kay_slayerofbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Short and Sweet
Although this was an extremely short story it packed a lot in 4 chapters. I only didn't like that Hannah went from a 9 year old child to a grown woman in 1 chapter. That felt a little rushed to me. However, I understand it was an easy way to quickly get to the point of the point of the story . . . Hannah's in person encounters with Cadeyrn. I liked it!
Although this was an extremely short story it packed a lot in 4 chapters. I only didn't like that Hannah went from a 9 year old child to a grown woman in 1 chapter. That felt a little rushed to me. However, I understand it was an easy way to quickly get to the point of the point of the story . . . Hannah's in person encounters with Cadeyrn. I liked it!
justasking27's review against another edition
5.0
SO CUTE. So easy to relate to Hannah, who feels there may be something missing in her life - until she gets her wishes granted...
starlitswords's review against another edition
5.0
I was pleased with the concept and the adorableness level of this novella.
Unlike some other titles by this author, the title of this novella is much more obvious and not so symbolic, telling the reader exactly what this book will entail. The cover itself, however, is much more mysterious and kept me wondering why there was a snow owl instead of something else that had something to do with the fairies of the world in this work. I also liked the simplicity.
I was prepared for the beginning this time, as this seems to be the case with all of the first books in C.J.'s series', which felt hurried until it settled sometime in the second chapter. I was hoping for just a little bit more detail, a little bit more indication for a passage in time. The reader meets Hannah, the protagonist, when she is nine and all of a sudden she is in high school, and this left me very confused. Even though it is only a fifty-seven page book, a few more details could have possibly been squeezed in. I also think the couple of typos could also be pushed aside, as it is, we are only human.
With that aside, the plot was absolutely adorable. The lack of description of Hannah let the readers be able to step into her shoes and experience the friendly romance between her and the king in her eyes. I liked the use of magic and how it also jested and how the use of it is described in great power and how I was able to feel that myself. The emotions evoked in Hannah also did indeed stir the warm-and-fuzzies inside of me. It is indubitably a cute love story and I cannot wait for the sequel.
Unlike some other titles by this author, the title of this novella is much more obvious and not so symbolic, telling the reader exactly what this book will entail. The cover itself, however, is much more mysterious and kept me wondering why there was a snow owl instead of something else that had something to do with the fairies of the world in this work. I also liked the simplicity.
I was prepared for the beginning this time, as this seems to be the case with all of the first books in C.J.'s series', which felt hurried until it settled sometime in the second chapter. I was hoping for just a little bit more detail, a little bit more indication for a passage in time. The reader meets Hannah, the protagonist, when she is nine and all of a sudden she is in high school, and this left me very confused. Even though it is only a fifty-seven page book, a few more details could have possibly been squeezed in. I also think the couple of typos could also be pushed aside, as it is, we are only human.
With that aside, the plot was absolutely adorable. The lack of description of Hannah let the readers be able to step into her shoes and experience the friendly romance between her and the king in her eyes. I liked the use of magic and how it also jested and how the use of it is described in great power and how I was able to feel that myself. The emotions evoked in Hannah also did indeed stir the warm-and-fuzzies inside of me. It is indubitably a cute love story and I cannot wait for the sequel.
amelianicholebooks's review against another edition
5.0
A lovely romance novella tale in the vein of the Labyrinth. I loved the concept of receiving letters from a fairy prince.
amber_gabriel_author's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Short and sweet! I enjoyed this take on a pen-pal romance. The author did a great job of evolving the writing style in the letters as the characters aged. The magical appearance of the letters heightened the anticipation for both me and Hannah. Though mostly one-sided, and the characters had built each other up in their imaginations, enough truth about each person was revealed to make the promise of budding love realistic. I would like to know more about the owl and how he chose Hannah, and more about how the fairy Court works, but it was a fun and entertaining listen.
fictionadventurer's review against another edition
3.0
Sometimes a girl needs a super-fluffy wish-fulfillment romance starring an angsty fairy king. This fit the bill perfectly. It's a very slight story, and it's more like fanfic than literature, but it made my heart happy and my day better.
I do have to give a shoutout to the worldbuilding. We don't see much of the fairy world, but the information we get is interesting (It reminded me of a slightly darker, fairyland version of Tolkien's Letters from Father Christmas).
I do have to give a shoutout to the worldbuilding. We don't see much of the fairy world, but the information we get is interesting (It reminded me of a slightly darker, fairyland version of Tolkien's Letters from Father Christmas).
saccalai's review against another edition
4.0
Hannah begins receiving letters from Cadeyrn when they are only 9. Though she has no way to send letters back, he keeps writing over the years and she writes replies that he may never read. Until one day she makes a wish that changes everything. What she thought were his fantastical tales about being a prince in Faerie turn out to be very true.
hlburke's review against another edition
4.0
An enjoyable short read (or, in my case, listen).
Since I experienced the audiobook, a word first on narration performance: well done, some interesting takes on the voices, subtle when it needed, good clarity.
Story: I worry this is going to be assumed to be snarky, but it's really not. It's just that the easiest way to describe this book is Hallmark Christmas Movie for the Fantasy set.
It's very cozy. Very romantic. The whole main action is centered around the holiday and involves an idealistic romance. There's very little real danger and no real action, but it's a nice escape into a sweet tale with some good writing about connection.
My main quibble is a personal one: I do not understand female characters who are so apologetic about existing. Like she assumes she's done something wrong and apologizes so easily. The saving grace is that the guy is that way too, rather than being a jerk who makes her think she really DOES have something to apologize for ... but he has a reason for automatically assuming that he has given offense because of his upbringing and coding to be uber polite, but her ... I'm like, dang, girl, who trashed your self-esteem?
But I guess I have known women like this. They exist. This story actually works better for the personality type than other ones do, because as I said, the guy isn't gaslighting her to MAKE her feel guilty. She just keeps doing it to herself.
Since I experienced the audiobook, a word first on narration performance: well done, some interesting takes on the voices, subtle when it needed, good clarity.
Story: I worry this is going to be assumed to be snarky, but it's really not. It's just that the easiest way to describe this book is Hallmark Christmas Movie for the Fantasy set.
It's very cozy. Very romantic. The whole main action is centered around the holiday and involves an idealistic romance. There's very little real danger and no real action, but it's a nice escape into a sweet tale with some good writing about connection.
My main quibble is a personal one: I do not understand female characters who are so apologetic about existing. Like she assumes she's done something wrong and apologizes so easily. The saving grace is that the guy is that way too, rather than being a jerk who makes her think she really DOES have something to apologize for ... but he has a reason for automatically assuming that he has given offense because of his upbringing and coding to be uber polite, but her ... I'm like, dang, girl, who trashed your self-esteem?
But I guess I have known women like this. They exist. This story actually works better for the personality type than other ones do, because as I said, the guy isn't gaslighting her to MAKE her feel guilty. She just keeps doing it to herself.
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