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Ever After
“With a shout from the queen, a hoot from the major, a joyous giggle from the good king … the long awaited princess finally arrived ...”
In an unpredictable world where birds deliver babies, wise turtles live deep in the earth and grasshoppers advise the queen, the new-born and highly indignant princess finds herself trapped in a luxurious tower by the over protective king.
Soon after her seventeenth birthday, growing bored of trinkets, baubles and sparkling diamonds, she decides to rebel and win back her freedom. Her father relents and allows her to venture outside the tower, but only if she is accompanied by the royal entourage comprising of guards, doctors, nurses, maids, a cook, an elephant, as well as a military tank complete with a powerful cannon.
Just when she thinks she is beginning to understand the world outside the tower, she sees him moving amongst the crowd, and her entire world tilts on its axis and the tale takes an unexpected turn....
In an unpredictable world where birds deliver babies, wise turtles live deep in the earth and grasshoppers advise the queen, the new-born and highly indignant princess finds herself trapped in a luxurious tower by the over protective king.
Soon after her seventeenth birthday, growing bored of trinkets, baubles and sparkling diamonds, she decides to rebel and win back her freedom. Her father relents and allows her to venture outside the tower, but only if she is accompanied by the royal entourage comprising of guards, doctors, nurses, maids, a cook, an elephant, as well as a military tank complete with a powerful cannon.
Just when she thinks she is beginning to understand the world outside the tower, she sees him moving amongst the crowd, and her entire world tilts on its axis and the tale takes an unexpected turn....
45 pages, ebook
First published January 19, 2015
About the author
Anya Wylde
75 books303 followersAnya Wylde lives in Ireland along with her husband and a fat French poodle (now on a diet). She can cook a mean curry, and her idea of exercise is occasionally stretching her toes. She holds a degree in English literature and adores reading and writing.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
December 31, 2014
The king and queen decided it was time to have a child – so after deep and meaningful consultations with the wise, the princess arrived. But her father decided she was too precious to be allowed outside the castle, so he locked her in the tower for her protection.
When the princess turned seventeen however, she grew bored with her room in the tower – permission was granted for her to wander through the castle (as long as she had much protection by her side). But that was only the beginning of her adventures – in time her life of luxury and privilege would change…
What an absolutely delightful novella! Anya Wylde is an author of many talents; historical romance being what I have read of hers before. But this one which is a blending of fairy tale with adventure and unpredictability is a lot of fun. A quick and easy read, one which I have no hesitation in recommending highly.
With thanks to the author for my copy to read and review.
When the princess turned seventeen however, she grew bored with her room in the tower – permission was granted for her to wander through the castle (as long as she had much protection by her side). But that was only the beginning of her adventures – in time her life of luxury and privilege would change…
What an absolutely delightful novella! Anya Wylde is an author of many talents; historical romance being what I have read of hers before. But this one which is a blending of fairy tale with adventure and unpredictability is a lot of fun. A quick and easy read, one which I have no hesitation in recommending highly.
With thanks to the author for my copy to read and review.
January 4, 2015
The first book (albeit a novella) finished in 2015! Yeay!!
For a book lover, only a few things will surpassed the gift of a book, especially from one of her favorite author. Thanks Anya for this wonderful gift :D
For a book lover, only a few things will surpassed the gift of a book, especially from one of her favorite author. Thanks Anya for this wonderful gift :D
June 18, 2017
This short story feels as though it has two distinct halves. The first half is a sweet, whimsical, fairy tale re-telling. I found this half a magical little story. The second half was what comes after the supposed 'happily ever after', and it introduces a grim drudgery of daily life. But is that where it ends?
I liked the author's attempt to show what comes 'after', but I didn't enjoy the second half of the story as much, but that it not because of a flaw in the writing, more a matter of taste and what I'm looking for in a fairy tale re-telling.
This author really does write very very well. As mentioned, the first half was simply magical. I'd like to read something longer by this author that is in a similar vein as this is an author with a lot to offer.
I liked the author's attempt to show what comes 'after', but I didn't enjoy the second half of the story as much, but that it not because of a flaw in the writing, more a matter of taste and what I'm looking for in a fairy tale re-telling.
This author really does write very very well. As mentioned, the first half was simply magical. I'd like to read something longer by this author that is in a similar vein as this is an author with a lot to offer.
February 7, 2015
Ever After was a surprise because I was expecting something like the other books I’ve read of the same author.
Anya Wylde normally writes madcap regency books, where we have silly but also strong female characters that are both funny and intelligent. It may seem a contradiction, but I assure it’s not. I still remember Penelope, that I adored, and she was the sweetest and the most oblivious character ever, but at the same time, one could relate with what she said and thought, and she, as a female character, had some very important lessons to pass along.
Here, what started as weird and magic as its normal with Anya soon evolved to something more serious, from my point of view. Yes, nothing can be really serious when so many things that can’t happen are happening, but if we take the time to separate all the magical things mentioned, and look at this novella just from our very earthy point of view… well, in that case, it’s indeed a sad story, but one that brings, yet again, some lessons to learn.
First, love at first sight it’s a wonderful thing, but one needs to know more about the other before turning its back to family and all she ever knew to go away with a stranger.
Second, a person that says “I love you” as if it was the same that “Good Morning” can’t be serious. Love is something to be cherished and magical in its own way, so every time the Princess’s husband told her he loved her, I was mentally telling her to use a frying pan in his head, with all the strength she had!
Third, no one that makes fun of us (when we aren’t making fun at ourselves) and uses us as a toy to entertain others, making the most of our flaws and not being able to hear us when it matters, can love us, can be the right person to us. It’s that simple. No one needs someone to bring us down, only to give us a boost when we are down.
Fourth (and it might have been the first one): we are always learning about ourselves and about what we are capable of doing. And we should explore as much as we can, and learn from others every day, because a life too sheltered isn’t life at all. The Princess thought she was really exploring the world, but she forgot to learn to know herself first. Had she known what she was capable of doing, she would never allow herself to get to the low point she “achieved”.
Although this might seem all very obvious things, the truth is that, just like the Princess, a lot of men and women do these same mistakes every day. And the result isn’t nice. So we should take the time here to learn from her mistakes, and to look to ourselves yet another time, trying to see if we really know ourselves and if we are strong as we should be, to protect ourselves from all the nasty persons the world has to offer.
Despite everything I thought about this and everything I mentioned above, the ending of this novella gives the Princess some sort of happy ending that she well deserved. And that's what brings the smile to the reader, and leaves us with a hopeful thought and our hearts warm. At least for me, because now that Anya changed the ending a little bit, I can really feel happy for the Princess and, without saying to you all what happened, I can at least promise that it deserves the smile I had when I finished the last version of the novella.
I’ll have to read another book from Anya now, because I want to smile a little more, and to laugh too :)
Anya Wylde normally writes madcap regency books, where we have silly but also strong female characters that are both funny and intelligent. It may seem a contradiction, but I assure it’s not. I still remember Penelope, that I adored, and she was the sweetest and the most oblivious character ever, but at the same time, one could relate with what she said and thought, and she, as a female character, had some very important lessons to pass along.
Here, what started as weird and magic as its normal with Anya soon evolved to something more serious, from my point of view. Yes, nothing can be really serious when so many things that can’t happen are happening, but if we take the time to separate all the magical things mentioned, and look at this novella just from our very earthy point of view… well, in that case, it’s indeed a sad story, but one that brings, yet again, some lessons to learn.
First, love at first sight it’s a wonderful thing, but one needs to know more about the other before turning its back to family and all she ever knew to go away with a stranger.
Second, a person that says “I love you” as if it was the same that “Good Morning” can’t be serious. Love is something to be cherished and magical in its own way, so every time the Princess’s husband told her he loved her, I was mentally telling her to use a frying pan in his head, with all the strength she had!
Third, no one that makes fun of us (when we aren’t making fun at ourselves) and uses us as a toy to entertain others, making the most of our flaws and not being able to hear us when it matters, can love us, can be the right person to us. It’s that simple. No one needs someone to bring us down, only to give us a boost when we are down.
Fourth (and it might have been the first one): we are always learning about ourselves and about what we are capable of doing. And we should explore as much as we can, and learn from others every day, because a life too sheltered isn’t life at all. The Princess thought she was really exploring the world, but she forgot to learn to know herself first. Had she known what she was capable of doing, she would never allow herself to get to the low point she “achieved”.
Although this might seem all very obvious things, the truth is that, just like the Princess, a lot of men and women do these same mistakes every day. And the result isn’t nice. So we should take the time here to learn from her mistakes, and to look to ourselves yet another time, trying to see if we really know ourselves and if we are strong as we should be, to protect ourselves from all the nasty persons the world has to offer.
Despite everything I thought about this and everything I mentioned above, the ending of this novella gives the Princess some sort of happy ending that she well deserved. And that's what brings the smile to the reader, and leaves us with a hopeful thought and our hearts warm. At least for me, because now that Anya changed the ending a little bit, I can really feel happy for the Princess and, without saying to you all what happened, I can at least promise that it deserves the smile I had when I finished the last version of the novella.
I’ll have to read another book from Anya now, because I want to smile a little more, and to laugh too :)
July 29, 2015
Very Wlyde'isk'. Anya Wlyde to me now seems to have a signature style. She humour is distinctive and has me in splits.
I enjoyed reading Ever After and especially the first half which was all nice and sweet. A fairy-tale told in the Wylde style. The second half seemed morose and sad. Not that I didn't enjoy it but it left me wondering what it was all about. And even in the end, I was left trying to understand if it was the end.
True to title Wylde explores the 'after', after childhood, after love, after marriage, after youth, after life, after death... An interesting read.
I enjoyed reading Ever After and especially the first half which was all nice and sweet. A fairy-tale told in the Wylde style. The second half seemed morose and sad. Not that I didn't enjoy it but it left me wondering what it was all about. And even in the end, I was left trying to understand if it was the end.
True to title Wylde explores the 'after', after childhood, after love, after marriage, after youth, after life, after death... An interesting read.
January 29, 2020
This is a strange little novella about a Princess who becomes bored being locked in a tower by her over-protective father and longs for freedom. She falls in love with a commoner and decides she wants to marry him but she did not find her happily ever after.
February 1, 2025
Found this book on Amazon via Bookbub years ago
You think it's a romantic comedy but it's not. It's fantasy, it's ridiculous, no one is human but you're not quite sure what they are, even until the end. It's dark, not funny at all, and full of bullying, and down right stupid.
You think it's a romantic comedy but it's not. It's fantasy, it's ridiculous, no one is human but you're not quite sure what they are, even until the end. It's dark, not funny at all, and full of bullying, and down right stupid.
April 27, 2019
This is a departure from the books I have come to love by this author. It was short, so it was a fast read but it just didn't deliver the same satisfaction I have gotten after reading her regency era titles, which I highly recommend over this one. If this book is your first book to read by this author, go read the Fairweather Sisters series instead.
Read
September 21, 2019Interesting
The novella is a strangely magical read,a twisted fairytale about finding out who you truly are and following your dreams.
The novella is a strangely magical read,a twisted fairytale about finding out who you truly are and following your dreams.
August 7, 2021
A quirky, fun short story. Very enjoyable.
May 18, 2015
„And they all lived happily ever after!“
Every little girl is a princess. Every little girl dreams of Prince Charming. Every single day she expects her „ever after'.
Anya Wylde this time steps up from her usual middle-age regency romcoms and dives into a different world. This time she writes a real-life-fairytale and shows up a different kind of princess, a real woman. A princess is waiting for her Prince Charming, he comes along with all the bells and whistles and woos her, she falls in love and marries him. But, „happily ever after“ never comes. Prince Charming turns into a frog. His real face shows up, the fairytale turns up into a nightmare. The princess becomes a servant, a slave, a cook, a cleaner, a victim of abuse and violence.
