What do you think?
Rate this book
Unraveled: A Tale of True Love
"It's thoroughly researched, expertly crafted, and it will sweep you off your feet with its beauty." -UCW
When sickness swept through Bronwen’s family, it took the life of her father, brother, and sister, and left her permanently crippled. On the stormy eve of her sixteenth birthday, a faerie-witch gifts her a pair of enchanted shoes. Bronwen slips them on and is healed--but only when the shoes are on her feet. Her grace and beauty catches the eye of the king’s son--Urien, a handsome young man who prides himself on having everything perfect.
When Rhys, an old acquaintance and Captain of the Guard, recognizes Bronwen, he threatens to tell Urien her secret. Desperate to keep her deformity hidden and not to lose the love of handsome Urien, Bronwen quickly finds herself tangled in a web of lies and deceit. After all, she can't wear the shoes forever.
When sickness swept through Bronwen’s family, it took the life of her father, brother, and sister, and left her permanently crippled. On the stormy eve of her sixteenth birthday, a faerie-witch gifts her a pair of enchanted shoes. Bronwen slips them on and is healed--but only when the shoes are on her feet. Her grace and beauty catches the eye of the king’s son--Urien, a handsome young man who prides himself on having everything perfect.
When Rhys, an old acquaintance and Captain of the Guard, recognizes Bronwen, he threatens to tell Urien her secret. Desperate to keep her deformity hidden and not to lose the love of handsome Urien, Bronwen quickly finds herself tangled in a web of lies and deceit. After all, she can't wear the shoes forever.
200 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2014
17 people are currently reading
1382 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
June 3, 2014
Original Review found at: http://bawesomebooknuts.blogspot.com/
*sigh* such a sweet, good, wholesome, loveable book! where to begin!
This story is about finding what's right and good about oneself and not having to rely on perfect to make you right for someone. This beautifully written tale about a girl who lost to use of her legs due to a sickness that kills her family except herself and mother but leaves her scarred. She is left without the use of her legs, she gets around with a crutch but because of that she finds herself undesirable. Until one day a fairy leaves some ugly shoes that when worn makes her able to walk.
When Bronwen finds out that she can walk, her mother finds it appropriate to take her to court and be presented in order to find a suitable husband. Instead Bronwen finds herself catching the eye of the prince.
There are SOOOOOO many aspects I absolutely LOVED about this book. I LOVED the fact that Rhys and Bronwen clash heads all the time yet it's he who saves her all the time. I loved how gentle the prince is towards Bronwen and how well the author turned events to make your heart be ripped out of your chest. I loved the ending.
I just wish there was MORE STORY! this was SOOO GOOD I didn't want it to end! I wasn't ready I wanted MORE, more story, more character development, more everything! I loved it all! It was just too quick of a read!
However my ONE critique is Bronwen although I get it, I felt didn't deserve the guy she got. nope, and when you read it you'll understand. Do I understand that this book is about find what perfection really means? yes, do I understand we need a character with this flaw to get the message across? yes, but I became so attached to certain characters I found myself defending them in the end! I really liked certain characters, really. That's how good this book is!
HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this book! I love this book so much you'll have to buy your own cause I am NOT giving mine away! :)
Sexual Content: mild (some kissing)
Language: mild/none
Violence: mild (some sword fighting)
Drugs/Alcohol: mild/none
*sigh* such a sweet, good, wholesome, loveable book! where to begin!
This story is about finding what's right and good about oneself and not having to rely on perfect to make you right for someone. This beautifully written tale about a girl who lost to use of her legs due to a sickness that kills her family except herself and mother but leaves her scarred. She is left without the use of her legs, she gets around with a crutch but because of that she finds herself undesirable. Until one day a fairy leaves some ugly shoes that when worn makes her able to walk.
When Bronwen finds out that she can walk, her mother finds it appropriate to take her to court and be presented in order to find a suitable husband. Instead Bronwen finds herself catching the eye of the prince.
There are SOOOOOO many aspects I absolutely LOVED about this book. I LOVED the fact that Rhys and Bronwen clash heads all the time yet it's he who saves her all the time. I loved how gentle the prince is towards Bronwen and how well the author turned events to make your heart be ripped out of your chest. I loved the ending.
I just wish there was MORE STORY! this was SOOO GOOD I didn't want it to end! I wasn't ready I wanted MORE, more story, more character development, more everything! I loved it all! It was just too quick of a read!
However my ONE critique is Bronwen although I get it, I felt didn't deserve the guy she got. nope, and when you read it you'll understand. Do I understand that this book is about find what perfection really means? yes, do I understand we need a character with this flaw to get the message across? yes, but I became so attached to certain characters I found myself defending them in the end! I really liked certain characters, really. That's how good this book is!
HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend this book! I love this book so much you'll have to buy your own cause I am NOT giving mine away! :)
Sexual Content: mild (some kissing)
Language: mild/none
Violence: mild (some sword fighting)
Drugs/Alcohol: mild/none
February 18, 2014
This story has so much to offer: folklore, romance and magical shoes. What girl can pass up magical shoes? Not poor, crippled Bronwyn. When she is given the opportunity to wear shoes that will make her withered legs straight, she takes it. Only, the shoes came from a faerie witch.
Bronwyn travels to court where she is noticed, and sought after, by the prince. But she also catches the eye of a male friend from her village who knows she is crippled. Will he keep her secret? Will she be able to keep the magical shoes a secret from the prince? And can Bronwyn maintain her integrity while trying to figure out what her heart already knows?
While I wanted to throttle Bronwyn for not be truthful, I felt her pain and cheered her on until the end.
Julie has produced another fantastic book that draws in the reader quickly and thoroughly.
Bronwyn travels to court where she is noticed, and sought after, by the prince. But she also catches the eye of a male friend from her village who knows she is crippled. Will he keep her secret? Will she be able to keep the magical shoes a secret from the prince? And can Bronwyn maintain her integrity while trying to figure out what her heart already knows?
While I wanted to throttle Bronwyn for not be truthful, I felt her pain and cheered her on until the end.
Julie has produced another fantastic book that draws in the reader quickly and thoroughly.
February 7, 2014
Another really great book from Julie Daines! The plot was well-paced and the characters were multi-faceted and real. It was the perfect light-hearted, fun book to sit down with at the end of the day. Loved the romance too.
February 9, 2015
Quick little read. Cute, but Bronwen's constant dishonesty was frustrating. One white lie adds to another, then another. But this was a little ridiculous, to the point where I questioned her integrity.
March 20, 2014
Unraveled is at its' heart a coming of age story about a girl who believes no one will ever love her because of her physical disfigurement (i.e. a lame leg due to a childhood illness.) I could feel Bronwen's pain, for who didn't grow up thinking that appearance was at least partially or mostly important? That the more beautiful you were, the more you were loved? The easier it would be for you to get friends?
Bronwen has already accepted that she will live a life alone, never marry, never even make friends. She is simply counting the days, when an ugly faerie witch appears at her doorstep one stormy night. After accepting Bronwen's hospitality, the witch makes a gift of magic shoes, that straighten Bronwen's legs, and remove her disfigurement. Bronwen's mother instantly sends Bronwen to the capital city to be presented to the king, to preserve their family name.
Bronwen meets friends along the way, whom she is convinced only like her because she is whole. Bronwen's sadness overhangs the story, doubting her own abilities and her talents. When she meets a childhood friend who cared for her and knew her in her illness, Rhys, she denies herself the pleasure of a reunion, thinking he would betray her as disfigured.
With timeless themes and steeped in Welch folklore, this book offers a well-paced, beautiful story of a broken girl who believes that becoming whole is never possible. With the help of friends, and a cryptic witch, Bronwen discovers what is means to be truly beautiful.
Recommended for ages 12+. No content, perfectly clean. A MUST READ!!
Bronwen has already accepted that she will live a life alone, never marry, never even make friends. She is simply counting the days, when an ugly faerie witch appears at her doorstep one stormy night. After accepting Bronwen's hospitality, the witch makes a gift of magic shoes, that straighten Bronwen's legs, and remove her disfigurement. Bronwen's mother instantly sends Bronwen to the capital city to be presented to the king, to preserve their family name.
Bronwen meets friends along the way, whom she is convinced only like her because she is whole. Bronwen's sadness overhangs the story, doubting her own abilities and her talents. When she meets a childhood friend who cared for her and knew her in her illness, Rhys, she denies herself the pleasure of a reunion, thinking he would betray her as disfigured.
With timeless themes and steeped in Welch folklore, this book offers a well-paced, beautiful story of a broken girl who believes that becoming whole is never possible. With the help of friends, and a cryptic witch, Bronwen discovers what is means to be truly beautiful.
Recommended for ages 12+. No content, perfectly clean. A MUST READ!!
March 12, 2014
Imagine that you are crippled, and are given a gift that straightens your legs and you can walk upright. Who wouldn't jump at a chance to change their life?
Bronwen is given this opportunity when a fairy stops at her door. The fairy gives her a chance to have a normal life while she is wearing a pair of shoes. Bronwen's desires are realized. She is given an opportunity to be presented to the King as a whole young woman. She figures she will be in and out of the King's presence and then go on her way. She didn't count on finding favor with the Prince.
Her lies of omission become greater until she feels trapped with the truth. She is given an opportunity to decipher truth from fantasy.
The book has a magical feeling to the writing. It was easy to be swept up in the story. Julie Daines has done a wonderful job in presenting and implementing her story. It reminds me of the fairy tales that I grew up with and loved. This is a story that I would love to revisit and share with my daughter.
Bronwen is given this opportunity when a fairy stops at her door. The fairy gives her a chance to have a normal life while she is wearing a pair of shoes. Bronwen's desires are realized. She is given an opportunity to be presented to the King as a whole young woman. She figures she will be in and out of the King's presence and then go on her way. She didn't count on finding favor with the Prince.
Her lies of omission become greater until she feels trapped with the truth. She is given an opportunity to decipher truth from fantasy.
The book has a magical feeling to the writing. It was easy to be swept up in the story. Julie Daines has done a wonderful job in presenting and implementing her story. It reminds me of the fairy tales that I grew up with and loved. This is a story that I would love to revisit and share with my daughter.
August 21, 2015
Ugh. Could have been great. I appreciated all the research and history. I love reading stories about Wales and Welsh people. But the writing was just terrible. The heroine was annoying. I hate when characters create problems for themselves by lying, especially when the lies are unnecessary. And that was basically the entire book. Other characters were under developed. The plot was weak and contrived. Everything was told instead of shown. The romance was unbelievable and fairly lame when it should have been great. I mean, the hero's name is Rhys, for crying out loud. Don't you dare ruin the name Rhys for me, Author! But the heroine was an idiot. She would have to be an idiot not to see that he loved her before the last page of the book. I guess my biggest problem is that I feel like if I had written this book I would've done a much better job. It would have been twice as long and also amazing.
May 4, 2014
A beautiful, crippled girl gets the chance@ true love after a faerie witch appears@ her home, bestowing her with a gift of magic shoes.
Is true love possible because she is no longer crippled, or because she allows others to see her true beauty?
The path to true love involves new friends, lost friends, true royalty, knights, and Welsh folklore. It's sprinkled with a combination of betrayal, redemption, self-doubt, romance, jealousy, selfishness, and honesty.
Perfect book for teenagers who are struggling with appearances and self-doubt. Easy and enjoyable read for all ages.
Is true love possible because she is no longer crippled, or because she allows others to see her true beauty?
The path to true love involves new friends, lost friends, true royalty, knights, and Welsh folklore. It's sprinkled with a combination of betrayal, redemption, self-doubt, romance, jealousy, selfishness, and honesty.
Perfect book for teenagers who are struggling with appearances and self-doubt. Easy and enjoyable read for all ages.
March 24, 2014
Very sweet book! I love books written from this period of time so I was hooked from the beginning! A truly inspirational book for Women. We always seem to want what we don't have, but somebody else thinks we are perfect the way we are.
April 5, 2014
4.5 What a beautiful story and with a beautiful message about true love and self love. I cried at the end. This is a great book for young girls to read, and even me in my 30's was able to enjoy it wholeheartedly.
January 8, 2018
I was totally frustrated with the main character until the very end when I remembered she was only 16 years old. After I remembered that I had to give a small sigh for this lovely story about finding true love.
September 1, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. Great story, excellent message for young readers (and old readers) and I loved the Welsh folklore.
March 15, 2014
A sweet little story about honesty and learning to love yourself.
August 7, 2016
3 1/2 stars.
May 5, 2017
3.5 stars: More layered than most of this genre.
Bronwyn is 16 and has been crippled ever since she was a child, due to a fever that left only her and her mother alive in the family. She has no hopes of marriage or even falling in love--after all, who would want a wife that could never do her share of the work?
Then one night she receives an unusual gift from a faery: a pair of shoes. She knows that such gifts always bear penalties for the takers, but she tries them on anyway. After the pain clears away, she realizes that her legs are straight. She can run! She can dance! She can hardly believe it. When she removes the shoes, her legs go back to what they were before. Well, okay then.
Bronwyn is of an age where she must present herself to the king and therefore travel from her small village to the capital. Now that she has these shoes, she no longer fears the journey. She'll just have to keep them on, that's all. What she can't predict is that her audience with the king will actually be an audience with the prince. Or that he will be so taken with her that he begins to court her.
Even though she knows this is a fantasy that can't last, Bronwyn allows herself to be swept up in the prince's glittering world. Only one person in the capital knows who she really is: Rhys, who used to work for their family and is now Captain of the Guard. Despite her fond memories of Rhys, Bronwyn must hold him at a distance in order to keep all her secrets from unravelling. How did life become so complicated?
* * * * *
I appreciated the nuances in the story, beyond the basis in fairy tale. (It most resembled Cinderella, but it had its own story arc.) The focus on physical vs. inner beauty played out in several character's lives. Bronwyn learned that true love and friendship don't depend on a person's outward appearance--or even upon their abilities.
The plot device of the main character lying, then having to lie more and more to continue to cover things up got a bit tiresome at times. I just want to shake her and yell "Tell the truth already!!" At least in this story, I could understand how there was more at stake than simply Bronwyn's pride. Having spent most of her life unable to walk or have any chance at romantic experiences, it's understandable that she would be very reluctant to let go of that and therefore justify continuing the deceit for just a little bit longer.
Content: clean. Thank you Julie Daines!
I blog at: www.ofbooksandblooms.com
Bronwyn is 16 and has been crippled ever since she was a child, due to a fever that left only her and her mother alive in the family. She has no hopes of marriage or even falling in love--after all, who would want a wife that could never do her share of the work?
Then one night she receives an unusual gift from a faery: a pair of shoes. She knows that such gifts always bear penalties for the takers, but she tries them on anyway. After the pain clears away, she realizes that her legs are straight. She can run! She can dance! She can hardly believe it. When she removes the shoes, her legs go back to what they were before. Well, okay then.
Bronwyn is of an age where she must present herself to the king and therefore travel from her small village to the capital. Now that she has these shoes, she no longer fears the journey. She'll just have to keep them on, that's all. What she can't predict is that her audience with the king will actually be an audience with the prince. Or that he will be so taken with her that he begins to court her.
Even though she knows this is a fantasy that can't last, Bronwyn allows herself to be swept up in the prince's glittering world. Only one person in the capital knows who she really is: Rhys, who used to work for their family and is now Captain of the Guard. Despite her fond memories of Rhys, Bronwyn must hold him at a distance in order to keep all her secrets from unravelling. How did life become so complicated?
* * * * *
I appreciated the nuances in the story, beyond the basis in fairy tale. (It most resembled Cinderella, but it had its own story arc.) The focus on physical vs. inner beauty played out in several character's lives. Bronwyn learned that true love and friendship don't depend on a person's outward appearance--or even upon their abilities.
The plot device of the main character lying, then having to lie more and more to continue to cover things up got a bit tiresome at times. I just want to shake her and yell "Tell the truth already!!" At least in this story, I could understand how there was more at stake than simply Bronwyn's pride. Having spent most of her life unable to walk or have any chance at romantic experiences, it's understandable that she would be very reluctant to let go of that and therefore justify continuing the deceit for just a little bit longer.
Content: clean. Thank you Julie Daines!
I blog at: www.ofbooksandblooms.com
May 4, 2024
I’m finally just DNFing this book. I’m not really sure why I didn’t like it as it has all the things I love:witches, magic, and folklore. But the characters read as so much younger than their ages and I have a hard time picturing them as anything but 13-14 year olds. I think I’ve lost my taste for YA still, even though I’ve tried to stay away from that genre for over a year. But considering my kindle app told me I haven’t opened this book in over 4 months and I started it almost a year ago I guess I should give up. For reference I got up to 28%. Maybe it gets better after that but you’ll have to find out for yourself.
March 8, 2018
I've enjoyed everything I've read by Julie Daines but this one just wasn't for me. The MC was really terrible. I didn't notice any redeeming qualities and thought it was unfortunate that her first instinct was to lie and when her lies got other people in trouble she didn't try to fix them. I'm glad she learned a few things in the end though.
December 29, 2017
The story begins with bad weather and a superstitious fear of faeries, which set the tone. I really wanted Bronwen to keep the magic and go on her adventure, even knowing she'd have to pay for it in the end. I only wish there was more time to develop her relationship with Rhys. Wonderfully told coming of age story set against a backdrop of magic and a kingdom.
January 2, 2016
“Unraveled” was recommended to me as a good story for teen readers. It is more of a fairy tale rather than straight fiction or fantasy. It’s a thoughtful story for readers age 12 on up, but probably of more interest to girls.
The story centers around 16 yr. old Bronwen. Due to some childhood disease, her legs and feet had become deformed making it nearly impossible to walk. Even though Bronwen is a lovely young maiden, she is ignored and whispered about as she goes about the village.
Bronwen meets up with the Gwyllion, who is a mystical old fairy witch. The Gwyllion offers Bronwen a magical solution to her crippling problem - a pair of odd shoes that when worn, straighten and strengthen her legs so she can be normal. The magical transformation is amazing and Bronwen’s mother insists she go to the castle and present herself to the king, now that she’s perfect. The king’s son is enchanted by the lovely maiden and falls in love with her.
Problems happen for Bronwen as she finds when the shoes are removed, her legs painfully wither and contort back to what they were. Bronwen finds she must cover her secret with complicated lies. Those lies compound until her situation becomes unbearable, and her future and the lives of others are threatened.
The story is well paced, the characters are interesting, and the lessons taught (especially good for girls) are profound. For us adults, we've learned from Dorothy that “there’s no place like home”, and from Mr. Rodgers, who “loves you just the way you are”, the message Bronwen finally understands can be put in that same category of profound life lessons.
I liked this book! Though the genre is not my first pick, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to any girl, 6th grade on up. I will read more of author Julie Daines and she gets a place on the shelf in my personal library.
The story centers around 16 yr. old Bronwen. Due to some childhood disease, her legs and feet had become deformed making it nearly impossible to walk. Even though Bronwen is a lovely young maiden, she is ignored and whispered about as she goes about the village.
Bronwen meets up with the Gwyllion, who is a mystical old fairy witch. The Gwyllion offers Bronwen a magical solution to her crippling problem - a pair of odd shoes that when worn, straighten and strengthen her legs so she can be normal. The magical transformation is amazing and Bronwen’s mother insists she go to the castle and present herself to the king, now that she’s perfect. The king’s son is enchanted by the lovely maiden and falls in love with her.
Problems happen for Bronwen as she finds when the shoes are removed, her legs painfully wither and contort back to what they were. Bronwen finds she must cover her secret with complicated lies. Those lies compound until her situation becomes unbearable, and her future and the lives of others are threatened.
The story is well paced, the characters are interesting, and the lessons taught (especially good for girls) are profound. For us adults, we've learned from Dorothy that “there’s no place like home”, and from Mr. Rodgers, who “loves you just the way you are”, the message Bronwen finally understands can be put in that same category of profound life lessons.
I liked this book! Though the genre is not my first pick, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend this to any girl, 6th grade on up. I will read more of author Julie Daines and she gets a place on the shelf in my personal library.
April 7, 2014
4 stars
Bronwen has been crippled since she was 8 years old when disease came to her family and killed her father, brother and sister. On the eve of her 16th birthday a gwyllion fairy comes to her door. Bronwen and her mother treat it as a guest and in the morning there are a pair of shoes left behind. These magic shoes heal Bronwen's legs so that she can walk while wearing them. Estatic that she is not a cripple while the shoes are on Bronwen goes to the city to present herself to the King. While there she runs into her family's old stable boy, Rhys, who knew her before the magical shoes. Rhys is now the captain of the guard for Prince Urien. Bronwen makes friends with Gwenna and Gwili and attracts the Prince's attention. Afraid that he will uncover her secret Bronwen lies to him. Rhys knows the truth, wants her to tell the prince. Bronwen has to make decisions about lies and truth, love and lameness and what the shoes are really for.
Possible spoilers.
I liked Bronwen a lot in the beginning. However after the prince decided he liked her and she was flattered/awestruck and really really blind she drove me nuts. The end was good. I think Rhys might have gotten a little farther through Bronwens thick head if he had been a little more up front about things. I liked the end. I loved the Gwyllion, she was awesome. And as usual I would have liked a tad more at the end.
Bronwen has been crippled since she was 8 years old when disease came to her family and killed her father, brother and sister. On the eve of her 16th birthday a gwyllion fairy comes to her door. Bronwen and her mother treat it as a guest and in the morning there are a pair of shoes left behind. These magic shoes heal Bronwen's legs so that she can walk while wearing them. Estatic that she is not a cripple while the shoes are on Bronwen goes to the city to present herself to the King. While there she runs into her family's old stable boy, Rhys, who knew her before the magical shoes. Rhys is now the captain of the guard for Prince Urien. Bronwen makes friends with Gwenna and Gwili and attracts the Prince's attention. Afraid that he will uncover her secret Bronwen lies to him. Rhys knows the truth, wants her to tell the prince. Bronwen has to make decisions about lies and truth, love and lameness and what the shoes are really for.
Possible spoilers.
I liked Bronwen a lot in the beginning. However after the prince decided he liked her and she was flattered/awestruck and really really blind she drove me nuts. The end was good. I think Rhys might have gotten a little farther through Bronwens thick head if he had been a little more up front about things. I liked the end. I loved the Gwyllion, she was awesome. And as usual I would have liked a tad more at the end.
January 2, 2018
Girl is crippled, in society where being crippled is extra bad (but still not super, duper, extra bad).
Girl gets magic shoes that make it so she can walk, so long as she wears them.
Prince falls in love with girl. Prince hates cripples (thinly veiled hatred). Prince's best friend was very kind to her back in her crippled days. Girl tells bunch of lies. Lies unravel.
Why I read it
My wife loved this book when she was in high school, and had been telling me to read it for a long time. I finally caved and got the ebook, which we listened to together. (Mostly. I did some solo listening as well.)
What I didn't like
The reader was pretty good, but I didn't appreciate her accents very much. They weren't dreadful--they were actually very skillfully done. I just didn't love them.
The story was quite predictable. I guessed the ending well before hitting the halfway mark.
What I liked
The story moved quickly enough, had a decent smattering of fun characters, and was rather original. The writing was good, it ended happily, and was an entirely 'family-friendly' story.
My verdict:
I liked it. If my review makes you curious, and you know that it's in a genre you appreciate, you'll probably like it even better than I did.
Happy reading!
Girl gets magic shoes that make it so she can walk, so long as she wears them.
Prince falls in love with girl. Prince hates cripples (thinly veiled hatred). Prince's best friend was very kind to her back in her crippled days. Girl tells bunch of lies. Lies unravel.
Why I read it
My wife loved this book when she was in high school, and had been telling me to read it for a long time. I finally caved and got the ebook, which we listened to together. (Mostly. I did some solo listening as well.)
What I didn't like
The reader was pretty good, but I didn't appreciate her accents very much. They weren't dreadful--they were actually very skillfully done. I just didn't love them.
The story was quite predictable. I guessed the ending well before hitting the halfway mark.
What I liked
The story moved quickly enough, had a decent smattering of fun characters, and was rather original. The writing was good, it ended happily, and was an entirely 'family-friendly' story.
My verdict:
I liked it. If my review makes you curious, and you know that it's in a genre you appreciate, you'll probably like it even better than I did.
Happy reading!
July 4, 2016
This is one of my favorite stories ever! I got this book as a gift from a dear friend, who knows the author, and loves reading and writing. I am so glad she introduced me to Julie Daines writing. I have read this book about 8 times, on a two and a half years span. If you know me, I usually don't do that. I only reread a few of my favorite books. Well, this is one of them. This book takes me back to my childhood. It reminds me of all my favorite folk tales and fairy tales, but it stands as an original piece. I absolutely love all the characters, especially Bronwen and Rhys. Urien was the only character that I felt could have been develop further, but after my second read, I decided that not having as much development fits within the story, especially how it ends. Overall, a lovely, well balanced, with just the right amount of romance, fairy tale!
December 31, 2014
This story has all the things I love the most in books: wonderful setting, believable, real characters, and a sweeping, timeless love story. Lovers of Juliet Marrillier's books will love this one too. The author achieved something very few books do for me nowadays: making me want to live in that world forever.
I loved A Blind Eye, by Julie Daines too. Even though Unraveled and A Blind Eye are completely different genres, in both the writing is crisp and vivid, the voice, evocative and real. Five stars for sure!
I loved A Blind Eye, by Julie Daines too. Even though Unraveled and A Blind Eye are completely different genres, in both the writing is crisp and vivid, the voice, evocative and real. Five stars for sure!
March 5, 2015
I LOVED this creative retelling of Cinderella by Julie Daines. There were so many great messages in this book. This book would be great for middle grade readers and up. I really liked the message of loving yourself despite your imperfections and realizing that true love sees one for who they really are inside. It also shows what happens when we lie to others and ourselves. It was interesting to see how complicated Browen's life became when she tried to cover up her past. I loved her ultimate choice at the end! Can't wait to read more by this author!
February 15, 2014
An amazing story about finding yourself and the power of honesty. I wanted to strangle this girl for her selfishness and yet I felt her pain and could understand why she did it. The first couple of chapters almost made me scream with all the superstitious beliefs till I realized that was the point. Thank goodness it's not that way all the way through! This is a great story demonstrating how blind love can be and how love based on truth sees all and loves better.
July 24, 2014
This book was so cute and sweet. And lately I give a book a high rating if it is a stand alone novel. Sometimes its nice not having to deal with a whole series. This was a really fun fairytale type story. My only small qualm was that it involves a lot of lying, and my goodness that makes for an uncomfortable story (I just wanted to scream at the main character to stop lying and making everything worse!). But it was still cute.
June 5, 2014
The combination of a touch of magic, beautiful prose, a tale with real heart, and a heroine you both want to beat over the head and hug as a best friend make this one of the best fairytales I've read in a long time. The twists and turns kept me plowing through until I slammed into the back cover. Really though, who can resist a pair of enchanted shoes?
July 19, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. I haven't read any books by Julie Daines before now, but I can't wait to read more. This book was full of folklore, adventure, love and magical shoes! This is a good, clean book that you don't have to worry about what you or your family members are going to read. I love the message that this book has to offer for it readers.
August 10, 2017
4 1/2 stars. Loved the idea behind this book. But I loved most what the author does with the story. Full of legends and folklore. Bronwen had some lessons to learn, but mostly about herself. Full review coming soon.
July 16, 2014
Words cannot describe how much I loved this story! It's not about spinning a tale about yourself and making a mask to present to the world but unraveling yourself to your core and finding someone who loves you for it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews