria to a Sister who hides a secret. It was all rather clever and suspenseful. This is light fantasy and falls into the young adult category, but with its historical tones, it can be enjoyed by young and old.

Dragons, slayers, shifters, giants, and magic fill the pages as secrets and betrayal run rampant. I loved the thread concerning the prophecy and the discovery that there was more to it. We get a few romantic threads and an unacted upon triangle, but Noser handled it all smashingly.

The tale has dark tones and plenty of suspenseful and action-packed scenes as it builds to the climatic outcome. While this is the first in the Desiderata series, it is a complete story from beginning to end as Noser wraps things up the main storyline and romantic threads. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer