Golden Daughter

Tales of Goldstone Wood #7

by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Beyond the realm of dreams is a world she never imagined

Masayi Sairu was raised to be dainty, delicate, demure . . . and deadly. She is one of the emperor’s Golden Daughters, as much a legend as she is a commodity. One day, Sairu will be contracted in marriage to a patron, whom she will secretly guard for the rest of her life.

But when she learns that a sacred Dream Walker of the temple seeks the protection of a Golden Daughter, Sairu forgoes marriage in favor of this role. Her skills are stretched to the limit, for assassins hunt in the shadows, and phantoms haunt in dreams. With only a mysterious Faerie cat and a handsome slave—possessed of his own strange abilities—to help her, can Sairu shield her new mistress from evils she can neither see nor touch?

For the Dragon is building an army of fire, and soon the heavens will burn.

Genres: Fantasy, Christian Fiction, Christian, Romance, Fiction, Young Adult, Christian Fantasy

570 pages, Paperback

First published October 11, 2014

About the author

Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, Rohan, a passel of cats, and one long-suffering dog. When she's not writing, she enjoys Shakespeare, opera, and tea, and studies piano, painting, and pastry baking. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. She is the author of the TALES OF GOLDSTONE WOOD, which currently includes seven novels and two novellas, with plenty more works due to release over the next few years. Her novels HEARTLESS, VEILED ROSE, and DRAGONWITCH have each been honored with a Christy Award, and STARFLOWER was voted winner of the 2013 Clive Staples Award.

Reviews

[H.S.J. Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is clear from the beginning that this tale is unique from all the other Tales. It takes place in a far different and more ruthless world than we have met before in the series. Even the time we spend in the Between is a different place than we have seen. But despite almost an entirely new cast and setting, this Tale is VITAL to the series. I dare not reveal all the incredible things revealed here. It is the first night of Moonblood. It is the first part of Sunan's history (it is hard to believe that this Sunan is the same Sunan we love later on). And we learn the history of the Goldstone. And--oh, so much!

Any newcomers into Goldstone Wood might be surprised to find out Golden Daughter is "Christian" fantasy. After all, most of the characters and the very culture dedicates itself to their goddess, the moon. And while some perform their rituals with hypocritical ease, others carry out their dedication with disturbing loyalty. Unlike most Christian fantasy, this doesn't take the point of view of the "Christian" character.

This is the real world. Not to say that is actually exists, but because the foundation of it is true. A corrupt world. Fallen. Deceived. As such, there is false religion, and people devoted and aloof to it. There is an awareness of the more lewd sides of the world that adds a certain maturity that wasn't so present in other Goldstone Novels. It shows us that men trying to connect with the spiritual worlds without God's summoning leads to damaging consequences. But this book takes us by the hand, and guides us through the lies, shows the fragility of the promises of the world, and brings us to a profound and beautiful portrayal of God's character and ultimate power.

And actually, there does turn out to be a parallel here with a familiar Bible story. But perhaps because it is so obvious, we overlook it, because I never recognized it until thinking about the story later.

This is definitely the most violent of the Tales so far. Not really graphic or disturbing, but it still packs some punch. It might be a bit too harsh for the very sensitive reader. The headcount by the end is rather high....and Anne Elisabeth has this way of making you feel each one, even the people you didn't particularly like.

That is another of her gifts. Creating real people, so real you have trouble liking them. Oh, to be sure, there are plenty of characters to love here: Sairu--one of the funnest and most darling (and deadly) female characters I've met in a while, Jovann--who is AWESOME, Eanrin--who...who brings a whole new level to the words "I love him." But then we have characters who we see or know to commit heinous and cold deeds--characters who we might call "bad"--shock us with their depth. They may have few loves and loyalties left, but to those few they cling with a resilience that is truly admirable. We also have plain evil characters who are just totally consumed with evil.

The Dragon reaches a new tier in villainy here. (Somehow it is more chilling when a villain kills an innocent, cute little animal, than say, a random brash knight. Okay, fine, it was the way he killed the animal.)

And then there is Lady Hariawan...she is...nothing. Not to say the reader doesn't see other sides, things she might be...but the decisions she makes, the road she takes...she acts soulless. This aspect of her character is completely intentional and necessary. It is even explained, if you read between the lines and know the laws of Faerie. But really, I think I despise her more than any other character I've met in Goldstone Wood. Gleamdren (in Starflower) was cute and funny in her annoyingly selfish way. Hariawan is chilling, using other people for her own ends with absolutely no true care in her heart. Indeed, Sairu's continuous devotion to her was one of the only things I couldn't understand. I guess being raised to always protect your master is pretty strong. Sairu's loyalty wasn't unrealistic, just not something I could relate to. The same goes for a few other motivations in the story; they weren't flaws, just not something I understood.

Foreboding, strange, and ruthless are the worlds through which this tale weaves. It is difficult to discern what the will of the Song Giver is, what role the characters will play. But to those who are willing to take the journey, they will find a beauty at its peak, a hope of infinite glory. I do not believe I have yet read in a fantasy a more powerful, more beautiful representation of God as is found here in these pages. Indeed, in the midst of reading it, I found my eyes swimming with tears, for the potency of His majesty, love, and grandeur rang true in my own life.

And that is the work of a master storyteller.

[Shantelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Golden Daughter by Anne Elisabeth Stengl. Alright, give me a moment to come up with the appropriate word to describe it … Stunning? Enthralling? Amazing? Powerful? Emotional? Complex? Utterly epic? Ok, so one word won’t suffice. It’s a fictional masterpiece. Book seven of the Tales of Goldstone Wood, Golden Daughter has to be one of the most brilliant yet of the series. The things that happen. The answers uncovered. The stories told. I would sit momentarily speechless at one point, and laughing with glee in the next.

All her life, Princess Sairu—who can read secrets by looking into one’s eyes—has been trained to be fiercely protective, wholly devoted, and yet never love. She’s a Golden Daughter. A legend. A secret. And is often mistaken for a little handmaiden, especially when her path merges with a Dream Walker’s.
Jovann and Sunan are half-brothers. They are pitted against each other by circumstances not of their own making, but Jovann seeks to remedy that. However, Sunan has hatred buried too deep to be merely brushed aside. Kidnappings, Masks, imps, and a certain Lady Hariawan litter their paths and make everything so much more complicated.
Then we have a smug, fluffy orange cat, a passel of hedge-pigs (a.k.a lion dogs), some self-important priests, Hymlume and her beautiful children, mysterious Dream Walkers, a dark Dragon, and of course, the ever-present songbird.

I’m staring at this half-written review and wracking my brain for what next to write. Golden Daughter is almost too big for words. Like really, Tales of Goldstone Wood has to be the most intricate, complex series I’ve ever read. Don’t let that scare you away from reading Golden Daughter and its like though. Its complexity only makes it better, and I don’t believe I’ve ever been really confused. Things usually come together quite nicely—if not in the actual book, than in the sequel, or a few books after that. It’s an epic series truly; just beware that writing a long, eloquent review for it might be a little bit of a challenge! *smiles*

So it’s a fantasy. With a powerful Christian allegory woven firmly into its fibers. It has a fairytale twist with its enchanted other worlds and fae folk. Apparently you can read Golden Daughter on its own, but I would definitely recommend reading the other books of the series first. –In order. It makes every little moment ever so much more meaningful. In fact, I delighted in the similarities to Heartless (book one) that I found in Golden Daughter. It’s probably because, chronologically, Golden Daughter comes before Heartless. I loved how Sir Eanrin the cat was called “monster” again in this tale, just as he was in Heartless! Just brings back fond memories! ^_^

Golden Daughter (as the other tales) can be a little creepy. A bit gory. It was also a little darker, like Shadow Hand, but not quite to the degree book six was. I found a lot of sweet, silly, touching, and hilarious moments in between. A lot of them included Eanrin (of course). Or the songbird, Lumil Eliasul. –Those particular moments chased away the darkness and brought a deep profoundness to Golden Daughter that often left me in tears. *clears throat* Anyway, because of some frightening/slightly gory content, I would strongly caution parents: read these books before you let your younger children (perhaps twelve and under) read them, and then judge for yourself if your child can handle it. Though I’m not sure, I think my twelve-year-old sister would be okay with the more mature content, and would love the books overall!

The allegory. So many profound, heartfelt, real-like allegories. (And there’s even a subtle retelling of a Biblical story … do keep on the lookout!) Golden Daughter made me realize anew how very deep Anne Elisabeth Stengl’s books are. These are no fluffy tales of romance and humor. Though yes, it does contain those elements. But rather, they are a part of a much bigger tale. A tale of the all-surpassing love of a God for His people. A tale of the power of a Creator and His hand in all the events that come to pass. A tale of darkness getting swallowed up in a much-greater Light. And of imperfect, sometimes lost, but unique characters caught up in that tale. I just have to sit in awe of the beauty of the allegories Anne Elisabeth weaves together. May she ever continue to follow God’s leading and let Him speak through her novels. I’m left deeply touched.

We meet fascinating new characters, Sairu and Jovann, to name our main characters; and reconnect with beloved old ones. Sir Eanrin for one. Oh, the smug, irresistible cat! I just love him. ^_^ We uncover some dark secrets about the evil Dragon. And we learn anew the power of the songbird; his silver trill of: Won’t you return to me? always brings hope in even the darkest of moments.

A horrible-yet-amazing story is finally told. A story we’ve perhaps been waiting to hear since the very first book, Heartless. It includes encounters with Hymlume, the Gold Gong, and the wretched Dragon. Very emotional and deep story. And Sairu, Jovann, Sunan, Lady Hariawan, and Sir Eanrin all have a place in the unfolding of the tale.

I love how real Golden Daughter is. The bad is not brushed over; it’s displayed along with the good. The characters are flawed, and they have raw, real feelings and emotions. They’re not the perfect heroes and heroines—they often make mistakes. Oftentimes they don’t even know how to respond to their Lord. It’s messy, but it’s beautiful. –When Lumil Eliasul is there to hold their hands. Just like real life, hey?

So yes … at some point … after Heartless, Veiled Rose, Moonblood, Starflower, Dragonwitch, Goddess Tithe (novella), and Shadow Hand, if you haven’t read those … do pick up Golden Daughter and let your heart be warmed, your mind be thrilled, and your soul be touched.

For myself, I’m waiting (im)patiently for book eight. Or perhaps another novella, Draven’s Light; whichever comes first! *big smiles*

I received an advanced copy of Golden Daughter in exchange for my honest review.

[serena482* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow.....Like all I can say is, Wow. This is like the greatest piece of work in the whole fantasy world. I am speechless.

[Allison Ruvidich · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

My copy of Golden Daughter, by Anne Elisabeth Stengl, came last Wednesday. If you live in North Carolina, you'll remember that it was the first cold rain of the year, made more miserable by the fact that I had forgotten my literature teacher's porch didn't have an overhang, so my lovely, furry boots were soaked. I crept miserably home, determined to curl up somewhere warm with a nice book. But, luckily, I thought to check my e-mail first. And there, glowingly, I beheld my ARC. Eagerly, I began to read. And so we come to what you have been waiting for: the review.

Masayi Sairu has been a Golden Daughter her whole life, confined in an emperor's palace, where she learned the skills of intrigue, cunning, and, above all, protection. For as soon as the Golden Mother deems her training complete, Sairu will be married off to a political ally, whom she must protect for the rest of her life. But arranged marriage holds no appeal for Sairu, and when she sees a chance to escape the traditional role of the Golden Daughters, she takes it. Her new charge, the beautiful temple girl, Lady Hariawan, is a gifted Dream Walker, capable of exploring worlds far beyond her own. But an encounter in the Dream left her scarred, both physically and spiritually. And how can Sairu protect her mistress from enemies in a different world?

Golden Daughter is unlike any of Stengl's previous novels. For one thing, it takes place largely in the Near World, and there only in one region-- something Stengl hasn't done since Heartless. Although the adventures do bleed over into the Wood and the Dream, the characters have less knowledge of it, so it reads quite differently.

That being said, Stengl handled it excellently. It is, to the best of my knowledge, the first time her characters have interacted with a crowded city or travelled across the Near World. (I am discounting summarized journeys.) In addition to forging new territory, Stengl shows great restraint as a writer when she refrains from overtly referencing the rest of the series. A certain, familiar character goes almost the entire novel without being named.

So yes; Golden Daughter is quite different, almost disconnected, from its peers. And although I am sad not to see more of the familiar Wood, this forces the novel to stand on its own-- and, dear readers, Golden Daughter does just that.

Despite having more unfamiliar characters than I anticipated, I quickly connected with our three heroes: Sairu, Jovann, and Sunan (although I did not pick up on the allegory until deplorably late in the novel). In fact, I enjoyed all the characters... except Lady Hariawan. She set me on edge, and I could not fathom her role in the story aside from a focus of the characters' interest; she literally spends most of it comatose, emerging only long enough to make cryptic comments. Towards the beginning of the novel, I worried that I was meant to sympathize with Lady Hariawan as a heroine of the novel. I didn't sympathize with her, not at all. She irritated me by never doing anything, but her non-actions still retained consequence.

As events transpired, I felt more comfortable disliking Lady Hariawan, but even now I can't figure her out. After five hundred pages, I know precisely nothing about her besides her name. And because I never understood the motivations behind her actions, I lost interest in them. Why was she beautiful? Why was she silent? Why did she change? I still don't know.

Yes, it is frustrating. But remember the ending of Veiled Rose, when it seemed no one could possibly sink any lower? Or-- dare I mention-- the ending of Shadow Hand, that left me a complete wreck after finishing it? Although Stengl does not pull her punches, she always, always, delivers a great ending. Maybe not a happy one. But certainly never a pointless one. Although I didn't understand the character of Lady Hariawan, I trust that Stengl has more to say on the topic. Until then, I can only keep reading.

I am reasonably confident that I will love anything in this series, and Golden Daughter is no exception. I loved reading it; you should do so, too, at your earliest convenience. I would recommend that you read at least Veiled Rose, Starflower, and Moonblood first, preferably in that order. Because the series spans such a vast frame of time, it runs the risk of losing the reader along the way, and I fear that might happen if you read Golden Daughter unprepared.

To recap: Golden Daughter, by Anne Elisabeth Stengl, is an excellent addition to the series. Although quite different from the previous books, it retains her trademark wit, charm, and vision that leaves me speculating what comes next. I, personally, would love to see Imraldera again. Because we only get one character's perspective of her in Golden Daughter, I'd like to reconnect with one of my favorite characters, because I suspect that she still has some growing to do.

[Kira Murphey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let me just start out by saying that I loved it.

I cannot, I am afraid, express in text just how much I loved it. It made me nearly choke on unexpected humor. It made me stay up late into the night to read and then start again the next morning. It left me gasping on the floor of a dark room. It made my hands shake and my voice stop working. It left me muttering about it under my breath for days after I finished the novel.

I've been a Tales of Goldstone Wood fan from the beginning. The past couple of novels have not been my favorite... Until Golden Daughter. The writing, the characters, the story, the answers to some of the questions we had (and the questions it opened up!), the world... It got ranked up by my favorite ToGW novel, maybe even passing it. It's definitely on my Favorites Of All Time Novels List.

There are few books I would recommend wholeheartedly. This is one of them.

[mrs. b · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! What an epic and complex journey! Anne Elisabeth Stengl has created a fantastically compelling new heroine and hero! She has grafted a whole new and fascinating culture into her already intriguing world, and continues to develop new characters to love, fear, and relate to, while deepening our relationship and understanding of beloved characters and themes of old. But the journey she takes us on always comes back to view all through the eyes of the Song Giver. As always, Anne Elisabeth Stengl's newest work speaks to my heart and spirit and has become one of my favorites.

[Suzannah Rowntree · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great story from the always reliably enjoyable Anne Elisabeth Stengl. I particularly loved the Eastern flavour of this story, as I've been craving oriental-flavoured fantasy lately (well, obviously).

[Kendra Ardnek · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm finally caught up on the Goldstone Novels ...

Wow...

Every time you think they can't get any better, they do. Wow.

[Annie Lima · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. And wow, I loved it! Of course, I love all of Anne Elisabeth Stengl's books, so I expected nothing less.

One of my favorite aspects of the Tales of Goldstone Wood series that although the setting is an imaginary world (or set of worlds, actually), it's obviously inspired by real cultures and geographical locations in our world. The empire in which most of Golden Daughter takes place is based on a mix of East Asian cultures, which I especially appreciated, considering that I live in East Asia myself.

The characters here are vividly portrayed, and I couldn't help but care about their struggles and triumphs. It was nice to see a few old friends from Stengl's other books, but we mostly meet new characters in Golden Daughter. The author threw out a few intriguing tidbits that help connect the dots between events in various other books in the series, some of which take place thousands of years apart. Now I want to go back and re-read certain scenes in certain of her other books that I know will make more sense now.

If you enjoy fantasy at all, I highly recommend the Tales of Goldstone Wood. If you've read any of the other books in the series, you'll definitely want to read Golden Daughter. If you haven't, Golden Daughter can stand on its own - but after you read it, you may find yourself eager to get your hands on the rest!

[Beka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favourite books ever written. Right up there with the works of C.S. C. S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. I don't usually cry with books, but GOLDEN DAUGHTER by Anne Elisabeth Stengl had me tearing up and trying hard not to cry while traveling back to school on a bus! If you love settings based off East-Asian cultures, strong heroines battling dragons and darkness, and characters both good and bad but always relatable, you must check out this novel. And it's over 500 pages, so just more awesomeness for you to enjoy!

[Gillian Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review to follow ...

[Stephanie Ricker · Rating 5 out of 5]

2022 review:
Ross and I finished our read-aloud of the Tales of Goldstone Wood series at last (we inched through it since we tend to only read aloud together when we're in the car, and we haven't had many road trips lately). I don't think our glacial pace really did the story justice (see my 2014 review for the exact opposite reading pace); one of the best things about this book is all the little references that tie it together and tie it to the rest of the books in the series, and those are a) easy to miss when listening to someone else read and b) easy to forget when it takes you almost a year to finish the story. Food for thought when choosing our next read-aloud series!

2014 review:
Clear your schedule before you pick this one up.

I’m serious. I made the mistake of starting it when I had a plethora of imminent deadlines looming over my head, and setting this book aside to attend to them was torturous. Once you become immersed in this particular Tale of Goldstone Wood, you will not want to leave.

Don’t let the girly cover fool you. As is often the case with the Tales of Goldstone Wood, the book is truly terrifying in parts—and I chose a bad time to eat dinner, as I read the scenes with the imps. This story is intense, in a good way.

Sairu, the heroine of the book, is possibly my favorite female character of Stengl’s, which is really saying something—I was in love with Starflower, hitherto my favorite installment in the series. Golden Daughter has wrested the status of favorite away from the earlier book, however, and this is due in large part to Sairu. She is intriguing, realistic, terrifying, and lovable. The whole premise of the Golden Daughters is fascinating, and I would love to see more of them in future stories.

All of the characters, even the minor ones, are drawn in such a lifelike way that you’ll swear you’ve met some of these people before. Jovann in particular impressed me very much and is one of Stengl’s most likeable heroes, in my opinion. Eanrin maintains his charm and mystery, and by this time, I feel like no story is quite complete without him. In each book, we learn more about him, and I adore him even more.

Stengl creates a multi-faceted, intriguing culture for Golden Daughter, one that is quite different from those in her other books. Her command of multiple storylines is impressive, and all of the plots weave together beautifully at the end. The story casts new significance on the events of earlier books in the series, particularly Heartless—which made me like Heartless much more. While I admit I preferred the day-to-day character interactions and plots to the more cosmological, allegorical ones, all of the threads were skillfully manipulated to create a cohesive, dark, funny, fascinating, eerily realistic whole.

[Joy Chalaby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Golden Daughter is a really beautiful, moving and complex tale, with a rich cast of characters, touching allegorical themes, tinged with the memory of the Biblical character of Joseph, while also containing this wonderful oriental culture (relatively new to the series), characters that endear themselves to you like Sariu and Jovann and Monster, the devil of a cat ;). it also contains the Goldstone story in full that is echoed so hauntingly in Moonblood. While the story pace and emotional drama suffered in pace slightly by its sheer size compared to Stengl's other novels, in the end it was really worth investing those details, scenes and back stories in the characters. The ending is beautiful, and rather sad-tinged! But some of the themes, especially in the second half of the book brought tears to my eyes and made them mist over the words of the Moon's song. . . Sariu is a wonderful heroine! I loved her so much, her loyalty, her gentleness, common sense, fighting prowess, and love (and her smiles!). she reminds me of Tauriel just a little ;).

Jovann is another character that I truly loved. His story arc reminded me a lot with the biblical account of Joseph, and brought into perspective though whole bizarre Dream World !! A new favourite Goldstone character :). Eanrin makes me laugh so hard, so often, but I love how in the end he really is a very serious, grim knight, a faithful follower of The Knight of Farthest Shore, with his faith, doubt's, testings, and courage. There is that one scene in particular which I loved, where he looks to The Limul Esuil (The Knight of Farthest Shore who allegorically is a presentation of Christ in Goldstone Wood series), and his emotion is one of love and dread, for he fears his Lord as much as he deeply loves Him and trusts Him. I loved that! not often enough in stories is there that beautiful reminder of the Fear of the Lord in His people, and I was blessed to see Stengl include that in that scene. I love also how she handled the theme of suffering, and the question of evil, so gently and yet with poignancy and with moving depth. I cried a lot in those parts, and was deeply blessed and encouraged too!


All in all, a wonderful addition to the Tales of Goldstone Wood! I enjoyed coming to a slightly different perspective of some old tales, and meeting new ones, and falling in love with new characters, while all that time grounded in a beautiful foundation of the faith upon which we put our Hope, a joy and heavenly glory quite indescribable. The Giver of Songs!

[Ghost Ryter · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's hard to write a review that does justice to such a brilliant and painful book like Golden Daughter.

"Painful?" you may ask. "Why painful?" And then you'll instantly start picturing of beloved characters getting blown up by silver parachutes, or love triangles, or horrid, evil characters who actually get away with all their horrid, evil doings.

No. This book is nothing like that--something far too good. It's painful because it is so remarkably . . . real.

So honest, full of truth, fantastic and yet familiar because we see the world around us reflected here. Half the characters are almost impossible to like--I can name at least four who are absolute monsters. And the ones you do like spend most of the novel shredding your heart to bits. Either because they allow bitterness to twist them, and chose a dark Path, or they have the most baffling loyalty to one of those aforementioned monsters. Or because you can still see them suffering from something that happened in the previous book. (Look, my dear ball of fluff, O most golden of poets, you've got my heart on a silver platter now. Stop making me love you so much.)

Among all the other Tales of Goldstone Wood, this stands out. A new level has been reached. Through the story and the writing, Golden Daughter achieves something deeper, fuller--and in some ways, darker. But even when this Tale is at its darkest, and stars fall and the moon bleeds, there is more. There is light, there is hope. And that is something few authors seem to remember.

Brace yourself. For this, my friends, is epic.


Questionable Content:
There is none, really. Although some may find the violence disturbing, I think it was all appropriate and tastefully handled.


For all readers, but those 15 and older will appreciate this most.


*I was given an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every one of Anne Elisabeth’s novels have enchanted me, earning her the title of “favorite author”. Golden Daughter was no exception. I was super excited when I learned that I was to be given and influencer copy of the book and have subsequently devoured it.

One of the first things I noticed was that Golden Daugher, the seventh book in the Tales of Goldstone Wood Series, was much longer than its predecessors. It was also set in a different part of the world with nearly all new characters once again. The setting was the eastern parts of the mortal world, comparable to medieval China. It portrays grand palaces, universities, leper colonies, and small tribes on the plains in a believable manner while intertwining a dream world, the Wood Between, and the garden of the moon.

Each character—Sairu, Jovan, Sunan (yes, Captain Sunan from Vieled Rose and Goddess Tithe), Lady Hariawan, and others—was unique, sometimes funny, and well written. They seemed like real people struggling with real problems and romances. There were a few familiar characters, Eanrin for example, but most of the main characters were completely new and amazing. I would mention that Jovan’s story reminded me of Joseph’s story in the Bible, which was a nice touch.

The plot, also, was unlike any story I have ever read. There is certainly the comparison to Joseph, but there are so many other things going on that Golden Daughter is completely unique.
Also, the spiritual element was beautiful. It tells of redemption, of hope even through pain, and of the ultimate defeat of the Dragon both in the character’s lives and our own when we trust in the Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I applaud Anne Elisabeth for another astonishing story.

I received a free influencer, ARC copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

[Sierra Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

After five months of slowly savoring this book... I finished it. And it was amazing. I have so many unanswered questions that I NEED answered RIGHT NOW!

[Bryn Shutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing - absolutely amazing would be the best way to describe this seventh installment of Tales of Goldstone Wood. I’ve never picked up a book that enthralled me from its first words all the way to the end like Golden Daughter.

For those familiar with the world of Goldstone, this story is set shortly after the Faerie World events of Shadow Hand. However, Golden Daughter is very different from any of the other tales. The culture, characters and ‘feel’ of the story are unique and help to expand the Goldstone world we are familiar with. I confess I missed the ‘fairytale’ feel of the other stories, but Golden Daughter has its own flawless imagery and fast paced story telling to make up for any lack of whimsical charm.

Golden Daughter itself is a telling of the first Night of Moonblood. Stengl introduced us to Moonblood in her third book by the same name. What little glimpse we got of those tragic, cosmic events of hundreds of years gone by left me wanting to know more. I was not disappointed.

Golden Daughter takes us on a journey from the Near World, into The Dream and then into the heavens themselves. The Dragon is there working out his vile plans, manipulating and hoping to be triumphant at last. The Lady Moon and her children are portrayed brilliantly as we watch the stars betray their mother and follow the Dragon to their own destruction. But it’s the mortals of the story who tell the tale best.


The foremost and most endearing character is Masayi Sairu, one of the emperor’s golden daughters. Sauri is a little lady that captured my heart right from the start. She’s a charming blend of innocence, sweetness – and deadly danger. Her almost constant smile reminded me so much of Eanrin – hard to read so you just have to keep going to know more.

Sauri has been assigned to protect one of the Dream Walkers of the Crown of the Moon. Her mistress Lady Hariawan is an eerie blend of beauty and absolute insanity obsessed with finding the power of life and death. Her ability to walk into The Dream (the world at the edge of the Wood Between) will have profound effects both on herself, the world she knows and the one in the sky above her.

Meanwhile in other parts of the kingdom, we met two brothers, Jovann and Sunan (half brothers actually). Stengl takes us on a journey with these two that has been repeated in literature time and again but this time with breathtaking results. What happens to two brothers who each in their own way feels cheated and betrayed by the other? Jealousy, revenge or love and forgiveness –


For those wondering about our favorite Goldstone bard/knight and shape shifting Faerie, Sir Eanrin of Rudiobus certainly plays his part in this cosmic story (because if it’s big, he’s there, right?). While Sairu’s assignment is to protect Lady Hariawan, Eanrin’s mission is to protect Sairu - a similar situation to the one we first find him in in Heartless. I wouldn’t call Golden Daughter Eanrin’s most swoon worthy moment; he’s seen mostly as The Cat and I don’t remember a single line where Eanrin regaled anyone with his faerie fame or the long list of titles and accolades that go with well, being Eanrin (he doesn’t even spout any poerty, Lionheart would have been so impressed), but his cat-like daring and wit are perfect for the situation and he compliments Sauri in so many ways.

Judging from the spurning he received from Imraldera in Shadow Hand, I expected Eanrin to be a bit more sour and ill humored than usual, but I was pleasantly surprised. In Golden Daughter we see a side of the cat/man we’ve only glimpsed at before. He’s kinder, humbler and at times almost affectionate – but rest assured he still has plenty of snide comments and witty moments to give us plenty of laughs. His relationship with Sairu’s dogs was a brilliant little addition…because we all know, Eanrin hates dogs – and water – but most certainly dogs.

And finally behind the scenes, ever there, ever watching is the Giver of Songs Himself. Stengl never finishes a story that doesn’t leave me more in love with the Creator and my Saviour.

In short, Golden Daughter takes the Biblical story of Joseph and blends it with other fantastical elements reminiscent of Revelation 12 to give us an amazing tale of trust, revenge and the all powerful, ever present love of God.

As far as its place in the series, Golden Daughter can stand alone; if you are new to Goldstone and have not read Moonblood yet, I personally would recommend reading this book first. It will give you a better understanding of the events referenced in book three. For all the fellow Goldstone imps out there, this book is vital in helping us build our understanding of Stengl’s amazing but complex world. In Golden Daughter we pick up little tidbits such as the origins of Una’s ring and maybe just maybe Eanrin’s two knives King Vahe referenced in Moonblood?

This story was an absolute joy to read and now I can’t wait for book eight!

[Rina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t even know where to begin in describing how amazing this book is. Epic, vast, complex, at times humorous, complicated, long (in a good way) would all be apt descriptions. Even though this is book 7 in the series it can be read at any time, chronologically it takes place way before Heartless, Veiled Rose and Moonblood and one mortal year after the Faerie world events of Shadowhand.

This is a cosmically complex story. As much as I tend to read books in one sitting I knew I couldn’t with this one. (Though part of that was because I was reading the ARC as a pdf on my kindle and my kindle didn’t like the large file size.) This is a book I fully tend to reread as soon as I can get my hands on a physical copy.

But also the writing and deep themes that Anne Elisabeth weaves into her stories make it such that it takes a bit longer to read (a good thing) and to fully absorb the tale.

Goldstone Wood characters are always such “real” people. You get to know them personally. Eanrin as always was amazing (can he please walk out of the Wood and come visit?!). Masayi Sairu is a new favorite heroine; to use a crass (sorry Mom!) but apt word, she’s the epitome of a kick-ass heroine who also keeps a hold of her femininity.

As promised we get to know Sunan’s story and discover in part how he is also the ship captain in Veiled Rose and Goddess Tithe. But there’s still more to his story! What about the portrait on his wall!? I did enjoy finding out the origin of Una’s ring – well, the jewels in her ring. :-) But how did they get to her?!

Lady Hariwan was a first a bit of a conundrum – do we like her, do we fear her? And by the end – do we pity her, do we grieve her, or knowing what Ay-Ibunda is in Veiled Rose do we shudder at her? (Back in January 2012, Anne Elisabeth wrote a blog post about the temple. It’s interesting going back and reading that now.)

But more important than all that is the reason for the story: the night of the moonblood, and the goldstone. Two vast and very important pieces in the history of Goldstone Wood that have been hinted at since the very first book are finally told.

If you love fantasy, cosmic epicness, a good moral buried deep in the foundation, and the most famous bard to roam the Woods, then this is a book for you.

Review first posted on my blog (with pictures!): http://rinasreading.blogspot.com/2014...

Disclosure: I received this ARC for free from the publisher and author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

[Susan Skylark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Golden Daughter is the seventh book in the Tales of Goldstone Wood series (this is a review of a free preview copy) and is a worthy addition to an excellent series. Until I picked up these books, I was quite convinced that any fantasy writer worth reading had been dead for fifty years or more. Happily I am quite mistaken; Ms. Stengl is a worthy heir to George Macdonald, Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis. In this book particularly she combines the aching beauty of Macdonald, the whimsy and charm of Lewis, and the intricate world-building of Tolkien with her own quick wit, all too real characters, a complex and interconnected plot, superb writing, and shrewd humor, enwrapping it all in a mystique and intrigue that may well lead to lost sleep and neglected duties as the reader falls under her spell and desires nothing else in life but to know what happens next. This book can be read as a stand alone, but I would recommend starting at the beginning as it fleshes out and explains some of the questions left from earlier in the series and you will get far more out of it if you already understand something of the world in which it happens.

