The Story Peddler

The Weaver Trilogy #1

by Lindsay A. Franklin

Selling stories is a deadly business

Tanwen doesn’t just tell stories—she weaves them into crystallized sculptures that sell for more than a few bits. But the only way to escape the control of her cruel mentor and claw her way from poverty is to set her sights on something grander: becoming Royal Storyteller to the king.

During her final story peddling tour, a tale of treason spills from her hands, threatening the king himself. Tanwen goes from peddler to prey as the king’s guard hunts her down . . . and they’re not known for their mercy. As Tanwen flees for her life, she unearths long-buried secrets and discovers she’s not the only outlaw in the empire. There’s a rebel group of weavers . . . and they’re after her too.

Genres: Fantasy, Christian, Young Adult, Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian Fantasy, Magic

332 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2018

About the author

Lindsay A. Franklin is the Carol Award–winning author of The Story Peddler and ECPA best-selling author of Adored. By day, she wrangles chaos as Managing Editor of Enclave Publishing. By night, she spins whimsical tales fueled by hot drinks, rainy days, and the thunderous purrs of her spoiled cats. Lindsay lives with her family among the misty evergreens of the Pacific Northwest. She is currently on a quest to discover the sparkliest nail polish on the planet. You can find Lindsay on Instagram @LinzyAFranklin.

Reviews

[Gabby · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Being in love... well, that's the biggest kind of brave there is."
"Why's that?"
"Because you have to be strong enough to get your heart broken every day.”

5.01 ⭐ I think spoiler free. 13+

THOUGHTS:

OH…..MY….GOSH…. This book was so sweet…*tears*.... Like Idk How I even handled it.. Also…

I have a confession.

I think I’ve read this book like 5 times the first time was a whileeee before I even had Goodreads… When I was nine. And I DID not like it when I read it I thought it was weird and all that jazz. But BOY was I wrong. So I decided to give it a try years later and just kept re-reading it because EVERY time I re-read it. IT got better. Idk how but it did. AND IT WAS AM-A-ZING. Like when I was nine it was a 3.5 and then now its like A 5 and will probably be a 6 one day. WE’ll SEE.

Okay I was also kinda freaking out for YEARS because I could not find the third book ANYWHERE And I was on a cliff-Hanger for YEARS. And then My Most AMAZING…

Mom

Got me it. Love ya Motha! So Shout out to that amazing woman!

But Like IT WAS ROUGH AND THE THIRD BOOK WAS AMAZING.. But I won’t go spilling all the spoilers on ya yet. This Review is for the first book and the first book only and maybe later I shall write another review for the second and then the Third

*Fan Girly Giggling*

SO. And then it was also kinda funny because I got my brotha to read it and he did not like it the first time. Is it just my fam or are you guys too? Because we’re kinda weird when we don't like a book we still re-read it…

And then I did a task for him and in return I told him he had to READ IT AGAIN

HE DID

AND HE (ok not loved because he’s a boy and is not very into books as much as me) Liked it!

Okay I guess this was more of my story then my thoughts on the book.. Oh well ha-ha lets move on..shall we….



THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE ABOUT THIS BOOK
(basically none except one thing and that's why it's not 6 stars.)

OKAY don’t yell at me Brac girlies… BUT *I just didn’t like why he kept asking her to marry him. LIKE GET THE MEMO SHE JUST WANTS TO BE FRIENDS LIKE RESPECT THAT* other than that its AMAZING!

And then I also did not like Sir Dray.... Nahhh no bueno dude.

PLOT:

The Story Peddler is a rich and imaginative young adult fantasy novel set in a kingdom where storytelling is a magical gift—literally. The story follows Tanwen, a young artist known as a story peddler, who can weave her tales into colorful, living threads of light and sculpture. With her performances, she brings stories to life in a way that captivates audiences and earns her a modest living as she travels from town to town.
Tanwen dreams of joining the royal storytellers, performing in the king's court, and gaining fame and recognition for her craft. But in the kingdom of Tir, storytelling is strictly controlled. Only approved tales that glorify the monarchy and its version of history are allowed. Any hint of rebellion, truth-telling, or forbidden lore is dangerous—and those who tell such stories risk arrest or worse.
One day, during a seemingly ordinary performance, Tanwen accidentally creates a story thread she didn’t intend—one that hints at a long-buried secret the crown desperately wants to keep hidden. This moment sets off a chain of events that forces her to flee for her life, uncover hidden truths about her own past, and discover a larger world of magic, rebellion, and dangerous choices.
As Tanwen journeys across the kingdom, she meets allies and enemies alike, each with their own stake in the battle for truth and control. What begins as a chase soon becomes a quest for identity, purpose, and freedom—not just for Tanwen, but for all of Tir.

_____________________
*FAN GIGGLE AGAIN*
_____________________

ROMANCE: 3/10

Heart beats quicker, forced kisses I think twice?


Violence: 1/10

Just a little bit of fighting.


Other:

A man said to have dishonored. Maids, and servants. When he had a “mistress” of his own..

-..CHARACTERS..-

(teheheh)

Tanwen En-Yestin (Tannie in Mor’s eye’s *FAN GIRLY GIGGLE*)

The protagonist. Okay this was a love hate relationship but I mostly loved Her.. LIKE SHE CAN BE REALLY AMAZING AT TIMES!

Mor En-Taerae:

OMGOSH I DEFINITELY HAVE A THING FOR PIRATES..EEK I frikin love him. But no spoilers… “LOVE YA MOR”
Gryfelle:

……..GIRL I LOVE YOU SOO MUCH… NOT SPOILING…But the amount of times I cried for you is crazy……

Braith/the crown princess:

Okie.. I honestly never quite knew what to think of you like you were okay…. Like I have nothing bad on you! You're alright I’ll just keep it at that.

BRAC:

Okie Listen… I’m not a big fan like maybe I would be if you didn't have MOR as competition but like listen..Mor is just SOO AMAZING so I’m sorry just no bueno

The rest of y’all characters I LOVE!!!!!!! (cept Sir Dray…But that’s another story)

❤ CONCLUSION ❤

IM EMOTIONALLY NOT OKAY AND IDK IF I’LL EVER BE…

This book will forever be in my heart..NO MATTER WHAT!!
So read it!

“I never imagined what it would feel like if hope and despair waged a war inside my mind. But I supposed it was something like the battle raging inside me in that moment.”

[Jill Williamson]

Traitors, rebels, and the most original magic system I’ve seen since Patrick Carr’s A Cast of Stones make Lindsay Franklin’s the Story Peddler a unique and engrossing debut! I read through the book in two days. Did not want to put it down.

[mary liz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ouch. Two stars always feels like a harsh rating, and I realllllllly considered rounding it up to three because I don't want to bash this book. Because I promise I didn't hate it!

If I'm being honest . . . I feel nothing towards this book.

I didn't hate it. I didn't love it.

I just feel . . . nothing.

L I K E S:

-The concept. It's what really drew me towards this book in the first place! I love the whole concept of being able to weave stories and create glass sculptures with story threads. Such a creative concept, and it really appeals to the story-loving part of my soul.

-Braith I actually really liked her! I was either indifferent or annoyed at the majority of the characters, but Braith was a beacon of strength, grace, & a healthy dose of fire in a storyworld full of . . . um, weak . . . characters. She brought stability and kindness and actually felt realistic. I vastly preferred being in her POV to Tanwen's.

-There was an attempt to add depth to some of the rebels. Okay, I have to give the author some credit. She really attempted to add depth to the characters, but they mostly just fell flat for me. However, there were a few moments where I actually felt something towards the characters?? Aeron and Warmil were the only two rebels who struck an emotional chord inside me at times. (Because I'm fairly certain one of them suffers from PTSD and survivor's guilt and I just . . . ahhhh. Even my "ice princess" heart melts a bit at that. :P)

-The writing was decent. It wasn't astounding or anything, but it was free of a lot of grammatical issues (PRAISE THE LORD) and flowed well. It was very utilitarian, which might sound like a weird thing to say, but that's the best word I can think of to describe it. xD

D I S L I K E S:

-GOOD GRIEF, IT WAS BORINGGGGGG. This coming from the person who adores slow, rich historical fiction books. :P If I hadn't paid full price for this book, I would have stopped reading @100 pages because nothing. was. happening. I had to trudge through 2/3 of the book until my interest was piqued. I had no emotional attachment to the characters & couldn't care less what happened to most of them. Even when the "action" (using that term very loosely) picked up near the end, it was like a trip to Snoozeville. Not to sound callous or anything, but the only person I particularly cared about was Braith so if people were dying?? I'm probably just yawning in the corner. *cough* (yes, i have a heart of stone. heh.)

-Tanwen + Mor + Brac. Ooooookay. The angst was Strong with this trio. The love triangle was thankfully not as bad as Unblemished (dear God), but it was there. *eye twitches violently* For some reason unbeknownst to me, I was actually supposed to ship Tanwen and Mor when the author gave me z e r o context for their relationship. We barely see them together, and when we do, they really aren't getting to know each other. Mor just smirks like a pirate and Tanwen crushes on him. I mean, obviously this relationship is perfect.

As for Tanwen and Brac . . . *massive sigh* Children. Please don't. I cannot handle the high levels of romantic drama between them. Brac doesn't take no for an answer (excuse me, sir) and Tanwen is 100000% a jerk to him and makes promises she doesn't mean. For the love of all that is holy, MAKE SURE THE PERSON IS ACTUALLY DYING WHEN YOU AGREE TO MARRY THEM IF YOU DON'T MEAN IT. Or better yet, don't actually agree to marry someone if you don't mean it?? That's a really novel idea. :PPP

-It was all very anticlimactic? I was under the impression that the entire trilogy would work up towards deposing the king . . . but somehow, with just the help of less than ten people, they managed to overthrow the entire government and set up a new ruler? Like, in the span of thirty pages in the first book of the series??? This just makes me wonder why they didn't do this waaaaaaay earlier if it was that easy to accomplish. It all felt too easy and anticlimactic. The stakes weren't high enough. It shouldn't have been that easy for a small band of rebels to completely overturn the ruler, and the transition to having Braith as the new ruler felt far too seamless. It's highly unrealistic that all the people would be okay with some random criminals coming into the city & deposing the king, even if the king was awful. People like routine and stability, and there's bound to be a lot of chaos in the aftermath of a revolution. That's just a fact. It was all conveniently simple, and that rubbed me the wrong way. I felt like my intelligence as a reader had been insulted. :P

-ALL THE STEREOTYPES. Most of the characters were carbon copies of ones I've seen in the past. Maybe the reason I failed to connect emotionally with them was because they looked exactly like every other fantasy character I've seen.

a) Gareth: the evil king who gains amusement from people's executions. IT'S SO FUN TO WATCH PEOPLE'S HEADS ROLL ACROSS THE FLOOR. Blood! Dead people! Taxes! Yay!!! (also, he's super weak, and his whole personality revolves around him being evil. Which is to say . . . he had no personality.)

b) Mor: the roguish pirate whose sole defining trait is his charm. He's supposed to be a heartthrob; that's basically his only purpose to the plot. Sorry, but I'm not impressed. :P

c) Brac: the boy who's "like a brother" to the female character but who stirs up some good old-fashioned romantic tension & angst.

d) Naith: the corrupt priest who actually doesn't honor the gods he supposedly worships but just cares about money.

e) Sir Dray: the creep who's second-in-command but wants to overthrow the king and inevitably falls in love with the king's daughter in the creepiest way possible

-It was so flat. I feel really indifferent about this book because it seemed FLAT to me. None of the themes or characters resonated with me. The plot was boring & sluggish. The world wasn't well fleshed-out. The writing didn't bring anything unique to the table. This might sound harsh, but The Story Peddler was a forgettable story. :/

In conclusion: I'm genuinely sorry I didn't enjoy this book, and I know a lot of people loved it. Though I didn't really dislike it, I also didn't find it an enjoyable or interesting read. It was just kind of . . . there.

2.5 stars

[Tracey Dyck · Rating 5 out of 5]

December 2019 review:
Loved hanging out with Tannie, Mor, and the Corsyth crew all over again! 4.5 stars. Onward to The Story Raider.

April 2018 review:
This was a beautiful tale—as cozy as Tannie's sleepy farming village, yet brimming with breathtaking wonder. About two-thirds of the way through, I commented to my brother, "It's such a wonderful thing to enjoy a novel as much as you expect you will."

WHAT I LOVED

Tanwen: She was such a refreshing protagonist! Plucky, wise, headstrong, creative, ambitious, funny, seldom quiet, and full of vim and vigor—so it didn't take me long at all to connect with her. A country orphan from Pembrone, Tannie dreams of leaving her tattered, humdrum life behind for a chance to see the world and become the king's Royal Storyteller. She has big hopes, a shrouded past, and the will to weave a future of her own making. And did I mention she's a storyteller? Did I mention that I LOVE THAT?

The cast: Every single character, even those who showed up for just a few pages, were well-drawn and compelling. I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll my thoughts on some of the major players brief.

Brac // He's sweet and I quite like him, even if I didn't always agree with him.

Mor // HELLO, I'M IN LOVE. I fell head over heels for him, which may have something to do with the fact he reminds me of a younger, slightly less rascally version of Once Upon a Time's Captain Hook!

A certain ragtag band of characters I will not name // Never did they blur together; each was an individual with his or her own strengths, weaknesses, hopes, and sorrows. My heart hurts for them.

Braithe // As a princess in a corrupt court, she was a beacon of strength, poise, and mercy. I looked up to her, which takes something special.

The One in the Dark // I will say nothing!

Sir Dray // *barfs*

King Gareth // He managed to be more complex than the stereotypical "taxes, taxes, taxes!" kind of ruler, and I was very much not a fan of him. (Which is good.)

The world: Cozy and exciting, the world of Tir appears at first glance to be your standard medieval fare. But a certain level of lively detail made the setting come to life. Political intrigue and opposing religions and cultures made for an intriguing backdrop to the story's events, while the deft worldbuilding made it very easy to slip into the book and get comfortable.

Story weaving: I don't want to spoil anything, but I LOVED this concept. It was like seeing my own creative passion (writing) play out in a gorgeously visual way.

The theme: Wow, you guys. this story reaffirmed and refreshed my storytelling heart in such a unique, eye-opening way! <3

WHAT I WASN'T SURE I LOVED AT FIRST

The beginning: It took me about 70 pages or so to get past my own built-in critic and really settle in. (My problem, not the book's.) The plot was maybe a smidge slower at the beginning, but in retrospect, I loved getting to experience Tanwen's life in Pembrone and get a handle on the world at large before things exploded into action.

Some vocabulary: A few of the phrases felt a bit modern for this setting, but that was a minor quibble I very quickly forgot about. Besides, Tanwen herself is a bit of a country bumpkin who has to concentrate to keep her speech polished when selling stories. It actually WORKS for her narrative voice to be casual. And speaking of which, I loved that there were some words she didn't recognize, and yet she never came across as stupid.

THE VERDICT

The Story Peddler is one riveting, enchanting book that I am sincerely proud to have on my shelf! And now I can't wait for the sequel to release next summer.

Check out a longer review on my blog here —> https://traceydyck.blogspot.ca/2018/0...

[I was provided a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are entirely my own, and I was not required to be positive.]

[R.F. Gammon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wouldn't call this the most brilliant fantasy I've ever read, but it was ridiculously cool, I loved the characters, and the world was fantastic. The cliffhanger needed a little bit more, but overall, I think I can easily give this 4 stars and say with confidence that I'm very happy to have the sequel IN MY HANDS. xD

[Bryn Shutt · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's been years since I read a book in two days.

I believe for now that is quite the accolade on its own ~

[Katie Hanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Art has a way of revealing truth, but love triangles are for the birds, friends.

That's basically how I'd sum up this book. Half of it was a truly profound exploration of the gift of creativity, and half of it was ROMANCE DRAMA AND ANGST AND WHAT AM I EVEN DOING HERE, I'M TOO OLD AND CRABBY FOR THIS NONSENSE.

I love, absolutely love, the magic system Lindsay Franklin conjured up here. Basically, in the land of Tir, storytellers have the magic gift of creating objects through the power of their words--their stories. Words become colored light, which then solidifies into cloth or stone or fire or water or whatever you need it to be. It's pretty rad, pretty useful during a fight (heh), and any scene which features said 'story weaving' is 100% excellence.

The main conflict centers around the new king of Tir, Gareth, who's decided storyweavers are dangerous to him & his regime. Because they have the power to create, and more urgently, because they have the power to reveal truth--their gifts must be suppressed and censored. Only 'crowned' stories, stories that paint the king in a good light, are allowed.

The problem is . . . if a storyweaver suppresses his/her creativity long enough, their mind turns against them and they become a monster. Cuz you can't choke down the stories inside you, fam.

So far, so good. So excellent, even. I REALLY LIKED THIS MAIN FRAMEWORK. I thought it had enormous potential! I was super excited to spend a good long time exploring an environment where expressing your inner truth will get you killed, but hiding it will *also* get you killed. The problem is, this is the first book in a trilogy; and by the end of Book 1, the king is dead, the old regime has been defeated, our MCs are free to exercise their gifts, and THE PROTAGONIST'S MAJOR WORRY FOR THE NEXT BOOK IS WHICH HOT GUY SHE SHOULD PICK.

Excuse me???????

That's it???????

Furthermore: I realized (since writing the above) that the love triangle is actually a Love Square; and I ain't about that life.

Brac loves (?) Tanwen, who loves (?) him but also loves (?) Mor, who loves Gryffelle; and frankly, given that Brac is a certified jerk who kisses girls without permission and tries everything he can think of to manipulate them into marrying him . . . and given that Tanwen honestly has no business crushing on Mor as hard as she does when she literally only just met the dude . . . I don't feel particularly invested in most of the angst & drama & feelsiness bouncing all up in here. [Except for Mor & Gryfelle. Them two are goals.]

Now, I'd like to take this opportunity to say a few words about love triangles, love squares, and love polygons; since this book has got me thinking pretty seriously about such things.

You cannot make me like a protagonist who waffles between two love interests. And you cannot satisfactorily develop either relationship, either set of emotions, if you're constantly zig-zagging back and forth between the two. Would Mor and Tanwen be a lot more interesting, a lot more believable, if her thoughts weren't constantly flitting back to Brac? YOU BET YOUR BOOTS THEY WOULD. Alas, we never really get the opportunity to focus on their burgeoning connection . . . cuz she can't keep Brac (jerk that he is) outta her brain.

I honestly believe Brac was only in this book to manufacture artificial tension. That is never a good reason to write a character. You need to respect the people you've created more than that. Give them a raison d'etre that's more than just "this girl needs a hot guy to obsess over but not *really* wanna be with."

And one more thing. Brac is an unfortunate specimen of a super common trope, both in fantasy romance and romance in general, the Boy Next Door Who's Loved You Since You Pushed Him Off a Swing That One Time. And . . . I don't think I'm entirely alone in saying this trope is outdated. It's harkening back to a 'simpler time.' It's becoming less and less relatable with each passing decade. For a lot of us Millenials [and I think Gen Z, too, although I won't presume to speak for them], there never was a boy next door. There never was a boy at church. There never were many, if any, eligible boys in our hometowns for our parents to wish we'd get with. Am I making sense here? I'm not saying this in a bitter, "oh, where have all the single guys gone" way: I'm just saying, this isn't how we meet people anymore. Our neighborhoods are too fragmented and our childhoods involve too much moving-across-country and our peer groups are too small anyway and it just doesn't Work Like That. So, to have our fiction perpetually echoing a pattern that no longer holds true, gets a bit ANNOYING.

(Especially since the Boy Next Door is usually the losing party in a love triangle, so like, he could've just as easily not been in the story at all.)

I do want to read the next book in the series, The Story Raider, but . . . we shall see, we shall see.

[Lily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such a sweet book! 😂 I did this as a read aloud with my two younger sister and all three of us enjoyed it! Lindsay is a very talented story weaver! 😉

[Addy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

y'all. this was byfar one of my most favorite books i've read this year. seriously.

the characters. the plot. have to admit i fell in love after reading the first chapter!

Content:
-Language: n/a [author is a Christian, so none here!]
-Romance: one forced kiss [the situation was not with the main character, but still not enjoyable to read. the side character handled it well], one kiss [Tanwen and someone...XD], hugs, feelings, sweet gestures that could be taken as romance [totally clean and very enjoyable to read :)]
-Violence: a big part of The Story Peddler is how there is an evil king who oppresses people and jails people for small offenses, details of that, more fighting towards the very end of the book [some blood, swords clashing, people injured] a side characters wife who is towards the end of her pregnancy is beaten and thrown in the king's jail/ has her child in prison and nearly dies [no details of the birth, many details of the mistreatment]
-Blood/Gore: as mentioned, details of blood from wounds mostly at the very end of the book. nothing too descriptive.

where do i start? first things first, THAT C O V E R. pretty much exactly how i pictured the story strands to look like. stunning!!! second, i truly hope Mrs. Lindsay Franklin knows how TALENTED she is and how BEAUTIFUL her writing is!! wow. i am shook.

i've never read a book like Mrs. Lindsay's. with a very unique plot, well-thought-out characters, and little-to-none content, i'm rating this book 5 shining stars. more if i could!!! but, it wasn't only those three things that made me rate 5 stars...

the whole Brac/Tanwen relationship:
IT'S OFFICIAL, Y'ALL. I SHIP BRAC AND TANWEN.
please carefully note there is a bit of a LOVE TRIANGLE in this fabulous story, BUT it wasn't a dominating part of the book, so.. didn't bother me very much. [for those who don't know, i've gotten sort of 'sick' of love triangles]
i also really like the other "love interest" but won't state his name 'cause it might ruin the book. XD
plus, the relationship between Brac and Tanwen already existed, unlike most books.
overall, the romance was a fun part of the book!!!

the humorous moments.. despite the tension:
while the book had a TON of suspense/tension/danger, i really enjoyed all of the moments [particularly with Brac] that were hilarious. for ex: Tanwen always gets on to Brac for forgetting to wear his hat- so his nose gets as 'red as a tomato'. alongside romance, humor really helps to ease up a lot of the tension. so fun.

the fact that they brought stories to life from their fingertips...:
ummm... *raises hand* I WANT TO DO THAT!!! so. awesome. the fact that they can bring stories to life was super inspiring and Mrs. Lindsay wrote in such detail that i could picture the scene in my mind. and that, my friend, is a good talent indeed. :D


to just sum it up right here folks, you H A V E to go pick up a copy of The Story Peddler. one of the most beautiful books [inside and out, people!] out there.

i reccomend this gem for ages 13+ for the content listed above. :)

you better be proud, Mrs. Lindsay!!!

[k.m.s. · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. Amazing concept, excellent characters (MOR *heart eyes*), and great climax. Would have wished for a bit more solid direction through the rest of the story, but overall, an enjoyable read (with the best pirate ever. Morwen, anyone?)

[Jane Maree · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Story Peddler is a captivating tale of adventures, rebels, treason, and forbidden stories. Even the concept of story weaving intrigued me from the start, and the beautiful cover gave me high hopes for this book. Those expectations weren’t let down even a notch.

 

The characters are all so unique and practically bursting from the page with the stunning realness to each and every one of them. Not only were the main and secondary characters realistic, but even the random characters who had one scene and never came in again were amazingly real. Every person who appeared on the page had a life and a personality—but at the same time, it wasn't overdone.

