What do you think?
Rate this book
The Fairytale Keeper #2
The Countess' Captive
During March of 1248, Adelaide Schumacher-affectionately called Snow White-has lost so much: her mother, her possessions, and now her home.
Adelaide hates abandoning her home city, her family’s legacy, and her first love-Ivo. More than anything, she hates her father growing closer to her mother’s cousin-Galadriel. Adelaide plots to end their tryst before her fate is sealed, and she never sets foot in Cologne again.
But good and pious can only get Galadriel so far. Never again will she be destitute. Never again will she be known by the cruel moniker-Cinderella. Never again will someone take what is rightfully hers. No matter what it takes.
From the award-winning author of The Fairytale Keeper comes this highly anticipated sequel, another masterful, historically-set retelling of Grimm's fairytales. The Countess' Captive combines Grimm's fairytale characters with real historical settings and events to create a tale that leaves the reader wondering where facts end and fiction begins.
Adelaide hates abandoning her home city, her family’s legacy, and her first love-Ivo. More than anything, she hates her father growing closer to her mother’s cousin-Galadriel. Adelaide plots to end their tryst before her fate is sealed, and she never sets foot in Cologne again.
But good and pious can only get Galadriel so far. Never again will she be destitute. Never again will she be known by the cruel moniker-Cinderella. Never again will someone take what is rightfully hers. No matter what it takes.
From the award-winning author of The Fairytale Keeper comes this highly anticipated sequel, another masterful, historically-set retelling of Grimm's fairytales. The Countess' Captive combines Grimm's fairytale characters with real historical settings and events to create a tale that leaves the reader wondering where facts end and fiction begins.
223 pages, Paperback
First published February 14, 2015
1 person is currently reading
732 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Cefalo
3 books150 followersAndrea Cefalo is a bit of a roamer, growing up in New Hampshire, Maryland, and South Carolina, though the bulk of her family lives in Maine. She dreamed of a career in art restoration, but somehow ended up becoming a grade school teacher before realizing she really wanted to be a writer. She taught for three years and then decided to finish The Fairytale Keeper series and pursue her new found ambition. Andrea lives with her husband and two border collies in Greenville, South Carolina, which she calls home, at least for now.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 9, 2015
I thought this was a nice follow up book from the first, The Fairytale Keeper. I like this series. The way the author has approached this series is creative. In this book, Adelaide has really grown up and matured. She is a strong woman. I thought the way she handled Galadriel was great. I myself was not that fond of Galadriel. Although she was also another strong, intelligent woman. Galadriel and Adelaide were eventually matched in wits. Which they were the only ones that I found held the story together. This time Adelaide's father turned me off with his attitude. For me this time, I read the book and liked it but I was not in love with it like I was the first one. Yet, as I said before this series is different and I do want to read the next book.
July 27, 2015
In this highly anticipated sequel to The Fairytale Keeper, the story picks up right where the previous book left off. Adelaide is leaving Cologne and is forced go to Bitsch, where Galadriel, her mother’s cousin, rules as Countess. Desperate to save her love, Ivo, Adelaide is forced to comply with Galadriel's demands. However, she soon realises that she may never return to Cologne, and that her father may marry Galadriel, whom she so despises. Adelaide vows to do whatever she can to prevent the wedding and to return back to Cologne.
Adelaide has grown into a strong woman. She is smart and tries her best to live the life she wants. She loves stories and tries her best to become a great storyteller. However, she is still in grief. Her mother has barely been dead for a month, and her father is already looking for a new wife, one who is much younger, prettier, and richer. She feels that her father has betrayed her and sometimes she possesses deep anger for her father. She also feels hatred for her nemesis, Galadriel, for she believes that it is her fault that her father wants to have a new bride.
Galadriel is a great nemesis. She too is strong and wise. She is very manipulative, for she knows how to make Adelaide to be compliant to her. I found it very fascinating that she is the counterpart to the fairytale version of Cinderella. She rose up from an advantageous marriage to become countess. However, Galadriel is on the verge of losing her county of Bitsch, and with her marriage to a commoner she may lose it. Galadriel fights to keep the county under her rule.
The setting of the book is very dark and grim. This book has a very dark outlook upon the nobility. For while Adelaide is in a castle and is given pretty jewels, she is still a prisoner. She feels that her freedom has been stripped from her. The nobility look at her with disdain because she comes from common blood.
Overall, this book is about a girl who is trying to find her identity in a cruel world. The characters are well-developed and the plot is fast-paced. Even though this is a retelling of Snow White, I like how the fairy tales are interwoven in this story. Some of the fairytales are not very common, for example “The Army Surgeon”, and “The Girl with No Hands”. I also like how the villain in this story is Cinderella. This novel is not a standalone and I recommend you read The Fairytale Keeper first. This novel leaves one eagerly anticipating the next book of The Fairytale Keeper series. I recommend you to read this series, for it is a treat for anyone who loves fairy tales.
(Note: This book was given to me as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review.)
Adelaide has grown into a strong woman. She is smart and tries her best to live the life she wants. She loves stories and tries her best to become a great storyteller. However, she is still in grief. Her mother has barely been dead for a month, and her father is already looking for a new wife, one who is much younger, prettier, and richer. She feels that her father has betrayed her and sometimes she possesses deep anger for her father. She also feels hatred for her nemesis, Galadriel, for she believes that it is her fault that her father wants to have a new bride.
Galadriel is a great nemesis. She too is strong and wise. She is very manipulative, for she knows how to make Adelaide to be compliant to her. I found it very fascinating that she is the counterpart to the fairytale version of Cinderella. She rose up from an advantageous marriage to become countess. However, Galadriel is on the verge of losing her county of Bitsch, and with her marriage to a commoner she may lose it. Galadriel fights to keep the county under her rule.
The setting of the book is very dark and grim. This book has a very dark outlook upon the nobility. For while Adelaide is in a castle and is given pretty jewels, she is still a prisoner. She feels that her freedom has been stripped from her. The nobility look at her with disdain because she comes from common blood.
Overall, this book is about a girl who is trying to find her identity in a cruel world. The characters are well-developed and the plot is fast-paced. Even though this is a retelling of Snow White, I like how the fairy tales are interwoven in this story. Some of the fairytales are not very common, for example “The Army Surgeon”, and “The Girl with No Hands”. I also like how the villain in this story is Cinderella. This novel is not a standalone and I recommend you read The Fairytale Keeper first. This novel leaves one eagerly anticipating the next book of The Fairytale Keeper series. I recommend you to read this series, for it is a treat for anyone who loves fairy tales.
(Note: This book was given to me as part of a blog tour in exchange for an honest review.)
July 21, 2015
The Countess' Captive picks up right after The Fairytale Keeper leaves off. Adelaide, her father and her mother's cousin, Galadriel are abandoning their home in Cologne after their home was destroyed. Adelaide would much rather stay in Cologne with her betrothed, Ivo and become a hard working like her father. Instead, the trio just barely escapes town on their way to Galadriel’s castle in Bitsch. With her life turned upside down, Addy must now pretend that she is the daughter of a rich merchant and refer to Galadriel as ‘my lady.’ Meanwhile, Galadriel has successfully installed herself as her father’s mistress less than one month after the death of Addy’s mother. With a baby on the way and a wedding she is unable to stop, Addy finds comfort in the stories that her mother once told her, she also creates a new story to tell about her new step-mother.
Thoughtful, imaginative and fast-paced, I loved learning more of Adelaide’s story and a look into Medieval life for a Countess and her household. Even though I knew where her and Galadriel’s relationship was heading, I was still surprised at how their relationship formed. Carved out as the wicked step-mother character, I really couldn't decide on my feelings for Galadriel. However, I still did love Adeline as she grew and learned to deal with her lot in life with the help of Father Hannes. Just as in The Fairytale Keeper, several fairytales are woven together artfully, and so that it doesn't feel like a retelling, but more of actual events that could be construed into a fairy tale as time passes. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for Adelaide in the The Baseborn Lady.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Thoughtful, imaginative and fast-paced, I loved learning more of Adelaide’s story and a look into Medieval life for a Countess and her household. Even though I knew where her and Galadriel’s relationship was heading, I was still surprised at how their relationship formed. Carved out as the wicked step-mother character, I really couldn't decide on my feelings for Galadriel. However, I still did love Adeline as she grew and learned to deal with her lot in life with the help of Father Hannes. Just as in The Fairytale Keeper, several fairytales are woven together artfully, and so that it doesn't feel like a retelling, but more of actual events that could be construed into a fairy tale as time passes. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for Adelaide in the The Baseborn Lady.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
April 2, 2015
Book 2 in The Fairy Tale Keepers Series, The Countess' Captive continues the story of Adelaide, her father, and Galadriel (once known as Cinderella). Adelaide, who also has the nickname Snow White, given to her by her mother as Adelaide's hair is black as a raven's and her skin is fair as can be, is leaving Cologne with her father and Galadriel against her wishes and heading to Bitsch, Galadriel's home, where Galadriel is a countess.
With her husband dead less than a year, Galadriel weds Adelaide's father Ansel who has been widowed barely a month. Adelaide despises Galadriel for this. All Adelaide wants to do is be back in Cologne with her betrothed, Ivo.
I enjoyed this mix of Cinderella and Snow White. Many other fairy tales were told along the way which made this novel even more interesting as I had not heard all of them before.
I also appreciated the mix of historical and fairytale genres. There were no magical fairy godmothers, although there were some very helpful birds.
There were lots of twists in the plot that kept the story fresh and interesting. The pace was moderately fast. This book should hold the interest of fairytale lovers of young adult and older. I gave it 4 stars out of 5.
Thank you to the publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.
This review was published on my blog Shelf Full of Books http://kathrynsshelffullofbooks.blogs...
With her husband dead less than a year, Galadriel weds Adelaide's father Ansel who has been widowed barely a month. Adelaide despises Galadriel for this. All Adelaide wants to do is be back in Cologne with her betrothed, Ivo.
I enjoyed this mix of Cinderella and Snow White. Many other fairy tales were told along the way which made this novel even more interesting as I had not heard all of them before.
I also appreciated the mix of historical and fairytale genres. There were no magical fairy godmothers, although there were some very helpful birds.
There were lots of twists in the plot that kept the story fresh and interesting. The pace was moderately fast. This book should hold the interest of fairytale lovers of young adult and older. I gave it 4 stars out of 5.
Thank you to the publishers for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.
This review was published on my blog Shelf Full of Books http://kathrynsshelffullofbooks.blogs...
April 2, 2015
This is another win for author Andrea Cefalo! She has taken the fairy tale Cinderella in this second installment and weaved in her well done changes with exciting details and well developed characters.
We start off right where we left off, with Adelaide and her father leaving Colgne. Adelaide is trying everything she can to change her father's mind because she thinks this is the worst possible thing that her father can do. Imagine your mother dying and only one month later your father is involved with another woman. You'd be just as irate as Adelaide is. But alas, it doesn't matter the three end up leaving to go to Galadriel's home.
This fairy tale story is entertaining, well thought out and worth a read. I found myself staying up extra late to read "just one more chapter." You know how that goes if you are a reader like myself. I just love this authors work. I am holding my breath for the next novel in this magnificent series.
Will Adelaide be able to see her love Ivo again any time soon? Not if Galadriel gets her way. She is out to mess up Adelaide's life and it seems things just keep getting worse and worse for this poor little girl. The bright spot is that she has a few happy moments once she is in Galadriel's house but are they enough to keep her there or will she disrespect her father and run away?
Such a fast paced and fun read, this should be on the top of your to be read pile. Of course,only after you read book one in this amazing series.
.
We start off right where we left off, with Adelaide and her father leaving Colgne. Adelaide is trying everything she can to change her father's mind because she thinks this is the worst possible thing that her father can do. Imagine your mother dying and only one month later your father is involved with another woman. You'd be just as irate as Adelaide is. But alas, it doesn't matter the three end up leaving to go to Galadriel's home.
This fairy tale story is entertaining, well thought out and worth a read. I found myself staying up extra late to read "just one more chapter." You know how that goes if you are a reader like myself. I just love this authors work. I am holding my breath for the next novel in this magnificent series.
Will Adelaide be able to see her love Ivo again any time soon? Not if Galadriel gets her way. She is out to mess up Adelaide's life and it seems things just keep getting worse and worse for this poor little girl. The bright spot is that she has a few happy moments once she is in Galadriel's house but are they enough to keep her there or will she disrespect her father and run away?
Such a fast paced and fun read, this should be on the top of your to be read pile. Of course,only after you read book one in this amazing series.
.
March 24, 2015
I read The Fairytale Keeper last year and I loved it. I wish I had a chance to re-read it before jumping into The Countess' Captaive, because it took me awhile to get back into the story.
So for anyone that might be considering this one, you definitely should read The Fairytale Keeper first. It will make your reading experience much easier.
It was good to see growth in the characters. Adelaide is really becoming a strong woman and you really come to love her in this book, butt you will probably want to throttle her too, as much as you will want to throttle Galadriel. Galadriel is her mother's cousin, who is now involved with Adelaide's father.
Some of the tales passed on were pretty gruesome particularly The Three Army Surgeons, which is one I wasn't familiar with. Adelaide grows as a storyteller in this novel as well. One of the stories she passes on takes a nice little shot at Galadriel, and that is Cinderella. Adelaide's continued story here almost puts her as "Cinderella," with Galadriel as the wicked step mother, though I didn't really feel Galadriel was all that wicked, a little scheming, yes, wicked no.
The only thing I really missed in this story was Ivo. I wish he would have played a bigger part in this novel, because his presence might have taken the edge off Adelaide's whining.
Once again, Ms Cefalo blends fairytales with history in a way that will keep you turning the pages. I can't wait for the next book.
So for anyone that might be considering this one, you definitely should read The Fairytale Keeper first. It will make your reading experience much easier.
It was good to see growth in the characters. Adelaide is really becoming a strong woman and you really come to love her in this book, butt you will probably want to throttle her too, as much as you will want to throttle Galadriel. Galadriel is her mother's cousin, who is now involved with Adelaide's father.
Some of the tales passed on were pretty gruesome particularly The Three Army Surgeons, which is one I wasn't familiar with. Adelaide grows as a storyteller in this novel as well. One of the stories she passes on takes a nice little shot at Galadriel, and that is Cinderella. Adelaide's continued story here almost puts her as "Cinderella," with Galadriel as the wicked step mother, though I didn't really feel Galadriel was all that wicked, a little scheming, yes, wicked no.
The only thing I really missed in this story was Ivo. I wish he would have played a bigger part in this novel, because his presence might have taken the edge off Adelaide's whining.
Once again, Ms Cefalo blends fairytales with history in a way that will keep you turning the pages. I can't wait for the next book.
December 22, 2015
Downloaded for free during an Amazon promotion, The Countess' Captive is the second novel in the Fairytale Keeper series by Andrea Cefalo.
I read and reviewed the first in the series (The Fairytale Keeper: Avenging the Queen) and I was keen to find out what would happen when Adelaide was forced to leave her home town together with her father, and move in with her new step-mother.
An historical fairytale re-telling of sorts, The Countess' Captive was a very pleasant and entertaining read, and although there was no more shoe-making (boo!) I was instead held captive by Adelaide's reluctant adjustment to her elevated position and new surroundings.
Suitable for YA readers and those who enjoy fairytale re-tellings or just a well-written historical fiction novel. (And don't you just love the font on the cover?)
I read and reviewed the first in the series (The Fairytale Keeper: Avenging the Queen) and I was keen to find out what would happen when Adelaide was forced to leave her home town together with her father, and move in with her new step-mother.
An historical fairytale re-telling of sorts, The Countess' Captive was a very pleasant and entertaining read, and although there was no more shoe-making (boo!) I was instead held captive by Adelaide's reluctant adjustment to her elevated position and new surroundings.
Suitable for YA readers and those who enjoy fairytale re-tellings or just a well-written historical fiction novel. (And don't you just love the font on the cover?)
November 29, 2015
Just in case you missed the first installment of this fairytale series, you must back it up and check it out first. Thankfully, I was recently introduced to Adelaide, our Snow white. In this retelling, The Countess’ Captive, book Two in the fairytale Keeper Series, her story continues.
To read the rest of the review, simply follow the link: http://www.aleisuremoment.com/2015/04...
November 29, 2014
The follow up to The Fairytale Keeper is brilliant. If you are familiar with the first book in this series, you need to read The Countess' Captive. You'll gain respect for a few of the continuing characters and a slew of new comers. However, if you have a heart in your chest, you will learn the meaning of hatred and disgust for a return character and some of that character's friends. Compassion is hurled into the wind in this edition of what promises to be a classic.
June 28, 2015
This was a fun and quick read. The Countess' Captive picks up right after The Fairytale Keeper leaves off. Adelaide, her father and her mother's cousin, Galadriel are abandoning their home in Cologne after their home was destroyed. Adelaide has to give up everything to be with her dad and Galadriel. I do not like Galadriel and further in the book can not stand Lady Johanna.
March 17, 2015
Another excellent installment in The Fairytale Keeper series. Cefalo weaves history, fairytales, and intrigue with equal aplomb. Adelaide is the strong female protagonist young girls today need. Great book! Can't wait for The Baseborn Lady!
May 12, 2016
Ms. Cefalo immerses the reader into the historically rich origin of our favorite fairytales. Intricately researched and well written, a young medieval girl's world comes to life on the pages. A great historical read. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews