4.6 Stars Out Of 5
4.6 out of 5
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4.7 out Of 5
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Value:
4.7 out Of 5
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Meets Expectations:
4.7 out Of 5
(4.7 out of 5)
94%
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Displaying items 1-5 of 17
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  1. Lala
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Another Powerful Message!
    December 26, 2013
    Lala
    Age: 18-24
    Gender: female
    Quality: 4
    Value: 4
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Anne Elisabeth Stengel writes another fantastic book in this series! Just when I think her novels can't get any better and are the best yet, she surprises me and does even better with the next novel! "Dragonwitch" was definitely no exception!

    I'll admit that for a while in the beginning I was lost and confused. I had read the entire series previously, but I felt there was a lot going on and it took me a while to catch up. However once I did, the story really took me off on an exciting journey!

    All the mortals were extremely flawed characters and were so easy to relate to. They all struggled with some kind of doubt concerning the realness of Faerie stories they had learned from a child. They would eventually have to face their ideas/beliefs when meeting these people of legends. Are they going to believe their words of truth or are they going to be so full of doubt that their eyes won't open to the power of their words? This is a question that the characters struggle with throughout "Dragonwitch," with some of the characters believing in what they thought didn't exist and others not really seeing the true light!

    Something that has blown me away with each one of Anne's novel is the powerful message she writes throughout the series. Someone might ask "How can any fantasy novel have a Biblical message?". Well Anne definitely answers this question with a big YES throughout Tales of Goldstone Woord. The message in "Dragonwtich" left me tear-eyed, which was Jesus is our living water and has called us to a greater purpose. There are other inner lying messages, but this one was superior to them all. People might view themselves as a person of no beauty, worthless, different, doubtful, and many other negative thoughts that the devil wants us to believe. The reason being is because he knows if we live and believe these thoughts then we will never truly embrace the calling that Jesus has spoken over our lives and won't be able to walk the path He has laid for us. He died on the cross so that we may have living water, but we as people have to believe and trust in Him. It doesn't matter if He calls/tells to do something that would seem impossible to not only us, but everyone around. He makes us a new creation through our faith in Him so that we truly can do the impossible through His name and fulfill the purpose He had for us since the beginning of time.

    I strongly encourage anyone to read this novel who loves the typical fantasy of goblins, dragons, and a beautiful unicorn because not only are the characters unforgettable, but the storyline has a message that will not be easily forgotten as well.
  2. Josi
    Baker City, OR
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Philosophical, fantastical, truly unique
    June 27, 2013
    Josi
    Baker City, OR
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    Author Anne Elisabeth Stengl delivers an incredible adventure, dynamic characters, and a complex, philosophical plot in Dragonwitch, the 5th book in the "Tales of Goldstone Wood" series. The power of love over hate, good over evil, and forgiveness over bitterness are themes that are woven into this allegorical, fantastical story of goblins, faeries, witches, and mortals. God's desire to use weak, foolish, or despised things for His purpose and His glory, His ability to make us strong in our weakness, and the peace that comes in accepting His will for our lives are also topics that are figuratively alluded to throughout this novel. Dragonwitch addresses the idea that one can be willfully blind and bound to a belief, as well as the thought that a person can give her life trying to attain something only to discover that what she sought was ultimately meaningless, and in fact, a lie. Deeper still runs the philosophical thread that is the main theme of this story: that one's belief- or disbelief- in something does not affect the truth of what is. Indeed, Dragonwitch is laden with incidental bits of metaphysical and religious philosophy, making it one of the best, and certainly one of the deepest, Christian novels I've read in quite a long time. I have not read the first four books in this series, and I readily admit I haven't read much of this genre of literature at all...in fact, I read this book because it looked so bizarrely different from anything I normally read that I thought I should give it a try for that reason alone. In doing so I inadvertently became one of Ms. Stengl's biggest fans. Dragonwitch is a brilliant allegory, a finely crafted story, and altogether unique Christian fiction. Its appeal is suitable to a broad reading base, from young teens to adults, and certainly to Christians or non-Christians alike. This is one of those rare fiction books you will read, highlight, contemplate, and want to pass on to others.

    I received a complimentary copy of this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
  3. Katharina
    North Carolina
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Another great tale from Goldstone Wood!
    August 25, 2013
    Katharina
    North Carolina
    Age: 25-34
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    As I've said time and again, the degree to which all the stories in this series are woven together is astounding. I've read the books as they come out and have only reread Heartless so I know I haven't caught all the references but they're there folks, they're there.

    In Dragonwitch we finally get to hear the full story of the brothers Akilun and Etanun. We find out what happened to Starflower's land after she left it. We also learn more about the goblin kingdom. And it's the very fascinating tale of a scribe, a scrubber, a betrothed girl and the heir-apparent. But there's more to them than meets the eye.

    The ageless themes of beauty, loneliness, love, family-ties, loyalty and forgiveness are all expertly woven into this tale.

    If you love adventure, fantasy, clean fiction, an epic fight that stretches over centuries, a dash of romance and everyone's favorite cat Eanrin, then this is a book for you.

    Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher on behalf of the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
  4. tropix
    TEXAS
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    Complex at first...stick with it! Rewarding!
    August 13, 2013
    tropix
    TEXAS
    Age: 35-44
    Gender: female
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    "In the divine, we find the satisfaction of contradictions. We find the wholeness of broken things and belief in the impossible." Eanrin, the Chief Poet of Rubidos (who sometimes happens to be a cat).

    Dragonwitch by Anne Elisabeth Stengl is a tale of a formidable realm on the verge of crowning its first king. The House of Geheris is the seat of power for Earl Ferox. His able administration over the land has given him favor with neighboring earls of the North Country. They are sure to pledge their allegiance to House of Geheris and become one, unified kingdom.

    The problem is, the aging and ill Ferox has no heir. It's been arranged for his nephew Alistair to be groomed for the position of future earl . . . and, presumably, king. But, as fairytales must go, there is nothing straightforward about Alistair's destiny. Between studies that he loathes, a bride-to-be who is a virtual stranger, and a reoccurring nightmare that plunders his sleep, the young man is a wreck. All this before anything of importance actually happens to Alistair, or for that matter, in the story. One thing that stands out: he is a broken and despondent person.

    This tale of prophecy and predicaments, nursery rhymes and revelations, goblins and faeries, is really three tales that weave together into one reality. The different layers were a bit hard to piece together at first, but I believe that was intentional. Watching the threads intertwine became a delight. The author's transcendent Christian worldview glowed within each stratum, yet never glared.

    Those of us that love Christ and fantasy have had limited reading material until the last few years (one reason I've taken to writing in this genre myself). The stalwarts of allegory, Lewis and Tolkien, have played the game with a sparse team for quite a seventh-inning stretch. It's great to see Christian publishers, like Bethany House, scouting some serious talent.

    Dragonwitch is a heavy hitter on this allegorical team. The beauty of the author's prose, the depths of truth that were portrayed, and the stellar character development, all made for one pleasurable read. I found myself digging for a pen to underline poignant reminders of the reality that exists, even in fairytales.

    Especially in fairytales.

    With adept skill, Stengl offers readers an adventure that encompasses legend, the supernatural, and life within the walls of palace and pagan lands. Such depth in storytelling makes a brief review a challenge. I cannot offer a nutshell synopsis of the highlights, for there were too many.

    Instead, I'll leave you with a recommendation to get Dragonwitch for yourself (as an aside, I do not care for the title. Seems a bit melodramatic for such a savvy tale. And I wish two of the main characters had not had such similar names. I struggled to keep them straight throughout). Beyond that, I found this book a page-turner and a solid motivator for my own writing.

    I will also leave you with another quote from my favorite character, Eanrin, the Chief Poet of Rudiobus:

    "Creature of dust, it's the truth that counts! And you'll rarely find more truth than in Faerie tales."

    **I was provided with a free copy of this book from Bethany House in exchange for my honest review.
  5. Maria
    5 Stars Out Of 5
    June 7, 2013
    Maria
    Quality: 5
    Value: 5
    Meets Expectations: 5
    I can not even tell you how excited I was that I got approved to read Dragonwitch!!! It's the fifth book in "The Tales of Goldstone Wood", and I'm already super excited for the sixth book! To say I love Anne Elisabeth Stengl's books is a gross understatement. haha Seriously, though this is one of the best fantasy series I have ever read. If you haven't read any of her books, you need to buy them or check them out of the library because I'm telling you, you won't regret it! The descriptions, the cultures, the whole world is so different, and it entranced me from the very beginning. I just love the unique twists she puts on things. On to the review. :-)

    Lady Leta of Aiven has never met her betrothed, Lord Alistair who is the future king of Castle Gaheris. She journeys to the castle as per her father's command, and once there realizes they would never be a good match. When she meets the castle Chronicler, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to him. But behind his gruffness, sorrow and myriad insecurities battle for supremacy. Who is the Chronicler really?

    Alistair has been having horrible nightmares and has been unable to rest because of them. As he battles with his sanity, a gate begans to open between the faeries and mortals that lets in horrible creatures. They come seeking only one thing - the rightful heir.

    Starflower is back in her homeland again, but this time her country is ruled by what the people call the goddess but is really the dragonwitch. For years the dragonwitch has been searching for Etanun's sword, and she is determined to secure it before it can kill her a third and final time.

    Of course, Eanrin is in this book, too. ;-) His character is too funny, and he keeps me wanting to read. If you have read the other four books, then this book won't disappoint you! It is still as magical and engaging as ever. And if this is the first book you've read in this series, you'll fall in love with her mythical, magical lands. I was eagerly turning the pages to see how all of the conflict was going to be resolved. I love the well-rounded, realistic characters, and the addition of more new characters alongside Starflower and Eanrin. But I have to say... I really what to know when those two are going to get together!!! And the characters from Moonblood, too. Maybe soon. :-)

    I was given this book free from NetGalley as long as I review it. I am not required to give a positive review.

    *Dragonwitch will be available July 15th!*
Displaying items 1-5 of 17
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