There was also a bit of a love triangle, but it turned out in a completely unexpected way by the end and it was actually quite refreshing to have a twist on the normal cliches.

There’s a deep heartache that flows through the characters—making them so relatable and engaging, and pulling the reader into their lives. I couldn’t not like the main characters even if I tried. I connected so deeply with Tanwen and all the rest too, in different ways.

 

Character development and theme have been woven artfully through this book so it's inseparable from the plot and the action of the novel. Every page in this story is raising the stakes and drawing in more suspense. 

I really enjoyed the style of writing. Tanwen’s voice comes through the prose so perfectly in a way that shows her style and feel, but without making it jerky or unnatural for the reader.

 

The Story Peddler is actually the first book in a trilogy, and the ending leads into the next book perfectly. It's not cut off in the middle of action, and it does resolve most of the core goal, but it leaves plenty of intriguing ground for the rest of the series. The very last page threw a huge twist in my face, and left me hanging for answers. (I guess I'll be hanging for a year or so while I wait for the next book to release :P )

 

If I had to sum it up in one word, this story is vibrant. Definitely a book I recommend to all speculative fiction readers.

[Amanda Geaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Book lovers, imagine what it would be like to see the spoken words of a gifted storyteller crystallizing into tangible objects right before your eyes! This idea is what initially lured me to Lindsay A. Franklin’s debut fiction novel, The Story Peddler. What kept me tethered to the story was her imaginative world-building, valiant characters, and the thrill of discovery.

Every person will read a story through the lens of their own personal worldview and experiences. I came at this story as a Christian, a mom, and a lukewarm fan of the fantasy genre so I will review it from all three perspectives.

I would tell Christians to seek the breadcrumbs. Much of what Franklin writes echoes the greatest story ever told—including a good Creator, a usurper who suppress the Truth by perpetuating lies, and the promise of redemption.

I believe this story was written for young adults and yet I’m a 40-year-old mother of two who found it to be thoroughly entertaining. Even more, I am allowing my middle-graders to read it. The author touches on the concept of doing what is right, even when it’s not popular or safe to do. She also extols the positive aspects of community and how our unique gifts, imparted by our Creator, contribute to the welfare of others. For parents considering this story for their own children, I’ll mention there is an element of spiritual warfare, a stolen kiss, and a tavern that serves both food and ale. My advice would be to read the story yourself and to discuss the deeper elements with your child.

Did I say I was a lukewarm fan of the fantasy genre? While this still holds true, authors like Mary Weber and Lindsay A. Franklin are turning up the heat. When the next installment of The Story Weaver Trilogy comes out, it will be mine!

Christian Shelf-Esteem received a book to facilitate this review. The views and opinions expressed here are 100% honest and my own. I am disclosing this in Accordance with the FTC's 16 CFR, part 255 Guidelines, concerning the use of Endorsements and Testimonials in advertising.

[Gabrielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’d heard a lot of hype about this book, so I was excited to get to read it. The Story Peddler was a neat tale about how art reveals truth. It balanced allegory with action, and reminded me a lot of writers such as Serena Chase and Nicole Sager.

While I didn’t find it quite as enthralling as I’d hoped, it was a pretty good read. The plot had a good bit of action, and tied up neatly enough at the end (no horrible cliffhangers here!) while still leaving room for a sequel. Plus, Tanwen was such a fun character to read about! She had so much spunk and personality, and it was fun to see most of the story play out through her eyes. The one quibble I have with characters is about the love triangle—I didn’t feel like it was realistic, and it seemed to spring out of nowhere. One other thing: while the author was very creative in describing plants and animals (“fluff-hoppers” for rabbits, and “bitter-bean brew” for coffee), it did get kinda confusing at times. I didn’t care for it as much, but it might not bother all readers.

Overall, I’d rate this book 3 and a half stars. I liked it, but it didn’t enthrall me like I’d hoped. Fans of allegories and characters with plenty of spunk will definitely want to pick this one up.

Content:
Language: none

Sexual: mentions of mistresses, sleeping around, a forced kiss between a young lady and an older man, hints at taking advantage of women, hints at prostitutes.

Violence: injuries and attacks from both men and beasts, non-graphic.

Cultural Elements: The enslaved Meridioni people are described as having dark skin. A legend explains this as being caused by their pride. The Tirian people are described as being fair.

Religion: The Tirian people have three goddesses, though the story says that only the most uneducated peasant believes in them. A Creator is mentioned, and a dark force is hinted at.

Drugs: Characters drink ale and use herbs for medicinal purposes.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This review also cross-posted on The Story Sanctuary.
For more reviews, see TheStorySanctuary.com or GabrielleNBlog.wordpress.com.

[M Shen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why is this book so under the radar?! What a gem to be found among so many piles of unoriginal works on the shelves! Lindsay Franklin is an amazing writer. Emphasis on amazing.

I seriously loved this book to no end and am on pins and needles, waiting for the sequel, which I'm absolutely positive won't disappoint. (at least... it had better not.) The wring style, the voice, the imagery, the characters plot worldbuilding and story-- all of it. It was just stunning. This is real fantasy, peoples, real fantasy.

And real art. I am absolutely astounded by the beautiful tributes to the arts which appeared as a creative magic system in the world of the Weaver Trilogy. Storytelling, colormastery, and songspinning-- why are these never shown in all their beauty and truth in other stories? Five stars for the excellent worldbuilding and magic system.

The characters. Omgosh. Tanwen was an adorable and honest protagonist. She had a lot to learn in the beginning, still has, but she's definitely on the right path to learning. I also love how I wasn't constantly berating her for making stupid decisions that literally ALL the other YA girlies make. That drama with Brac and Mor was crazy, but not tastelessly handled. I loved the Corsyth crew and Braith. Also here's a petition for #MoreMor!

The plot hooked me fom the beginning. Great job on that, Ms. Franklin-- plots are often what'll make or break a read for me, and of course they're incredibly tricky to master. Well, this author's got it down. Unfortunately, that means the cliffhanger is still determined to destroy me. Wretched little cliffhangers.

I loved the descriptive writing style and the unique voice. Another thing that really ticks me off is clichéd writing style. I always prefer third person when reading, mostly because pretty much all the YA protags are female which means their voices are usually blandly unoriginal, but I do like a well-written first person past-tense POV from time to time (everyone writes in present tense thes days. it's getting clichéd). Tanwen's first-person POV, paired with Braith's third-person POV, was a refreshing departure from th usual YA female narrator.

5 stars, all the way.

[Deena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hmmm. How to describe this book...

Exquisite. Enchanting. Epic.

Prepare to be swept away to the land of Tire as you meet author Lindsay A. Franklin's band of merry characters in The Story Peddler. Lindsay Franklin, like her heroine Tamwen does, paints vividly with her words.

You'll fall in love with each imaginary person. . .unless he or she is a villain--those you will despise! You will see magical things unlike any you've seen before, and you will believe.

Tanwen is an apprentice story peddler with vast dreams and goals. With no parents to raise her, she's 'adopted' by Brac and his family. Her adventure begins with a story, woven in bright colors that pour from her fingertips.

As I was reading I kept thinking The Story Peddler would make an excellent movie. Then I realized Franklin was painting pictures and scenes in my heart, and I already had my movie in my hands.

I'd still love to see everyone on the big screen, though.

The names of the characters are so whimsical and unique, and I'm astonished at the magic that resides in Lindsay Franklin!

And the creatures! Fluff-hoppers, slap-happy and harried hedge-nibblers, and mountainbeasts, oh my!

Then all of the rich colors of the. ..whoops! Almost gave a spoiler!

The descriptions are lush and rich, the characters are leaping off the page, and the story itself rivals Lewis and his wardrobe. I was captivated from the first page and I mourned turning the last page.

I can hardly wait for the next book!

The Story Peddler is a 'must keep' tale, and Lindsay A. Franklin is a 'must read' author. Get The Story Peddler on pre-order now, because it just may sell out -- it's that good!

I received an advance copy from the publisher, with no services or obligations promised in return.

[Allie Andersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book! I loved the world-building, and the accent throughout the whole book was quite entertaining. I'm excited to have found a new series that I enjoy, even if it's only a trilogy. 😉

[Tyler Scott Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Drink up, me hearties, the adventure has only begun.

When I got this book, I didn’t know what it was about.

When I found out what it was about, I didn’t know where it was going.

Now that it’s over, it isn’t over, so that’s fun.

[Katelyn Buxton · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this, I really did. It has a lot of potential, and I love the theme that art has a way of revealing truth. But I struggled to connect, even with the vividness of Tanwen’s charming southern-style narration. Above all, the climax even managed to keep my nose glued to the pages despite the rest of it being slow. I think what made it “meh,” though, was the love square. Others have waxed more poetic about it than I, but needless to say, it’s hard to root for someone who gets engaged to a man she doesn’t think she loves and regrets it because she has a crush on a pirate with a tragic past.

[E.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. Creative. Adventurous! I loved this book and this world that Lindsay created! Tanwen is so full of life and character and is a wonderful leading lady, but I think the rest of the cast was equally vivacious!! Their personalities jumped off the page and it’s easy to see why this won a Carol award! I stayed involved through the whole story and (had I had more time to read) would have finished this more quickly. Can’t wait for the next book! Good thing I’ve got it!!

I high recommend this to those who love fantasy, stories about coming into ones own, and adventure!

My rating: 5⭐️


————
I received this book as a gift from the author but was not obligated to leave a review. All opinions expressed are my own!

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

And Tanwen gets added to my list of favorite female protagonists. I loved her spunk, fight, and humor. <3
This fantasy world Lindsay created was a unique one in my opinion, but easy to grasp still. It look me a couple chapters to really get into the story, but once it grabbed me it didn't let go! I came to adore the characters of the Corsyth, especially Mor and Karlith.
I DEFINITELY need the second book in this trilogy, because that ending left me dying (in a good way) :D

[R.M. Archer · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Story Peddler suffered from a little bit of Large Cast Syndrome (i.e. there were characters I got confused because I didn’t have enough brain space to keep quite everyone straight), but not as badly as some other books I’ve read (and, being a writer of large casts myself, I have a fair amount of grace for LCS). That said, I really enjoyed the characters, both those I kept straight in my head long-term and the couple that got scrambled from time to time.

Tannie was a good balance of outspoken and independent on the one hand with reasonable and humble on the other hand. Tannie speaks her mind… but she knows when speaking her mind is a bad idea–even if that realization sometimes comes a moment too late. And she’s independent, but not to the point of arrogance; she appreciates those around her, and she values their help when it’s needed.

Braith was also a well-balanced female lead. She was somewhat more traditionally feminine than Tannie, which made for a good balance between the two perspectives, and her gracious resistance to the king’s cruelty was a great example of the strengths within classic femininity.

Then there were all the side characters, and each had their own strengths and qualities. Brac was a great support for Tannie, and I appreciate his seriousness about settling down and providing for a family. I feel like that’s something lacking in a lot of male characters, and I like seeing characters–of both genders–seek out and find fulfillment in family and dominion. Mor was, of course, sweet and charming, and his dedication to Gryfelle was also admirable. Zel immediately caught my attention for very similar reasons as Brac did, but without the drama that came with Brac being interested in Tanwen since Zel is already married and has a family to care for. Warmil is a fantastic gruff mentor character and I love him to death. Basically, all of the side characters are great and I’m really interested to learn more about them in consequent books.

The worldbuilding isn’t the most ground-breaking as far as setting is concerned, but it was described wonderfully in voice, so I’ll give it a pass. Especially because the magic system is so cool. Music and colors and stories that become tangible? That create physical effects? It’s so much fun. I’m super interested to see more of how it works and what it can do.

Now, the love triangle. Y’all know I hated the love triangle in Daughter of the Moon Goddess, where one of the guys was committed to someone else and the other wanted the independent main character to settle down with him… Well… this love triangle has very similar dynamics. And yet, I didn’t hate this one. Why? Because of the main character and the underlying worldview of the book. You can see my complaints with the DotMG love triangle in that review, so I won’t repeat myself here. But in The Story Peddler, Tannie understands and appreciates the second love interest’s commitment to someone else and does her best to quench her feelings because she knows to put the other characters involved ahead of herself. And with the first love interest, she appreciates his desire to settle down, appreciates the potential of finding happiness with him, and appreciates his dedication to her and true love for her. Her internal struggles with both feel realistic, and the love triangle didn’t feel like it overtook the plot (another issue I had with Daughter of the Moon Goddess). And, honestly, I was right with her in being conflicted over the idea of her with Suitor One. ;P

Also, I have to mention the quote that “art has a queer way of revealing truth.” (Karlith’s faith elements were another subtle highlight of the book.)

Overall, I really liked this one and I’m excited to see how this story unfolds (or crystalizes, perhaps?)

[iamnotabookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book from Miss Laura Grace of Unicorn Quester. She's the blog tour coordinator for the tour of this book. She got my contact information from The Book Blogger List. Of course, I agreed to join the tour and review the book.

The Story Peddler is the first of The Weaver Trilogy. The main character in the story is Tanwen. An orphan whose only memory of her parents are the trinkets, few furniture, and books left on the cottage in the farming village of Pembrone. She had to support herself in order to survive. Until she found a mentor who taught her to master her storytelling and started peddling stories from town to town. Her one dream is to become the Royal Storyteller. She didn't know that when that dream would come true, it wouldn't be the dream job as she thought it would be and that it would be at the cost of denying her true self.

The cover alone of this book already had me. It's so beautiful. It's obvious that there's something magical within its pages. Something wonderful and mysterious awaits. And it didn't fail. My first question when I got this story was, "What's a story peddler?" And as simple as those two words, that's just what it is- selling stories. But the magic lies in how the stories are told. It's amazing. I can just imagine seeing it just as Tanwen narrates each of her stories. Then once the story is done, a crystal object materializes out of the ribbons of light from Tanwen's hand. Simply fascinating. It's like Dale Chihuly creating those colorful masterpieces out of blowing glass.

Tanwen En-Yestin is a character that you will definitely love. Her origin is a mystery at its best. A young woman with a very special talent which is very curious. I was asking myself the whole time where that special talent came from? How did Tanwen get it? She's one of the underdogs. Definitely made of the same stock of what most heroines of any stories are made of. Unyielding determination, unbelievable strength that comes forth when the situation demands it, a keen observer who speaks her mind and very smart. I think her strength is in speaking her mind. She's not afraid to ask the hard questions. Her honesty, which is sometimes brutal is refreshing. Not a lot of characters are like Tanwen, who calls out anyone without fear. Her being without filter is just what makes her character stand out. You either see her as one with a stupid mouth or one who's just too honest for her own good, depending on which of the two you are--one who likes to hear the truth or one who wants to keep it buried.

There are a lot of interesting characters in this story with very colorful pasts and lives. One of the things that stood out for me was that each character had a prefix to his/her last name. Like Tanwen, there's an En before her last name. The men have Bo and married women have Ma. It's one of the interesting and unique elements in the story.

Most of the important or relevant characters in the story were given enough background to get an understanding of the character. The story promises a mystery right from the start. It hooks you on that mystery and it dangles it in front of you. You know it's there but you can't put a finger on it. Not when the author isn't ready yet to reveal it. The story got me so curious that I started to formulate theories in my head. I know Tanwen is someone important or her parents are important. I know there is more to her gift. And all of those things that had me in it's grip were slowly unravelled piece by piece with great timing. I can't let go of the story until I reached to the point where my questions were all answered and the mystery was finally unveiled. And it was all worth it. The waiting and anticipation was all greatly rewarded.

This is one very satisfying story. I gave it all my attention and never wavered. I can't lose my focus because as I progressed from one chapter to the next, the more I was drawn in and caught in it's web. I can't leave it unless I have unentangled all the knots. I give this book 5/5 colorful ribbons. I was helplessly caught in the story and I was totally relishing the journey. I shadowed Tanwen in every step of her adventure and I definitely wouldn't have missed it. This is a very very delightful start of a great adventure which I definitely wouldn't want to be left out. Tanwen's coming of age story and finally getting to know of her past and the story of her parents is a story you would want to be a part of. It's ripe with strong characters, villains that are cunning and so power-hungry like the characters in the Game of Thrones, and a lot of unexpected surprises. I am definitely a happy camper knowing that this story found me. I thought the mystery would have killed me, thankfully it only made me hang on tighter until I reached the end of the fantastic journey. Congratulations Miss Lindsay A. Franklin. This story is definitely selling.


I don't thing my life's too keen on slipping by unnoticed. I seem to ping off one bank of the river, then bounce off the other. Then slam into a rock or two. Or twelve.

I was about ready to mind my own onions forevermore.
- Lindsay A. Franklin, The Story Peddler -

Thank you again, Laura and Miss Lindsay Franklin for the ARC.

[E. Writes · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've read in the past year, I think!

The Story Peddler is a sumptuously presented book, from its gorgeous, gorgeous cover, to it's detailed interior formatting, it is a visual delight.

The publishing house did a great job with packaging.

The concept of stories that become colorful strands and then can be seen and stand apart from the teller, is a unique plot device.

Unfortunately, the Main Character didn't click with me at all at first. I failed to relate to the (what seemed "wanderlust/star-struck") girl who preferred to be treated terribly by the miserly, 'master storyteller', while chronically failing to live up to the teacher's expectations; roaming about a kingdom where everyone is so poor because the taxes are oppressive.

Contrast that life choice with the 'secure' option to be a farmer's wife, with a boy she's known forever and who loves her desperately... however, this too struck a wrong note with me. Her love interest is too poor to pay for ale he drinks on credit, but also avows that they'd be totally financially secure ("I'd take care of you!") if only the MC would give up the road and marry him.

Again, those blighted taxes are to blame.

As someone who has dabbled in brewing one's one refreshing beverages, (it is not that hard!) one wonders why this poverty stricken swain darkens the door of a tavern when he's so penny-pinched, and hard at work dreaming of a financially secure married life.

I realize that this is "stock plot syndrome"... there must be a "odious farm" as an option; oppressive taxes are long since cliche; and there must be a tavern in which to "exposition", guzzle a pint, and order a stew, (in reality, if times are hard, and if one has local friends, one drops in on them for dinner and does not pay commercial prices! :) )



Since the MC longs for the palace, of course she'll turn out to be a long lost princess, or something, and marry the prince.
So... as a long and embittered veteran of the fantasy genre (don't get me wrong, I love fantasy, :) just sometimes "new" would be nice,) I was feeling a bit jaded only a few chapters in.

But that cover is really pretty! :)

Once she got with the actual main side characters, things started heating up. I liked the novel twist on the requisite hiding place, and the ‘band if misfits’ were well drawn and likeable.

Franklin did a good job with her artist’s ‘abilities’, and the dark side to their use was an unexpected twist. Kudos to the author on that... and the resulting ‘story thread’ (if you’ll pardon the pun!) which leads into book 2 is deeply compelling. I must say, I want to read book 2 now, more desperately than I felt about book 1 the whole time! If done right, I could see this series escalating nicely into a “must read” and a “can’t put it down” experience.

The ‘one in the dark’ was a good touch, and I heartily approve of those sort of plot devices. They are not used nearly enough in storytelling, I maintain, and they are very satisfactory threads to see weave back in once the reader has reached the ending.

What elements of “romance” woven here, were respectfully handled with a realistic measuring and lots of confusion, and relatable awkwardness. Nicely done! Real life love interests are about like that, and this can be really fresh and new as well as enjoyable when handled right.

The tension only grows as the story progresses, and I can see the suspense continuing throughout the series... while still avoiding the over-used cliché of triangles.

Congrats to the author on that, as well!!

In short, this is a very unique, fun tale that while it got off to a rocky start with me, definitely grew on me and the characters and their world came alive as the book progressed. I would dearly love to know what happens to them next, and how they all react to it!!!
Tanwen turned out to be a likable protagonist after all, and not as “trope-ish” as my ‘plot-convenience’ suspicions instantly suspected.

I hope the author will continue in the way that she has started, and hold the lives of her characters in high regard... while danger is one thing, and very necessary for suspense, there is one character (you’ll know who I’m talking about as soon as you finish the book) who life should 100% BETTER BE SPARED. Or Else.

So there.

In all, if you’re looking for a fun, fresh take on fantasy literature, I’d highly recommend the Story Peddler.

[Noura Khalid (theperksofbeingnoura) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Netgalley and Gilead Publishing for the review copy!

“Most people’s lives were stories with mysterious endings. Mine was a story with a beginning I could never make sense of. It was like fifty different unrelated strands I couldn’t weave into a solid crystal.”

A story about a girl who weaves stories into crystallized sculptures. This is what caught my attention when I looked this book up. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a book like this before!
It was a bit slow at first but I was really interested to know what would happen, that I didn't even notice that I got halfway through the book. It was quite a unique journey and I’m really glad that I got the chance to read it.




Tanwen is our main character here. She’s a story peddler and everything is going her way until treason is revealed through her story strands. It was really interesting to see the story unfold and develop. I especially loved the characters we met on the way, the weavers. A group of rebels who more or less have something in common. They were very lovable and easy to connect with especially, Mor *Heart eyes*

The story was told from Tanwen’s point of view but a few chapters were about Princess Briath the Kings daughter, and I thoroughly enjoyed her chapters too. The writing was easy to get into and interesting to follow. The names might have been a tiny bit difficult to remember (and pronounce) but after a while I got familiar and used to it.

I’m really looking forward to the next two books in this trilogy, especially with the mysterious way the book ended. Wonderful work!


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[Izzy Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

Brac is Dex Dizznee in farmer form.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars ✨

Great start to this series and such a fun character driven story. All the characters were so full of personality and banter and it really helped the pacing of the book. I really didn’t understand the political side of the story it seemed a little all over the place but I hoping I’ll understand more of it in book 2.

[Virginia Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

DNF at page 64.

I really wanted to not only finish this but love it as well. At this time, neither of those goals are attainable because:

1) I reached my renewal limit at the library
2) I have too much to read already and realistically shouldn't have checked it out in the first place
3) I'm having a hard time liking this so far

I definitely intend to give this another try though. 3 stars- mostly for that amazing cover
It's what made me shelve this in the first place

[Laurel (Yeetarandomwriter) Burgess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cool magic system! Main character reminds me of a girl version of Pippen and Merry (aka, awesome). Her voice is unique and not boring. Nice worldbuilding. And a lot of great characters. (The princess is now one of my favorite characters). No bad words (some violence/death), but it made sense.
Awesome book! I gotta get the next two!
I recommend reading it! :D

[Dalia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please read this book right now.

More of a review to come.

[Laura A. Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This was an extremely interesting read! The storytelling was amazing, and I mean that literally. Making stories and then crystallizing them? So cool! (Can I please be a storyteller like that?) As things progress near the end, it was even cooler to see her create stories. :o :o :o

I really related to Tannie. She made a great heroine and loved her bold nature. She wasn't afraid to speak up and share something on her mind that's for sure! Ha! Yet she could also be kind and compassionate too.

Confession: I thought with their being so many characters, it would be really hard to remember everyone. However, it was far from that. The author did an amazing job of really bringing each character to life and making them very distinct where I knew each person. I honestly thought I wouldn't like War the most, but I really really liked him.

Overall, this was a great story! Never a boring spot and plenty of action to keep me on my toes. The author even threw a little twist in there with a certain young male character that left me sad in that it wasn't your "typical" outcome. (I'll just leave that vague so there will be no spoiling.) I'm very curious to see where things will go from here!

(I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts expressed were my own and was not required to write a positive review.)