But every woman is a princess. Every victim can arise from his/her hell and start living again. She can be princess again. Every woman can find her inner strength and write her own fairytale, her own „happily ever after“.
I've read Anya Wylde's previous regency romances and must say this is quite different from her usual work. This time she writes in a humorous way about a real life Princess, real life Prince Charming, real life castle. Her humorous, or should I say, satiric way, of describing the real life will make you think about the great expectations from love, dreams and hopes of young girls and facing the reality of mature women. But every woman should wear her own princess' tiara and never give up from her „ever after“.
My opinion: 3 / 5.
Every little girl is a princess. Every little girl dreams of Prince Charming. Every single day she expects her „ever after'.
Anya Wylde this time steps up from her usual middle-age regency romcoms and dives into a different world. This time she writes a real-life-fairytale and shows up a different kind of princess, a real woman. A princess is waiting for her Prince Charming, he comes along with all the bells and whistles and woos her, she falls in love and marries him. But, „happily ever after“ never comes. Prince Charming turns into a frog. His real face shows up, the fairytale turns up into a nightmare. The princess becomes a servant, a slave, a cook, a cleaner, a victim of abuse and violence.
But every woman is a princess. Every victim can arise from his/her hell and start living again. She can be princess again. Every woman can find her inner strength and write her own fairytale, her own „happily ever after“.
I've read Anya Wylde's previous regency romances and must say this is quite different from her usual work. This time she writes in a humorous way about a real life Princess, real life Prince Charming, real life castle. Her humorous, or should I say, satiric way, of describing the real life will make you think about the great expectations from love, dreams and hopes of young girls and facing the reality of mature women. But every woman should wear her own princess' tiara and never give up from her „ever after“.
My opinion: 3 / 5.
January 8, 2015
I gotta be honest. I didn't understand what really happened in the end. Nonetheless I enjoyed it, in the spirit it was written - for entertainment.
I'm in a serious mood right now and this affects my reaction and way of thinking. Though Anya's writing style could be comic and outrageous, she still gives serious morals. In this case, get to know someone really well before you marry him/her. Anya portrayed the innocent princess who defied her parents and ran off with a commoner, who isn't worth the trouble at all. She was a trophy wife to him, like a toy in other cases.
This is what I like most about Anya's writing: her hilarity in the most serious situations that really touches the heart. The princess who was renamed Anahita mastered singing, with the urging of a mysterious man who could mentally speak to her, until she flew to the clouds because he and she are alike.
Again, it could be just me or Anya just wants to have fun but I really didn't get it. Call me slow if you want, cause after reading it I was still pouring over it.
I'm in a serious mood right now and this affects my reaction and way of thinking. Though Anya's writing style could be comic and outrageous, she still gives serious morals. In this case, get to know someone really well before you marry him/her. Anya portrayed the innocent princess who defied her parents and ran off with a commoner, who isn't worth the trouble at all. She was a trophy wife to him, like a toy in other cases.
This is what I like most about Anya's writing: her hilarity in the most serious situations that really touches the heart. The princess who was renamed Anahita mastered singing, with the urging of a mysterious man who could mentally speak to her, until she flew to the clouds because he and she are alike.
Again, it could be just me or Anya just wants to have fun but I really didn't get it. Call me slow if you want, cause after reading it I was still pouring over it.
October 14, 2017
*Copy provided to me by the author*
Update: Ms Wylde was kind enough to send me an updated version of the story and while I felt the first version was good, the tone of the updated one is definitely much brighter and happier. The ending was just more light-hearted. I like both versions, but the second is more pleasant and left a smile on my face.
Original Review:
This was different than what I've come to expect from an Anya Wylde tale. It was a good story, but I tend to like the more fun and silly mad-caps that Ms. Wylde writes. Ever After has a more serious tone to it. There's a lot of touches of whimsy, especially in the beginning that I absolutely adored. The whole time I was reading it though, I felt it would make an awesome ballet or play/opera. Or even interpretive dance as it is a fairly short story. Overall, it's a super quick read and I recommend it to fans of fairy tales and fables.
Update: Ms Wylde was kind enough to send me an updated version of the story and while I felt the first version was good, the tone of the updated one is definitely much brighter and happier. The ending was just more light-hearted. I like both versions, but the second is more pleasant and left a smile on my face.
Original Review:
This was different than what I've come to expect from an Anya Wylde tale. It was a good story, but I tend to like the more fun and silly mad-caps that Ms. Wylde writes. Ever After has a more serious tone to it. There's a lot of touches of whimsy, especially in the beginning that I absolutely adored. The whole time I was reading it though, I felt it would make an awesome ballet or play/opera. Or even interpretive dance as it is a fairly short story. Overall, it's a super quick read and I recommend it to fans of fairy tales and fables.
February 3, 2015
My Thoughts...
First off I need to say I am not a fan of the fantasy genre...Now I have read a few books by this author Anya Wylde, and they were fun and funny, so when she ask me to read and review her new novella I immediately replied with a loud "YES" I would love to read your new book. What a surprise awaited me....
I'm not sure if this is to be a fairy tale, fantasy, or what genre it falls under. I must say I really didn't enjoy it like I did her other books. So sorry, Anya.
Since I didn't really care much for the book I will be only be awarding it 2 "Ever After" stars.
My thanks to the author, Anya Wylde for gifting this novella to me to read and give an honest review.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers and authors I am under no obligation to write a positive review.
First off I need to say I am not a fan of the fantasy genre...Now I have read a few books by this author Anya Wylde, and they were fun and funny, so when she ask me to read and review her new novella I immediately replied with a loud "YES" I would love to read your new book. What a surprise awaited me....
I'm not sure if this is to be a fairy tale, fantasy, or what genre it falls under. I must say I really didn't enjoy it like I did her other books. So sorry, Anya.
Since I didn't really care much for the book I will be only be awarding it 2 "Ever After" stars.
My thanks to the author, Anya Wylde for gifting this novella to me to read and give an honest review.
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading and reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers and authors I am under no obligation to write a positive review.
February 16, 2015
Anya’s stories are always Wylde rides (no pun intended, ha ha). This was a lot different than her other quirky romances with the silly heroine with crazy pets who charms the handsome hero. This story is about a princess who is kept locked away in a tower for her safety until she reaches her 17th birthday. When she begs and pleads with her father, the king, to explore outdoors, he allows her to do so with a wild entourage of critters and humans…and even elephants. When she thinks she meets the love of her life, she is ready to risk everything for him. But looks can be deceiving, and the princess learns hard lessons as she forsakes her kingdom for love. I don’t want to ruin the short novella for you, but I will say it ends happily…but there is much sadness in between for the naïve princess as she grows and learns who she really is…and can be.
February 2, 2015
I received this book from Anya, an excellent writer who offers fun, occasionally capricious, reading. While I sometimes read outrageous and ridiculous offerings and enjoy them, I couldn’t quite get into the same in this book. . I’m giving it three stars because while a good portion of her writing was quite wonderful (mostly the stuff in the middle), I just didn’t care for the beginning, end, or concept. Maybe I was having an off day but the king and queen asking the wise counselors (turtles) how to have a child when there must be children in the kingdom started me on the wrong foot and the end where our princess flew off to become . . . what? Really left me hanging.
Update: Anya updated her story, changing the ending considerably - making it a much better, more enjoyable read.
Update: Anya updated her story, changing the ending considerably - making it a much better, more enjoyable read.
January 13, 2015
This book is quite different from Anya Wylde's earlier books. Instead of being a light hearted historical novel, this is more of a magical fable. Short and easy to read in one sitting, the characters are very engaging, especially the princess. The magical world is unique, where all creatures appear to be sentient. I enjoyed the story, but was starting to hate her husband by the end. I also was a little confused as to the ending. When she flew off, where did she go and what did she become?
February 3, 2015
I have to first admit that I am a big fan of Anya 's writing style, this book was very different in that it's more like a fable with a wonderful start to the novella in the telling of how the princess in this story came to be and how her parents did all they could to protect her.
The story becomes much more complex once she marries and whilst much of this part of the story is sad, it also shows a transformation that can be related to in real life.
I'm ambivalent on the ending but then I'm not sure how it should end.
In all I really enjoyed this short and engaging story. Thank you Anya.
The story becomes much more complex once she marries and whilst much of this part of the story is sad, it also shows a transformation that can be related to in real life.
I'm ambivalent on the ending but then I'm not sure how it should end.
In all I really enjoyed this short and engaging story. Thank you Anya.
February 7, 2015
Anya Wylde has written some wonderful books. Usually they are centered around the Regency time period. They are full of the most delightful characters that make you laugh out loud.
In this novella, she has written a fantasy, fairy tale like story. It is of a beautiful princess that falls in love with a common man. She must decide what will make her happy and how to make that happen. It takes the most surprising twists and turns.
If you have a daughter, she will LOVE being read this story (or reading it for herself, of course!)!! It’s full of mystical creatures, romance, royalty and satire.
Thanks so much for sending me a copy, Anya! As always, it’s a pleasure (:
In this novella, she has written a fantasy, fairy tale like story. It is of a beautiful princess that falls in love with a common man. She must decide what will make her happy and how to make that happen. It takes the most surprising twists and turns.
If you have a daughter, she will LOVE being read this story (or reading it for herself, of course!)!! It’s full of mystical creatures, romance, royalty and satire.
Thanks so much for sending me a copy, Anya! As always, it’s a pleasure (:
February 5, 2015
This was a charming fairy tale about a Princess who spends her whole youth locked up in the castle to protect her from the dangers life may bring. When she finally convinces her father to let her explore the neighboring world, she meets a commoner, falls in love and marries him against the wishes of her parents. Her marriage leaves a lot to be desired and she finally turns into an ice figure...then a dark and handsome angel enters her life. The novella is short and sweet and can be completed in no time at all. It is fast, fun reading.
February 5, 2015
I read an earlier version of the book by Anya Wylde, and this one wasn't my favorite. But after reading a newly updated version, I have to say that it was delightful. Ms. Wylde's writing style never fails to entertain me. This is the story of a princess surrounded by love or prison depending on who you spoke with. Love can be suffocating and make you blind to the obvious, but these are lessons the princess must learn on her own. It's a cute read and fans of Ms. Wylde will no doubt enjoy it.
December 31, 2016
This is a whimsical Fairy Tale with a few strange twists. One moral: true love never runs smooth. I enjoy Ms. Wyldes' imagery and humor. This was a quick read with a little darkness and an unexpected ending. Clean and interesting, but not my favorite of her works.
I received this title from the author. My rating: 3.75.
I received this title from the author. My rating: 3.75.
February 5, 2015
I have read all of Anya Wyldes books. They are very creative and imaginative. These are books I believe anyone in the family could read and enjoy. If you haven't tried her books yet, please do. Anyone of them can be read in any order.
July 19, 2015
I usually love Anya Wylde's books, but not this one. Her books are usually fun and funny and slightly ridiculous that it makes me want to keep reading. This one was just a little too over the top for me.
September 30, 2015
Not my cuppa tea..
A silly story that made no sense..it was kind of a fair tale but not, kind of a metaphor but not..at some points it seemed set in the modern world and other times it was a made up imaginary world..too hard to figure out.
A silly story that made no sense..it was kind of a fair tale but not, kind of a metaphor but not..at some points it seemed set in the modern world and other times it was a made up imaginary world..too hard to figure out.
December 31, 2014
Cute story about a princess and life.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews