Jennifer Julander's Green Lady is reminiscent of my favorite fantasy novels with a unique twist all its own. My first impression of budding author Jennifer Julander is, she knows what I want and what has been missing from my life for many years now.
I used to curl up on the couch with a cup of tea and a book from authors such as Tamora Pierce or Tanith Lee. I never noticed when my tea was gone, because by then I'd been swept away to mystical worlds of knights and ladies, magic, and legendary creatures. Theirs were adventure stories with strong female leads, coming of age, and a little romance along the way.
That's what pulled me into this story right from the start. Green Lady follows the self-discovery of teenage princess Cleandra, who learns there is more to her world than meets the eye. Each turn of the page illuminates more intrigue and shrouded mystery. Discoveries are made by Cleandra and the reader alike as alliances are made and shaken, whispers of a forgotten lore seep through the air. I recommend this book to any girl, young or old, who wants to be whisked off to a far away land; any girl who dreams of an adventure of pure fantasy in a new light.
I didn't even realize what my literary life was missing until my eyes were opened to Green Lady, the story's vivid, relatable characters, and juicy landscapes of painted words. Green Lady meets every expectation of my nostalgic teen self, looking to find my place in the world without losing myself in the process. I'll be impatiently waiting for the sequel's release in June, to discover more about my newfound favorite characters (especially the mysterious shapeshifter, Amnar!)