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Mistress of the Windby Michelle Diener
New Adult/Sci-Fi Fantasy
Paperback, 342 pages
Expected publication: December 19th 2013
Bjorn needs to find a very special woman . . .
The fate of his people, and his own life, depends on it. But when he does find her, she is nothing like he imagined, and may just harbor more secrets than he does himself.
Astrid has never taken well to commands. No matter who issues them . . .
She's clashed her whole life with her father, and now her lover, the mysterious man who comes to her bedroom in darkness and disappears to guard his mountain by day as a bear, is finding it out the hard way. And when he's taken by his enemies, no one is prepared for Astrid's response.
It is never wise to anger the mistress of the wind . . .
A captivating and magical adult retelling of the fairy tale East of the Sun, West of the Moon.
Praise for Mistress of the Wind:
“Diener’s adaptation retains the familiar elements of the original, echoing both the structure and spirit of the classic, but true to form, she puts her own spin both the plot and the narrative, crafting an intricately alluring tale of self-sacrifice, steadfast devotion and enduring love.“ Flashlight Commentary
“The story is fast-paced and never boring, the world a beauty and Michelle’s writing so wonderfully detailed that I felt I was with Bjorn and Astrid on their journey.“ Book Bird Reviews
"Author Michelle Diener takes this re-telling to another level. She doesn’t restrict herself to an East of the Sun, West of the moon retelling. Instead we are also given parts reminiscent of Psyche’s quest. Which just allowed for a much more richer story." Paperback Wonderland
We first meet Bjorn and start to learn about his deal with Norga, his stepmother who's a troll and turned him into a bear. Then we meet Astrid who is outside working and can feel someone watching her so she runs into her house. Bjorn believes he's found the woman he needs to help him defeat Norga--Astrid. He approaches her father who wants to make sure he'll receive something for turning Astrid over to a bear. Astrid willingly leaves with Bjorn and some of her family is happy with the deal while others aren't. Astrid learns more about Bjorn but he's not able to answer all of her questions, which means she does something he's repeatedly begged her not to do and she learns what the consequence is. Will she be able to save him or has she lost him forever?
Astrid grew a lot in this book. I was a bit uncomfortable with how easily her family turned her over to a bear, knowing that he was planning to "have her" and couldn't marry her. She did go willingly but didn't understand all she was agreeing to. There is one adult bedroom scene which goes into some detail and after that, ongoing sex is implied. Honestly, I think the story would have been fine without it and would have made it a story I would feel comfortable sharing with others, especially older teens.
[This book is based on the fairy tale East of the Sun, West of the Moon, and the author does discuss in a guest post why she kept the sexual relationship intact. I'm not personally familiar with this fairy tale so I didn't realize that it is, indeed, part of the original story and she gives more insight into the motivation of the heroine to get the hero back. You can read more of Ms. Diener's thoughts about this and other unusual aspects here.]
Astrid started out seeming a bit mousy but we did get some insights which showed that she wasn't someone that was going to give up and go home. She didn't realize, either, what powers she possessed until she decided to do her best to get Bjorn back. Bjorn is also very likable and they have a great connection. Then there are some secondary characters which add to the story and are fun to learn about. I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first half and towards the end, I couldn't put it down.
My Rating=3.5 Stars
Astrid grew a lot in this book. I was a bit uncomfortable with how easily her family turned her over to a bear, knowing that he was planning to "have her" and couldn't marry her. She did go willingly but didn't understand all she was agreeing to. There is one adult bedroom scene which goes into some detail and after that, ongoing sex is implied. Honestly, I think the story would have been fine without it and would have made it a story I would feel comfortable sharing with others, especially older teens.
[This book is based on the fairy tale East of the Sun, West of the Moon, and the author does discuss in a guest post why she kept the sexual relationship intact. I'm not personally familiar with this fairy tale so I didn't realize that it is, indeed, part of the original story and she gives more insight into the motivation of the heroine to get the hero back. You can read more of Ms. Diener's thoughts about this and other unusual aspects here.]
Astrid started out seeming a bit mousy but we did get some insights which showed that she wasn't someone that was going to give up and go home. She didn't realize, either, what powers she possessed until she decided to do her best to get Bjorn back. Bjorn is also very likable and they have a great connection. Then there are some secondary characters which add to the story and are fun to learn about. I enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first half and towards the end, I couldn't put it down.
My Rating=3.5 Stars
Michelle Diener writes historical fiction. Her Susanna Horenbout & John Parker series, set in the court of Henry VIII, includes In a Treacherous Court, Keeper of the King's Secrets and In Defense of the Queen.Michelle's other historical novels include Daughter of the Sky, The Emperor's Conspiracy and Banquet of Lies (loosely connected to The Emperor's Conspiracy).
Michelle's first fantasy novel, Mistress of the Wind, is set for a December 23, 2013, release.
Michelle was born in London, grew up in South Africa and currently lives in Australia with her husband and two children.
International Giveaway:
10 copies of Mistress of the Wind, Kindle or print, winner's choice.
Check out each stop on the tour!
12/29: Launch
12/30: My Seryniti
12/31: Kelly P's Blog
+ Giveaway Breaking News for Indonesia
1/1: Mel's Shelves
1/2: Mythical Books
+ Tressa's Wishful Endings
1/3: Brooke Blogs
1/5: Leeanna.me
1/6: The Book Landers
1/7: So Many Reads
+ Deal Sharing Aunt
1/8: My Devotional Thoughts
+ Colorimetry
1/9: Tome Tender
1/10: saeit yahalomi
1/12: The Reading Diaries
+ Bookish Outsider
1/13: The Wonderings of One Person
1/14: Dalene's Book Reviews
+ A Greater Yes
1/15: A Backwards Story
1/16: Addicted Readers
1/17: Grand Finale
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3 comments:
I would love to live a fairy tale but i like it to be me. we can always dream lol denise smith denise226@verizon.net
Not sure I would want to live a Fairy Tale. Too much bad stuff happens before the HEA.
Good point, Mary! Although, that's also where the growth occurs.
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