What do you think?
Rate this book
SoulNecklace Stories #1
A Necklace of Souls
The award-winning A Necklace of Souls is a story of love and loss, of shattered lives and desperate hope. 'A true dream is when the events I see in my sleep have, or will happen. It's a talent that runs in my family. I was thirteen when I had my first true dream.' Dana wishes she wasn't a princess. She's always being told how to behave, what to wear. The collier's cart seems the perfect escape. Only she didn't realize she'd become so dirty, or so lost. Fortunately this boy, Will, has a sense of direction. And next to the forbidding stranger, N'tombe, he seems reassuringly normal. Dana and Will will learn that, in the Kingdom of the Rose, bravery is not always measured by strength and magic is real, if only one has the courage to dream. Shortlisted for the Sir Julius Vogel Award, A Necklace of Souls was awarded the Tessa Duder Award for Young Adult Fiction, Best First Book at the New Zealand Post Children and Young Adult Book Awards and is a Storylines Notable Book.
388 pages, Paperback
First published March 8, 2013
14 people are currently reading
3220 people want to read
About the author
R.L. Stedman
15 books173 followersHi there! I'm Rachel Stedman, writing as R. L. Stedman. I live in the wild and windy town of Dunedin, New Zealand. My first novel, A Necklace of Souls, was published in 2013, and won a number of exciting awards - including Best First Novel, 2014!
You can find out more about me on my website www.rlstedman.com - plus, if you feel like reading a FREE fairytale collection, then copy and paste this link into your browser: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/66nq33qkbm
Hope you enjoy, and happy reading!
You can find out more about me on my website www.rlstedman.com - plus, if you feel like reading a FREE fairytale collection, then copy and paste this link into your browser: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/66nq33qkbm
Hope you enjoy, and happy reading!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 9, 2017
A very easy 4.5 out of 5 star review for me to write and share, I was sent a free digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest read and review since I am taking part in the blog tour for the 3rd book in this series called A Memory of Fire. This YA Fantasy follows Dana, a princess who is finding her world confusing. There's hidden secrets and mysteries in the air regarding a necklace and with no-one openly admitting who the Guardian is and their role in the kingdom. This story follows dreams, some pleasant and some pure nightmares which leave behind more questions than answers. Another character Will arrives in the kingdom after he is left an orphan. First, he bakes bread and after saving Dana's life, starts to train in military activities such as archery and swordplay.
My overall thoughts are that I did enjoy how developed both Dana and Will were as characters. Dana was really keen to get in on the action in regards to fighting and defending the kingdom, the world-building was a lovely visual experience. I also love that the romance was not the dominating factor in A Necklace of Souls which was very refreshing to read. The only thing that stopped me giving the full five stars was that at times, the other characters I struggled to fully connect with in the story such as Dana's Nurse and her parents.
This book is perfect for you if you like your fast-paced, visual Fantasy with teen characters and the exploration of dreams!
My overall thoughts are that I did enjoy how developed both Dana and Will were as characters. Dana was really keen to get in on the action in regards to fighting and defending the kingdom, the world-building was a lovely visual experience. I also love that the romance was not the dominating factor in A Necklace of Souls which was very refreshing to read. The only thing that stopped me giving the full five stars was that at times, the other characters I struggled to fully connect with in the story such as Dana's Nurse and her parents.
This book is perfect for you if you like your fast-paced, visual Fantasy with teen characters and the exploration of dreams!
April 23, 2015
“Dreaming is very pleasant as long as you are not forced to put your dreams into practice.”
---- Paulo Coelho, my favorite author!
R.L. Stedman, an author from New Zealand, pens an enchanting tale of adventure, magic and dreams in her new book, A Necklace of Souls which happens to be the first book in the Soul Necklace Stories series.
Synopsis:
‘A true dream is when the events I see in my sleep have, or will happen. It’s a talent that runs in my family. I was thirteen when I had my first true dream.’
Dana wishes she wasn’t a princess. She’s always being told how to behave, what to wear. There’s a strangeness in the castle – why will no one talk about the Guardian, or the necklace that protects the land? And why does her father look at her with such sorrow?
Welcome to A Necklace of Souls: a story of love and loss, of shattered lives and desperate hopes. In the Kingdom of the Rose, bravery is not always measured by strength and magic is real, if only one has the courage to dream.
Dana is a young princess in an island country separated from the rest of the world by magic. Will is a poor boy whose parents died in the plague and have taken shelter in the castle where Dana lives and soon after his skill in swordplay and fighting has been discovered, he got appointed as Dana's personal body-guard. Dana is in-line to be the next guardian of roses, but Dana has a magical power to dream real things like events, past and present fate etc.
There is a lot of magical world-building element in this book and in the end, it is quite clear that this was just an introduction for us to see through these characters and the thrill and the real story will unfold in the sequel of this book.
Unfortunately, except the primary characters, Will and Dana, the rest of the supporting cast felt a bit rough or rather say unpolished with a lot of loose ends.
Dana and Will are the strongest as well as the most intriguing YA characters, whose demeanor evolves and grows a lot with the progress of the story and moreover, the author have had us experience the story from two POVs- Dana and Will, thus shedding a lot of insight and depth into these characters. The setting or rather say the backdrop is somewhat European featuring the medieval era, and the author have strikingly portrayed it into her tale.
Dana and Will's chemistry is really sweet and promising and that's what kept me engaged to the core of the story. The writing is fine with a moderate pace and since the author delves deeper into this magical world-building, it takes time for us to feel connected with the story. But most above all, I would like to applaud for the author's imaginative skill and for crafting such a thrilling and exciting fantasy tale.
Verdict: I recommend you to read this book if you're a huge fan of magic and fantasy worlds.
Courtesy: I received the book for a blog tour purpose.
---- Paulo Coelho, my favorite author!
R.L. Stedman, an author from New Zealand, pens an enchanting tale of adventure, magic and dreams in her new book, A Necklace of Souls which happens to be the first book in the Soul Necklace Stories series.
Synopsis:
‘A true dream is when the events I see in my sleep have, or will happen. It’s a talent that runs in my family. I was thirteen when I had my first true dream.’
Dana wishes she wasn’t a princess. She’s always being told how to behave, what to wear. There’s a strangeness in the castle – why will no one talk about the Guardian, or the necklace that protects the land? And why does her father look at her with such sorrow?
Welcome to A Necklace of Souls: a story of love and loss, of shattered lives and desperate hopes. In the Kingdom of the Rose, bravery is not always measured by strength and magic is real, if only one has the courage to dream.
Dana is a young princess in an island country separated from the rest of the world by magic. Will is a poor boy whose parents died in the plague and have taken shelter in the castle where Dana lives and soon after his skill in swordplay and fighting has been discovered, he got appointed as Dana's personal body-guard. Dana is in-line to be the next guardian of roses, but Dana has a magical power to dream real things like events, past and present fate etc.
There is a lot of magical world-building element in this book and in the end, it is quite clear that this was just an introduction for us to see through these characters and the thrill and the real story will unfold in the sequel of this book.
Unfortunately, except the primary characters, Will and Dana, the rest of the supporting cast felt a bit rough or rather say unpolished with a lot of loose ends.
Dana and Will are the strongest as well as the most intriguing YA characters, whose demeanor evolves and grows a lot with the progress of the story and moreover, the author have had us experience the story from two POVs- Dana and Will, thus shedding a lot of insight and depth into these characters. The setting or rather say the backdrop is somewhat European featuring the medieval era, and the author have strikingly portrayed it into her tale.
Dana and Will's chemistry is really sweet and promising and that's what kept me engaged to the core of the story. The writing is fine with a moderate pace and since the author delves deeper into this magical world-building, it takes time for us to feel connected with the story. But most above all, I would like to applaud for the author's imaginative skill and for crafting such a thrilling and exciting fantasy tale.
Verdict: I recommend you to read this book if you're a huge fan of magic and fantasy worlds.
Courtesy: I received the book for a blog tour purpose.
March 9, 2014
okay, i'm not sure if I'm allowed to review my own book, so apologies all Goodreads folk if that's the case. But I do love this story, partly because its my own creation, but also because i've got all these exciting things going on in my head for What Happens Next. It's a lot of fun, creating your own world.
April 26, 2014
Enjoyable fantasy read with a great heroine who actually acted her age (and not like a mini-adult), fluctuating between being quite mature and acting like a young girl questioning her future and her choices. Great touches of humour between the characters, who were either quite likeable or at least amusingly horrible, like the vain, ridiculous older brother and Will's sour aunt. Nice to see a heroine who doesn't focus on make-up and dresses.
I liked the time travel and dream sequences, but I wasn't sure why N'tombo came from our current age, as it jarred a little and didn't really help the plot at all (just her abilities to bend time and matter would have been enough), nor why she was behaving the way she did when she arrived at the castle having been led there by Rosa. These are minor quibbles - I'm looking forward to the sequel.
I liked the time travel and dream sequences, but I wasn't sure why N'tombo came from our current age, as it jarred a little and didn't really help the plot at all (just her abilities to bend time and matter would have been enough), nor why she was behaving the way she did when she arrived at the castle having been led there by Rosa. These are minor quibbles - I'm looking forward to the sequel.
March 20, 2013
A fresh and exciting fantasy from a new New Zealand author. The hero and heroine are excellently drawn - Dana as the princess who fights against her destiny as the magical (and doomed) protector of her kingdom, and Will as an orphaned baker boy turned warrior. This book won the 2012 Tessa Duder Award for an unpublished YA novel - its originality makes it stand out in a crowded field. I do hope HarperCollins NZ publishes the sequel - I want to find out what happens to Will and Dana.
April 23, 2015
I didn’t want this story to end. I so want the next one. First the story is fascinating and not what I expected. The writing was incredible for a first novel and the characters were relatable. Will I know there is something about him surviving the plague that is significant just not sure what.
N’tombe there is more to her than we know. I have a feeling she will help with a huge plot twist when it comes to the guardian/rosa/dana deal. She kind of scares me but also has me in awe. Her power is tremendous and that is without the necklace.
Dana is sweet and ferocious. She is a princess who wants more. She wants to be more than just stifled. When she learns the secret of the Guardian it shocks her. She has been branching out and this has her feel like a caged animal who loses freedom. He attraction to Will is great. That was a beautifully slow building attraction and love. What is great is that it doesn’t overwhelm the story. It is in the background especially since she is a princess and he is a commoner. Will becomes her friend, confidante, teacher and now boy she loves. They are so sweet together. He doesn’t hold back on teaching her how to fight and doesn’t treat her like royalty. He has respect for her but also kinship. Dana is learning to fight because of the danger to come to her kingdom. A kingdom of magic where all is good-no famine, no plagues just good. This kingdom is sought after by the King of Eternal. Not a nice man and his henchman are not so great either. Tesin i thought I would like but than at the end not so much.
Will is the boy who survived the plague and goes to his aunt’s in the Kingdom of the Rose. She doesn’t treat him nicely and by happenstance he ends up as a apprentice at the castle. Will is a kind, caring sweet boy who just wants to bake. When it is seen he is quick and helped the princess he becomes both a warrior and a baker for the king. Through this role he is chosen to be teacher to Dana. This role brought him a friend and someone to love. He has a kinship with her and soon in order to protect and help her he is off on a adventure filled with danger and intrigue.
This is a book that has ebbs and flows. We have a time when the reader can see the eminant danger but the story line doesn’t focus on that but rather on preparing the main characters for it. Than we have realization and the dawning of the danger. Here is where Dana takes a main role in the fight and Will is already involved. Now we are at a crossroads. The kingdom is safe for now but Dana must fight the battle to keep it that way. Will is by her side and they are together.
A wonderfully written, descriptive and adventurous book full of magic, danger, intrigue and a little romance. EAch character will speak to you in some way and the two main characters Dana and Will will endear you to them. The read goes quickly because the story will engage you. So look forward to the next book.
N’tombe there is more to her than we know. I have a feeling she will help with a huge plot twist when it comes to the guardian/rosa/dana deal. She kind of scares me but also has me in awe. Her power is tremendous and that is without the necklace.
Dana is sweet and ferocious. She is a princess who wants more. She wants to be more than just stifled. When she learns the secret of the Guardian it shocks her. She has been branching out and this has her feel like a caged animal who loses freedom. He attraction to Will is great. That was a beautifully slow building attraction and love. What is great is that it doesn’t overwhelm the story. It is in the background especially since she is a princess and he is a commoner. Will becomes her friend, confidante, teacher and now boy she loves. They are so sweet together. He doesn’t hold back on teaching her how to fight and doesn’t treat her like royalty. He has respect for her but also kinship. Dana is learning to fight because of the danger to come to her kingdom. A kingdom of magic where all is good-no famine, no plagues just good. This kingdom is sought after by the King of Eternal. Not a nice man and his henchman are not so great either. Tesin i thought I would like but than at the end not so much.
Will is the boy who survived the plague and goes to his aunt’s in the Kingdom of the Rose. She doesn’t treat him nicely and by happenstance he ends up as a apprentice at the castle. Will is a kind, caring sweet boy who just wants to bake. When it is seen he is quick and helped the princess he becomes both a warrior and a baker for the king. Through this role he is chosen to be teacher to Dana. This role brought him a friend and someone to love. He has a kinship with her and soon in order to protect and help her he is off on a adventure filled with danger and intrigue.
This is a book that has ebbs and flows. We have a time when the reader can see the eminant danger but the story line doesn’t focus on that but rather on preparing the main characters for it. Than we have realization and the dawning of the danger. Here is where Dana takes a main role in the fight and Will is already involved. Now we are at a crossroads. The kingdom is safe for now but Dana must fight the battle to keep it that way. Will is by her side and they are together.
A wonderfully written, descriptive and adventurous book full of magic, danger, intrigue and a little romance. EAch character will speak to you in some way and the two main characters Dana and Will will endear you to them. The read goes quickly because the story will engage you. So look forward to the next book.
June 1, 2014
I read this book as part of my quest to read the finalists of this year's New Zealand Post Children's Book Award senior section.
The narrative is split between Dana, the princess who is destined to become the Guardian of the Kingdom, and Will, an orphaned boy with a penchant for baking bread. Will ends up in the Kingdom after his parents die of plague on the 'outside'. After a Cinderella-esque time with his awful aunt and her family, he ends up apprenticed to the castle kitchen where his miraculous ability with martial arts earns him a place as Dana's personal combat tutor once the bread is baked for the day. I found that having Dana in the first person and Will in third person odd and at times it spoiled the flow of the story.
The story clips along at a fair pace. The magical element, with the Necklace of Souls guarding the welfare of the kingdom and the mysterious abilities of N'Tombe, Dana's tutor, do add interest to the story. Dana's skill in dream-seeing and dream-walking give her much power although I began to wonder if they were a bit over-used as a means of letting her find out things and influence the action.
Dana turns out to be a feisty and likeable character, one with a cruel fate awaiting her once her aunt Rosa, the current Guardian dies. Her non-princess like qualities were quite endearing. Will Baker remained my favourite character, despite his ability to go without sleep as he toiled in the kitchens and then with the Palace Guard during the day. As you might expect, there is a romantic undercurrent building in this relationship. Although these two characters develop quite nicely, many of the other characters are one-dimensional, stock characters: the vain, shallow Queen, the wicked aunt, the wise Captain of the Guard, the spoiled and idle heir to the throne... Maybe that was intentional and it's supposed to feel like a fairy tale, but compared to some of the other YA fantasy available, this one seems a bit light-weight.
Perhaps a 2.5 star read, although I will probably read the sequel to find out how it all ends.
The narrative is split between Dana, the princess who is destined to become the Guardian of the Kingdom, and Will, an orphaned boy with a penchant for baking bread. Will ends up in the Kingdom after his parents die of plague on the 'outside'. After a Cinderella-esque time with his awful aunt and her family, he ends up apprenticed to the castle kitchen where his miraculous ability with martial arts earns him a place as Dana's personal combat tutor once the bread is baked for the day. I found that having Dana in the first person and Will in third person odd and at times it spoiled the flow of the story.
The story clips along at a fair pace. The magical element, with the Necklace of Souls guarding the welfare of the kingdom and the mysterious abilities of N'Tombe, Dana's tutor, do add interest to the story. Dana's skill in dream-seeing and dream-walking give her much power although I began to wonder if they were a bit over-used as a means of letting her find out things and influence the action.
Dana turns out to be a feisty and likeable character, one with a cruel fate awaiting her once her aunt Rosa, the current Guardian dies. Her non-princess like qualities were quite endearing. Will Baker remained my favourite character, despite his ability to go without sleep as he toiled in the kitchens and then with the Palace Guard during the day. As you might expect, there is a romantic undercurrent building in this relationship. Although these two characters develop quite nicely, many of the other characters are one-dimensional, stock characters: the vain, shallow Queen, the wicked aunt, the wise Captain of the Guard, the spoiled and idle heir to the throne... Maybe that was intentional and it's supposed to feel like a fairy tale, but compared to some of the other YA fantasy available, this one seems a bit light-weight.
Perhaps a 2.5 star read, although I will probably read the sequel to find out how it all ends.
October 25, 2014
After 2 months of starting reading this YA fantasy, I was only at Chapter 13. Meanwhile I had read at least 3 other full-length YA or adult novels.
The concept was good, and I read as far as I did in order to learn of the significance of the necklace of souls. But I had no idea what this necklace was all about even at this juncture.
"Necklace of Souls" is slow, slow, slow. Too much descriptive detail. Too many coincidences allowing Dana to escape from difficult situations, or get into her "adventure" near the beginning, such as the voice and image of the "white" lady who allows Dana to get on top of a tree to get out of her predicament.
Then there is Will, who seems to have super-hero qualities. I think Will is not believable for children who look for a hero they might become. Also children are well prepared to suspend belief in a fast-turning plot and a well-realised world. Unfortunately, this book has neither. I returned the book to the library after getting to chapter 13.
Will children or YA have the patience to read through the meandering descriptions? I didn't.
I have also been reading the Guardian Fiction Prize 2014 long-lists. So far, I have found them page-turning, fast-moving, original and interesting. I have finished each one I started.
The concept was good, and I read as far as I did in order to learn of the significance of the necklace of souls. But I had no idea what this necklace was all about even at this juncture.
"Necklace of Souls" is slow, slow, slow. Too much descriptive detail. Too many coincidences allowing Dana to escape from difficult situations, or get into her "adventure" near the beginning, such as the voice and image of the "white" lady who allows Dana to get on top of a tree to get out of her predicament.
Then there is Will, who seems to have super-hero qualities. I think Will is not believable for children who look for a hero they might become. Also children are well prepared to suspend belief in a fast-turning plot and a well-realised world. Unfortunately, this book has neither. I returned the book to the library after getting to chapter 13.
Will children or YA have the patience to read through the meandering descriptions? I didn't.
I have also been reading the Guardian Fiction Prize 2014 long-lists. So far, I have found them page-turning, fast-moving, original and interesting. I have finished each one I started.
February 15, 2016
This is an excellent read for anyone who likes fantasy and/or a lot of action. The story is strong and coherent with well planned characters that work well together. The mix of action and magic gives an added boost to an action packed saga of a kingdom that is kept apart from the rest of the world to keep the magic alive. While we follow the main character and see her grow through her early teens we gain a knowledge of the magic and the sacrifices that must be made by the people it serves to keep it alive. We live through war begun in an effort to steal the magic by another kingdom and we are taken through hazards and dangers previously unknown to the realm. This culminates in a quartet of friends, who are all more than they seem, fleeing their homes in an effort to keep the magic safe from enemy hands.
This is an amazing read and I heartily recommend it to anyone who likes a good fantasy full of action
This is an amazing read and I heartily recommend it to anyone who likes a good fantasy full of action
January 18, 2015
I loved the book, it had everything I love in a book. There was romance, fanasy and magic. It is set to a magical world where they still have knights, princes and princesses. I loved that one of the main characters started out as a princess that was helpless, but finished the book as a princess that can really kick some ass! I love that even if the main theme I'm the book isn't romance you can feel it from the beginning until the end.
there is one thing I didn't like about the book I felt it was to short, but at the same time it ended at a good place.
This might just be somthing I feel because I love the book so much and want more. I have read the book 8 times and still love it as much as the first time, and I really hope that the next book comes out soon!
there is one thing I didn't like about the book I felt it was to short, but at the same time it ended at a good place.
This might just be somthing I feel because I love the book so much and want more. I have read the book 8 times and still love it as much as the first time, and I really hope that the next book comes out soon!
August 30, 2013
I would probably give this book 3.5 stars. I enjoyed it and am looking forward to the second book.
March 23, 2020
DNF this was just...so boring.
April 22, 2015
I really enjoyed reading the journey of Dana and Will. The spacing of the story is slow and then there's the time skip.
Will's journey wasn't easy. In fact it was quite tragic. He used to live in a small village with his parents who were bakers and he seems to follow their footsteps but a plague came to their village and Will was sadly one of the few who survived. I already had an inkling how it would be with all the clues the author written. Luckily, he received an invitation from his aunt about living with them. The only thing is the kingdom where his aunt lives was supposed to be a legend and the only way to enter is one must have a token and such a ferryman will bring you to the entrance to the kingdom.
Then there's Dana who's the princess of that kingdom who dreams of things that supposedly happened. She has the same gift as her father at the same time there are secrets that are being kept from her which will change her life.
What I like about this was that the interaction between Dana and Will wasn't immediate. It took a few months before they met and another couple of months till they met once more due to certain events which I'm not going to spoil.
All I can say is that Dana and Will will journey together in order to stop the evil that's after the power in the kingdom. Luckily, they aren't alone. They will need all the help they can get especially after encountering the strength of their enemy's forces.
I felt sad for Will especially what he'd gone through but I liked how he's still the same and that he wasn't bitter but made the most of his situation. I really hate his aunt's family. I was happy when he was given better opportunities especially that led him to meeting Dana.
I'm not quite fangirling but I was elated every time Dana and Will have their moments especially when they both came to realize that their feelings for another grew. I loved the sense of humor in this book especially every time Dana and Will kiss, they are always being interrupted. Their romance was slow and very little actually but when they got together everything was worth the wait.
I liked how Dana isn't the typically spoiled princess and I loved her antics. She has an okay relationship with her family most especially her father. I felt sad for when that little secret was revealed to her and I hope there's a way around that. I really disliked her mother, she's kind of evil.
I'll definitely continue this series. I hope to see more Will and Dana's moments.
I received a copy for a blog tour.
Will's journey wasn't easy. In fact it was quite tragic. He used to live in a small village with his parents who were bakers and he seems to follow their footsteps but a plague came to their village and Will was sadly one of the few who survived. I already had an inkling how it would be with all the clues the author written. Luckily, he received an invitation from his aunt about living with them. The only thing is the kingdom where his aunt lives was supposed to be a legend and the only way to enter is one must have a token and such a ferryman will bring you to the entrance to the kingdom.
Then there's Dana who's the princess of that kingdom who dreams of things that supposedly happened. She has the same gift as her father at the same time there are secrets that are being kept from her which will change her life.
What I like about this was that the interaction between Dana and Will wasn't immediate. It took a few months before they met and another couple of months till they met once more due to certain events which I'm not going to spoil.
All I can say is that Dana and Will will journey together in order to stop the evil that's after the power in the kingdom. Luckily, they aren't alone. They will need all the help they can get especially after encountering the strength of their enemy's forces.
I felt sad for Will especially what he'd gone through but I liked how he's still the same and that he wasn't bitter but made the most of his situation. I really hate his aunt's family. I was happy when he was given better opportunities especially that led him to meeting Dana.
I'm not quite fangirling but I was elated every time Dana and Will have their moments especially when they both came to realize that their feelings for another grew. I loved the sense of humor in this book especially every time Dana and Will kiss, they are always being interrupted. Their romance was slow and very little actually but when they got together everything was worth the wait.
I liked how Dana isn't the typically spoiled princess and I loved her antics. She has an okay relationship with her family most especially her father. I felt sad for when that little secret was revealed to her and I hope there's a way around that. I really disliked her mother, she's kind of evil.
I'll definitely continue this series. I hope to see more Will and Dana's moments.
I received a copy for a blog tour.
April 28, 2015
A Necklace of Souls caught my interest because of the mention of dreams in the synopsis (and of course, the beautiful cover which was re-released this year). I think dreams have powerful magic in their own way, even in the real world.
A Necklace of Souls follows a Princess named Dana, who is not your average princess, and a boy named Will. The story takes place over three years, starting when they are 13. It was interesting to read a YA book with the characters starting out so young. I enjoyed taking peaks into their childhood and learning about them and why they are the way they are. Most times, books just dump back story, but in this novel the reader actually gets to experience it.
The romance between Dana and Will, though a typical noble and pauper story, was very sweet. The love seemed to happen naturally over time and they fit well together.
N’tombe will forever be my favorite character. For my fellow bronies who are reading this, I read her voice like Zecora from MLP. Yes, I’m serious. Lately, I seem to be falling for the supporting characters more often than the main ones.
Stedman’s writing style is typical of a fantasy book, and by that I mean quite wordy and descriptive. I think the story might have benefited from moving along a little bit quicker, seeing how it is 3 years in approximately 300 pages.
I don’t normally read high-fantasy, and this is (arguably) a high-fantasy themed novel. There are hints of sci-fi with the acknowledgement of alternate universes, which is where it all really came together for me. I’ll admit it, this was a hard book to get into. It wasn’t until about 30% in that I started to get hooked, and I think that was mostly because of the arrival of N’tombe, Dana’s mysterious tutor who reveals that she came from an alternate dimension. Whoa – suddenly it all made sense. I had been trying throughout the first 100 pages to figure out exactly where and when this book was set, I had decided on a magical medieval England, in a made up kingdom. The multiverse concept made it much easier to grasp.
Overall, I enjoyed this book very much and I’m excited to see what’s next for Dana and Will. The sequel, A Skillful Warrior is set to be released May 2015.
*disclaimer* – I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
A Necklace of Souls follows a Princess named Dana, who is not your average princess, and a boy named Will. The story takes place over three years, starting when they are 13. It was interesting to read a YA book with the characters starting out so young. I enjoyed taking peaks into their childhood and learning about them and why they are the way they are. Most times, books just dump back story, but in this novel the reader actually gets to experience it.
The romance between Dana and Will, though a typical noble and pauper story, was very sweet. The love seemed to happen naturally over time and they fit well together.
N’tombe will forever be my favorite character. For my fellow bronies who are reading this, I read her voice like Zecora from MLP. Yes, I’m serious. Lately, I seem to be falling for the supporting characters more often than the main ones.
Stedman’s writing style is typical of a fantasy book, and by that I mean quite wordy and descriptive. I think the story might have benefited from moving along a little bit quicker, seeing how it is 3 years in approximately 300 pages.
I don’t normally read high-fantasy, and this is (arguably) a high-fantasy themed novel. There are hints of sci-fi with the acknowledgement of alternate universes, which is where it all really came together for me. I’ll admit it, this was a hard book to get into. It wasn’t until about 30% in that I started to get hooked, and I think that was mostly because of the arrival of N’tombe, Dana’s mysterious tutor who reveals that she came from an alternate dimension. Whoa – suddenly it all made sense. I had been trying throughout the first 100 pages to figure out exactly where and when this book was set, I had decided on a magical medieval England, in a made up kingdom. The multiverse concept made it much easier to grasp.
Overall, I enjoyed this book very much and I’m excited to see what’s next for Dana and Will. The sequel, A Skillful Warrior is set to be released May 2015.
*disclaimer* – I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
April 24, 2015
A Necklace of Souls follows a Princess named Dana, who is not your average princess, and a boy named Will. The story takes place over three years, starting when they are 13. It was interesting to read a YA book with the characters starting out so young. I enjoyed taking peaks into their childhood and learning about them and why they are the way they are. Most times, books just dump back story, but in this novel the reader actually gets to experience it.
The romance between Dana and Will, though a typical noble and pauper story, was very sweet. The love seemed to happen naturally over time and they fit well together.
N’tombe will forever be my favorite character. For my fellow bronies who are reading this, I read her voice like Zecora from MLP. Yes, I’m serious. Lately, I seem to be falling for the supporting characters more often than the main ones.
Stedman’s writing style is typical of a fantasy book, and by that I mean quite wordy and descriptive. I think the story might have benefited from moving along a little bit quicker, seeing how it is 3 years in approximately 300 pages.
I don’t normally read high-fantasy, and this is (arguably) a high-fantasy themed novel. There are hints of sci-fi with the acknowledgement of alternate universes, which is where it all really came together for me. I’ll admit it, this was a hard book to get into. It wasn’t until about 30% in that I started to get hooked, and I think that was mostly because of the arrival of N’tombe, Dana’s mysterious tutor who reveals that she came from an alternate dimension. Whoa – suddenly it all made sense. I had been trying throughout the first 100 pages to figure out exactly where and when this book was set, I had decided on a magical medieval England, in a made up kingdom. The multiverse concept made it much easier to grasp.
Overall, I enjoyed this book very much and I’m excited to see what’s next for Dana and Will. The sequel, A Skillful Warrior is set to be released May 2015.
*disclaimer* – I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
The romance between Dana and Will, though a typical noble and pauper story, was very sweet. The love seemed to happen naturally over time and they fit well together.
N’tombe will forever be my favorite character. For my fellow bronies who are reading this, I read her voice like Zecora from MLP. Yes, I’m serious. Lately, I seem to be falling for the supporting characters more often than the main ones.
Stedman’s writing style is typical of a fantasy book, and by that I mean quite wordy and descriptive. I think the story might have benefited from moving along a little bit quicker, seeing how it is 3 years in approximately 300 pages.
I don’t normally read high-fantasy, and this is (arguably) a high-fantasy themed novel. There are hints of sci-fi with the acknowledgement of alternate universes, which is where it all really came together for me. I’ll admit it, this was a hard book to get into. It wasn’t until about 30% in that I started to get hooked, and I think that was mostly because of the arrival of N’tombe, Dana’s mysterious tutor who reveals that she came from an alternate dimension. Whoa – suddenly it all made sense. I had been trying throughout the first 100 pages to figure out exactly where and when this book was set, I had decided on a magical medieval England, in a made up kingdom. The multiverse concept made it much easier to grasp.
Overall, I enjoyed this book very much and I’m excited to see what’s next for Dana and Will. The sequel, A Skillful Warrior is set to be released May 2015.
*disclaimer* – I received a free copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.
June 27, 2016
A Necklace Of Souls is a interesting, mysterious and magical wonder story with surprises at ever chapter. This book is a novela about the life of a young princesses who has grown up thinking that governesses are boring, fighting is fun and that her life will be normal... except it wont be. Dana finds out that to protect her kingdom from disease, poverty and starvation she must give p her own life and become a guardian and take over the job from her aunt. However the catch is that the necklace, like the name implies, sucks out the soul. Mean while we meant a young boy, Will, strucken by the grief of the death of almost everyone in his village and is kindly taken to the kingdom with the special access token. Learning to fight and continuing his passion for baking Will goes on the journey of teaching Dana fighting, traveling to find the eternal one and falling in love with Dana. The interesting set up of the switching of point of views between Will and Dana is a plus point as we can see both sides of the story and are able to have an understanding of all characters from different sides. Also the use of involving magic in a believable way allows the book to be a fun book for all ages. however the fact that the book ends with what could be the beginning of a sequel is annoying as I wanted to finish the whole story and find out how the fight ends. A major marol in the novela is the idea of one needed to adapt to life to be happy and that home is not a specific place but where the people you love are. Also the idea of one needing to make sacrifices for others in their life only to help others. Despite the changing between Dana and Will's point of view the author also interchanges between first person ( usually with Dana ) and third person ( usually with Will ) this adds the story to feel more like the reader can see everyones thoughts without confusing themselves. I found this novela very catching, intriguing and unique and would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good twist and doesn't want to put a book done until the stories over.
June 24, 2013
So, this is going to be a little hard to review for a couple of reasons. First of all, I happened to start the book right about when I hit a reading slump (during which I didn't much feel like reading anything). Secondly, due to my reading slump, I didn't end up finishing the book until recently--several months after I started reading it. So I don't remember the first three quarters of the book as well as I should. But I'll do my best (it's the least I can do after getting it as a First Read and not finishing it until today).
The first thing I want to say about the book is that it's right up my alley--it's fantasy, it features a strong female lead, and the plot takes precedence over the romance. For this reason (and because I had no trouble finishing it the other day), I'm going to assume that if I had read this during any other time, I would've finished it quickly and been very engaged in it.
The one thing I remember having issues with was the passing of time. A lot of these kinds of books don't cover much more than a year--making time transitions fairly simple. This book, however, covers several years and the passing of time is often hard to perceive. I found myself surprised by how much time seemed to pass with little indication. All of a sudden I would come across something referencing something that might've happened a year ago, when it was only a short time ago that I read about it. I think that adding more detail might've made that less confusing. The lack of travel makes it difficult to mark the passage of time, but something as simple as adding details about lessons (or something) as they change and become more advanced would help to fix the problem. I think what it really is that the book needs to be longer to cover such a lengthy amount of time.
Even with that, though, I'd say that the book is really impressive for a first novel. Kudos to the author for doing such a good job! We'll see if I pick up the sequel when it's out.
The first thing I want to say about the book is that it's right up my alley--it's fantasy, it features a strong female lead, and the plot takes precedence over the romance. For this reason (and because I had no trouble finishing it the other day), I'm going to assume that if I had read this during any other time, I would've finished it quickly and been very engaged in it.
The one thing I remember having issues with was the passing of time. A lot of these kinds of books don't cover much more than a year--making time transitions fairly simple. This book, however, covers several years and the passing of time is often hard to perceive. I found myself surprised by how much time seemed to pass with little indication. All of a sudden I would come across something referencing something that might've happened a year ago, when it was only a short time ago that I read about it. I think that adding more detail might've made that less confusing. The lack of travel makes it difficult to mark the passage of time, but something as simple as adding details about lessons (or something) as they change and become more advanced would help to fix the problem. I think what it really is that the book needs to be longer to cover such a lengthy amount of time.
Even with that, though, I'd say that the book is really impressive for a first novel. Kudos to the author for doing such a good job! We'll see if I pick up the sequel when it's out.
March 13, 2017
*ARC provided for tour*
Dana hates being a princess. She wants to run free and spend nights in the woods. But she has a weird dream involving a necklace, an old woman and two children. The dream scares her. But not more than the worried and saddened expression her dad keeps shooting her. They know something she doesn't; they are hiding something from her, Her aunt is the guardian and is protecting something but what? and what does she have to do with it? then she meets Will, who got a job as a baker after his whole town died of a plague. He becomes a warrior and teaches her how to fight. They can't help the attraction growing between them but will Dana's destiny get between them?
This was a lovely quick read that i really enjoyed. The story was very unique and so were the descriptions. The main characters were vivid and so was the setting.
You really see the characters evolve as the years pass and it is told in alternating POV's so you get a feel of the characters through their perspectives. Will is a dedicated boy, determined to be the best at what he does. Dana was pretty weak at the beginning but she grew on me as she grew up and really found herself.
There was magic and loads of paranormal aspects that really added a cool atmosphere to the novel. My only negatives would be that the side characters were not developed enough. They all seemed to have important and interesting roles but i wish we knew more about them. And that i was a bit confused with some of the explanations.
Other than that, this book was definitely a fresh and new twist on your typical pricess-magic story, I'm looking forward to see where this series goes!!!
Dana hates being a princess. She wants to run free and spend nights in the woods. But she has a weird dream involving a necklace, an old woman and two children. The dream scares her. But not more than the worried and saddened expression her dad keeps shooting her. They know something she doesn't; they are hiding something from her, Her aunt is the guardian and is protecting something but what? and what does she have to do with it? then she meets Will, who got a job as a baker after his whole town died of a plague. He becomes a warrior and teaches her how to fight. They can't help the attraction growing between them but will Dana's destiny get between them?
This was a lovely quick read that i really enjoyed. The story was very unique and so were the descriptions. The main characters were vivid and so was the setting.
You really see the characters evolve as the years pass and it is told in alternating POV's so you get a feel of the characters through their perspectives. Will is a dedicated boy, determined to be the best at what he does. Dana was pretty weak at the beginning but she grew on me as she grew up and really found herself.
There was magic and loads of paranormal aspects that really added a cool atmosphere to the novel. My only negatives would be that the side characters were not developed enough. They all seemed to have important and interesting roles but i wish we knew more about them. And that i was a bit confused with some of the explanations.
Other than that, this book was definitely a fresh and new twist on your typical pricess-magic story, I'm looking forward to see where this series goes!!!
May 15, 2015
A Necklace of Souls is the debut novel from RL Stedman, and it’s excellent.
Small confession: I’m always terribly nervous reading books from local authors; there’s that absolute terror of how to say you detested their writing, so my relief at adoring this book is profound. Local Dunedin author RL Steadman had me hooked from the first page.
A light young adult fantasy, with layers of plot, A Necklace of Souls follows in the footsteps of favourites like Robin Hobb and David Eddings, with strong characters (strong female characters even), strong world building and a developing storyline.
Dana is the doted on daughter of the ruling king and queen; adventurous, clever, willful and spirited, but not mean or spoilt.
All the characters are well developed, each with their own backstory that is woven seamlessly into the flow of the story, allowing the action to ebb and flow unhampered by long explanations; Will the bakers son with an peculiar skill, Rose, the current Guardian, Jed, the strange travelling campaign, each character is interesting and well thought out.
The only real negative about this story is that it is definitely a series, although the story has a satisfying ending as opposed to a cliffhanger, there is still so much to go, and my personal preference is for the first in a series to be almost standalone, or at least a well finalized arc.
A Necklace of Souls is a wonderfully written fantasy that is a comfortable and enjoyable read. It will be an intense and gripping story for younger readers and a light, easy, read for older readers.
Now I must wait, rather impatiently, for the next in the series.
Small confession: I’m always terribly nervous reading books from local authors; there’s that absolute terror of how to say you detested their writing, so my relief at adoring this book is profound. Local Dunedin author RL Steadman had me hooked from the first page.
A light young adult fantasy, with layers of plot, A Necklace of Souls follows in the footsteps of favourites like Robin Hobb and David Eddings, with strong characters (strong female characters even), strong world building and a developing storyline.
Dana is the doted on daughter of the ruling king and queen; adventurous, clever, willful and spirited, but not mean or spoilt.
All the characters are well developed, each with their own backstory that is woven seamlessly into the flow of the story, allowing the action to ebb and flow unhampered by long explanations; Will the bakers son with an peculiar skill, Rose, the current Guardian, Jed, the strange travelling campaign, each character is interesting and well thought out.
The only real negative about this story is that it is definitely a series, although the story has a satisfying ending as opposed to a cliffhanger, there is still so much to go, and my personal preference is for the first in a series to be almost standalone, or at least a well finalized arc.
A Necklace of Souls is a wonderfully written fantasy that is a comfortable and enjoyable read. It will be an intense and gripping story for younger readers and a light, easy, read for older readers.
Now I must wait, rather impatiently, for the next in the series.
October 25, 2015
I was initially drawn to this book because of the interesting title and excellent cover art. Very eye-catching. The story is well written and includes a little bit of everything: adventure, fantasy, romance, all pulled together into a coming-of-age novel. The plot spans a huge timeline, speeding through years within a single chapter. Although at times it seems like there are 2 main characters (Will and Dana- we get both their POVs throughout the book), it is more Dana's story.
She grows up in a rich kingdom, protected from all the evils of "the outside" i.e. poverty, disease, labor. The twist here isn't that the kingdom is well-off due to their wealth or army- it's because of "The Guardian." A title that is passed along the king's side of the family to the daughters. Dana doesn't know she will inherit this duty until she is in her teens. It is only then that she learns of her Aunt (the current Guardian) who is locked up in a tower. We hear more of Will's story earlier in the book, and it fades until we mainly get Dana's POV. Will comes from poverty (a baker's family) and becomes orphaned due to a disease that kills everyone in his village. He works his way up, finally becoming a baker and soldier in the King's palace. We see Dana and Will get to know each other, and their part of the story is exceptionally well written.
The only reason this doesn't get 5 stars is because the descriptions where they're using magic or 'dreaming' were at times confusing, and I didn't really understand what was going on.
She grows up in a rich kingdom, protected from all the evils of "the outside" i.e. poverty, disease, labor. The twist here isn't that the kingdom is well-off due to their wealth or army- it's because of "The Guardian." A title that is passed along the king's side of the family to the daughters. Dana doesn't know she will inherit this duty until she is in her teens. It is only then that she learns of her Aunt (the current Guardian) who is locked up in a tower. We hear more of Will's story earlier in the book, and it fades until we mainly get Dana's POV. Will comes from poverty (a baker's family) and becomes orphaned due to a disease that kills everyone in his village. He works his way up, finally becoming a baker and soldier in the King's palace. We see Dana and Will get to know each other, and their part of the story is exceptionally well written.
The only reason this doesn't get 5 stars is because the descriptions where they're using magic or 'dreaming' were at times confusing, and I didn't really understand what was going on.
April 23, 2015
*Disclaimer* I received this book from YA Bound Book Tours in return for a fair and honest review.
This is a story about a princess and a pauper but not like you have read before. The princess, for starters, is not bothered about dresses and even the threat of cosmetics is enough to make her leave her bed and head for the forest. The pauper is a young boy who manages to live through hardship and tragedy before finding his way to work in the castle where the princess resides.
This is a wonderfully paced and interesting Young Adult Fantasy book that drew me in from the start. Dana was a wonderful princess who somehow managed to 'fit'. She doesn't behave like a 20-year-old, she acts like a child (which she is when we join her). Will is also brilliant and he broke my heart on more than one occasion. The ties that bind these two are slow-burning and enduring, which is my kind of romance!
There are a lot of characters in this that you will like or loathe but none of them are bland. There is space and time travel mentioned in this book but it still all fits together. The only one that jolted slightly was when N'tombe mentions where she comes from and how she got to the Kingdom of the Rose.
Overall, a thrilling story with lots of dimensions to keep you reading. Thoroughly enjoyed it and have put A Skillful Warrior onto my TBR list. Recommended for all YA/Fantasy fans.
This is a story about a princess and a pauper but not like you have read before. The princess, for starters, is not bothered about dresses and even the threat of cosmetics is enough to make her leave her bed and head for the forest. The pauper is a young boy who manages to live through hardship and tragedy before finding his way to work in the castle where the princess resides.
This is a wonderfully paced and interesting Young Adult Fantasy book that drew me in from the start. Dana was a wonderful princess who somehow managed to 'fit'. She doesn't behave like a 20-year-old, she acts like a child (which she is when we join her). Will is also brilliant and he broke my heart on more than one occasion. The ties that bind these two are slow-burning and enduring, which is my kind of romance!
There are a lot of characters in this that you will like or loathe but none of them are bland. There is space and time travel mentioned in this book but it still all fits together. The only one that jolted slightly was when N'tombe mentions where she comes from and how she got to the Kingdom of the Rose.
Overall, a thrilling story with lots of dimensions to keep you reading. Thoroughly enjoyed it and have put A Skillful Warrior onto my TBR list. Recommended for all YA/Fantasy fans.
October 1, 2017
Really Great Start to the Series I got this book by the way of Xpresso Book Tour, even though this one and the second book, is not part of the tour.
I thought the book set the stage for this series pretty strongly. I loved Will from the very beginning, Dana took me a little longer to start liking. I think it's because she's pretty whiny in the first half of the book, she starts getting better towards the end.
I think those two are cute together, and I really like Dana more when she's around or dreaming about Will. I felted bad for Will with all that he went through in the beginning of the book, and I loved that he just didn't give him, that he kept going when a lot of people would have just gave up.
Dana's dreams or predictions, (couldn't think of the exact word) were pretty interesting, and the necklace, I am not sure what to think about that and what it means for Dana.
I really love how Will can fight and how he trains Dana. Will training her how to fight was a lot of fun and those parts were some of my favorite parts in the book.
The ending is pretty interesting and I can't wait to see what happens next. Before I read the next book in the series I am first going to finish reading Dark Matter, and then something for bingo 2017. Which I am so far behind on, and where down to the last month and I am no where near a bingo.
I thought the book set the stage for this series pretty strongly. I loved Will from the very beginning, Dana took me a little longer to start liking. I think it's because she's pretty whiny in the first half of the book, she starts getting better towards the end.
I think those two are cute together, and I really like Dana more when she's around or dreaming about Will. I felted bad for Will with all that he went through in the beginning of the book, and I loved that he just didn't give him, that he kept going when a lot of people would have just gave up.
Dana's dreams or predictions, (couldn't think of the exact word) were pretty interesting, and the necklace, I am not sure what to think about that and what it means for Dana.
I really love how Will can fight and how he trains Dana. Will training her how to fight was a lot of fun and those parts were some of my favorite parts in the book.
The ending is pretty interesting and I can't wait to see what happens next. Before I read the next book in the series I am first going to finish reading Dark Matter, and then something for bingo 2017. Which I am so far behind on, and where down to the last month and I am no where near a bingo.
September 2, 2014
I really enjoyed this Young Adult fantasy novel from a local(ish) author. The characterisations are strong, and the plot intriguing, and relatively captivating. This is another example of a strong female character, although in this case her training is shown in the narrative, and her relationship with Will develops in a much more organic manner.
I do have two minor niggles though. The first is the use of the term "alright" which is acceptable in informal writing but does not fit right in my head with high fantasy. The second was the teasing mention of other worlds "stacked like pancakes" and how a particular character seemed to come from our world. I would have liked to see this further explained and hope that it is done so in the next instalment.
Overall, strong characters, intriguing setting and an interesting plot. I look forward to seeing where Dana and Will's journey goes next. A strong debut novel.
I do have two minor niggles though. The first is the use of the term "alright" which is acceptable in informal writing but does not fit right in my head with high fantasy. The second was the teasing mention of other worlds "stacked like pancakes" and how a particular character seemed to come from our world. I would have liked to see this further explained and hope that it is done so in the next instalment.
Overall, strong characters, intriguing setting and an interesting plot. I look forward to seeing where Dana and Will's journey goes next. A strong debut novel.
April 22, 2015
Four and a half stars
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review when I signed up to host the book tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started reading this book but as I continued turning the pages I fond myself being drawn into the adventure of a lifetime. Dana is a young princess who has dreams so vivid that they confuse her young mind and leave her with many questions; questions that will in time be answered. Will is a young boy who loses his parents. After losing his parents a letter arrives from his aunt containing two intricately carved beads. Little does he know just how much his life is about to change.
This book is well written with a strong story line and well developed characters. You will find yourself quickly immersed in the story and holding your breathe as you watch Dana and Will grow to be strong young adults with an unknown and adventurous path. I am looking forward to this continuing story.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review when I signed up to host the book tour. I made no guarantee of a favorable review.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I first started reading this book but as I continued turning the pages I fond myself being drawn into the adventure of a lifetime. Dana is a young princess who has dreams so vivid that they confuse her young mind and leave her with many questions; questions that will in time be answered. Will is a young boy who loses his parents. After losing his parents a letter arrives from his aunt containing two intricately carved beads. Little does he know just how much his life is about to change.
This book is well written with a strong story line and well developed characters. You will find yourself quickly immersed in the story and holding your breathe as you watch Dana and Will grow to be strong young adults with an unknown and adventurous path. I am looking forward to this continuing story.
July 9, 2013
An absorbing and imaginative fantasy novel. The main characters Dana and Will were likeable and well-drawn, and some other characters were really well done too: the Guardian Rosa, King Leovane, Will's awful aunt, and Reg and Greg. The story was well-paced (although it sagged a bit just near the end) with plenty of action and evocative description of the settings, and some welcome humour.
The only minor thing that jarred from time to time was the odd Americanism such as "aways" and "anyways" which didn't seem in keeping with what appeared to be an old English/Welsh sort of setting. But the young readers this book is aimed at will probably not even notice. I'll pass this on to my nephew who loves fantasy.
The only minor thing that jarred from time to time was the odd Americanism such as "aways" and "anyways" which didn't seem in keeping with what appeared to be an old English/Welsh sort of setting. But the young readers this book is aimed at will probably not even notice. I'll pass this on to my nephew who loves fantasy.
November 25, 2017
I loved the book, it had everything I love in a book. There was romance, fantasy and magic. It is set to a magical world where they still have knights, princes and princesses. I loved that one of the main characters started out as a princess that was helpless, but finished the book as a princess that can really kick some ass! I love that even if the main theme I'm the book isn't romanced you can feel it from the beginning until the end.
there is one thing I didn't like about the book I felt it was too short, but at the same time, it ended at a good place.
This might just be something I feel because I love the book so much and want more. I have read the book 8 times and still love it as much as the first time, and I really hope that the next book comes out soon!
there is one thing I didn't like about the book I felt it was too short, but at the same time, it ended at a good place.
This might just be something I feel because I love the book so much and want more. I have read the book 8 times and still love it as much as the first time, and I really hope that the next book comes out soon!
April 24, 2015
RL Stedman weaves a gorgeous tapestry of words in A Necklace of Souls. While I never got too bogged down, the level of detail was more than I expected, and I really felt drawn into Dana's world. There was a maturity to her character which I greatly appreciated, as princesses often get portrayed as whiny, helpless brats, and that isn't the most positive portrayal. I also appreciated the care Stedman took in building the suspense without having unnecessary tangents thrown in to confuse you and lead you off the trail. A Necklace of Souls is more than just middle grade fiction, it's philosophical, and a great example of how realistic fantasy can be. 5 star read all around!
***ARC received in exchange for honest review.***
***ARC received in exchange for honest review.***
June 30, 2016
I never really connected with this book or the characters. I did like how the story began by alternating between Will, the baker's apprentice, and Dana, the young royal princess, although the focus moved more to Dana as the story progressed. Dana told her own story, while Will's story was in a third person narrative. Not sure why the author did this, but interesting. In my opinion Will was a much more likeable than Dana, and I found him to be a more believable character. Dana grated on my nerves and at times her modern language clashed with the medieval setting. The ending was left wide open, obviously the start of yet ANOTHER series (whatever happened to good old stand-alone novels?) but I won't be looking for the sequel.
April 29, 2018
I won a contest and was sent this book i exchange for an honest review.
Dreams that come true. Dana dreams. She is a princess. Will is a baker. He became one because plague took every member of his family and almost all his village. He travels to Dana's land where he becomes a baker in the palace. They meet and become friends. Both follow their waking dreams and become warriors. There is a magic kingdom called the Rose. A special token is needed to enter it. There is also a magic necklace which keeps the kingdom safe from enemies and sickness, but sucks the soul of the person who wears it. There is a lot going on in this story but it is very engaging and is a good read for youngsters, as well as young adults.
Dreams that come true. Dana dreams. She is a princess. Will is a baker. He became one because plague took every member of his family and almost all his village. He travels to Dana's land where he becomes a baker in the palace. They meet and become friends. Both follow their waking dreams and become warriors. There is a magic kingdom called the Rose. A special token is needed to enter it. There is also a magic necklace which keeps the kingdom safe from enemies and sickness, but sucks the soul of the person who wears it. There is a lot going on in this story but it is very engaging and is a good read for youngsters, as well as young adults.
October 10, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this book. From the first dream I was intrigued, and wanted to find out more. The characters were interesting, and fun to read. The idea behind this story was unique, and it was easy to get into. The story had a good pace and I enjoyed RL Stedman’s writing style. I’m excited to read the next book in this series, and to see where the author takes Dana and Will.
#TheUnratedBookshelf
#TheUnratedBookshelf
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews