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Golden Daughter #1
The Crouching Shadow
Sairu is dainty, delicate, demure . . . and deadly. As one of the emperor’s Golden Daughters, her skills have been honed to knife-like sharpness in readiness for her eventual sale to some faceless bridegroom, whom she will serve and protect for the rest of her life.
But when the priests of Hulan seek special protection for one of their sacred Dream Walkers, Sairu eagerly forgoes marriage and takes on this unique role instead. Rather than a bride, she becomes a handmaiden to the mysterious and powerful Lady Hariawan, guarding her through a long journey across the empire to safety and seclusion in a remote mountain temple.
Little does Sairu guess the dangers stalking Lady Hariawan’s footsteps—shadows crouching at every corner, demons haunting beyond the edge of dreams. For the Dragon has seen the power of this Dream Walker . . . and he has plans for her.
But when the priests of Hulan seek special protection for one of their sacred Dream Walkers, Sairu eagerly forgoes marriage and takes on this unique role instead. Rather than a bride, she becomes a handmaiden to the mysterious and powerful Lady Hariawan, guarding her through a long journey across the empire to safety and seclusion in a remote mountain temple.
Little does Sairu guess the dangers stalking Lady Hariawan’s footsteps—shadows crouching at every corner, demons haunting beyond the edge of dreams. For the Dragon has seen the power of this Dream Walker . . . and he has plans for her.
161 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 13, 2016
About the author
Anne Elisabeth Stengl
20 books810 followersAnne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, Rohan, a passel of cats, and one long-suffering dog. When she's not writing, she enjoys Shakespeare, opera, and tea, and studies piano, painting, and pastry baking. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. She is the author of the TALES OF GOLDSTONE WOOD, which currently includes seven novels and two novellas, with plenty more works due to release over the next few years. Her novels HEARTLESS, VEILED ROSE, and DRAGONWITCH have each been honored with a Christy Award, and STARFLOWER was voted winner of the 2013 Clive Staples Award.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 23, 2016
Golden Daughter was first released as large novel, which I utterly devoured.
I am beyond THRILLED to see this new 4-part Kindle edition of Golden Daughter complete with gorgeous new covers, fantastic map, and great price deal!
Fans of epic fantasy, do NOT pass this up, please! While this is part of a vast series, the book stands well as an entrance into the world of Goldstone Wood, taking place in the Oriental-influnced part of the mortal world and the fey realms surrounding it. Once you start here.....you will not be able to stop. It's. That. Good.
I am beyond THRILLED to see this new 4-part Kindle edition of Golden Daughter complete with gorgeous new covers, fantastic map, and great price deal!
Fans of epic fantasy, do NOT pass this up, please! While this is part of a vast series, the book stands well as an entrance into the world of Goldstone Wood, taking place in the Oriental-influnced part of the mortal world and the fey realms surrounding it. Once you start here.....you will not be able to stop. It's. That. Good.
August 25, 2017
I loved this story! (Golden Daughter is not a true series, but a single story of adventure and suspense split into four volumes, similar to The Lord of the Rings.) As a relative newcomer to Goldstone Wood, I didn't have any expectations about which characters I hoped to read about when I started it, so unlike some reviewers I didn't miss anyone. Instead, I loved Sairu and the rest, and the first time I read it I could hardly put it down because I wanted to find out what would happen to all of them. The stakes are high - not just individual lives, but the fate of entire nations. This is a great read; whether or not you are familiar with Goldstone Wood, this story stands alone and I highly recommend it.
June 21, 2016
Now I remember why I love the Tales of Goldstone Wood.
The prose is beautiful and often amusing. The characters are interesting and likable.
The story draws you in and won't let go.
Another thing I love about A E Stengl's writing is the tantalizing hints at other, intriguing, stories
The prose is beautiful and often amusing. The characters are interesting and likable.
The story draws you in and won't let go.
Another thing I love about A E Stengl's writing is the tantalizing hints at other, intriguing, stories
June 19, 2018
Great adventure, part 1!
June 22, 2026
This is the first of four parts to the story of Sairu, the Golden Daughter. She is one of many trained to be silent, demure, a slight wisp of a girl who looks as if she would blow over in a gust of wind. Instead, she and those trained alongside her are a secret, unheard of force raised to become bride protectors to the men they are sold off to.
Observant. Able to read a man’s secrets written on his face with a glance and capable of taking down any who come to harm those she protects.
Sairu, however, dares to ask for an assignment presented to her mistress; one to serve as a handmaiden to a Dream Walker from the sacred temple and to journey with her to a far flung holy commune to keep her charge, Lady Hariawan, safe.
Lady Hariawan has walked the Dream and has seen something that filled her with terror, as well as branded with a red burn across her face like that of a giant hand. The old enemy, Death-in-Life, has come to the people of the far continent.
Sairu has her three lion dogs for guidance, and a questionable orange demon-cat shadowing her at every step.
Yes, it is Eanrin, our most lovable of man cats!
But others are involved as well… what do two half-brothers, one learned, but unable to become a scholar as trained due to his shameful family connection. Sunan’s path seems to be pulled between helping his father take down the dynasty to return the land back to its original people, or to become a Crouching Shadow; an assassin for the Emperor, only thought to be a myth.
Jovann, a true believer that the Empire must be taken back by its true people, has been told since childhood to stop speaking of his dreams as if they foretold the truth, but is he truly a Dream Walker, and what will it mean should his path meet up with Sairu and Lady Hariawan?
With Eanrin poking his nose in, and the silver thrush spotted and his singing heard, odds are it has something to do with God’s will for the people, regardless of what those who are in charge may want.
And yes, Eanrin’s part in this first installment is not huge, as we are spending time establishing this new part of the world, it’s two factions, both who assume they alone have claim to the lands, and introducing all new characters whose lives will impact and be effected by the story to come.
You have sympathy for Sunan- his struggle, disappointment and then confusion as what he thought was true becomes lies. He is flawed for his jealousy and yet you see how much he fought for what he truly wanted. Jovann is as distrustful of strangers (and his half-brother) as you’d expect as he travels to the city to speak with Sunan. But when he finds himself drawing closer to the Dream and his desire to follow the promptings of the thrush, despite his father’s words, his becomes the story I want most to follow.
The mystery behind what Lady Hariawan sees in the dream is growing, though I think it’s safe to say we know who burned her. What secrets are hiding behind her shell-shocked demeanor are (hopefully) going to begin to be revealed as I go into the second installment.
And I will admit I have never cared much for stories with an ancient Asian inspiration or influence, but Stengl’s lush descriptions and plot have me just sinking into the story and happy to be along for the ride!
Observant. Able to read a man’s secrets written on his face with a glance and capable of taking down any who come to harm those she protects.
Sairu, however, dares to ask for an assignment presented to her mistress; one to serve as a handmaiden to a Dream Walker from the sacred temple and to journey with her to a far flung holy commune to keep her charge, Lady Hariawan, safe.
Lady Hariawan has walked the Dream and has seen something that filled her with terror, as well as branded with a red burn across her face like that of a giant hand. The old enemy, Death-in-Life, has come to the people of the far continent.
Sairu has her three lion dogs for guidance, and a questionable orange demon-cat shadowing her at every step.
Yes, it is Eanrin, our most lovable of man cats!
But others are involved as well… what do two half-brothers, one learned, but unable to become a scholar as trained due to his shameful family connection. Sunan’s path seems to be pulled between helping his father take down the dynasty to return the land back to its original people, or to become a Crouching Shadow; an assassin for the Emperor, only thought to be a myth.
Jovann, a true believer that the Empire must be taken back by its true people, has been told since childhood to stop speaking of his dreams as if they foretold the truth, but is he truly a Dream Walker, and what will it mean should his path meet up with Sairu and Lady Hariawan?
With Eanrin poking his nose in, and the silver thrush spotted and his singing heard, odds are it has something to do with God’s will for the people, regardless of what those who are in charge may want.
And yes, Eanrin’s part in this first installment is not huge, as we are spending time establishing this new part of the world, it’s two factions, both who assume they alone have claim to the lands, and introducing all new characters whose lives will impact and be effected by the story to come.
You have sympathy for Sunan- his struggle, disappointment and then confusion as what he thought was true becomes lies. He is flawed for his jealousy and yet you see how much he fought for what he truly wanted. Jovann is as distrustful of strangers (and his half-brother) as you’d expect as he travels to the city to speak with Sunan. But when he finds himself drawing closer to the Dream and his desire to follow the promptings of the thrush, despite his father’s words, his becomes the story I want most to follow.
The mystery behind what Lady Hariawan sees in the dream is growing, though I think it’s safe to say we know who burned her. What secrets are hiding behind her shell-shocked demeanor are (hopefully) going to begin to be revealed as I go into the second installment.
And I will admit I have never cared much for stories with an ancient Asian inspiration or influence, but Stengl’s lush descriptions and plot have me just sinking into the story and happy to be along for the ride!
January 6, 2019
An exciting adventure!
I have loved the entire series for many years but am just getting to read these last four installments and this one did not disappoint. A new extension to the forest a fabulous heroine and the return of an old enemy, who will I'm sure be defeated yet again. I love it! It's been on my to read list for a bit and I am super thrilled to be reading it now. A very good read!
I have loved the entire series for many years but am just getting to read these last four installments and this one did not disappoint. A new extension to the forest a fabulous heroine and the return of an old enemy, who will I'm sure be defeated yet again. I love it! It's been on my to read list for a bit and I am super thrilled to be reading it now. A very good read!
November 25, 2018
The beginnings of Anne Elisabeth Stengl's books, while fascinating, are not their strong point. The Crouching Shadow is good, but a bit confusing, as usual.
I will be updating this review later, after finishing the rest of Golden Daughter. As of right now, I find it a promising beginning to the longest Tale yet.
I will be updating this review later, after finishing the rest of Golden Daughter. As of right now, I find it a promising beginning to the longest Tale yet.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews