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Tales of Gymandrol #2
The Hidden Blessing
How do you test for happily ever after?
Nine years ago, Emma became orphaned as a result of the Zynachnean-Mittra War. Although her memories are gone and she has no idea who she is or where she came from, she’s kindly adopted by a fairy and raised inthe small village of Weymouth.
Now eighteen, Emma has come to love the life she’s made with her fairy mother. But tragedy strikes Emma’s home just as Prince Will and his sister, Princess Allessia, travel incognito through Weymouth on their way to Mittra. Allessia offers to hire Emma as her lady’s maid, despite Will’s reluctance.
Once they arrive at the home of Queen Samantha and Prince Nolan in Mittra, Emma’s life rapidly becomes entwined with the lives of the royal family. There are rumors that Princess Emmalyn Meredith, tragically found dead when she was eight years old, did not really die. As a result, girls swarm to Mittra to try and prove they are the missing princess. The idea is presented to hold a series of tests to see if any of the girls are indeed Princess Emmalyn.
Talia, Samantha’s fairy godmother, puts together a series of “princess tests” in order to discover the true identity of the long lost princess. Emma volunteers to help with the tests, which creates more opportunities for her to interact with Prince Will. But emotions run high as Emma tries to decipher her own feelings for Will, who has offered to help her find a proper suitor when it is discovered that she is suddenly heir to a large fortune.
Can Emma discover the truth about her past and attempt to plan her future while navigating the stormy waters of courtly intrigue?
Nine years ago, Emma became orphaned as a result of the Zynachnean-Mittra War. Although her memories are gone and she has no idea who she is or where she came from, she’s kindly adopted by a fairy and raised inthe small village of Weymouth.
Now eighteen, Emma has come to love the life she’s made with her fairy mother. But tragedy strikes Emma’s home just as Prince Will and his sister, Princess Allessia, travel incognito through Weymouth on their way to Mittra. Allessia offers to hire Emma as her lady’s maid, despite Will’s reluctance.
Once they arrive at the home of Queen Samantha and Prince Nolan in Mittra, Emma’s life rapidly becomes entwined with the lives of the royal family. There are rumors that Princess Emmalyn Meredith, tragically found dead when she was eight years old, did not really die. As a result, girls swarm to Mittra to try and prove they are the missing princess. The idea is presented to hold a series of tests to see if any of the girls are indeed Princess Emmalyn.
Talia, Samantha’s fairy godmother, puts together a series of “princess tests” in order to discover the true identity of the long lost princess. Emma volunteers to help with the tests, which creates more opportunities for her to interact with Prince Will. But emotions run high as Emma tries to decipher her own feelings for Will, who has offered to help her find a proper suitor when it is discovered that she is suddenly heir to a large fortune.
Can Emma discover the truth about her past and attempt to plan her future while navigating the stormy waters of courtly intrigue?
250 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2012
About the author
Melissa Buell
13 books49 followersMelissa Buell has always had a vivid imagination and would fall asleep to scenes she would make up. She is an English teacher by day and an author by night. She is also a voracious reader who loves many genres. She lives in her native Southern California with her husband and two sons.
Favorite pastimes include spending time with her husband and kids, taking photographs, baking, blogging, sewing, and reading!
Things that make her smile: white daisies, Milano cookies, costume parties, super fine tip pens, book speaking with friends, singing loudly in the car to Disney musicals and random songs, writing for hours at Panera, drinking coffee, playing video games with her kids.
Favorite pastimes include spending time with her husband and kids, taking photographs, baking, blogging, sewing, and reading!
Things that make her smile: white daisies, Milano cookies, costume parties, super fine tip pens, book speaking with friends, singing loudly in the car to Disney musicals and random songs, writing for hours at Panera, drinking coffee, playing video games with her kids.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 24, 2012
The Hidden Blessing is the second book in the Tales of Gymandrol. If you haven't read the first book, The Seventh Blessing, don't worry, you'll be able to follow the story without any problems. The Hidden Blessing follows the story of Emma, who is the child of Queen Samantha and Prince Nolan. When Emma was a little girl she was stolen away from her parents. She's brought up by a kind lady, whom she calls Grammie. Despite a troubled past that she can't remember, Emma grows up happy and healthy. It is only when she is nineteen that her world turns upside down. She meets Prince Will and his sister, Princess Allessia. Emma and Ellissa are instant friends. Emma soon travels with them to Mittra, where her destiny awaits.
Emma is kind, inquisitive, and brave. She travels with Will and Allessia with no preconceived expectations. She does her best to try to fit in, be a hard worker, and bring peace around her. Rumors that the lost princess is still alive reach the Queen's ears, and Emma helps to develop a test to help uncover the real princess. She doesn't realize that in the process she's also uncovering her past. This story is great. I really liked the first book, The Seventh Blessing, so I was excited to get the opportunity to read the next book in the Tales of Gymandrol. The Hidden Blessing did not disappoint. I love that Melissa Buell gives her characters integrity, morals, and strength. The story line is interesting and entertaining. It's a tale for the young and old. This story is clean-cut, so it's perfect for the younger (middle grade) audiences. The Tales of Gymandrol is a book that I recommend for people who love fairy tales.
Emma is kind, inquisitive, and brave. She travels with Will and Allessia with no preconceived expectations. She does her best to try to fit in, be a hard worker, and bring peace around her. Rumors that the lost princess is still alive reach the Queen's ears, and Emma helps to develop a test to help uncover the real princess. She doesn't realize that in the process she's also uncovering her past. This story is great. I really liked the first book, The Seventh Blessing, so I was excited to get the opportunity to read the next book in the Tales of Gymandrol. The Hidden Blessing did not disappoint. I love that Melissa Buell gives her characters integrity, morals, and strength. The story line is interesting and entertaining. It's a tale for the young and old. This story is clean-cut, so it's perfect for the younger (middle grade) audiences. The Tales of Gymandrol is a book that I recommend for people who love fairy tales.
November 23, 2012
Reviewed by Jessica for Book Sake.
The Hidden Blessing is a sweet tale about discovering one’s true identity. The romance in the story isn’t insta-love and I am very grateful for that. It made the romance more believable, more desirable, so sweet, and true.
Most of the characters kept my attention and I could understand why they behaved the way they did, but at times I had issues with the main character. Emma is strong and able to stand up for herself, but she constantly doubts herself. She doubts everything she says and does and is so tied up in being in someone’s way, being a burden, being unwanted, that it makes her quite annoying. Most of the time she does this in her own head, but often enough she voices it to others and they reassure her time and time again that she is welcome there, that she wasn’t too outspoken and so on. I wish she were more at peace with herself, I would have found her more likable and less wish-washy.
The story isn’t a big mystery, but the telling of the story is what won me over. I love the romance and the time it took to develop most of all. This story is an example of how to do a love story well. The characters got to know one another, we get to see what they see in each other, and get to watch it all unfold hoping all along that in the end everything turns out right.
The Hidden Blessing is a sweet tale about discovering one’s true identity. The romance in the story isn’t insta-love and I am very grateful for that. It made the romance more believable, more desirable, so sweet, and true.
Most of the characters kept my attention and I could understand why they behaved the way they did, but at times I had issues with the main character. Emma is strong and able to stand up for herself, but she constantly doubts herself. She doubts everything she says and does and is so tied up in being in someone’s way, being a burden, being unwanted, that it makes her quite annoying. Most of the time she does this in her own head, but often enough she voices it to others and they reassure her time and time again that she is welcome there, that she wasn’t too outspoken and so on. I wish she were more at peace with herself, I would have found her more likable and less wish-washy.
The story isn’t a big mystery, but the telling of the story is what won me over. I love the romance and the time it took to develop most of all. This story is an example of how to do a love story well. The characters got to know one another, we get to see what they see in each other, and get to watch it all unfold hoping all along that in the end everything turns out right.
June 17, 2013
I would give this one 3.5 stars. This one was a little cheesier than the first book but still a cute.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews