So ... I was supposed to post this yesterday and didn't. For ... reasons. I need to stop being late with these posts, but ... anywho.
Yesterday, my good friend R.R. Goodwill published her debut novel Prince Nácil, an exciting historical fiction portal fantasy that you need to go read right now, and I'll tell you why.
1. The worldbuilding is gorgeous. An interesting take on the fae and elves, I'm quite in love with it. There's a lot of lore packed into this world, and we've only gotten a first glimpse at it. Honestly, this author is one to watch, and I look forward to reading more about this wonderful world.
2. It feels like you're reading a classic novel. It's that rich and poetic. I'd 100% recommend this book to any fan of E. Nesbit or Elizabeth Goudge, or even Lewis or Tolkien! Goodwill is also an author who does not shy away from her faith, so I'm also down to recommend this book to fans of Martha Finley as well!
3. Adorable kids. One of my favorite things in books is when kids are involved, and they're actually important to the plot - and this book has Jane and Howard. They're both radically different in personalities, but they're both awesome, and their friendship was such fun. Also, the day could not have been saved without them, so kids, let no one decry your youth!
4. Also, elderly ladies helping save the day. Now, Mrs. Whitaker, Jane's Grandmother, was awesome, but who I fell in love with was Miss Prescott, Mrs. Whitaker's sister. Miss Prescott was the girl who spent her time in books, she was even a librarian, if I remember right, and it's left her quite genre savvy. Since an adventure has finally fallen into her lap after all these years - you'd better believe she's making the most of it!
5. The saving power of love. So ... something neither Goodwill or I realized until I was discussing the book in a forum, but ... it's a very subtle Sleeping Beauty retelling! After ... things ... went down, Victor/Nacil was banished from his home country with a curse that he would die if he ever returned. BUT, the person delivering the curse added the modifier (ala Sleeping Beauty) that if he won the heart of an Elven maiden within thirty days of his return, it would break said curse. And then he's gone a hundred years before he gets tempted into returning.
I do want to put in a caveat that the romance is the one place where the book almost fell apart for me, as I spent a good while yelling at a certain Elven maiden that she needs to just speak up and communicate. Whatever she thinks he thinks of her, I think he would prefer to live, but ... communication is one of the points of the book, and they wind up quite adorable, so...
Anywho, caveat aside, go read this gorgeous book.
Book Description:
From the moment Victor Greenwood sets foot in the old farmhouse of Willowmere,
Mrs. Whitaker and her family take the friendless drifter under their wings as
one of their own. Deeply touched by their kindness, Victor delights them with
his stories about the Elven-king Othniel and Jael his queen, forming a special
bond with Mrs. Whitaker’s nine-year-old granddaughter, Jane.
But several odd occurrences indicate that Victor is more than he admits to.
When the secret of his heritage threatens Jane’s safety, he sets out for the
homeland he has long been banished from, to find Jane and return her home.
Unbeknownst to his friends, Victor is doomed to die thirty days after setting
foot on his native soil, with only one hope of breaking the curse. But surely
thirty days is far too short a time to find True Love...
Purchase Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0896R3JK2/
Add Book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53486569-prince-n-cil
About the Author:
R.R.
Goodwill began writing at the age of eight, eventually finding her niche in the
fascinating realm of fantasy. Taking inspiration from J.R.R Tolkien, C.S.
Lewis, Faerie-tales, and folklore, Goodwill uses her God-given talents and
active imagination to weave a bit of Truth among her works of fiction.
Find her online at: Blog || Goodreads
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July 1st
