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Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author/publisher to The Pagan & The Pen Book Reviews. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

Aug 20, 2010

Pelzmantel And Other Tales of Medieval Magic by K. A. Laity

THE PAGAN & THE PEN BOOK REVIEWS

Title: Pelzmantel And Other Tales of Medieval Magic

Author: K. A. Laity  

Author Site

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Publisher: Immanion Press
Genre: Fantasy
Length: 264 pgs.

RATINGS FOR:
Cover: 4
Presentation: 4
Editing: 4
Story: 4
Writing Ability: 5

Overall Card Rating


Reviewed by: Gabrielle

About The Book: Excerpt: A woman who's a fox—a kitchen maid who's a princess—and a walnut with a
wardrobe!


Princess Hallgerd hides where no one will be likely to find her: working as a cook's dogsbody, lighting fires, peeling potatoes, and toting kettles. Her only friend is Nanna, her family's longtime caregiver. On the plus side, she's found out that 'Nanna' is really Carae Mná, a centuries-old Irish witch.


On the minus side, they're both in hiding from the witch's oldest enemy, a mage who has taken over Hallgerd's father and her land. How can Hallgerd win back her home and Nanna her human skin?


And what about that wardrobe in the walnut?


Pelzmantel spins a tale of medieval magic where people and things are seldom what they seem to be on the surface. Infused with genuine magical lore and history, this inspired retelling of the Grimm Brothers' "Allerleirau" uncovers the seldom-glimpsed world behind the glitz: the hard work that keeps a castle running and the secrets lives of women in the Middle Ages. This edition includes three additional magical stories (one never before published) and an essay on medieval magic.


The Review:
K. A. Laity is a wonderful storyteller. She does a great job of immersing the reader into the world that she has built. I truly enjoyed losing myself in the lives of these characters making me feel like a young child again listening to the fantastical bedtime Fairy tales of witches and castles and dreaming of being a Princess myself.
As we watch the princess Hallgerd grow up and blossom under the care of Nanna she endears herself to the reader.  Showing what a strong and smart woman she has become. Willing to fight for her people and what is right. We cheer the princess on as she races to find her champion and hope that she and Nanna will triumph over the evil that has taken over her land. Their adventure is filled with magic and lore. Along the way they make many friends as Nanna teaches the Princess that it is more important to be fair and care for others making the reader remembers the old saying, “ Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”.
This is a story that is well written and full of emotion and it should not be missed. Included with this story are three other shorts just as engrossing and an essay, which is just as interesting as the stories.
Pagan Elements: Yes this book is full of magic and song. This book also contains many related beliefs and ides as well.

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Disclaimer: Due to FTC regulations, any book reviewed on this site was sent for free by the author to The Pagan & The Pen. We are not paid to give reviews by Author or Publisher. Once review has been made, said books are deleted.

1 comments:

C. Margery Kempe said...

Thanks for a thoughtful review: I'm delighted that you enjoyed my novel and even more pleased that you liked the essay, too. I enjoy having a chance to talk about medieval magic.

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