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Feathered Thief
Stolen apples. Divided lovers. A bungled curse.
Young Princess Helena of Kielce despises her tormentor, Prince Kazik of Ostrów, until the day she realizes the boy actually likes her and true friendship blossoms. In time, their royal parents arrange a betrothal, but first the princess vanishes, then the prince, and the entire region falls under a strange curse.
Five years later, a girl known as Lenka the Archer tends a lonely golden-apple tree and wonders who she really is. Serving in the King of Trinec’s magical garden is a worthy position, but how did she and the tree come to be there? When golden apples go missing and the king’s two sons fail to identify the thief, the task falls on Lenka, who catches a golden bird in the act. Instead of shooting it, she receives from the bird one golden feather and a promise.
After the princes go in search of the elusive bird and vanish, the king orders Lenka to bring back the golden bird, the apples it stole, and the two missing princes. While disguised as a man and guided by a talking fox, Lenka takes on impossible challenges in unexpected places . . . and absolutely nothing goes as planned.
Will the stolen princess find her true self and her beloved prince? Can she rescue her homeland from its hopeless tangle of magic and mayhem?
Feathered Thief is a standalone no-spice fairy-tale reimagining of Grimms' The Golden Bird, featuring fabulous creatures and childhood sweethearts trapped between an evil duke and a bungling fairy godfather. Join Lenka on her tangled quest to rescue three golden treasures in this tale of the series "All That Glitters," a 12-book series brimming with Tales of Treasure and True Love. Each book stands alone and is written by a different author, so choose your next romantic adventure and remember… not all that glitters is gold!
Young Princess Helena of Kielce despises her tormentor, Prince Kazik of Ostrów, until the day she realizes the boy actually likes her and true friendship blossoms. In time, their royal parents arrange a betrothal, but first the princess vanishes, then the prince, and the entire region falls under a strange curse.
Five years later, a girl known as Lenka the Archer tends a lonely golden-apple tree and wonders who she really is. Serving in the King of Trinec’s magical garden is a worthy position, but how did she and the tree come to be there? When golden apples go missing and the king’s two sons fail to identify the thief, the task falls on Lenka, who catches a golden bird in the act. Instead of shooting it, she receives from the bird one golden feather and a promise.
After the princes go in search of the elusive bird and vanish, the king orders Lenka to bring back the golden bird, the apples it stole, and the two missing princes. While disguised as a man and guided by a talking fox, Lenka takes on impossible challenges in unexpected places . . . and absolutely nothing goes as planned.
Will the stolen princess find her true self and her beloved prince? Can she rescue her homeland from its hopeless tangle of magic and mayhem?
Feathered Thief is a standalone no-spice fairy-tale reimagining of Grimms' The Golden Bird, featuring fabulous creatures and childhood sweethearts trapped between an evil duke and a bungling fairy godfather. Join Lenka on her tangled quest to rescue three golden treasures in this tale of the series "All That Glitters," a 12-book series brimming with Tales of Treasure and True Love. Each book stands alone and is written by a different author, so choose your next romantic adventure and remember… not all that glitters is gold!
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 21, 2025
23 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Stengl
12 books218 followers
Get a FREE book gift from J.M. Stengl when you visit her website!
Jill Marie is a native of southern California who, after a whirlwind life as a military wife, now makes her home with her husband in North Carolina, where she serves at the beck and call of two cats, one dog, and five adorable grandchildren. Obsessions include all things animal rescue, fairy-tale romances, collecting model horses, and perfecting the perfect pastry crust.
During her former career as a romance novelist, Jill Marie won both the Carol Award and RWA's Inspirational Readers' Choice Award. Now she prefers her novels to include a dash of magic along with the heart-melting romance.
Jill Marie is a native of southern California who, after a whirlwind life as a military wife, now makes her home with her husband in North Carolina, where she serves at the beck and call of two cats, one dog, and five adorable grandchildren. Obsessions include all things animal rescue, fairy-tale romances, collecting model horses, and perfecting the perfect pastry crust.
During her former career as a romance novelist, Jill Marie won both the Carol Award and RWA's Inspirational Readers' Choice Award. Now she prefers her novels to include a dash of magic along with the heart-melting romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
June 23, 2025
What a fun story! I have not read many retellings of The Golden Bird and it was so cool to see this one. I loved the themes of kindness and love.
Helena was so sweet! I loved her strength of character and her kindness. She stood out amongst her peers, especially as a young girl, but was still thoughtful and sweet. I admired how she thought through her quest and her willingness to heed counsel. Even in the midst of the crazy magic, she kept her head and made choices based on her values. I loved following her journey as she sought to understand the enchantment she found herself woven into. It had such a classic fairytale adventure feel.
Kazik was also a sweetheart. I loved seeing him grow over the story and how he developed into an honorable man. It was so interesting to see the magic that was woven into his story and how he grew into himself. I loved his relationship with his mother. She was so lovely, but also felt really real.
The magic of the world was really cool! I had a lot of fun seeing the different creatures. Geoffroi and Solara were amazing and hilarious. The story was exciting and I really enjoyed the characters. Overall, this was a lovely fairytale inspired story with humor and heart!
I received an ARC.
Helena was so sweet! I loved her strength of character and her kindness. She stood out amongst her peers, especially as a young girl, but was still thoughtful and sweet. I admired how she thought through her quest and her willingness to heed counsel. Even in the midst of the crazy magic, she kept her head and made choices based on her values. I loved following her journey as she sought to understand the enchantment she found herself woven into. It had such a classic fairytale adventure feel.
Kazik was also a sweetheart. I loved seeing him grow over the story and how he developed into an honorable man. It was so interesting to see the magic that was woven into his story and how he grew into himself. I loved his relationship with his mother. She was so lovely, but also felt really real.
The magic of the world was really cool! I had a lot of fun seeing the different creatures. Geoffroi and Solara were amazing and hilarious. The story was exciting and I really enjoyed the characters. Overall, this was a lovely fairytale inspired story with humor and heart!
I received an ARC.
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August 6, 2025DNF @ 17%
I’m bored, I can’t seem to get into the story and it is just dragging at this point.
I’m bored, I can’t seem to get into the story and it is just dragging at this point.
June 17, 2025
Book: Feathered Thief
Author: J.M. Stengl
Personal rating: 4/5 stars
Spice rating: 1/5 - The kisses came at the end
Language: 0/5
Plot: 4/5
This is a part of the Multi author series All that Glitters.
Personal thoughts:
I have personally never read the Grimms’ The Golden bird fairytale but I did love this story. A lot of things happened in this story and the author definitely took us to many different places and castles as we journey with Princess Helena. I loved how descriptive the author was, I never found myself wondering where exactly I was in the story even though our female lead literally traveled all over our fairytale world. I also loved how we got to watch the characters grow and even though the story does happen over a span of almost 10 years it doesn’t feel rushed although the book was not super long.
I especially loved Kazimierz and Helena’s relationship and how he (Kazimierz) never gave into despair even though for a long time him and Helena were far apart. This was definitely a story that was laced with hope if that makes sense.
Thank you to the author, J.M.Stengl, for an ARC of Feathered Thief. All opinions are my own.
Author: J.M. Stengl
Personal rating: 4/5 stars
Spice rating: 1/5 - The kisses came at the end
Language: 0/5
Plot: 4/5
This is a part of the Multi author series All that Glitters.
Personal thoughts:
I have personally never read the Grimms’ The Golden bird fairytale but I did love this story. A lot of things happened in this story and the author definitely took us to many different places and castles as we journey with Princess Helena. I loved how descriptive the author was, I never found myself wondering where exactly I was in the story even though our female lead literally traveled all over our fairytale world. I also loved how we got to watch the characters grow and even though the story does happen over a span of almost 10 years it doesn’t feel rushed although the book was not super long.
I especially loved Kazimierz and Helena’s relationship and how he (Kazimierz) never gave into despair even though for a long time him and Helena were far apart. This was definitely a story that was laced with hope if that makes sense.
Thank you to the author, J.M.Stengl, for an ARC of Feathered Thief. All opinions are my own.
July 11, 2025
This book was amazing!
Feathered Thief is a retelling of The Golden Bird by the Grimm Brothers. This is an obscure fairytale and one I have never heard of.
This book follows Princess Helena and Prince Kazik from childhood to adulthood. They were rivals in their childhood until Helena realizes that Kazik actually likes her and a friendship blossoms. Eventually a betrothal is arranged between the two of them, but then Helena vanishes, then Kazik, and a curse falls over the land.
This was a fairytale start to finish. It had that strong fairytale vibes that is usually absent from retellings. I loved that aspect. It was also super cozy. I don’t love cozy books, but this one was one I will read again.
The writing was well done. There was a lot that happened, but there wasn’t any confusion about where you were at in the story. I will say the only confusing parts of the book were where they discussed the curse and magic. I struggled to follow that part of the story.
I loved both Helena and Kazik. They were amazing characters, with an adorable relationship. They were amazing on their own and together, which is a huge selling point for me.
Kazik was so sweet and dedicated. He never wavered in his love, which was just amazing. I wish he was in the story more during the second part of the book, but I understand why he wasn’t.
Helena was a strong, determined, but kind main character. She was also a lot of fun to read, as both Helena and Lenka. I enjoyed how the story was split up and her character had changed over time.
I also really enjoyed the adoption side of things. It wasn’t an official adoption, but it was well done. There also wasn’t any doubt that the adoptive parents loved the character and would do anything for them. This was just something small that I noticed, but I loved it.
This book had some good body positivity messages, too. Kazik was short and pudgy, especially in his childhood. Helena was super tall and narrow, with no curves. This caused a lot of self-consciousness for both of them. In the end, they really didn’t care what the other looked like, which is a great message!
I also enjoyed the magical creatures in this book. Who doesn’t want a golden bird and horse?
The romance and fairytale vibes were the biggest draws for me in this book! There were some politics happening, but the romance was the main thing.
I really hope there is going to be a sequel!
Feathered Thief is a clean romance, retelling with magic, romance, curses, and fairytale vibes perfect for a rainy day!
*I received an ARC copy from the author and all opinions are my own.
Feathered Thief is a retelling of The Golden Bird by the Grimm Brothers. This is an obscure fairytale and one I have never heard of.
This book follows Princess Helena and Prince Kazik from childhood to adulthood. They were rivals in their childhood until Helena realizes that Kazik actually likes her and a friendship blossoms. Eventually a betrothal is arranged between the two of them, but then Helena vanishes, then Kazik, and a curse falls over the land.
This was a fairytale start to finish. It had that strong fairytale vibes that is usually absent from retellings. I loved that aspect. It was also super cozy. I don’t love cozy books, but this one was one I will read again.
The writing was well done. There was a lot that happened, but there wasn’t any confusion about where you were at in the story. I will say the only confusing parts of the book were where they discussed the curse and magic. I struggled to follow that part of the story.
I loved both Helena and Kazik. They were amazing characters, with an adorable relationship. They were amazing on their own and together, which is a huge selling point for me.
Kazik was so sweet and dedicated. He never wavered in his love, which was just amazing. I wish he was in the story more during the second part of the book, but I understand why he wasn’t.
Helena was a strong, determined, but kind main character. She was also a lot of fun to read, as both Helena and Lenka. I enjoyed how the story was split up and her character had changed over time.
I also really enjoyed the adoption side of things. It wasn’t an official adoption, but it was well done. There also wasn’t any doubt that the adoptive parents loved the character and would do anything for them. This was just something small that I noticed, but I loved it.
This book had some good body positivity messages, too. Kazik was short and pudgy, especially in his childhood. Helena was super tall and narrow, with no curves. This caused a lot of self-consciousness for both of them. In the end, they really didn’t care what the other looked like, which is a great message!
I also enjoyed the magical creatures in this book. Who doesn’t want a golden bird and horse?
The romance and fairytale vibes were the biggest draws for me in this book! There were some politics happening, but the romance was the main thing.
I really hope there is going to be a sequel!
Feathered Thief is a clean romance, retelling with magic, romance, curses, and fairytale vibes perfect for a rainy day!
*I received an ARC copy from the author and all opinions are my own.
June 22, 2025
At this point, I've read over half the books from the All That Glitters multi-author series of fairy tale retellings. The newest release in this series is Feathered Thief by JM Stengl, a retelling of an obscure Brothers Grimm fairy tale called "The Golden Bird." It is an interesting and creative take on the story and incorporates a romance spanning many years. My biggest struggle with this book is that one of the characters has their memories altered, which is a trope that I've struggled with in other books I've read in the past. The beginning and ending of the book are straightforward and romantic, but the middle portion can get murky at times. Regardless, it's a magical tale that is filled with enchanting and whimsical imagery. How can you not fall in love with this gorgeous artwork by Jenelle Hovde?
Prince Kazik has known since childhood that he wants to be with Princess Helena. It's too bad he doesn't know how to express that desire without teasing her, as children are prone to do. It takes years for him to learn how to express his feelings more effectively. Helena is confused by his childhood pranks, but comes to care for Kazik as well. The two could not be happier when their families arranged a marriage alliance between them. However, complications strike, and they find themselves in the middle of a twisted game created by a magical entity just beyond their reach. Can they outsmart a bumbling mage, a witty fox, and other magical creatures?
This story starts out simple and gets complicated so quickly that it's like falling into a rabbit hole. Helena and Kazik are all in on their marriage prospects until rumors circulate that their parents have changed their minds. Their response to these rumors has lasting effects for themselves and their kingdoms. Helena's memories are erased, putting her in a fugue state where she doesn't know who she is but understands that she must pass a series of trials for the sake of her kingdom. When his people fall into a magical sleep, Kazik must find Helena and help her restore her memories. They must also figure out if their magical guides are trustworthy to successfully claim their prize.
Although the story strays from the original fairy tale, this book has all of the lovely imagery and whimsy that made the Brothers Grimm so beloved for over a century. There is an enchanted golden apple tree, a sly talking fox, an enchanting golden bird, and a beloved steed that is smarter than it lets on. There are times when the story doesn't make a lot of sense, but when it comes to the magic and wonder that fairy tales bring, it doesn't always need to. Helena and Kazik's selflessness shines through, leading them to great rewards. The satisfying ending makes the mind-bending trials and tribulations all worth it.
Feathered Thief is a charming and imaginative retelling of "The Golden Bird" that will transport you to a world of magic and wonder. With its beautiful imagery, whimsical creatures, and sweet romance, this book is a delightful addition to the All That Glitters series. While the memory alteration trope may be a bit of a stumbling block for some readers, the story's enchanting moments and satisfying ending make it well worth the journey. If you're a fan of fairy tales, romance, and adventure, Feathered Thief is definitely worth checking out.
Prince Kazik has known since childhood that he wants to be with Princess Helena. It's too bad he doesn't know how to express that desire without teasing her, as children are prone to do. It takes years for him to learn how to express his feelings more effectively. Helena is confused by his childhood pranks, but comes to care for Kazik as well. The two could not be happier when their families arranged a marriage alliance between them. However, complications strike, and they find themselves in the middle of a twisted game created by a magical entity just beyond their reach. Can they outsmart a bumbling mage, a witty fox, and other magical creatures?
This story starts out simple and gets complicated so quickly that it's like falling into a rabbit hole. Helena and Kazik are all in on their marriage prospects until rumors circulate that their parents have changed their minds. Their response to these rumors has lasting effects for themselves and their kingdoms. Helena's memories are erased, putting her in a fugue state where she doesn't know who she is but understands that she must pass a series of trials for the sake of her kingdom. When his people fall into a magical sleep, Kazik must find Helena and help her restore her memories. They must also figure out if their magical guides are trustworthy to successfully claim their prize.
Although the story strays from the original fairy tale, this book has all of the lovely imagery and whimsy that made the Brothers Grimm so beloved for over a century. There is an enchanted golden apple tree, a sly talking fox, an enchanting golden bird, and a beloved steed that is smarter than it lets on. There are times when the story doesn't make a lot of sense, but when it comes to the magic and wonder that fairy tales bring, it doesn't always need to. Helena and Kazik's selflessness shines through, leading them to great rewards. The satisfying ending makes the mind-bending trials and tribulations all worth it.
Feathered Thief is a charming and imaginative retelling of "The Golden Bird" that will transport you to a world of magic and wonder. With its beautiful imagery, whimsical creatures, and sweet romance, this book is a delightful addition to the All That Glitters series. While the memory alteration trope may be a bit of a stumbling block for some readers, the story's enchanting moments and satisfying ending make it well worth the journey. If you're a fan of fairy tales, romance, and adventure, Feathered Thief is definitely worth checking out.
June 25, 2025
Reader’s Notes:
– this is part of a series, but meant to be read as a stand-alone
*this story is set in J. M. Stengl’s Faraway Castle world, though it is set many years before the events in her main series for it (you don’t need to read the series to enjoy this book)
– this is told mainly from Kazik & Helena/Lenka’s points of view (with a few sections from Euzebia’s point of view)
Review:
It’s been a little while since I’ve read a book written by J. M. Stengl, but this story was as delightful as I remembered her writing to be! And since I’d only read a summary of this particular tale (The Golden Bird) and haven’t read any retellings yet, it was extra fun! I loved getting to know Kazik and Helena through the various points of view presented in this story! Both of them as children and adults were adorable and I loved seeing their love for each other shine. I loved that Kazik’s mother was all for their relationship and did what she could to guide Kazik in that as well as in what kind of person he should grow up to be. I loved that Helena wasn’t one to conform to social norms but chose to be herself. I also loved the magical elements introduced into their story and how it came into play for the ending!
I can’t wait to get to the other books by J. M. Stengl that I haven’t gotten to yet!
Summary:
Then:
Princess Helena felt disconnected and looked down on by her peers, but one stood out as the worst to her: Prince Kazik. No matter what, he seemed to seek her out and make their visits miserable. Until one day everything changed…
Prince Kazik had no idea how to show he cared for a girl, let alone the most beautiful one that was Helena. Even with what seemed like good advice, he worried about what his peers would think of his feelings. Until his mother gave him an idea that changed how Helena saw him…
Now:
An odd curse has been on the land for five years and neither the prince nor the princess can be found.
A girl by the name of Lenka tends to her golden apple tree in a nearby kingdom and wonders who she is and where she came from. When a strange bird comes and steals the golden apples, the king sends his two sons after it. But neither of them return.
Lenka is then sent to complete the task the king’s sons could not. Disguised as a man, Lenka follows cryptic clues and instructions in order to retrieve the bird, the apples it stole, and the missing princes.
But nothing goes as planned and Lenka will have to decide what will be the right choices to make as she moves forward into the mysterious curse…
– this is part of a series, but meant to be read as a stand-alone
*this story is set in J. M. Stengl’s Faraway Castle world, though it is set many years before the events in her main series for it (you don’t need to read the series to enjoy this book)
– this is told mainly from Kazik & Helena/Lenka’s points of view (with a few sections from Euzebia’s point of view)
Review:
It’s been a little while since I’ve read a book written by J. M. Stengl, but this story was as delightful as I remembered her writing to be! And since I’d only read a summary of this particular tale (The Golden Bird) and haven’t read any retellings yet, it was extra fun! I loved getting to know Kazik and Helena through the various points of view presented in this story! Both of them as children and adults were adorable and I loved seeing their love for each other shine. I loved that Kazik’s mother was all for their relationship and did what she could to guide Kazik in that as well as in what kind of person he should grow up to be. I loved that Helena wasn’t one to conform to social norms but chose to be herself. I also loved the magical elements introduced into their story and how it came into play for the ending!
I can’t wait to get to the other books by J. M. Stengl that I haven’t gotten to yet!
Summary:
Then:
Princess Helena felt disconnected and looked down on by her peers, but one stood out as the worst to her: Prince Kazik. No matter what, he seemed to seek her out and make their visits miserable. Until one day everything changed…
Prince Kazik had no idea how to show he cared for a girl, let alone the most beautiful one that was Helena. Even with what seemed like good advice, he worried about what his peers would think of his feelings. Until his mother gave him an idea that changed how Helena saw him…
Now:
An odd curse has been on the land for five years and neither the prince nor the princess can be found.
A girl by the name of Lenka tends to her golden apple tree in a nearby kingdom and wonders who she is and where she came from. When a strange bird comes and steals the golden apples, the king sends his two sons after it. But neither of them return.
Lenka is then sent to complete the task the king’s sons could not. Disguised as a man, Lenka follows cryptic clues and instructions in order to retrieve the bird, the apples it stole, and the missing princes.
But nothing goes as planned and Lenka will have to decide what will be the right choices to make as she moves forward into the mysterious curse…
August 13, 2025
Overview:
Language 🤐: Clean
Romance ❤️🔥: Kisses only (not descriptive)
Violence ⚔️: I don't remember there being any
⚠️ Talk of loved ones who had past away, Toxic Father⚠️
Tropes/Micro tropes
- Dual POV
- Friends to Lovers
- Both Nobles who grew up together (rivals as children)
- Watching him train
- Teaching her Archery
- Forgotten Identity
- Fairy godfather
- It's always been you
- Chosen one vibes
- Found family
My Thoughts:
This was another one I'd never really heard of but it was so so enjoyable. I absolutely adored this story! It was so cute watching these two grow up together and how they handled the troubles that were thrown their way. Helena was sweet and reminded of myself only in the way she wanted to keep up with the men and get into scraps like the boys did. She was spunky and brave. She was level headed and seeking to do right even in the midst of confusing circumstance, and not remembering who she was.
Kazimierz was so sweet! He's devotion and love for Helena was wonderful. It was a bit unique in this story as they are separate for a good chunk of the story. He never gave up hope and held out to the end.
This was just such a sweet feel good story where you are rooting for good and able to cheer when evil fails. It feels like being wrapped in a warm comforting story, but full of enough adventure and twist to keep you coming for more! I truly enjoyed this story!
Thanks so much to the author for the ARC copy of this wonderful story! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
• Dual POV
• Both royals
• Her mother is dead
• She doesn’t want to be lady like
• She’s 10yrs basically 11yrs old at the start of the story
• Princes 12th birthday
• Calls him her archenemy
• Mention of the Almighty
• Sheens to see him practice archery
• He teaches her archery
• Christmas betrothal wedding to be held when he’s 15
• Losing her memories in a pocket world
• Fairy godfather - Bogumil
• She has to rescue him from the challenges
• It’s always been you
• The chosen one vibes
• Mother vs father
• Both royals
• Amnesia for her
• He carries her
Language 🤐: Clean
Romance ❤️🔥: Kisses only (not descriptive)
Violence ⚔️: I don't remember there being any
⚠️ Talk of loved ones who had past away, Toxic Father⚠️
Tropes/Micro tropes
- Dual POV
- Friends to Lovers
- Both Nobles who grew up together (rivals as children)
- Watching him train
- Teaching her Archery
- Forgotten Identity
- Fairy godfather
- It's always been you
- Chosen one vibes
- Found family
My Thoughts:
This was another one I'd never really heard of but it was so so enjoyable. I absolutely adored this story! It was so cute watching these two grow up together and how they handled the troubles that were thrown their way. Helena was sweet and reminded of myself only in the way she wanted to keep up with the men and get into scraps like the boys did. She was spunky and brave. She was level headed and seeking to do right even in the midst of confusing circumstance, and not remembering who she was.
Kazimierz was so sweet! He's devotion and love for Helena was wonderful. It was a bit unique in this story as they are separate for a good chunk of the story. He never gave up hope and held out to the end.
This was just such a sweet feel good story where you are rooting for good and able to cheer when evil fails. It feels like being wrapped in a warm comforting story, but full of enough adventure and twist to keep you coming for more! I truly enjoyed this story!
Thanks so much to the author for the ARC copy of this wonderful story! All thoughts and opinions are my own!
• Dual POV
• Both royals
• Her mother is dead
• She doesn’t want to be lady like
• She’s 10yrs basically 11yrs old at the start of the story
• Princes 12th birthday
• Calls him her archenemy
• Mention of the Almighty
• Sheens to see him practice archery
• He teaches her archery
• Christmas betrothal wedding to be held when he’s 15
• Losing her memories in a pocket world
• Fairy godfather - Bogumil
• She has to rescue him from the challenges
• It’s always been you
• The chosen one vibes
• Mother vs father
• Both royals
• Amnesia for her
• He carries her
June 22, 2025
I received an ARC copy from the author but all thoughts and opinions are my own!
Anyone that knows me, knows that I love fairytales and have read many! The Golden Bird, the fairytale this book was based off of, is a simple but not as well known Grimm tale. I had read the tale many years ago but had to refresh my memory upon realizing that this book would be a retelling of the fairytale.
The author did a beautiful job of retelling the fairytale in such a unique and fun way. While key elements of the original tale exist in this book, I often felt as if I was reading an original fairytale! Old fairytales, such as the Grimm fairytales, have their own special feel to them. It is what makes the genre so very unique. Somehow the author managed to capture this unique feel and put it into her book! This is a huge accomplishment in my opinion. Often when reading fairytale retellings there is often a more modern feel to the tale (many of those retellings I adore) and authors don't quite capture almost the crudeness but magical feel old fairytales have. This probably will make sense to very few people but those that really studied or read fairytales might understand what I am saying and why I am so excited that an author managed this.
I loved Helena and Zazik! They were pure, not perfect, but also loyal. I love a good written love triangle here and there but it is so refreshing to have characters that choose their loves and are loyal to them and only them. The romance is clean but will still give you flutters!
The magic element of the tale was fascinating but like old fairytales you don't understand exactly where it came from or how it completely functions which weirdly enough I love because it was written in a way that doesn't give the tale any plot holes.
As like any story I love some lesson that is added to the tale and in this case I love how Helena loved Zazik even though his appearance didn't quite match who he was on the inside. Zazik was also a good example of loving a person for who they really were, even if the girl is not as proper as a princess should be.
This is a beautiful tale of patience, perseverance, loyalty, courage, love, and being true to ones self and it is one you will not want to miss out on!
Anyone that knows me, knows that I love fairytales and have read many! The Golden Bird, the fairytale this book was based off of, is a simple but not as well known Grimm tale. I had read the tale many years ago but had to refresh my memory upon realizing that this book would be a retelling of the fairytale.
The author did a beautiful job of retelling the fairytale in such a unique and fun way. While key elements of the original tale exist in this book, I often felt as if I was reading an original fairytale! Old fairytales, such as the Grimm fairytales, have their own special feel to them. It is what makes the genre so very unique. Somehow the author managed to capture this unique feel and put it into her book! This is a huge accomplishment in my opinion. Often when reading fairytale retellings there is often a more modern feel to the tale (many of those retellings I adore) and authors don't quite capture almost the crudeness but magical feel old fairytales have. This probably will make sense to very few people but those that really studied or read fairytales might understand what I am saying and why I am so excited that an author managed this.
I loved Helena and Zazik! They were pure, not perfect, but also loyal. I love a good written love triangle here and there but it is so refreshing to have characters that choose their loves and are loyal to them and only them. The romance is clean but will still give you flutters!
The magic element of the tale was fascinating but like old fairytales you don't understand exactly where it came from or how it completely functions which weirdly enough I love because it was written in a way that doesn't give the tale any plot holes.
As like any story I love some lesson that is added to the tale and in this case I love how Helena loved Zazik even though his appearance didn't quite match who he was on the inside. Zazik was also a good example of loving a person for who they really were, even if the girl is not as proper as a princess should be.
This is a beautiful tale of patience, perseverance, loyalty, courage, love, and being true to ones self and it is one you will not want to miss out on!
June 25, 2025
While I received this book as an ARC, the review below reflects my own opinions.
While I have not read any Golden Bird retellings before, I really enjoyed this one! I loved the themes of kindness, sacrifice, love, and good triumphing over evil that occurred throughout the book. It has everything from a magical golden bird, a magical golden horse, golden apples, to a kind princess and prince who have been separated by a curse.
Princess Helena and Prince Kazik have known each other for years. At first, Princess Helena hated Prince Kazik because of his tormenting and teasing of her which is really his poor attempts at getting her attention. When she realizes that Kazik really actually likes her, the two become fast friends. After a few years, their parents arrange a betrothal between the young couple. Over-joyed the two can hardly wait for the year to pass when they can marry. However, as the waiting period draws close to the end, Kazik realizes that his father never intended to allow him to marry Helena. When he rushes to ensure Helena that he loves her and will marry her despite his father's wishes, he realizes that she has disappeared. Not only has Helena disappeared, but Kazik now must take her place as part of the curse a fae has put on the land in the hopes of bringing about healing and removing the wicked from power.
Five years pass, and a young maiden with golden hair named Lenka tends a golden apple tree in the King of Trinec's magical garden. The tree and herself mysteriously appeared one night without any trace of where they had come from. Lenka has no knowledge of her past and only has a feeling that the golden apple tree may hold the key to helping her unravel the mystery of who she is. When golden apples start disappearing from the tree, the king assigns Lenka the task of finding the thief. The true knowledge of who the thief is brings about a quest that just might lead her to remember her identity. Can Lenka re-discover her past, and will she complete her quest? What will happen to Princess Helena and Prince Kazik? And will the curse ever be broken? Read The Feathered Thief to find out!
While I have not read any Golden Bird retellings before, I really enjoyed this one! I loved the themes of kindness, sacrifice, love, and good triumphing over evil that occurred throughout the book. It has everything from a magical golden bird, a magical golden horse, golden apples, to a kind princess and prince who have been separated by a curse.
Princess Helena and Prince Kazik have known each other for years. At first, Princess Helena hated Prince Kazik because of his tormenting and teasing of her which is really his poor attempts at getting her attention. When she realizes that Kazik really actually likes her, the two become fast friends. After a few years, their parents arrange a betrothal between the young couple. Over-joyed the two can hardly wait for the year to pass when they can marry. However, as the waiting period draws close to the end, Kazik realizes that his father never intended to allow him to marry Helena. When he rushes to ensure Helena that he loves her and will marry her despite his father's wishes, he realizes that she has disappeared. Not only has Helena disappeared, but Kazik now must take her place as part of the curse a fae has put on the land in the hopes of bringing about healing and removing the wicked from power.
Five years pass, and a young maiden with golden hair named Lenka tends a golden apple tree in the King of Trinec's magical garden. The tree and herself mysteriously appeared one night without any trace of where they had come from. Lenka has no knowledge of her past and only has a feeling that the golden apple tree may hold the key to helping her unravel the mystery of who she is. When golden apples start disappearing from the tree, the king assigns Lenka the task of finding the thief. The true knowledge of who the thief is brings about a quest that just might lead her to remember her identity. Can Lenka re-discover her past, and will she complete her quest? What will happen to Princess Helena and Prince Kazik? And will the curse ever be broken? Read The Feathered Thief to find out!
June 23, 2025
Before I begin, I would like to thank J. M. Stengl for allowing me to read a copy of her new book, Feathered Thief, which is part of the multi-author All That Glitters series and is available on Amazon starting on June 21st, 2025.
Princess Helena of Kielce hates Prince Kazik of Ostrów because of his tormenting until she realizes that he actually genuinely likes her. After becoming friends and a few years, their parents arrange a betrothal between the young royals, but then Helena disappears and soon Kazik does as well. The entire region is then put under a strange curse. Five years passed, and a girl called Lenka the Archer cares for a golden-apple tree in the King of Trinec’s magical garden, but she has no clue who she is or how she and the tree got here. When some golden apples disappear and the king’s sons can’t catch the thief, Lenka is assigned to the task and finds a golden bird who is in the middle of stealing the fruit. Left with a golden feather and a promise, Lenka reports her findings, but is later ordered to find the apples, golden bird, and the princes that go missing in search of them. With a talking fox and her disguised as a man, can Lenka figure out who she is and complete the quest?
This book was great. You have Helena, a sassy, clever, curious, intelligent and beautiful young princess that wants to forge her own path and make her kingdom proud. You have Kazik, a strong, considerate, kind, and handsome young prince that is devoted to doing what’s right and loves hanging out with his mother, magical animals, and Helena. The interactions between Kazik and Helena throughout the story ranged from awkward, honest, funny, and sweet. I loved the magical bird and horse, and Kazik’s mother was lovely. I haven’t read many retellings of the Golden Bird, but I thought that the twists were executed well. Overall, if you like fairytale retellings, magical animals, complex characters, and sweet childhood-friends-to-lovers romance with low spice, then I would highly recommend this book.
Princess Helena of Kielce hates Prince Kazik of Ostrów because of his tormenting until she realizes that he actually genuinely likes her. After becoming friends and a few years, their parents arrange a betrothal between the young royals, but then Helena disappears and soon Kazik does as well. The entire region is then put under a strange curse. Five years passed, and a girl called Lenka the Archer cares for a golden-apple tree in the King of Trinec’s magical garden, but she has no clue who she is or how she and the tree got here. When some golden apples disappear and the king’s sons can’t catch the thief, Lenka is assigned to the task and finds a golden bird who is in the middle of stealing the fruit. Left with a golden feather and a promise, Lenka reports her findings, but is later ordered to find the apples, golden bird, and the princes that go missing in search of them. With a talking fox and her disguised as a man, can Lenka figure out who she is and complete the quest?
This book was great. You have Helena, a sassy, clever, curious, intelligent and beautiful young princess that wants to forge her own path and make her kingdom proud. You have Kazik, a strong, considerate, kind, and handsome young prince that is devoted to doing what’s right and loves hanging out with his mother, magical animals, and Helena. The interactions between Kazik and Helena throughout the story ranged from awkward, honest, funny, and sweet. I loved the magical bird and horse, and Kazik’s mother was lovely. I haven’t read many retellings of the Golden Bird, but I thought that the twists were executed well. Overall, if you like fairytale retellings, magical animals, complex characters, and sweet childhood-friends-to-lovers romance with low spice, then I would highly recommend this book.
July 6, 2025
I received an ARC of this book and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Okay, so this is one of those stories where I really enjoy the characters and the plot but there’s just a lot of little things that keep it from a five star read. And they really are little things. I doubt they’d bother most people.
—Felt like the plot could get busy at times, with a lot of characters, a lot of moving pieces. There’s a lot of political movements in this book and that isn’t generally something I love
—It was a little hard for me to keep the characters straight because there were a lot of them. They all served a purpose but it almost felt like there were two plot lines in here that might have worked better split up into companion books?
But that being said, I did enjoy this book. I want that to be clear. I think it’s well written, the main couple is delightful and I absolutely adore the world it’s set in. There was a lot of thought put into the characters and magic system and it absolutely shows.
Helena is a great protagonist because she’s smart, she’s aware of her limits and she’s open minded enough to ask for help. I really enjoy the fact she knows she can’t do this alone. I wish I saw more of that. She has a unique type of independence where it’s how strong she is WITH others that makes her a leader.
Kazik is a lovable mouse of a warrior. And by that, I mean he will charm and use words if at all possible but he is fully capable of taking your head off. Him and Helena really work well as a unit. There’s no doubt why they’re paired off. And I loved seeing them interact as children before the whole plot took off.
The magic system is great fun. Lots of spells and inner magic and “yeah, we don’t understand this either.” I love seeing that in a book. The talking trees were probably my favorite touch.
Even with the little things that keep this from 5 stars for me personally, I would absolutely recommend this and hope I can revisit this world again!
Okay, so this is one of those stories where I really enjoy the characters and the plot but there’s just a lot of little things that keep it from a five star read. And they really are little things. I doubt they’d bother most people.
—Felt like the plot could get busy at times, with a lot of characters, a lot of moving pieces. There’s a lot of political movements in this book and that isn’t generally something I love
—It was a little hard for me to keep the characters straight because there were a lot of them. They all served a purpose but it almost felt like there were two plot lines in here that might have worked better split up into companion books?
But that being said, I did enjoy this book. I want that to be clear. I think it’s well written, the main couple is delightful and I absolutely adore the world it’s set in. There was a lot of thought put into the characters and magic system and it absolutely shows.
Helena is a great protagonist because she’s smart, she’s aware of her limits and she’s open minded enough to ask for help. I really enjoy the fact she knows she can’t do this alone. I wish I saw more of that. She has a unique type of independence where it’s how strong she is WITH others that makes her a leader.
Kazik is a lovable mouse of a warrior. And by that, I mean he will charm and use words if at all possible but he is fully capable of taking your head off. Him and Helena really work well as a unit. There’s no doubt why they’re paired off. And I loved seeing them interact as children before the whole plot took off.
The magic system is great fun. Lots of spells and inner magic and “yeah, we don’t understand this either.” I love seeing that in a book. The talking trees were probably my favorite touch.
Even with the little things that keep this from 5 stars for me personally, I would absolutely recommend this and hope I can revisit this world again!
June 11, 2025
Prince Kazik knows he is supposed to be with Princess Helena, he just can't seem to get her attention. Once he finally befriends her after using his mother's advice, their friendship blossoms into young romance. His father seems to agree to a betrothal between them but his scheming with Kazik's grandfather creates doubt. Kazik starts to take notice that not all is as it should be when it comes to his father's family, magic, and the golden animals tnat live on their estate. Just as he is about to confront his father Helena disappears, Kazik is attacked by magic, and curses are placed upon the kingdom. The only way to break the curses is to not fall for the traps and obtain the golden treasures spread throughout the kingdom. Treasure hunters and adventurers have been trying for 5 years unsuccessfully. That is until finally a lady who doesn't know where she came from is tasked with finding the thief who has been stealing a king's golden apples. As she journeys she uses truth abd mercy to guide her way.
Another tale, the Golden Bird, that I wasn't familiar with but a great introduction to it. This is a story for fans of a one true love cozy romance that goes through tests of integrity. I liked how the golden animals were there from the beginning and treated as equals by the MCs as the story progresses. The kingdom that Helena is placed in for safekeeping is definitely not as truthful and kind as Bogumil thinks which I would love to see him come to terms with that revelation. I can appreciate the sentiment that silently allowing bad behavior doesn't fix it and that everyone makes mistakes and aren't defined by those that came before them.
Another tale, the Golden Bird, that I wasn't familiar with but a great introduction to it. This is a story for fans of a one true love cozy romance that goes through tests of integrity. I liked how the golden animals were there from the beginning and treated as equals by the MCs as the story progresses. The kingdom that Helena is placed in for safekeeping is definitely not as truthful and kind as Bogumil thinks which I would love to see him come to terms with that revelation. I can appreciate the sentiment that silently allowing bad behavior doesn't fix it and that everyone makes mistakes and aren't defined by those that came before them.
July 8, 2025
Princess Helena has loved Prince Kazik ever since they stopped tormenting each other as children and became friends. At fourteen, their betrothal was secured and the two reluctantly waited another year to wed as their parents wanted them to be a little older. But only weeks before the wedding, everything is turned upside down.
Kazik’s father announces the betrothal will be broken and a powerful mage arrives to disrupt everything, locking away Kazik and stealing Helena’s memories. As the years pass, Helena must fight through her foggy memories to uncover the truth before the kingdoms are lost forever. But will she remember who the handsome man in her dreams is?
“Let truth and mercy prevail.”
This was a truly sweet childhood friends-to-lovers story. I loved watching their bond grow from friendship into something deeper, although it did make the beginning feel a little slow.
The talking animals were absolutely charming, and I especially appreciated how they all recognized the goodness in Helena, even when she doubted herself, and chose to support her.
There’s also a meaningful thread woven through the story: even when we mean well, our actions can have far-reaching effects, and it’s important to consider the consequences of our choices.
Some kissing, nondescriptive. Mentions of children getting married, but doesn’t take place until they are adults
Imprisonment, kidnapping, magical manipulation.
No swearing
(Thank you to the author for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review.)
Kazik’s father announces the betrothal will be broken and a powerful mage arrives to disrupt everything, locking away Kazik and stealing Helena’s memories. As the years pass, Helena must fight through her foggy memories to uncover the truth before the kingdoms are lost forever. But will she remember who the handsome man in her dreams is?
“Let truth and mercy prevail.”
This was a truly sweet childhood friends-to-lovers story. I loved watching their bond grow from friendship into something deeper, although it did make the beginning feel a little slow.
The talking animals were absolutely charming, and I especially appreciated how they all recognized the goodness in Helena, even when she doubted herself, and chose to support her.
There’s also a meaningful thread woven through the story: even when we mean well, our actions can have far-reaching effects, and it’s important to consider the consequences of our choices.
Some kissing, nondescriptive. Mentions of children getting married, but doesn’t take place until they are adults
Imprisonment, kidnapping, magical manipulation.
No swearing
(Thank you to the author for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review.)
June 20, 2025
A rare retelling! The Golden Bird is not a story I’m very familiar with, so it was refreshing to see a new fairytale. After finishing this book, I read the original version, and I must admit I far prefer this one. There’s plenty of surprises and humor that shake up the original. I won’t spoil the surprises in my review, but suffice it to say, the hero in this book is much more intelligent than the one in the Grimm version.
I found myself impressed with how well Stengl wrote the story and covered long time skips without confusing me. Helena was complex and her time with amnesia didn’t harm her character development or character’s ability to think critically at all. Kazik really grew from a petulant child into a caring, protective (in a good way) man. The golden horse and golden bird both had personalities beyond “treasure.” Excellent use of the fox guide. This book takes place in the same world as Faraway Castle but in a much older time period. The familiar setting added a new layer of depth and richness to the world and magic system. Great work. Clean in content and language. Readers of Faraway Castle will love the world expansion, and readers new to Faraway Castle will have no issues jumping in headfirst. Highly recommend!
*I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
I found myself impressed with how well Stengl wrote the story and covered long time skips without confusing me. Helena was complex and her time with amnesia didn’t harm her character development or character’s ability to think critically at all. Kazik really grew from a petulant child into a caring, protective (in a good way) man. The golden horse and golden bird both had personalities beyond “treasure.” Excellent use of the fox guide. This book takes place in the same world as Faraway Castle but in a much older time period. The familiar setting added a new layer of depth and richness to the world and magic system. Great work. Clean in content and language. Readers of Faraway Castle will love the world expansion, and readers new to Faraway Castle will have no issues jumping in headfirst. Highly recommend!
*I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.
June 22, 2025
I had an overall fun time with this. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I read it in a different mood because I can’t really think of anything specific I didn’t like, so I’m open to rereading it.
Basically, this is a loose retelling of the fairytale, “The Golden Bird,” which I actually hadn’t heard of. It has a nice, light story with a very fairytale-esque feel to it.
So there are two different parts to the story. The first part is the main characters becoming friends and setting up for the quest part. Then, due to shenanigans, one character looses her memory and the other gets stuck in a castle as part of a curse. The second part is about the quest and breaking the curse.
I liked that the story was fairly chill and whimsical, and I liked the characters. I think it would be a fun read if you’re looking for something short, light, and cute.
There’s so swearing or explicit content. There’s very little fighting. It’s pretty lighthearted overall.
I read this as an ARC. All opinions are my own.
Basically, this is a loose retelling of the fairytale, “The Golden Bird,” which I actually hadn’t heard of. It has a nice, light story with a very fairytale-esque feel to it.
So there are two different parts to the story. The first part is the main characters becoming friends and setting up for the quest part. Then, due to shenanigans, one character looses her memory and the other gets stuck in a castle as part of a curse. The second part is about the quest and breaking the curse.
I liked that the story was fairly chill and whimsical, and I liked the characters. I think it would be a fun read if you’re looking for something short, light, and cute.
There’s so swearing or explicit content. There’s very little fighting. It’s pretty lighthearted overall.
I read this as an ARC. All opinions are my own.
June 13, 2025
I received a free ARC from the author and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review
Feathered Thief is such a sweet and delightful retelling—I found myself thoroughly invested in Helena and Kazik’s journey. Even though I wasn’t familiar with The Golden Bird fairy tale before diving into this book, I had no trouble following the story, and it still delivered that familiar fairytale magic.
There’s a classic feel to the plot, with some predictable beats (as is often the case with retellings), but a few small surprises along the way kept things fun and engaging. I especially appreciated how the story leaned into tropes like forced proximity and arranged marriage—with both characters on board!—and still managed to feel fresh. Plus, the animal guides were a lovely touch, adding extra warmth and charm.
This is a quick, easy read perfect for anyone who loves clean fairytale romances with a dash of adventure, a touch of magic, and a generous helping of heart.
Feathered Thief is such a sweet and delightful retelling—I found myself thoroughly invested in Helena and Kazik’s journey. Even though I wasn’t familiar with The Golden Bird fairy tale before diving into this book, I had no trouble following the story, and it still delivered that familiar fairytale magic.
There’s a classic feel to the plot, with some predictable beats (as is often the case with retellings), but a few small surprises along the way kept things fun and engaging. I especially appreciated how the story leaned into tropes like forced proximity and arranged marriage—with both characters on board!—and still managed to feel fresh. Plus, the animal guides were a lovely touch, adding extra warmth and charm.
This is a quick, easy read perfect for anyone who loves clean fairytale romances with a dash of adventure, a touch of magic, and a generous helping of heart.
June 16, 2025
I am not quite sure what type of fairy tale retelling this is, whether it is Sleeping Beauty or something else, but it was absolutely wonderful of a story! I enjoyed the different characters, how their characters developed from their circumstances, and was pleasantly happy to find how the story went!
Prince Kazik is the main lead male of the story, who has had a crush on Princess Helena. He wanted to get her attention so he would try his best to tease her. Unfortunately, that gives the opposite effect of what he was expecting. With his mothers wisdom, he takes a different approach and finally is able to get her to be his friend. When they end up engaged, things start to turn a direction that really gets the story going!
I really enjoyed this ARC and hope that whomever is reading takes the opportunity to read it! There was a number of twists and turns that I didn't expect the story to go. This is my honest review.
Prince Kazik is the main lead male of the story, who has had a crush on Princess Helena. He wanted to get her attention so he would try his best to tease her. Unfortunately, that gives the opposite effect of what he was expecting. With his mothers wisdom, he takes a different approach and finally is able to get her to be his friend. When they end up engaged, things start to turn a direction that really gets the story going!
I really enjoyed this ARC and hope that whomever is reading takes the opportunity to read it! There was a number of twists and turns that I didn't expect the story to go. This is my honest review.
June 22, 2025
I give this 4 1/2 Stars!
I want to start by saying I received an ARC of this book. This is a clean fairytale retelling of Grimms’ The Golden Bird. The main characters are Princess Helena and Prince Kazik. They were best friends and supposed to get married until Helena disappears then not long after the Prince disappears. Years go by and a woman appears and wonders who she truly is. Will she eventually remember her true identity? Will she we able to lift the curse on the region and save Kazik in the process? Will she remember their friendship and love they had? This was an interesting book as I had never heard of The Golden Bird before. I loved Helena and Kazik together. I loved watching the journey along the way. I loved all of the golden animals in this book. If you follow my reviews you will know I love a good friends to lovers book which this was one. Overall, I enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more by this author.
I want to start by saying I received an ARC of this book. This is a clean fairytale retelling of Grimms’ The Golden Bird. The main characters are Princess Helena and Prince Kazik. They were best friends and supposed to get married until Helena disappears then not long after the Prince disappears. Years go by and a woman appears and wonders who she truly is. Will she eventually remember her true identity? Will she we able to lift the curse on the region and save Kazik in the process? Will she remember their friendship and love they had? This was an interesting book as I had never heard of The Golden Bird before. I loved Helena and Kazik together. I loved watching the journey along the way. I loved all of the golden animals in this book. If you follow my reviews you will know I love a good friends to lovers book which this was one. Overall, I enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read more by this author.
October 19, 2025
A similar to Sleeping Beauty story—4 stars.
Young Princess Helena and young Prince Kazik start out as enemies, but end up as friends. A few years later, they are betrothed, but not with all of the parents’ approval. One of their parents has schemes to annul the betrothal in time for a more advantageous betrothal and enact a power grab as well. There are betrayals, mistakes, and misused magic, and Helena and Kazik are pulled apart, and the various kingdoms fall asleep or into other cursed situations until a true hero can emerge to set things right. While I enjoyed the growth in character of both Princess Helena and Prince Kazik, and I loved Prince Kazik’s mother, the story moved at too slow a pace for me; there were lots of words and thoughts, but not a lot of action. Also, it was hard to get into the book at first due to all the unfamiliar Polish names and the genealogy of the characters. I received an ARC copy from the author.
Young Princess Helena and young Prince Kazik start out as enemies, but end up as friends. A few years later, they are betrothed, but not with all of the parents’ approval. One of their parents has schemes to annul the betrothal in time for a more advantageous betrothal and enact a power grab as well. There are betrayals, mistakes, and misused magic, and Helena and Kazik are pulled apart, and the various kingdoms fall asleep or into other cursed situations until a true hero can emerge to set things right. While I enjoyed the growth in character of both Princess Helena and Prince Kazik, and I loved Prince Kazik’s mother, the story moved at too slow a pace for me; there were lots of words and thoughts, but not a lot of action. Also, it was hard to get into the book at first due to all the unfamiliar Polish names and the genealogy of the characters. I received an ARC copy from the author.
June 21, 2025
Stars: 3.75
“Helena nodded, ‘Offering opportunity for hearts to change is both just and gracious. The choice is always theirs.’”
The Golden Bird is a new to me fairy tale, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when reading Feathered Thief. Stengl’s retelling is an overall delightful story! It is told primarily from Princess Helena’s and Prince Kazik’s points of view who are both likeable characters. The story is a sweet, clean, friends to lovers romance. There is a lot of history building prior to the main action of the story. The writing is descriptive, but the story’s flow felt a little jumpy at times. At times, some of the dialogue and vocabulary felt out of place for a fairy tale. Overall, the story kept my interest, and I’m glad that I had the chance to read it!
I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
“Helena nodded, ‘Offering opportunity for hearts to change is both just and gracious. The choice is always theirs.’”
The Golden Bird is a new to me fairy tale, so I wasn’t sure what to expect when reading Feathered Thief. Stengl’s retelling is an overall delightful story! It is told primarily from Princess Helena’s and Prince Kazik’s points of view who are both likeable characters. The story is a sweet, clean, friends to lovers romance. There is a lot of history building prior to the main action of the story. The writing is descriptive, but the story’s flow felt a little jumpy at times. At times, some of the dialogue and vocabulary felt out of place for a fairy tale. Overall, the story kept my interest, and I’m glad that I had the chance to read it!
I received an advance review copy from the author, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 3, 2025
Feathered Thief by J M Stengl
🪶 Disguises
🪶 A stolen princess
🪶 Finding her prince
🪶 Friends to lovers
🪶 Sweet romance, just kisses (no spice)
Genre: Fantasy romance
A retelling of The Golden Bird. Can Helena rescue her homeland from its hopeless tangle of magic and mayhem?
Loved this one! I've never read a Golden Bird retelling before although I was vaguely aware of the original from reading it in an Andrew Lang book as a child so that was really cool and well done. Enjoyed both the main characters and all the magical creatures! Curses gone wrong are quite amusing. Would love to see Prince Dominick's story next!
Standalone in the All That Glitters series
Opening line: "Kazik invaded his mother’s sitting room and flopped into a chair near hers, panting and red-faced. 'Mama, what can a man do when the lady he likes doesn’t like him back?' he asked."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🪶 Disguises
🪶 A stolen princess
🪶 Finding her prince
🪶 Friends to lovers
🪶 Sweet romance, just kisses (no spice)
Genre: Fantasy romance
A retelling of The Golden Bird. Can Helena rescue her homeland from its hopeless tangle of magic and mayhem?
Loved this one! I've never read a Golden Bird retelling before although I was vaguely aware of the original from reading it in an Andrew Lang book as a child so that was really cool and well done. Enjoyed both the main characters and all the magical creatures! Curses gone wrong are quite amusing. Would love to see Prince Dominick's story next!
Standalone in the All That Glitters series
Opening line: "Kazik invaded his mother’s sitting room and flopped into a chair near hers, panting and red-faced. 'Mama, what can a man do when the lady he likes doesn’t like him back?' he asked."
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
June 22, 2025
From the very first page I was hooked and happily reading and following Kazik and Helena's love story with my chin in my hands and a grin on my face. Feathered Thief draws inspiration from the classic fairy tales Sleeping Beauty and Golden Bird and has twists and turns to keep you on your toes. Our two sweethearts find themselves in a magical tangle that seems impossible to get out of. I was reminded of one of my favorite childhood movies, The Swan Princess. Imagine if Odette had to rescue Derek from a curse, only she can't even remember who he is, nor does she realize there is even a curse to be broken! I enjoyed this book from start to finish. Absolutely recommend and will read again!
***I received a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review***
***I received a free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review***
June 28, 2025
This story included some mystery, some betrayal, some mistrust, lots of magic, and lots of romance. The characters were likable and the plot was fun to follow. While I had a hard time following the names and knowing who was who in the beginning, I was able to follow along pretty quickly. The author had a fun story to follow. I gave it a four star because I had a hard time with the ages of the MCs in the beginning when they fell in love. It was actually uncomfortable to me in the beginning because my kids are around that age and they definitely are not thinking of romance. However, the story was fun and easy to follow.
I received this as an ARC book; however, the thoughts and opinions are my own.
I received this as an ARC book; however, the thoughts and opinions are my own.
June 7, 2025
The cover is amazing at it alone made me want to read it before I even read what it was about. The cover alone earns 5 starts, but then I read the book and it earned five stars too. Please note it does start slow, but once you get into the story you see it had to because there are a lot of characters and places, and you needed to be able to process all that before the story really pulls you in. Once a few things started happening I could not read it fast enough. I loved the characters, and it had the best ending ever! If you are a fan of J.M. Stengl's Faraway Castle you will love this story!! I was not familiar with the original Fairytale, but it was so good it didn't matter!!!
June 9, 2025
This book has a very long slow start. While all the set-up is needed for later events and the writing is engaging throughout, I had almost given up on the story before Things Start Happening. If I could erase my memory of events in Part 1 I would be tempted to read it again starting at the beginning of Part 2 to see if I could still follow the story without the long set up of Part 1. Maybe, maybe not. That aside, if you persevere you fall into an enchanting story of adventure, magic and romance.
And a pronunciation guide for all the names of eastern European (?) origin would be such a handy help as well.
I received an ARC and voluntarily leave an honest review.
And a pronunciation guide for all the names of eastern European (?) origin would be such a handy help as well.
I received an ARC and voluntarily leave an honest review.
June 9, 2025
Feathered Thief tells the story of Princess Helena and Prince Kazik, in a Golden Bird fairytale retelling. The author does a good job of worldbuilding, spending the first section of the book on the childhood encounters of Helena and Kazik, while also introducing important people and places. A broken betrothal, a meddling king, and a fairy godfather who makes some mistakes when trying to help everyone involved, pulls the two young people apart, leaving one trapped in a cursed castle and the other without their memories.
I liked this no-spice adventure, with noble main characters who made choices that brought them through to the other side - with the help of a little magic.
I liked this no-spice adventure, with noble main characters who made choices that brought them through to the other side - with the help of a little magic.
June 22, 2025
What a fun retelling! I enjoyed the different roles everyone plays! I also loved seeing how the two main characters' slowly grow closer together, in a very realistic way. They both realize that the other is the type of person that they want to marry, but at the same time they have to get to know each other better. This causes some uncertainty, but not overly much, and each interaction helps learn more about each other. I enjoyed this because it does not leap instantly into knowing everything about each other, but loving each other throughout the process of getting to know one another, and not giving up even through the uncertainty. :)
June 24, 2025
This is by far one of my favorites of this multi-author series. Which I find interesting since I'm not familiar with the story of the golden goose, which usually distracts me, but I found this story engaging. I wanted to keep reading to find out what happened next. I loved that all the characters had weaknesses and strengths that they could see in themselves. I did find it a little unrealistic that so many of the older generation were corrupt yet somehow their children were good and kind humans. However, this is definitely a story I'd recommend to fairy tale retelling lovers who like some swoony romance!
June 27, 2025
This story was a very slow buildup and took over half the book to really get interesting but once it picked up I had to know how it would end. Definitely had female power vibes with the rescue at the end which made it stand out from other books. It seemed a bit confusing and overly complicated at times but maybe that is how Grimm’s tale of the golden bird was originally. I am not familiar enough with it to know for sure. Stengl did a good job with the characters. They kept their values even while magic and mayhem happened all around. The talking animals were a delightful addition to the story.
June 21, 2025
This book was such a wonderful read! The book started in a way that allowed me to sink into the fantasy world and become comfortable. Time jumps aren’t always done well but this book did a fantastic job shifting gears. I loved what happened to the bad guys in the end, it was satisfying and quite funny. The romance in this wasn’t subtle but it wasn’t over the top gushy either. I liked the two of them and was rooting for them the whole book. I’d have to say that the talking animals were my favorite part.
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