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Smothered Rose Trilogy #2
Unsoiled
"Look, Poppy! It's Bella of the Cinders. She certainly doesn't look like 'The Beauty' now, does she? Not with that rat's nest of hair or those filthy chicken arms. Maybe we should start calling her 'Cinderbella.'" Nettle started laughing as if she had said the cleverest thing in the world, and I heard Poppy weakly join in.
I didn't look at them; I just continued cleaning the ashes and soot, aware that it was on my face and hands and clothes, aware that the picture I made was a far cry from the beauty my father had always praised. Why should I have cared whether or not my hands were soiled with soot? What need did I have for beauty anymore?
************************************************************
An Escape from Oppression . . .
Elle's life is turned upside down when tragedy strikes. Her stepmother and stepsisters treat her as Cinderbella, forcing her to do manual labor to the point of exhaustion. It would be easy enough to accept Thorny's overtures, yet the inequality that exists between them seems an unsurpassable gulf.
But when Thorny suggests they go to the nearby kingdom of Airland in quest of a mythical sword whose bearer will be made queen, Elle sees her opportunity to start a new life, freed from the oppression of her stepmother. The thought that she might have to face such challenges as hungry dwarves, land pirates, and angry chimeras never crosses her mind.
I didn't look at them; I just continued cleaning the ashes and soot, aware that it was on my face and hands and clothes, aware that the picture I made was a far cry from the beauty my father had always praised. Why should I have cared whether or not my hands were soiled with soot? What need did I have for beauty anymore?
************************************************************
An Escape from Oppression . . .
Elle's life is turned upside down when tragedy strikes. Her stepmother and stepsisters treat her as Cinderbella, forcing her to do manual labor to the point of exhaustion. It would be easy enough to accept Thorny's overtures, yet the inequality that exists between them seems an unsurpassable gulf.
But when Thorny suggests they go to the nearby kingdom of Airland in quest of a mythical sword whose bearer will be made queen, Elle sees her opportunity to start a new life, freed from the oppression of her stepmother. The thought that she might have to face such challenges as hungry dwarves, land pirates, and angry chimeras never crosses her mind.
252 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2014
5 people want to read
About the author
Lelia Eye
20 books9 followersLelia Eye loves reading and misses the days when she was able to be a part of the community theater group in her hometown.
Lelia has enjoyed writing since she won a short story contest in the sixth grade.
She now lives in Conway, Arkansas, with an adorable toddler, her husband, three dogs, and two cats.
Lelia has enjoyed writing since she won a short story contest in the sixth grade.
She now lives in Conway, Arkansas, with an adorable toddler, her husband, three dogs, and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
January 11, 2015
Unsoiled is the second book in the Smothered Rose trilogy. I reviewed the first book, Thorny, back in October.
I originally picked up the first book in the trilogy because I love Beauty and the Beast and am always interested in retellings, but while reading, I had really liked how the author tied in a lot of different fairy tales into the story. This book has even more of that. There are elements from many different fairy tales, and I thought they were all brought together really well. Plus, it was kind of fun to pick out which fairy tales different parts of the story came from.
After the first book, I was a bit curious about where the story was going to go. The first one concluded very nicely but also had an ending hinting at more. I just wasn't sure what that "more" would be. I really like where the author has taken the story though. It's very different from the first book, but in a really nice way. The characters are all still fantastic, and I like how they're continuing their growth even though the story itself has completely shifted focus. Plus, I think the second book ended in a way that's more open-ended than the first book. It seems like it's going to lead into the third book really well.
I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys fairy tale retellings. It's a really, really great one, and I'm looking forward to reading the third book.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
http://hmweasley-blog.blogspot.com/20...
I originally picked up the first book in the trilogy because I love Beauty and the Beast and am always interested in retellings, but while reading, I had really liked how the author tied in a lot of different fairy tales into the story. This book has even more of that. There are elements from many different fairy tales, and I thought they were all brought together really well. Plus, it was kind of fun to pick out which fairy tales different parts of the story came from.
After the first book, I was a bit curious about where the story was going to go. The first one concluded very nicely but also had an ending hinting at more. I just wasn't sure what that "more" would be. I really like where the author has taken the story though. It's very different from the first book, but in a really nice way. The characters are all still fantastic, and I like how they're continuing their growth even though the story itself has completely shifted focus. Plus, I think the second book ended in a way that's more open-ended than the first book. It seems like it's going to lead into the third book really well.
I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys fairy tale retellings. It's a really, really great one, and I'm looking forward to reading the third book.
I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
http://hmweasley-blog.blogspot.com/20...
September 24, 2014
After reading 'Thorny' which was the first book in this series, I just had to buy Unsoiled Trilogy book 2. One thing I like about this author is that she captures such beauty and imagination within the well crafted novels she writes. They closely resemble reality within the poise and flow of her novels. I have to add is that her covers are simply exquisitely wonderful.
The main characters, Elle and Thorny have a really strong bond between them and hold really engaging personalities. The book is a nice length but I have to admit, I think it only took me about two or three days to read it - couldn't put it down. Lots of intrigue in the dialogue and written with a very smooth charismatic ring to it.
Quote: "I had to fight the urge to squirm as the rat's naked tail tickled my hands. The rope holding me in place wasn't so thin that a rodent could chew through it instantly, and every second that ticked by made me fear I would find Orris at the door".
A very visualizing and stimulating read. I highly recommend it.
The main characters, Elle and Thorny have a really strong bond between them and hold really engaging personalities. The book is a nice length but I have to admit, I think it only took me about two or three days to read it - couldn't put it down. Lots of intrigue in the dialogue and written with a very smooth charismatic ring to it.
Quote: "I had to fight the urge to squirm as the rat's naked tail tickled my hands. The rope holding me in place wasn't so thin that a rodent could chew through it instantly, and every second that ticked by made me fear I would find Orris at the door".
A very visualizing and stimulating read. I highly recommend it.
March 13, 2015
I read and reviewed Thorny (#1) in October 2014 at the suggestion of a friend. I enjoyed it as a quick read. When I received a copy of Unsoiled to read and review I was mildly excited but mostly because I have a thing about only reading part of a series. I began reading with very few expectations.
But after a few days when I turned the page and EPILOGUE spread across the next page, I almost shouted in agony. I was ready for more. I still want to know what is going to happen. While Thorny was entertaining, Unsoiled was a real page-turner.
In the beginning, I was unsure I would enjoy the vast change that this novel is from it's predecessor, but it grew on me. The characters and story became deeper and more elaborate. And not to mention even more fairytales are woven in so seamlessly.
I will definitely recommend this novel to others in the future.
But after a few days when I turned the page and EPILOGUE spread across the next page, I almost shouted in agony. I was ready for more. I still want to know what is going to happen. While Thorny was entertaining, Unsoiled was a real page-turner.
In the beginning, I was unsure I would enjoy the vast change that this novel is from it's predecessor, but it grew on me. The characters and story became deeper and more elaborate. And not to mention even more fairytales are woven in so seamlessly.
I will definitely recommend this novel to others in the future.
January 4, 2015
Another fun, quick read in the Smothered Rose Trilogy! Once again, we find many different fairy tales being woven together (and quite nicely, I might add!). It was fun picking out which was which. The story didn't seem to have quite as much humor as the first, was a bit more serious in nature, but still a fun read. If you enjoyed the first, I believe you'll enjoy this one. If you haven't read the first, I recommend you start there. This isn't really a standalone. You could try but you might be lost at times.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
March 15, 2015
After reading and reviewing the first book I was excited to start the second book in this series. The characters are very interesting . The author keeps you wanting to read more about these characters and see what will happen next. If you are interested in fairy tales you need to read this series. I received a free copy of this book for review.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews