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Books » Fiction & Literature » Fairy Tales
The Fairy Godmother
http://www.fishpond.com.au/Books/Fairy-Godmother-Mercedes-Lackey/9780373802456
By
Mercedes Lackey
This item is currently unavailable.We will email you when this item comes back into stock. | Rating: | | | Format: | Paperback, 496 pages | | Release Date: | November 2004 | The beloved fantasy author turns traditional fairy tales on their heads with this new tale. "Putting a fresh face to a well-loved fairytale is not an easy task, but it is one that seems effortless to the prolific Lackey."--"Publishers Weekly." ReviewsThe prolific Lackey (the Valdemar series) draws on the darker, Brothers Grimm side of fairy lore for her enchanting tale, the first title under a new Harlequin imprint to spotlight romantic fantasy. In the land of the Five Hundred Kingdoms, the Tradition, that ineffable magic, holds the promise of happily-ever-after for all deserving young maidens and courteous princes charming. But the Tradition also leads some in its thrall to pain, suffering and gruesome death. Feisty 19-year-old Elena Klovis seems destined to be an Ella of the Cinders (Cinderella), at the mercy of her wicked stepmother and greedy stepsisters. To escape their clutches, Elena tries to get work as a maidservant, but her fairy godmother, Madame Bella, has other plans for her. Elena becomes Madame Bella's apprentice, doing her best, among other challenges, to ensure that evil does not subvert Tradition. The only problem is that fairy godmothers are not themselves allowed to fall in love. It's up to Elena, who has vowed to reform a wayward prince, to tease out the threads of a new Tradition. Lackey has created an intelligent, self-possessed heroine with whom many readers will identify. (Jan.) Forecast: Romantic fantasy has been one of the fastest-growing subgenres, and Luna will keep up the momentum with new novels by Catherine Asaro and Sarah Zettel in February and March, respectively. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information. Launching Harlequin's new Luna fantasy imprint, veteran sf and fantasy writer Lackey spins a charming tale of myth, magic, and fairytale lore laced with romance and set in a world where The Tradition tries its magical-and surreptitious-best to force the characters into their "legendary" roles. But things sometimes go awry, and when Elena is denied her predestined Cinderella role because her kingdom's prince is too young, she is chosen as an apprentice by the local Fairy Godmother and ends up creating a legend of her own. A spirited, resourceful, though somewhat impulsive heroine, a prince who needs to learn a lesson in manners, humility, and compassion, and a host of magical creatures-including some delightful house elves and besotted unicorns-result in a lively, humorous fantasy romance. However, it is the compelling world that Lackey has created that truly makes the book come alive. Original, fascinating, and full of marvelous potential, the Five Hundred Kingdoms is a setting that simply begs for future stories-and given Lackey's publishing record, we just might be lucky enough to get them. Lackey is noted for her Valdemar series (Exile's Valor: A Novel of Valdemar) and lives in Oklahoma. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information. |
| Publisher: | Luna Books | | ISBN: | 0373802455 |
| EAN: | 9780373802456 | | Dimensions: | 16.92 x 10.67 x 3.38 centimeters (0.23 kg) |
| Age Range: |
15+ years |
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Reviews
5.0
out of 5 based on
8
reviews.
 – Customer review on 27/10/2009
A twist on the well loved tale of cinderella. Mercedes Lackely has written a book rich with character, intrigue and a sense of humour . A truely compelling read of fairie, magic and romance.
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– Customer review on 20/05/2009
The beginning of a simply amazing series which reinvents fairytales like I've never seen before.
Elena was supposed to star in her very own Cinderella story, but with a prince who is much too young what's a girl to do? Well in the five hundred kingdoms let's just say it wouldn't be fun. Enter a fairy godmother who offers her a new path, and perhaps a chance at love on her own terms.
This book answers some interesting questions; Where do the fairy godmothers come from? How can you change a fairytale? And how can you keep the tragedy that turns up in so many fairytales at bay?
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5.0
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– Customer review on 27/01/2007
She was to be Cinderella but her prince was just a tad too young for her. What is she to do with all this magical Tradition hanging around her. So she takes up the job of Fairygodmother. One of her tasks is to test young Knights for basic virtues so they didn't get themselves killed in their Trials. Feeling a little perverse she changes on of the princes into a ass. It is a lovely story and a great read.
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– Customer review on 15/01/2007
In a world that is controlled by a magical force called Tradition, which forces people to lead a life reflected by fairy tales. Elena is a doomed Cinderalla, but her "handsome prince" is merely a child. She trys to take her destiny in her own hands, when her Fairy Godmother swoops down, and tells her Elena has the makings of the next Fairy Godmother of the kingdom (least one of five hundred), she really has no choice but to go with her. Elena is trained, and encoutners many magical creatures along the way. She enforces justice without mercy, on all the creatures under her authority,even on handsome but arogant princes called Alexander. This a wonderful story of magic, love, and taking your destiny into your own hands.
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5.0
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– Customer review on 26/10/2006
Totally breathtakingly magical. You don't have to be a little girl to enjoy this fantasy. It's one for all ages. Lose yourself in a world of magic and splendor for a while and enjoy....This one is a keeper. Simply STUNNING! Wouldn't go past it!
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– Customer review on 29/08/2006
A fantastic tale! One of the few books that, when I finished it, I returned to the start and read it through again, I just didn't want to leave Elena's world. Lackey has surpassed herself with this new concept using old fairy tales and giving them a quirky purpose and reason for their existence. As well as magic and intrigue there is a bit of earthy romance which I also enjoyed. Buy this book, you'll never stop reading it!
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5.0
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– Customer review on 02/06/2006
The fairy god mother: a tale of the five hundred
I loved this book. I thought that it was well thought of and well written. It really does bring back the old classics with a new twist. I think that many people will enjoy and also love this book just as much as I have. Five out of five stars for this book.
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– Customer review on 09/03/2006
The powerful force of tradition intended Elena to be a Cinderella, except that her prince was only eleven when Elena turned twenty-one. When her evil stepmother decides to try other lands for fortune, Elena is abandoned and forced to come up with a future of her own. She decides to become a servant--and at least get paid for working for others. Instead, a Fairy Godmother takes her on as an apprentice. The magical potential that has built up in her through the frustrated tradition gives her huge magical powers. Which she'll need, because tradition forces the inhabitants of her kingdoms into preset ways--some of which are positive and nice, but others of which are quite dark and evil. Elena, even aided by brownies and unicorns, has a lot to do.
When Prince Alexander behaves rudely to what he thinks is an old woman but is really Elena in test mode, she turns him into a donkey and brings him home to reform him. Which is fine as long as Alexander stays a donkey, but when he turns back into a man, attraction sizzles, which is a problem. Tradition doesn't hold with Fairy Godmothers having lovers, at least not lovers who don't betray them. And Elena is determined not to follow that tradition.
Author Mercedes Lackey melds together a number of fairy tale traditions to create a compelling story of fairie, magic, and romance. Elena is a strong character, who, as her brownies point out, would be wasted in the largely decorative role of princess. Alexander starts out something of a jerk, but manages to redeem himself through hard work and serious thought. A strong action sequence closes out the story answering readers who wonder whether Elena and Alexander will be able to create a new tradition where they can explore the strong attraction between them.
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