Prince Jade

by Celesta Thiessen

Jade, the fourteen-year-old, second-born prince of Kedrin, is full of unnatural powers and an uncontrollable darkness. He is ready to seize the throne. But when Jade’s life takes an unexpected turn, he meets Marigold, a simple farm girl who embodies everything that he is not. Gradually, for the first time, he begins to want the light.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Christian

136 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

I live in Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada with my husband and two young daughters. We’re homeschoolers and entrepreneurs. My husband and I make iOS apps and I write stories. Being a writer is magical - spinning nothing into stories - stories that can light the way to a different world.


I've written a lot of different books. A reader suggested that I list which of my books are for children and which are for adults and teens. Here is that list :)

Easy Chapter Books for Grades 1-4:

Nightcat - Kitty Castle 1
Surprises - Kitty Castle 2
Answers - Kitty Castle 3
Mystery - Kitty Castle 4
Reunion - Kitty Castle 5
Celebrations - Kitty Castle 6 (Contains all 4 holiday stories)
Kitty Castle Valentine’s
Kitty Castle Christmas
Nightcat Learns to Read
Kitty Castle Halloween
Kitty Castle Complete Collection (Contains all Kitty Castle books)

Journey to Mermaid Kingdom - Tail of the Mermaid 1
Save Mermaid Kingdom! - Tail of the Mermaid 2
Save the Ocean - Tail of the Mermaid 3

Middle Grade:

Gifted - Super Seven 1
Two of a Kind - Super Seven 2
Invisible - Super Seven 3
Fire - Super Seven 4
Strong - Super Seven 5
Listening - Super Seven 6
Made Right - Super Seven 7
Super Seven Complete Collection (Contains all Super Seven books)

Prince Jade

Teen/Adult:

Rise of the Black Dragon
Dragon Warrior & the Princess

Whispers of a Faded Dreamer
The Dreamers

Prince Jade

The Coder & The Fixer

Way to Paradise

Hope & Shiny Things

Freedom’s Heroes

Surviving the Apocalypse in Steinbach, MB

Dragon Fire & Other Fantasy Short Stories
Sci Fi Short Stories & New Fairy Tales
Sci Fi Short Stories
Science Fiction Short Stories
Apocalyptic and Dystopian Tales
Dystopian Sci Fi Short Stories

Please Fix My Marriage (non-fiction)

Reviews

[Kevin King]

Prince Jade - when stone melts

This review was undertaken via the Christian Books Only Review Group, in which I was arbitrarily assigned 4 books for review in return for reviews of my own book by 4 other authors, who are unconnected with the books I am reviewing.

This book is a romantic fantasy adventure, written to appeal primarily to those women and girls whose tastes favour narrative pace and action rather than literary sophistication. It has a very strong and compelling plot that quite quickly hooks the attention, leaving you wondering how this conflict of opposing interests can possibly avoid ending in bitter compromise, or worse.

Prince Jade, aptly named for his green eyes, hardness of heart and total indifference to the feelings of others, intends using his magical powers to seize the throne. When his plans are frustrated he is consumed with hatred: until a peasant girl overcomes her fear and revulsion to show him some simple kindness. Gradually he begins to soften until their relationship blossoms into heartfelt love. But now Jade must battle, first with his own raging passions and then with cruel circumstance; forcing him to face the loss of his own dearly-beloved for the good of his people.

I would not describe this as an explicitly Christian book: although its author is a Christian and it explores Christian themes such as love, duty, forgiveness, repentance and faith in God. It is best viewed as a 'Tolkienesque' fantasy; though not in the same literary class as Tolkien.

I agree with other reviewers that the strong plot could readily have lent itself to a much more voluminous literary work: but that does not appear to have been the author's intent. Sometimes larger works are subsequently produced as 'condensed books' for the more casual reader. Could there be scope here for an expanded version? However I would recommend that, if the book goes to a second edition, the first chapter should be rewritten. Although I understand the need to provide some background information, this reads more like a history lesson and, like the rind on a fruit, may deter a potential reader from digging deep enough to experience its true flavour.

Finally, as a 64 year-old male I prefer not to give this book a personal rating; as I clearly do not fit the profile of the intended audience. But if I must, then (trying to imagine myself as a teenage girl with a love of such stories) I think I would give it four.

[Deb Brammer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prince Jade is a fairy tale that happens “long ago” in the country of Kedrin. King Daryn has a good son from a marriage to a good woman. When she dies he marries a bad woman and has a bad son. Then the king dies leaving his good son, Tristan, and his bad son, Jade. Because of an edict made by the Queen of Fairies, at least one of the sons needs to marry a fairy and produce an heir to the kingdom. That is chapter one of the book, but to me it’s really just background for the real story which begins in chapter two.
Jade tries to force Sky to marry him and take the kingdom from his older brother, but Sky loves Tristan. She convinces Tristan to marry her and break a mental fog that only marriage will break. Tristan sees that his half-brother is trying to take away the kingdom and use it for his evil purposes. Tristan doesn’t want to kill his brother and hopes that he will change, but he can’t allow Jade to destroy the kingdom. Tristan imprisons Jade in a big metal box that can only be opened by a person that Jade has learned to love.
Enter Marigold, a simple farm girl with a big heart. Marigold takes pity on Jade and feeds him and helps him. In time Prince Jade learns to love people instead of using them. He has to learn to control his own evil desires and use his powers for good. He has to figure out how to save the kingdom of Kedrin without forcing people to marry people they don’t love.
This story is aimed at readers 9+, which it could fit, but be aware it had a lot to do with marrying a person you love as opposed to marrying for duty. It is a nice story for Christians who love fantasy. Some of the characters have special powers that allow them to heal or to hurt, which are explained as not being witchcraft, but just powers they have. The book starts off poorly with a whole chapter of narrative which explains the premise of the story. Chapter two, however, is much better and actually takes you into the story. At first the characters seem to be stereotypical, all good or all bad, but this improves some as the story goes forward.
The story emphasizes loving others and caring about others more than yourself. It has an interesting plot line and good heart. I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review which is what I’ve given.

[Louisa Black · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! If I could give this book 10 stars I'd be happily doing that.
This was such a great read.

This is a fantasy book in the vein of fairytales with a Christian twist which worked perfectly and in no way, cheesy.

Jade, is the second heir to Kedrin throne and evil, the boy has issues on every level, after one evil action too many he is banished to... a box.
Yes a box in a forest where a lovely young lady called, Marigold, encounters this 'evil' person but through her kindness towards Jade, he begins to feel things he's never felt before and becomes a changed person, or does he? I can't spoil it for you [although I would love to! I need to tell someone!] other than say this writer has very cleverly written a piece of fiction that I as a Christian can relate to, and read knowing what the characters are reflecting, even though it's fiction that translate to our walk, the emotions we battle and the hardships we share.

I, hand on heart, didn't want this to end and was secretly hoping this would be the first of many stories involving these characters, whom you come to adore.
My heart went out to Marigold so many times, and I loved Jade -by the end!

Now I'm one of those annoying people who just cannot stand romance novels, this is not a romance novel, but this is about love and by Jove, I melted! I'm a goner.
The author has a gift to wrap you up in the moment the character is facing whether it is happiness, anger, love or a sense of an ending that the characters just don't deserve and then the author pulls you back to reveal the 'happy ending'.

The story speeds along there's no waiting around, or building up a picture or sense of a period in time but 'here's the story folks let's go!' Amazing.

I would normally say that this is ideal for teenagers/ YA/ or whatever the politically correct word is nowadays but I [being a little older, ahem] loved this.
You do need a love of things fantasy/ fairy tales but essentially I say this is for those young at heart and an imagination.

[Elizabeth Rawls · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairytale of love and loss where faith still endures. For readers of romance, fairytale stories, and tragedy.
Overall an interesting read. As a christian writer myself I enjoyed the elements of faith and trusting in God that the author wove through this tale. Some areas were lacking, but I liked seeing how the character Jade slowly transformed as a person. And I like how the colors of his power change as he himself changes.
My only complaint is that the tragedy within the story was a bit much for me and made me feel depressed. However, the ending made up for it. I won't give you any hints how it ends; you'll just have to read it for yourself :)

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

All I can say is "WOW." The first chapter started off slow, but the second one grabbed my attention and wouldn't let go. The story reads very much like a fairy-tale. We see a wretched, monster of a character turned around by the simple, pure love of a peasant girl and the love of God. I intend to read this one with my nine-year-old daughter.

[David Bergsland · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story reads like a George MacDonald tale. It's told in a child-like manner. It ends good, of course. They all do. Celesta's story is nicely complex. I enjoyed it a lot.

It's a good old-fashioned fairy tale.

[Angie Lisle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Christian Fantasy. I'm Eclectic Pagan and I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a review. The religion wasn't what turned me off. I actually liked the way Christianity was utilized to influence the characters; it was one of the strong parts of the story.

But, I would have liked the story more if it had been shown to me rather than told. Let me experience events with the characters, flesh out those action scenes instead of telling me a list of conflicts that lead up to the climaxes. This book has several conflicts and could easily be a thousand-pager but all that action is reduced to a list of events that I'm told in under 200-pages. That reduction disconnects the characters from each other, which affects my ability to relate to the characters.

[Dean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read Prince Jade as part of a Christian book club. It is geared toward the YA group which is one of my least favorite genres so I had a bad feeling from about it from the start.
That being said, I enjoyed the overall read of the book mostly because of the plot twists and interconnectivity. I will not reveal those so as not to include spoilers in a review.
On first read I was not able to find a Christian message, but gave the author a benefit of the doubt and contacted her via email to explain it to me. On the second review I was able to understand her point.
For those who enjoy this genre, I do suggest that Prince Jade would be an OK read.

[Cathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prince Jade by Celesta Thiessen is what can be best described as a Christian fantasy. The author uses elements of good and dark magic to highlight the effects that our positive and negative actions can have on others. Jade's story also proves that the power of love can transform a person's outlook on life--especially after they accept that they are worthy of love. The writing was a bit simplistic at the beginning of the book, but developed more depth as the novel continued. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in return for an honest review.

[Angela Lambkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I chose to give this thrilling, hard to put down romance story of fairies and a human who found quite late after she
was of age to be married and almost could have lost the one she really loved and how they met!
I recommend this for those who life a sweet,fast moving romance story with a very happy ending for older teens
and adults! I received this ebook of "Prince Jade" free in exchange for honest reviews! Fabulous work Celesta!
By Angela