This book deepens and widens an already immense world, adds new characters that feel more real, more complex than some of the people you meet in real life, and only worsens the yearning to hear the Song of Spheres for yourself. There is sorrow, pain, grief, despair, and darkness in this story as in life, but there is a hope beyond the doubt, a light beyond the darkness, life beyond death. This book will stir the deep places of the soul and ask of you the same questions the characters themselves must face, which is exactly what a good book does, for a good story is not merely a well told tale but a mirror upon ourselves and the world at large, if only we have the courage to look therein. I very much enjoyed this book and impatiently await the advent of the next addition to the series!

[J.L. Mbewe · Rating 5 out of 5]

One long, contented sigh.

The borders of the near world have expanded to include this society that is beyond your normal European medieval fantasy. LOVED it. Her world building, her style, the story. Beautiful. All of it coming together in perfect harmony. Stengl pushes our imaginations just enough that we are hanging on for one crazy, wild ride with characters who grow so near and dear to our heart.

Sairu. A strong, elite warrior woman. Two half-brothers at odds at each other. Two nations on the brink of war. A host of other characters and, of course, the Dragon. And Sir Eanrin.

I do have a confession to make. I have to admit I haven't been THAT into Sir Eanrin like many of the Goldstone Imps. But after reading this one, I REALLY wanted a fluffy orange cat like him around.

This story is THE one that all the other stories have referenced. The whole Tales of Goldstone Wood hinge upon the events in this book and the next book to come. Although, this story has such a beautiful ending, you know that it is not the end. It feels like only half of the story. And I can hardly wait to see where Ms. Stengl takes it next.

[Savannah Jezowski]

A fun and thought-provoking read

I've been wanting to read this book for ages and I finally decided to reward myself for a completed project this month and got myself a copy. I was not disappointed: it will prove to be one of my favorites from this author, bested only by Heartless and Starflower, although Dragonwitch makes for steep competition as well.

There is much about this book that will leave you chewing on it later. I found I enjoyed reading it small segments, to give myself time to truly appreciate what I read and prepare myself for the next section. I don't normally read this way, so this is a good indication the book was terrific. I am a speed reader, so for any book to make me slow down and still love it says a lot. There are some amazing Biblical parallels in this story, which I won't get into lest I spoil it for others, but I think you will all be moved by the message of this amazing story. And yes, it is a nice FAT book so you will get to enjoy it that much longer.

I love fat books.

[Elizabeth Faustina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh...oh my... *sobs in realization that this is the last Tales of Goldstone Wood novel*

This series has been an absolute journey, and although I'm glad there's two more novellas to finish, it's so bittersweet to finish this. This has really been the first series that is my favorite that I have found in my older years, so it means a lot to me and has truly taken me on an adventure.

I know I really ought to stop thinking that her next book can't possibly be as good as previous ones, but I did, and was proven wrong again. It was not my favorite in the series, but it still carried that adventurous flavor, charming world, dearest prose, with it's own unique style that separates it from the other books. As usual, the plot isn't predictable in the slightest, and it's an amazing end. The characters are awesome, and I love to see reoccurring ones. *Eanrin fangirling ensues*

All clean, of course. There's a lot of violence in here, especially to do with fire and burns. I would caution against that for younger readers.

[katasaurus · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I wouldn't call this my favorite in the series, it's an incredible way to wrap up the earlier chronological "era" of the tales and lay groundwork for the next one. It's built around one of the defining events of the Goldstone mythos; the narration occasionally struggles to match the epic nature of what's happening, but it still brings me to tears. And what a way to build up a backstory for central figures in the later tales!

[Jenelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been looking forward to this story ever since I read Goddess Tithe (you may recall my review of that novella HERE). It was in that story that I fell in love with Sunan, the captain of the Kulap Kanya. I did not realize that this book would contain his back story, and was delighted to find more information about him within the pages.

But though Sunan’s back story is captivating, the novel centers around Masayi Sairu, one of the Emperor’s Golden Daughters. Trained from birth to be delicate, demure, and lethal, Sairu awaits the highest bidder to betroth her to a powerful man whom she will guard for the rest of her life. But when a strange request is brought forth, Sairu does the unthinkable: she chooses her own assignment. Now she must guard a Dream Walker from the temple on a dangerous journey to a monastery high in the mountains. Getting there is only one step of the quest, however, for perils beyond those of bandits and thieves await… for the Dragon is building an army, and he has set plans in motion to find this Dream Walker and kill him, for he is the only one who has a chance of impeding the Dragon’s plans.

Aided by an arrogant and saucy faerie cat (who is everyone’s favorite faerie bard!), Sairu will throw her own life away to defend her charge. But when she meets a young barbarian prince, her heart betrays her, and she finds her loyalty divided.

Full of mystery, intrigue, and a lot more politics than in previous stories, Golden Daughter held me captivated. It is much longer than the previous stories, as well, which is not a bad thing, as I love long stories. There were moments where I felt that this book dragged a bit in places, but not so much that it hampered my enjoyment of the plot or the characters. If there is one thing Anne Elisabeth does exceedingly well, it is create extremely interesting, well-rounded, likable characters who just seem to step off the page into real life. Although this set of characters is mostly new, I fell completely in love with them.

My favorite character in the book (besides Eanrin, of course… though I like him better when he doesn’t spend the entire story in cat form… which is just personal preference… probably because I like him so much and I enjoy it when he goes on adventures himself, as opposed to being in a merely “guardian/observer” type role) would have to be Sunan’s younger brother. I really enjoyed the parallels to the Biblical story of Joseph twined throughout his story, but I also liked the way that the story wasn’t an exact copy of the Biblical story, there were some unique twists thrown in, as well. I also loved Sairu… though there were a few times I wanted to take her by the shoulders and tell her to stop being such an imbecile!

I also enjoyed the overall tone of the story. The setting is so different from the other places in which the Tales of Goldstone Wood take place. The story is set in Noorhitam (we’ve been there briefly in a couple of the other tales, but never spent much time there before). There are definitely some Far Eastern influences being brought to play there, a lot of Chinese/Japanese feel to the culture and landscape… which I expected. What I didn’t expect was to find so much Hebrew-in-Old-Testament-times influences and flavors, as well. It made for quite the unique experience.

As Dame Imraldera tells you at the beginning of the book, you can most definitely read this story without having read the rest of the series. But I beg you, DON’T DO THAT! Go pick up Heartless and proceed through the series in order. It will be a much richer and more profound experience if you do.

Overall, this book is a beautiful and powerful addition to the Tales of Goldstone Wood. Though Shadow Hand is still my favorite, this comes in at a close second.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I picked up Golden Daughter, the latest book in Anne Elisabeth Stengl’s Tales of Goldstone Wood series, I wasn’t sure what to expect. (This was probably just as well, since Anne Elisabeth has, in her last few books, made a habit of turning my expectations on their heads.) Golden Daughter sounded like it would be very different from the other Tales, and in many ways, it was. However, it’s every bit as amazing.

For fans of the Tales of Goldstone Wood, Golden Daughter is a book full of questions asked and answered. We discover more about people, things, and events we’ve heard about in other books, like Una’s ring and the Night of the Moonblood, though some of these discoveries, like what we learn of Sunan (previously seen in Goddess Tithe) are only smaller pieces of a much larger puzzle. Even newcomers to the Tales will be able to enjoy this book, however. Though there are many, many references to other books in the series, Golden Daughter is a complete and independent story in its own right.

As I mentioned earlier, Golden Daughter is quite different in some from many of the other Tales of Goldstone Wood. It’s set far from Parumvir and Southlands, in Lunthea Maly and the surrounding country, which I very much enjoyed. Though I love the countries we’ve seen previously, it was really fun to explore somewhere new. Golden Daughter also has a more mysterious, suspenseful feel than the other Tales, which I also really liked.

Another favorite aspect of Golden Daughter is the characters. I’ve talked about Anne Elisabeth’s gift for character creation before; even the minor characters seem incredibly alive and real. The population of Golden Daughter is no exception. My favorite character was definitely Sairu. She’s an incredible contradiction: determined and deadly, yet fun, clever, and lovable from the first time we meet her. Eanrin was also awesome; I think I love him more with every Tale he appears in. Moving on to much-less-lovable characters, the Dragon reappears as main villain for the first time since Veiled Rose. I was very excited to see him again; the Dragon is one of my all-time favorite villains, and he’s every bit as chilling and evil in Golden Daughter as I remembered him from previous books.

I did have a slightly hard time getting into this book at first. It started off a bit slowly, and certain characters turned me off until I figured out that I didn’t have to like them. Then the twists started coming, ushered in (for the most part) by Jovann and Eanrin, and the slow beginning was all but forgotten. Once again I learned the folly of thinking I could predict the path of one of the Tales of Goldstone Wood; each time I thought I knew how the rest of the story would play out, I was proven wrong. By the end of Golden Daughter, I was so captured by the story that I stayed up until eleven at night to finish it.

Be warned, though: Golden Daughter is not always easy to read. There is heartbreak and tears and yelling at characters. There is failure and death and seeming certainty of defeat. But in the mist of all this darkness, there is light. There is hope. There’s a promise that good will overcome in the end. There’s a beautiful, powerful, message that shines all the more for the darkness it’s held against. And that, most of all, is why I love Golden Daughter.

In conclusion, Golden Daughter is an amazing addition to the Tales of Goldstone Wood, and my favorite Tale since Heartless. Both newcomers and experienced Goldstone Wood fans will love this book for its amazing characters, stunning plot, and beautiful, inspiring message. It’s a book that you’ll want to read over and over again.

[Cortney Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dreams, bodyguards, secret orders, divided families and kingdoms, war, adventure, love, and of course… dragons all meld together in this epic new book of the Tales of Goldstone Wood. With Golden Daughter, Anne Elisabeth Stengl proves once more that she has been blessed with a tremendous gift for writing powerful, moving, and emotional tales.

Vibrant new characters join familiar favorites to create a unique cast of heroes and villains that you can’t help but love. Sairu, a Golden Daughter, is placed in the service of Lady Hariawan, a Dream Walker. To the eyes of many, she is nothing more than a handmaiden, but in reality, she is a highly trained bodyguard, devoted to her mistress for the rest of her life.

But other forces are at work, and Lady Hariawan is not the only Dream Walker, nor is she the only one in need of protection. A fan favorite returns in this book of the series to guard Sairu herself, and the bond that forms between these two is both lovely and unique.

Another returning favorite is the mighty villain, the Dragon, who seeks to fulfill his own dark purpose. Aiding him are many who feel displaced and angry with their lot in life.

At the same time, two brothers are divided by hatred and jealousy, and readers will be pleasantly surprised to discover a bit more of Sunan’s (from Goddess Tithe) backstory.

Several other mysteries are explained, including one which has been referenced multiple times since the beginning of the series in Heartless. Also, readers may discover threads woven throughout the story that are reminiscent of the Old Testament accounts of Joseph, Daniel, Esther, and even Adam and Eve. Truly Golden Daughter is an epic tale with far-reaching effects upon the worlds of Goldstone Wood, yet the struggles of the individual characters makes it relatable, and the powerful description breathes life to the characters and their story.

I would highly recommend Golden Daughter by Anne Elisabeth Stengl to any fan of Fantasy or even any fan of reading. However, if you intend to read the entire series of the Tales of Goldstone Wood, then I would recommend beginning with Heartless and reading through the rest of the books in the order they were written. Either way, you are certainly in for a treat with this delightful story and series!

[Lucy Buller · Rating 5 out of 5]

LET ME JUST SAY:
This book is awesome. I dove into it with a voracious appetite that knew The Tales of Goldstone Wood well. I was not disappointed! Anne Elisabeth Stengl brought in fresh, new characters, as well as old ones(EANRIN! *sqee*). The usual formula: several doses of action, more of world, or story, and a dose of good romance. Anne Elisabeth Stengl has another amazing story!

THE GOOD:

characters
As I said, there were fresh and new characters, along with the familiar old ones. Laughable, beautiful(heartbroken) characters.

story
THE STORY! Oh my goodness. This book was overflowing with wonderful story. It was almost as good as my mom's cheesecake(which is the best ever, so...).

villain
The
dragon.
Oh my word. He is a brilliant villain. A beautiful blend of evil, creepiness, more evil, and more creepiness. He jumped off the page and is one of my favorite villains.

HYLUMÉ
She gets her own paragraph because this was partially her story, and it was heart-wrenchingly beautiful.

the style
I love Anne Elizabeth's lovely writing style. It is beautiful.

the cover
It is beautiful.

THE BAD:

The book ended. :)

Five stars to another wonderful book by my favorite author!

* I recieved a free ebook copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Rebekah Gyger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This my favorite Goldstone Wood novel since Starflower. I might even like it a bit more than Starflower, which I wasn't sure was possible. Golden Daughter takes us to another country in the history of this world, one with customs far different than the other countries seen so far. The culture Anne Elisabeth constructed was so intricate and detailed, making it seem like someplace that might have once been real (and this comes from a Cultural Anthropologist).

The character I didn't like was Lady Hariawan. Everyone else, including the villains, were so much fun to read about. Sunan (who I only recently discovered was Captain Sunan from Goddess Tithe) was probably my favorite, besides Sir Eanrin. As with Heartless, Eanrin spent most of the novel in cat form, which I must admit I found hilarious.

I can not wait to read what comes next in the series. Surely it will be just as delightful as this.

I received an ARC of Golden Daughter in exchange for an honest review

[Ricki · Rating 3 out of 5]

General Review of The Tales of Goldstone Wood
This is a wonderful book series. It's Christian fantasy allegory, so if you liked Narnia, you'll probably like this. However, two caveats:
-Most of the book covers aren't accurate to the content of the books. Just ignore them completely.
-The books are published out of chronological order, to the detriment of the reader's understanding and enjoyment. The author herself has stated that she believes Heartless is the best introduction to the series, but I completely disagree (for reasons outlined in my Goodreads review of that book). Here is the order in which these beautiful novels sit upon my bookshelf.

The Tales of Goldstone Wood Chronological Order

1. Draven's Light (novella, publishing order #9) - My 3-star review.
2. Starflower (publishing order #4) - My 5-star review.
3. Dragonwitch (publishing order #5) - My 2-star review.
4. Golden Daughter (publishing order #8) - My 3-star review.
5. Fallen Star (short story, publishing order #10) - My 2-star review.
6. Veiled Rose (publishing order #2) - My 4-star review.
7. Goddess Tithe (novella, publishing order #7) - My 3-star review.
8. Heartless (publishing order #1) - My 3-star review.
9. Moonblood (publishing order #3) - My 5-star review.
10. Shadow Hand (publishing order #6) - My 5-star review.

The Tales of Goldstone Wood Reading Guide
I recommend everyone to begin with Starflower. It is chronologically the first (and quite possibly the best) full-fledged novel of the series. This book is a fantastic, memorable introduction to the world and some of its key characters, and reading it first will cement a strong foundation in the reader's mind for the rest of the series to be built on. Finally, it can actually stand alone very well if the reader does not have the time or interest to continue with the series.

After reading Starflower, gauge your interest. Are you 100% invested, with all the time in the world and all the dedication you need to get through the whole series? Then I recommend the following reading order, which is the chronological order except for the swap of Starflower and Draven's Light, AND moving the short story "Fallen Star" after Moonblood (imperative because there are major spoilers in the short story).

1. Starflower
2. Draven's Light (novella)
3. Dragonwitch
4. Golden Daughter
5. Veiled Rose
6. Goddess Tithe (novella)
7. Heartless
8. Moonblood
9. Fallen Star (short story)
10. Shadow Hand

HOWEVER, if you enjoyed Starflower but aren't ready to commit to a huge series, I recommend following up Starflower with:

1. Veiled Rose
2. Heartless
3. Moonblood

These three are the first books the author wrote and they stand as a kind of trilogy. Reading these alone would be akin to just reading the Pevensie books in the Narnia series, or only watching the original Star Wars trilogy. The important work of the series is in these books. If you finish these three books and feel that you would like to read more, I recommend Shadow Hand next, as it continues on with the same characters, before going back into the earlier books of the series (which you may consider supplementary material, like the "prequel" Star Wars movies).

Goldstone Wood is unfinished. Is it worth reading?
Stengl announced in Jan 2017 that she is no longer writing Goldstone Wood (she hopes to return in the future, but no promises). How does that affect the series?

Goldstone Wood is many stories interwoven together. All of them do find SOME resolution. The "prequel" set of stories is fully complete. However, the main important plots are not quite resolved. There are no cliffhangers, but the reader can see that Stengl planned a future conclusion that the characters have not yet reached. Is it still a good series? Absolutely. I still loved it. I still lend it out and recommend it. It still reaches (in my opinion) a satisfying enough conclusion.

Yes, I wish it had the ending Stengl planned. Who knows, maybe someday she'll come back to it. She has a lot of fans who are hoping very much that she will. But even if she never does, Goldstone Wood remains a strong entry into Christian fantasy and still worth the read.


Review of Golden Daughter
In case anyone needed some confusion cleared up, for some unfathomable reason the powers that be decided to break up the novel Golden Daughter and publish it as four books. So you can either buy the one novel as part of the Goldstone Wood series, or pretend it's a separate series:
1. Crouching Shadow
2. The Perilous Gate
3. The Long Fire
4. The Dying Moon

We're just going to pretend that didn't happen, because it really doesn't make sense to me.

What can I say about Golden Daughter... I enjoyed the main character, but for someone brought up to be a super-elite bodyguard, she made a lot of dumb mistakes. I didn't find her or Jovann very credible--he's supposed to be the heir to a cruel barbarian chieftan, so why is he way too nice a guy? But whatever. Overall the characters are fine.

Where this book really shines is the religious allegory part. When Jovann is deep into The Dream and he sees the moon and stars singing the eternal song—wow! I looooved it. And similar to Heartless, the climax has some elements very reminiscent to the Christian salvation story. So it's a strong and important part of the series. I would say that my biggest complaint is that I felt Sunan's plotline was unfinished, and I wanted more closure with him. All in all, three stars.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot express how much I loved this book. I'm obsessed with this series.
A couple notes:

1) Chapter 22 brought me to tears. But that was, in part, because of the 500 pages of intense character development and plot before that chapter. Throughout the whole book I kept thinking "Wow, this is really good. This is a really good book. She is really skilled. I'm not sure I've read many books where the author is this skilled. Oh my goodness, this is really well-written." It's enjoyable to read a book so well-crafted.

2) This is the darkest of the TOGW books so far but that's to be expected because it deals with rather epic events. This might appeal to older audiences. I would hand the others to a young reader (and recommend them to young-ancient readers) but this one I might want to read With a younger reader.

3) Eanrin!!

4) If you haven't read the whole series up to this point, this book Can stand alone but it's best to have at least read Veiled Rose and Moonblood and know the basic context of Heartless (the first novel). This book takes place after Starflower and Dragonwitch and some of the events of Shadow Hand but before Heartless, Veiled Rose, Moonblood, and other parts of Shadow Hand (correct me if I'm wrong). One of the things I like about this series is that each book reveals a bit more this overarching timeline of the events related in these books.

5) The backstory to one of the minor characters from one of the novels and novellas has a jaw-dropping backstory.

6) So many characters and their varied motivations and actions are painted so clearly and vividly that you are left thinking about them for days after finishing the last page, forgetting they don't exist and that you'd never heard of them a week before.

7) I can't wait for the next full novel (and the upcoming novella).