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Bracken Trilogy #2
Crown and Jewel
In this second fanciful novel which follows The Bridge, Jeri Massi continues the history of the tiny island country of Bracken. Rosewyn is the young princess, daughter of Rosalynn and Herron. Unlike her quiet and gentle mother, Rosewyn is forever climbing trees and drainspouts, knocking down boys who bully her, and getting into trouble. Ready for adventure of any kind, she stumbles into a secret plot against her father's crown. With help from her beautiful, powerful grandmother, she escapes from the castle and begins her adventures in exile. After she and her grandmother are chased by their enemy, the young princess finds refuge in a village of miners. While among these new friends, she seeks to join her grandmother in a last attempt to save the real King and Queen. But a new threat from assassins forces the princess to flee again. All of her courage is put to the test as she fights to save her family and her kingdom.
169 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
About the author
Jeri Massi
102 books107 followersJeri Massi is the author of the Peabody Adventures, the Bracken Series, the Peabody High Mysteries (SF), and more
A passionate fan of classic Doctor Who, Jeri Massi has been regaling fans with space opera, SF mystery, and forensic procedurals for more than 30 years. A martial arts master in Tae Kwon Do Chung Do Kwan, with a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Jeri further perfected her grasp of science and engineering by working in pharmaceutical research and validation for 20 years.
She has published short stories on the web, in fanzines, and in reading anthologies for large publishing houses before choosing Indy writing. Her novel, Valkyries, published by Moody Press, was nominated for a national book award. Jeri's SF relies on suspense, some horror, comedy, and vivid, relatable characters.
You can track her booklist, adventures with cancer, and articles on great books on her Substack page.
https://jerimassi.substack.com
A passionate fan of classic Doctor Who, Jeri Massi has been regaling fans with space opera, SF mystery, and forensic procedurals for more than 30 years. A martial arts master in Tae Kwon Do Chung Do Kwan, with a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Jeri further perfected her grasp of science and engineering by working in pharmaceutical research and validation for 20 years.
She has published short stories on the web, in fanzines, and in reading anthologies for large publishing houses before choosing Indy writing. Her novel, Valkyries, published by Moody Press, was nominated for a national book award. Jeri's SF relies on suspense, some horror, comedy, and vivid, relatable characters.
You can track her booklist, adventures with cancer, and articles on great books on her Substack page.
https://jerimassi.substack.com
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 16, 2011
This trilogy was my favorite to read growing up, even as a teenager. I don't remember how many times I have re-read these three books.
July 15, 2024
I loved this story as a little girl. And the little girl inside me still loves it.
May 30, 2023
The second book of the Bracken trilogy is a big step up from the first in almost every way - the writing is immediately more engaging, the story (despite similarities to the first book, with a princess needing to flee an enemy and rescue her parents) is far more epic and bittersweet in its scope, and there is no clumsily overt moral to this story, just some gracefully organic themes to do with suffering and courage.
Indeed the themes are so subtle in this book that the publisher chose to include a foreword labouriously to explain that this is in fact a Christian book with a Christian message, in case that was not obvious to parents who need an overt moral. I personally prefer my books not to have overt Christian messaging, and this delightful fantasy feels very much like a George MacDonald book - it's applicable and deeply resonant, without ever being preachy. I was also highly impressed by the book's very respectable attempt at a faux-medieval writing style - especially in the dialogue, Massi uses this ably to lend a sense of solemnity and gravity to the story, without quite slipping over into suggesting that CS Lewis Made Me Do It.
My only criticism of this lovely book is that to a greater extent than THE BRIDGE, the story is more that of the princess - Rosewyn, a much more vivid character than the first book's Rosalynn - and as result, it feels a little anticlimactic when the wise woman turns up at a climactic moment to save the lost princess. The effect is less eucatastrophe than deus ex machina, since it detracts a little from Rosewyn's agency as a character.
That said, I got just as sucked into this book this time through as I did when I was a child. There are some twists and turns that hit you HARD in this book - a sign of what was to come in book 3 - and the bittersweetness is something else I never came across in most of the Improving Christian Books I read as a child. Absolutely delightful.
Indeed the themes are so subtle in this book that the publisher chose to include a foreword labouriously to explain that this is in fact a Christian book with a Christian message, in case that was not obvious to parents who need an overt moral. I personally prefer my books not to have overt Christian messaging, and this delightful fantasy feels very much like a George MacDonald book - it's applicable and deeply resonant, without ever being preachy. I was also highly impressed by the book's very respectable attempt at a faux-medieval writing style - especially in the dialogue, Massi uses this ably to lend a sense of solemnity and gravity to the story, without quite slipping over into suggesting that CS Lewis Made Me Do It.
My only criticism of this lovely book is that to a greater extent than THE BRIDGE, the story is more that of the princess - Rosewyn, a much more vivid character than the first book's Rosalynn - and as result, it feels a little anticlimactic when the wise woman turns up at a climactic moment to save the lost princess. The effect is less eucatastrophe than deus ex machina, since it detracts a little from Rosewyn's agency as a character.
That said, I got just as sucked into this book this time through as I did when I was a child. There are some twists and turns that hit you HARD in this book - a sign of what was to come in book 3 - and the bittersweetness is something else I never came across in most of the Improving Christian Books I read as a child. Absolutely delightful.
October 11, 2020
“For there are two courages, you know- the kind that takes dares and rides colts, and then there’s the kind that lifts its light when all else is dark and goes on in the face of sorrow and loneliness and danger, and this second is true courage.” - The Wise Woman
I really enjoyed this one! To be honest, I wasn’t super thrilled when I discovered that The Bridge was the first book in a trilogy, partly because I read it as a filler while I waited for the rest of another series to arrive, and partly because The Bridge was - to me - merely decent and not strikingly spectacular. I’m so glad I kept going with the series though! The writing is captivating, and the plot is suspenseful, action-packed, and emotional. The characters are delightfully relatable and personal; Rosewyn and Crog were my personal favorites. It was also amazing to see Herron and Rosalynn as adults and rulers of Bracken, and to get more backstory on the wise woman. I definitely recommend!
I really enjoyed this one! To be honest, I wasn’t super thrilled when I discovered that The Bridge was the first book in a trilogy, partly because I read it as a filler while I waited for the rest of another series to arrive, and partly because The Bridge was - to me - merely decent and not strikingly spectacular. I’m so glad I kept going with the series though! The writing is captivating, and the plot is suspenseful, action-packed, and emotional. The characters are delightfully relatable and personal; Rosewyn and Crog were my personal favorites. It was also amazing to see Herron and Rosalynn as adults and rulers of Bracken, and to get more backstory on the wise woman. I definitely recommend!
May 18, 2017
This book is weaker than the first and I find the characters less believable. But still a good story. Crog, Nob, and the miners are the best part of this book.
November 22, 2019
This was such a good book!!! I loved the characters and felt like I was really there with them through it all!! Such a great series!!
April 25, 2025
It was good to read again. I love the story and the good morals in it.
November 13, 2023
Rosewyn throughout this entire book: Oh, no! FOREIGNERS
I remember loving this book a LOT when I was a kid, but I don't think it holds up to adult scrutiny. It could be worse. On Goodreads, 2 stars still means "it was okay", and that's how I feel. But I remembered loving it as much as a four or five star book, so it was disappointing to reread it and discover it wasn't all that. Now I'm scared to ever reread "Derwood, Inc." my absolute FAVORITEST Massi book ever.
The book is written in an old-fashioned "fairy tale" style that robs the author of some of her signature (?) humor, and holds the reader at a bit of a distance. Also, like traditional fairy tales, it has a bit of the whole "good people are beautiful, evil people are ugly" and "honor and valor are ALWAYS rewarded" (I wish), and "royalty is ALWAYS right!" etc. I guess I've just moved past this simplistic approach to fantasy, and would have preferred more nuance and depth.
That said, I still love Crog.
The biggest thing I remembered from this book though, was the bit where Oh, that and the bit where Rosewyn rides a pig. I thought that was the pinnacle of hilarity as a kid.
I remember loving this book a LOT when I was a kid, but I don't think it holds up to adult scrutiny. It could be worse. On Goodreads, 2 stars still means "it was okay", and that's how I feel. But I remembered loving it as much as a four or five star book, so it was disappointing to reread it and discover it wasn't all that. Now I'm scared to ever reread "Derwood, Inc." my absolute FAVORITEST Massi book ever.
The book is written in an old-fashioned "fairy tale" style that robs the author of some of her signature (?) humor, and holds the reader at a bit of a distance. Also, like traditional fairy tales, it has a bit of the whole "good people are beautiful, evil people are ugly" and "honor and valor are ALWAYS rewarded" (I wish), and "royalty is ALWAYS right!" etc. I guess I've just moved past this simplistic approach to fantasy, and would have preferred more nuance and depth.
That said, I still love Crog.
The biggest thing I remembered from this book though, was the bit where Oh, that and the bit where Rosewyn rides a pig. I thought that was the pinnacle of hilarity as a kid.
January 24, 2015
Life got in the way, otherwise I would have finished reading this story sooner. As in the first book, there are lessons to be learned, character and qualities spoken of which I am spurred to adopt. In this second book of the trilogy I was especially struck by the lessons on what true friendship looks like and how suffering and grief, while painful, unpleasant, and often needlessly caused by evil people, can have a good result of wisdom, strength, and growth. There are lessons on humility, courage, and using observation skills to keep safe, amongst many others. So so much.
How I love this series. As an adult, I read it with the knowledge of an adult, and I treasure it for its wholesome, unique, and well-written tale. Some might call it "flat" because it is a wholesome adventure, coming of age, historical fantasy tale, with no magic, danger but no gore, and no blending if good and evil, but I call it a cherished heirloom kind of story. I WILL read it to my teens soon, and I KNOW they will like it.
How I love this series. As an adult, I read it with the knowledge of an adult, and I treasure it for its wholesome, unique, and well-written tale. Some might call it "flat" because it is a wholesome adventure, coming of age, historical fantasy tale, with no magic, danger but no gore, and no blending if good and evil, but I call it a cherished heirloom kind of story. I WILL read it to my teens soon, and I KNOW they will like it.
January 24, 2017
This is the weakest of the trilogy. The Woman, the only character who is in all three installments, goes from being wonderful, which she was in the first book, to being very nearly Wonder Woman. I found it difficult to swallow. And as far as I can tell, the final escape could have happened just as easily without the help of the main characters.
These elements aside, it was still a delightful read, full of lessons, strong heroines, adventure and danger. I enjoyed it as a young teenager, and I enjoy it even more now in my late twenties.
These elements aside, it was still a delightful read, full of lessons, strong heroines, adventure and danger. I enjoyed it as a young teenager, and I enjoy it even more now in my late twenties.
January 9, 2008
This is the seqeul to another fantastic book called the Bridge. This is just as good as the fist if I remember correctly but I have not read it for a long time but I can assure you that if you are a fan of the first one you will not be disapointed.
May 16, 2011
The second in the Bracken Trilogy. It reminds me a bit of George MacDonald's faerie tales. A little more adventurous, similarly morally ethical, a little more sobering, and a pleasure to read.
January 19, 2012
Can't wit for the two collars!
February 18, 2012
The Bracken Trilogy was very enjoyable, as with all of Jeri Massi's books.
April 24, 2012
Wonderful characters. Wonderful lessons. Well written.
August 1, 2013
Good book, especially for girls 9 and up. Some similarities to George MacDonald's Princess and the Goblins. Good writing and good lessons.
December 4, 2023
2021 review
Personal Age Recommendation: 9-13
This was a good sequel to the series!
Personal Age Recommendation: 9-13
This was a good sequel to the series!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews