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Serenity House #0.5
Henry, The Gaoler
Imagine if Rapunzel's parents were Edwardian preppers...
Hazel's parents saw the 1912 sinking of the Titanic as a portent of doom and locked their daughter away. Isolated and alone, each birthday she wishes to be free, whatever the risk. If only her childhood friend Henry would return and breach the high walls.
On the frontlines of the Great War, Henry kept a token of happier times - a worn photograph of a young girl with long blonde plaits. He returns from war damaged and vowing to do one brave thing to make up for his cowardice - release Hazel from her prison. But is it safe with the pandemic and its horrific aftermath?
How can Henry reconcile protecting Hazel with setting her free? Or perhaps the sheltered young woman will teach the soldier a lesson about life, and liberate him from a tower of his own construction.
Please note: HENRY is a companion (prequel) novella to ELLA, THE SLAYER. The direct sequel to ELLA is ALICE, THE PLAYER
Hazel's parents saw the 1912 sinking of the Titanic as a portent of doom and locked their daughter away. Isolated and alone, each birthday she wishes to be free, whatever the risk. If only her childhood friend Henry would return and breach the high walls.
On the frontlines of the Great War, Henry kept a token of happier times - a worn photograph of a young girl with long blonde plaits. He returns from war damaged and vowing to do one brave thing to make up for his cowardice - release Hazel from her prison. But is it safe with the pandemic and its horrific aftermath?
How can Henry reconcile protecting Hazel with setting her free? Or perhaps the sheltered young woman will teach the soldier a lesson about life, and liberate him from a tower of his own construction.
Please note: HENRY is a companion (prequel) novella to ELLA, THE SLAYER. The direct sequel to ELLA is ALICE, THE PLAYER
171 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 13, 2021
For a zombie series there is a dreadful lack of the undead. There is also a tiresome repetition of Henry's guilt and his "trapped" status. There is very little fairy tale retelling.
July 14, 2016
Henry, the Gaoler
Start date: June 9th, 2016
End date: June 13th, 2016
While first reading Ella, the Slayer, I was instantly drawn to a silent character in the background. I don't know why, especially since this was the first time ever that a background character caught my interest more than certain lead characters, but from early on I felt drawn to Henry. So much so that I hoped in an even stranger twist to the Cinderella tale that Ella would end up with him. I liked Seth too, but I wanted Henry to have a happy ending too. Then I read that Henry tapped the author on the shoulder and whispered the words that lead to this story. His story. Also the whole Repunzel thing intrigued me.
Going into this story, I already knew and expected that this is intended to be a prequel novella to Ella and not a direct sequel—or any sequel—like the name may mislead. So it was a little fun reading about certain things the characters first discovered that I recognized from book one. And while I wasn't expecting a whole adventure novel (again, prequel novella of events before Ella from Henry's pov), I was still pleasantly surprised at the depth the author went into the inner turmoil Henry was feeling.
Again, if you're looking for an adventure novel involving zombies and a twist to Classic fairytales, look somewhere else. This novella mostly deals with a young man trying to live day to day after the horrors of war, living with his guilt, dealing with the new type of war at home, all while wrestling with the idea of "should I or shouldn't I help a childhood friend/the woman I love escape from her family into a chaotic world?"
Now that Henry is out, I strongly recommend reading this first before Ella; you get more of the experience of when the whole zombie thing starts, and an introduction to some characters that can be found in Ella. I'm Ella, somethings never felt like they were truly explained and in Henry, you get that explanation. If just fits better, which is odd considering the author frost wrote Ella to be the one and only book, a stand alone. But fans wanted to know more and eventually she agreed there was more story to be told (because while the Cinderella take wrapped up, the vermin on was not). And while she writes the direct sequel to Ella currently, Henry's story came first.
Start date: June 9th, 2016
End date: June 13th, 2016
While first reading Ella, the Slayer, I was instantly drawn to a silent character in the background. I don't know why, especially since this was the first time ever that a background character caught my interest more than certain lead characters, but from early on I felt drawn to Henry. So much so that I hoped in an even stranger twist to the Cinderella tale that Ella would end up with him. I liked Seth too, but I wanted Henry to have a happy ending too. Then I read that Henry tapped the author on the shoulder and whispered the words that lead to this story. His story. Also the whole Repunzel thing intrigued me.
Going into this story, I already knew and expected that this is intended to be a prequel novella to Ella and not a direct sequel—or any sequel—like the name may mislead. So it was a little fun reading about certain things the characters first discovered that I recognized from book one. And while I wasn't expecting a whole adventure novel (again, prequel novella of events before Ella from Henry's pov), I was still pleasantly surprised at the depth the author went into the inner turmoil Henry was feeling.
Again, if you're looking for an adventure novel involving zombies and a twist to Classic fairytales, look somewhere else. This novella mostly deals with a young man trying to live day to day after the horrors of war, living with his guilt, dealing with the new type of war at home, all while wrestling with the idea of "should I or shouldn't I help a childhood friend/the woman I love escape from her family into a chaotic world?"
Now that Henry is out, I strongly recommend reading this first before Ella; you get more of the experience of when the whole zombie thing starts, and an introduction to some characters that can be found in Ella. I'm Ella, somethings never felt like they were truly explained and in Henry, you get that explanation. If just fits better, which is odd considering the author frost wrote Ella to be the one and only book, a stand alone. But fans wanted to know more and eventually she agreed there was more story to be told (because while the Cinderella take wrapped up, the vermin on was not). And while she writes the direct sequel to Ella currently, Henry's story came first.
June 3, 2019
Henry, The Gaoler might be book 2 of the Serenity House series, but it serves as a prequel rather than a sequel to Ella, The Slayer. I gotta say, I approve of this choice. When Ella, The Slayer began, the zombie apocalypse was already on its way and Ella was already practiced in having to deal with the Returned/Vermin/whatever you call them. It was interesting to jump back in time and actually see when they started showing up. It took some time getting to them actually showing up, but nothing of the story beforehand feels like it was being fluffed out to take up space and all the details felt necessary for the build up.
Henry's interesting as a protagonist. He's definitely different than Ella, and it was interesting having a male protagonist who wasn't some gung-ho zombie slayer who was out to save the day. The poor boy's just come back from the war, he doesn't know how to deal with the girl he had left behind and he's suffering from some PTSD. A zombie apocalypse is not what he needs and yet here we are. This story is also a retelling of Rapunzel, except from the prince's perspective. Like with Ella, The Slayer, I liked that the story wasn't just a complete rehash of the fairy tale.
A lot of the good things from Ella, The Slayer carries over into this book. The characters are well done and the story is the sort that keeps your interested in what's happening. Somehow, the zombies mesh into the fairy tale/world war one setting, even if the zombies weren't as present in this one as the previous one. Something that I like about this world in comparison to many other zombie properties I've seen over the years is how these people are still, more or less, trying to live like normal though they're on the cautious side now as they adapt to having these things in their lives. It's messy and people are scared, but the world isn't entirely over yet. I wish that would happen more often, instead of all of society immediately falling apart at the seams a few days after an outbreak.
There's no sophmore slump with this book, and I look forward to continuing it.
Henry's interesting as a protagonist. He's definitely different than Ella, and it was interesting having a male protagonist who wasn't some gung-ho zombie slayer who was out to save the day. The poor boy's just come back from the war, he doesn't know how to deal with the girl he had left behind and he's suffering from some PTSD. A zombie apocalypse is not what he needs and yet here we are. This story is also a retelling of Rapunzel, except from the prince's perspective. Like with Ella, The Slayer, I liked that the story wasn't just a complete rehash of the fairy tale.
A lot of the good things from Ella, The Slayer carries over into this book. The characters are well done and the story is the sort that keeps your interested in what's happening. Somehow, the zombies mesh into the fairy tale/world war one setting, even if the zombies weren't as present in this one as the previous one. Something that I like about this world in comparison to many other zombie properties I've seen over the years is how these people are still, more or less, trying to live like normal though they're on the cautious side now as they adapt to having these things in their lives. It's messy and people are scared, but the world isn't entirely over yet. I wish that would happen more often, instead of all of society immediately falling apart at the seams a few days after an outbreak.
There's no sophmore slump with this book, and I look forward to continuing it.
September 10, 2019
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"You should be able to bury your problems and they should stay dead."
I picked up Henry, the Gaoler because I had read Ella, the Slayer which is the first novel in the Serenity House series. And I have to admit, I wasn't disappointed. If anything, I just might have liked this one better than the other one. It was easy to read and the storyline was something that I hadn't expected. I mean, sure, Ella had narrated in the first book how things happened but when I finally saw them happening, I was a little surprised. And horrified.
What's more is that I never really expected Henry to have a love interest. Hazel came as a nice surprise then. And her Rapunzel roots were even more surprising. I think that is what I liked the best about this book. Hazel's parents were just like Dame Gothel, if not more creepy. No, they weren't believing in her "magical" abilities because I doubt she had any but they had more or less a similar mentality.
Moving further, I also liked the way Henry's thoughts worked. When I read about him in the first book, I had honestly just assumed him to be the guy who has been traumatized so much to barely think of anything else. It felt good knowing that that wasn't the case. Instead, the traumatized guy was trying to live up his life and move forward. For the sake of Hazel, of course, but at least move forward nonetheless.
The book lacked action since the vermin haven't yet developed enough yet, and since they were only being introduced in this one but it still felt good knowing that Ella's silent companion could have such a beautiful story in the sidelines and not let anyone know of it.
"You should be able to bury your problems and they should stay dead."
I picked up Henry, the Gaoler because I had read Ella, the Slayer which is the first novel in the Serenity House series. And I have to admit, I wasn't disappointed. If anything, I just might have liked this one better than the other one. It was easy to read and the storyline was something that I hadn't expected. I mean, sure, Ella had narrated in the first book how things happened but when I finally saw them happening, I was a little surprised. And horrified.
What's more is that I never really expected Henry to have a love interest. Hazel came as a nice surprise then. And her Rapunzel roots were even more surprising. I think that is what I liked the best about this book. Hazel's parents were just like Dame Gothel, if not more creepy. No, they weren't believing in her "magical" abilities because I doubt she had any but they had more or less a similar mentality.
Moving further, I also liked the way Henry's thoughts worked. When I read about him in the first book, I had honestly just assumed him to be the guy who has been traumatized so much to barely think of anything else. It felt good knowing that that wasn't the case. Instead, the traumatized guy was trying to live up his life and move forward. For the sake of Hazel, of course, but at least move forward nonetheless.
The book lacked action since the vermin haven't yet developed enough yet, and since they were only being introduced in this one but it still felt good knowing that Ella's silent companion could have such a beautiful story in the sidelines and not let anyone know of it.
December 31, 2019
Brilliant
A wonderful reimagined telling of Rapunzel from the point-of-view of her rescuing “prince”.
Set after World War I, during the supposed ‘Spanish Influenza’, returned soldier, Henry sets off to find the girl he left and survive the shell shock (aka PTSD) from serving on the front line.
This is set in the world of Ella the Slayer, so if you haven’t read the first book, you may be a bit lost.
I thought this was brilliant in showing what soldiers suffer during and after time spent in war. Yes, there are zombies, but the deep thought and internal war Henry goes through is so very well written and heart-wrenching.
I can’t wait to read the next in the series to find out what happens to sweet Henry and the amazing Ella (aka Cinderella)!
A wonderful reimagined telling of Rapunzel from the point-of-view of her rescuing “prince”.
Set after World War I, during the supposed ‘Spanish Influenza’, returned soldier, Henry sets off to find the girl he left and survive the shell shock (aka PTSD) from serving on the front line.
This is set in the world of Ella the Slayer, so if you haven’t read the first book, you may be a bit lost.
I thought this was brilliant in showing what soldiers suffer during and after time spent in war. Yes, there are zombies, but the deep thought and internal war Henry goes through is so very well written and heart-wrenching.
I can’t wait to read the next in the series to find out what happens to sweet Henry and the amazing Ella (aka Cinderella)!
October 7, 2022
Read this after Ella, the Slayer & I really appreciated some more Henry time. He is so sweet and damaged, poor guy. <3
I think this is a great companion book to the Serenity House series! (I liked Hazel, but Henry is the "star" here.)
We also get to see Ella "the Slayer's" origin story here, which we miss the details of in her book/book 1.
Now, why are all these books totally sold out online? :(
I think this is a great companion book to the Serenity House series! (I liked Hazel, but Henry is the "star" here.)
We also get to see Ella "the Slayer's" origin story here, which we miss the details of in her book/book 1.
Now, why are all these books totally sold out online? :(
June 5, 2017
Fully understood before I began that this was the story before Ella. I enjoyed reading how it all started. I didn't mind that Henry's story wasn't hair raising with suspense or action but that it was a sweet love story between him and Hazel. I do hope to hear more about what happens to Hazel now that she if free from her tower. Just started Alice's story and I am excited to find out who this Rory is.
September 27, 2018
Henry & Hazel
Henry return from the Great War unable to speak from the trauma. He blames himself for Sir Jeffery's head wound which has left Sir Jeffrey unable to speak. Henry gets reacquainted with Hazel, his childhood crush. Her parents don't approve of Henry and try to keep him away from her. Henry tries to help Ella kill the zombies who continue to come back from the flu.
Excellent characterization and plotting.
Henry return from the Great War unable to speak from the trauma. He blames himself for Sir Jeffery's head wound which has left Sir Jeffrey unable to speak. Henry gets reacquainted with Hazel, his childhood crush. Her parents don't approve of Henry and try to keep him away from her. Henry tries to help Ella kill the zombies who continue to come back from the flu.
Excellent characterization and plotting.
November 14, 2020
This is actually book .5 not book 2. So, that was kind of annoying. However, it is an interesting story. It tells of just before plague hits and when it first hits. So you see a bit of the story you know from Henry's perspective. There's enough new in different to be worth reading.
I am kind of confused on how and where it ended because it doesn't seem to match up with book 1, unless the way time passed the end of this book came after book 1? Not sure.
I am kind of confused on how and where it ended because it doesn't seem to match up with book 1, unless the way time passed the end of this book came after book 1? Not sure.
July 21, 2022
While the female protagonist in this book is loosely inspired by Rapunzel, there’s very little fairy tale retelling happening. It’s a good little story that fills in some missing info from Ella.
This is more novella than novel but entertaining just the same. The audiobook of this book is read by Stefan Rudnecki who has one of my favorite voices of all time. For that alone, I would have read this book. 😂
This is more novella than novel but entertaining just the same. The audiobook of this book is read by Stefan Rudnecki who has one of my favorite voices of all time. For that alone, I would have read this book. 😂
October 6, 2017
I read this already knowing its a prequel and not a sequel. I liked seeing how the influenza/vermin outbreak started. I was surprised, but happy, at the ending since in Ella, we have tons of Henry but no Hazel. I hope we have more of her in the coming books. Henry is such a great character. I'm happy he has a shinning light in his PTSD.
July 13, 2017
Very Sweet
I'll admit it. I only thought to read this because it's a stopover on the way back to Ella and Seth. But I'm glad I read it, all the same. It was nice, getting to know poor Henry, and I look forward to finding out what happens with him and Hazel.
I'll admit it. I only thought to read this because it's a stopover on the way back to Ella and Seth. But I'm glad I read it, all the same. It was nice, getting to know poor Henry, and I look forward to finding out what happens with him and Hazel.
December 15, 2017
I almost skipped this to go straight to Ella's direct sequel... I am so glad I didn't! Another delightful tale with fairy-tale echos that explains so much while spinning its own webs that draw you in.
October 30, 2018
Only got halfway through this one. Unlike the first book in the series which I enjoyed, this one was unexciting. The driving relationship was underdeveloped. It also acknowledges that it is a retelling of a fairy tale which somehow makes this silliness even sillier.
January 1, 2019
AW Exley is fast becoming a favourite author. Her books are charming, witty and honest. Characters have flaws but work on them. Henry is a great character, harmed by war, and whilst I wanted to slap our heroine upon occasion, I could also see her side of things.
January 30, 2019
I love A W Exley
This is the second book in the series. Spoiler alert. I wish Hazel had appeared in it somewhere because she is the reason Henry finally spoke. I loved the ending and just bought the next book.
This is the second book in the series. Spoiler alert. I wish Hazel had appeared in it somewhere because she is the reason Henry finally spoke. I loved the ending and just bought the next book.
January 5, 2022
3.5 stars. Unique retelling of Rapunzel with a twist. 1918 and WW1 and The Spanish Flu has taken out a large portion of the population, some of which have started to return from the dead. I enjoy retellings with a unique take on the story and this one did not disappoint.
August 7, 2018
Companion story
This story is shorter than Ella, but gives some good background to tg r main story. It ends too soon
This story is shorter than Ella, but gives some good background to tg r main story. It ends too soon
October 27, 2018
I enjoyed this one much more than Alice. The characters of Henry and Hazel are so relatable and likeable. Their childhood love was endearing and I found myself wanting to root for them much more than some other flippant characters.
This book deals with war and its consequences in a very realistic way. Henry’s PTSD was fleshed out well and his reactions to the Turned make so much more sense after reading this extra book. I wouldn’t skip it just bc it’s labeled as a prequel.
This book deals with war and its consequences in a very realistic way. Henry’s PTSD was fleshed out well and his reactions to the Turned make so much more sense after reading this extra book. I wouldn’t skip it just bc it’s labeled as a prequel.
May 2, 2019
I liked it. I didn't see the point of it but I didn't hate it.
May 22, 2019
I really felt for Henry and I liked this look into his challenges.
January 30, 2020
2.5 magical little stars
November 10, 2017
I wish I would’ve saved my money and skipped this book. It didn’t add to the overall plot and should be considered a short story.
March 21, 2018
Despite it's relatively short length this book is quietly powerful. Reading Henry's inner monologue was really inspiring to me as a childhood abuse survivor. It was so very authentic and real, I knew A.W. Exley must have real life experiences like I did. I adored this book from start to finish, quite possibly my favorite of the series.
October 13, 2016
Prequel based on Henry's backstory. From book 1, I was rooting for Henry. This was a sweet zombie Rapunzel retelling from the prince's perspective. We never hear the story of the prince from the other fairy-tale stories. Our prince is a young man returned silenced by PTSD. The princess is Hazel, a childhood friend locked up by her overprotective parents. Despite the zombies and Henry's war experience, this was cute story.
Only criticism, the book cover. It should be a young man representing Henry.
Only criticism, the book cover. It should be a young man representing Henry.
July 6, 2016
I liked this story especially the depiction of Henry's PTSD - seeing how his mind turned normal every day events into flashbacks to the front seemed very real and very humanizing. Quite heartbreaking.
I was worried that I would remember enough from Ella before reading this - but since it's more of a prequel I didn't need to worry.
I was worried that I would remember enough from Ella before reading this - but since it's more of a prequel I didn't need to worry.
November 15, 2016
I feel a bit misled. The numbering suggested this was the second part in the series but it actually was a prequel. I liked it, there were some precious moments but it couldn't win me over like the first part and it felt like a lot of the things happening were old hats anyway.
This is a Rapunzel retelling with likeable but not loveable characters. Looking forward to the "real" sequel now. :-)
This is a Rapunzel retelling with likeable but not loveable characters. Looking forward to the "real" sequel now. :-)
July 16, 2016
Interestingly sweet
I liked the story, different from the steampunk ones. A look into the WWl and how life can still go on.
I liked the story, different from the steampunk ones. A look into the WWl and how life can still go on.
March 16, 2017
The audiobook was REALLY hard to get through. I hate when men do women's voices.
April 5, 2017
So thoroughly enjoyed this 2nd installment in the Serenity House series (though chronologically, it really is the first of the series). Getting the early story told through Henry's "voice" gives a decidedly different spin on Exley's alternate post WWI England. And his voice is distinctly different from Ella's (made jarringly clear as I dived straight into the 3rd book).
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews