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Faraway Castle #1
Ellie and the Prince
She should resist him . . . but to rescue the unicorn, Ellie needs the prince's help.
Serving as Controller of Magical Creatures at the illustrious Faraway Castle resort, Ellie Calmer knows her place. She is a servant, and she has no business thinking about handsome Prince Omar, a regular visitor at the resort, much less talking to him!
But then a unicorn on the resort grounds attacks a party of riders, frightening the guests, and a band of young and adventurous nobles decide to hunt it down. Suddenly Ellie needs Omar's help. She knows something must be wrong to have driven the unicorn to such desperate extremes. Can she and Omar find the unicorn before it's too late? And will she somehow protect her heart against the irresistible attraction she feels for the kind and gentle prince?
Serving as Controller of Magical Creatures at the illustrious Faraway Castle resort, Ellie Calmer knows her place. She is a servant, and she has no business thinking about handsome Prince Omar, a regular visitor at the resort, much less talking to him!
But then a unicorn on the resort grounds attacks a party of riders, frightening the guests, and a band of young and adventurous nobles decide to hunt it down. Suddenly Ellie needs Omar's help. She knows something must be wrong to have driven the unicorn to such desperate extremes. Can she and Omar find the unicorn before it's too late? And will she somehow protect her heart against the irresistible attraction she feels for the kind and gentle prince?
243 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2018
346 people are currently reading
1640 people want to read
About the author
J.M. Stengl
12 books218 followers
Get a FREE book gift from J.M. Stengl when you visit her website!
Jill Marie is a native of southern California who, after a whirlwind life as a military wife, now makes her home with her husband in North Carolina, where she serves at the beck and call of two cats, one dog, and five adorable grandchildren. Obsessions include all things animal rescue, fairy-tale romances, collecting model horses, and perfecting the perfect pastry crust.
During her former career as a romance novelist, Jill Marie won both the Carol Award and RWA's Inspirational Readers' Choice Award. Now she prefers her novels to include a dash of magic along with the heart-melting romance.
Jill Marie is a native of southern California who, after a whirlwind life as a military wife, now makes her home with her husband in North Carolina, where she serves at the beck and call of two cats, one dog, and five adorable grandchildren. Obsessions include all things animal rescue, fairy-tale romances, collecting model horses, and perfecting the perfect pastry crust.
During her former career as a romance novelist, Jill Marie won both the Carol Award and RWA's Inspirational Readers' Choice Award. Now she prefers her novels to include a dash of magic along with the heart-melting romance.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
August 27, 2018
Just as fun as the prequel novella! Ellie and Omar have such a sweet relationship, and this world is just so much fun with its mix of modern and fairy tale. This book reminds me a lot of KM Shea's fairy tale books, and I would recommend them to readers who love those books.
October 23, 2018
Richly woven retelling of Cinderella! There were so many things I enjoyed about this book that I hardly know where to begin. First, I truly appreciated the characters. Ellie is kind, selfless, and dedicated to helping all the creatures and critters under her care. And Prince Omar is a true gentleman, one who is unspoiled by his wealth and position, a true prince among princes. The romance is especially well done--it comes from the heart rather than raging hormones. Then there was the world of Faraway Castle, so beautifully described (without being overdone) that I could picture it all, from the spray on the lake to the sun on my face, and the elegant Summer Ball brimming with gowns and tuxedos. I could even envision the unicorn as a real creature (definitely one of my favorite sections of the book), as it was written so well. The plotline gave me plenty of surprises and certainly kept things interesting. On top of all that, I was just generally amazed at the way the author managed to very creatively cover all the elements of the Cinderella story in her retelling.
And while all this is wonderful, to me, Cinderella has always been much more than a simple "girl wins prince" kind of story. I've always seen a deeper meaning to the tale, a "moral of the story" moment, in that goodness and kindness, (virtues not revered so much in this modern world), are really what wins out in the end. I especially appreciate how this Cinderella stays true to herself; while others around her may be nasty and cruel, she chooses to take the high road, and not react by stooping to their level. I thought the author did an especially good job in showing this aspect of the story.
This is a fantastic, magical book for old and young alike, one that will take you away as you turn the pages, and I highly recommend it!
And while all this is wonderful, to me, Cinderella has always been much more than a simple "girl wins prince" kind of story. I've always seen a deeper meaning to the tale, a "moral of the story" moment, in that goodness and kindness, (virtues not revered so much in this modern world), are really what wins out in the end. I especially appreciate how this Cinderella stays true to herself; while others around her may be nasty and cruel, she chooses to take the high road, and not react by stooping to their level. I thought the author did an especially good job in showing this aspect of the story.
This is a fantastic, magical book for old and young alike, one that will take you away as you turn the pages, and I highly recommend it!
January 23, 2022
I love J M Stengl’s writing style, and her contemporary but fantastical fairytale retellings are so cleverly done, but in a way that pays homage to the original story.
I loved the cinder sprites! Magical creatures that burst into flame?! But the adorable little critters remind one vaguely of Gus and Jacques from Disney’s Cinderella. Gillian and Raquel make “lovely” appearances in their snooty disdainful ways.
The gamekeeper *sigh*. I certainly hope he is the Beast in future stories (I know Mrs Stengl is working on her BatB retelling for book 6 and I cant wait to read it!)
This story is beautiful and kid and so sweet.
I loved the cinder sprites! Magical creatures that burst into flame?! But the adorable little critters remind one vaguely of Gus and Jacques from Disney’s Cinderella. Gillian and Raquel make “lovely” appearances in their snooty disdainful ways.
The gamekeeper *sigh*. I certainly hope he is the Beast in future stories (I know Mrs Stengl is working on her BatB retelling for book 6 and I cant wait to read it!)
This story is beautiful and kid and so sweet.
May 27, 2019
At this point, I have read the two prequels to J. M. Stengl's Faraway Castle book. I enjoyed both and totally fell for The Little Siren. I think, although not necessary, reading these prequels really helped me jump into her world smoothly for this novel. She's set up a world full of both magical and non-magical, knowledgeable and ignorant characters. She's combined a fantasy/fairy tale feel with modern toys and attitudes, and I think, mixed them fairly well. There were a few confusing moments as a result of this mashup, but overall, I didn't find it a hindrance. The story is set on the grounds of a summer resort that gathers a hodgepodge of cultures and people from the surrounding lands. Despite our varied cast, we get very little political or social information about the surrounding kingdoms, which I found kind of disappointing personally. There weren't very many distinctions other than an "accent" and some physical characteristics to set the different nationalities apart, so I never really remembered who was from where and it never really felt important. Perhaps it isn't, but I always love digging into the culture of a fantasy world like this.
As for the characters themselves, I loved them! The supporting cast was phenomenal and I have high hopes to see more of them as each of their stories unfold. Omar was delightful. I loved his family and how he interacted with both the children and his parents. I loved seeing things from his perspective occasionally and he had an admirable character. He is a good role model, both for the characters in the book and those reading it. He respected Ellie, her wishes, and her needs. That's difficult to find in today's books. Similarly, Ellie made me smile. She was human. She had fears and doubts, but she was strong and lived with integrity. They made a cute couple and, because of their long history, I didn't have the overwhelming sense of insta-love. The book was filled with mysterious characters, fun characters, and the promise of many more to come. Oh, and oh my gosh, I think Briar was my favorite out of the whole lot of them!!! I can't wait to see his story!
The plot was well-paced, though not necessarily a page-turner. That said, I did uh read it in a day *blush* without noticing. I saw many nods to the classic Cinderella story, but the story was its own and maintained an original air that I also admired. There were some obvious setups for stories to come, which I am super excited about! (I am positively dying for The Scholar and the Siren, y'all!!!) Many components of the story threaded together very nicely, but I felt like the end was kind of abrupt. I don't know, it wasn't an "oh, how convenient" feeling, but rather a slightly disappointed that it wasn't set up better feeling. The last two chapters were packed with ending that maybe could have been stretched out a little bit to relieve some of the abruptness. That said, I still really, really enjoyed this story from beginning to end and very much look forward to all of the strings left unattended. The book was well-written and I only found a few typos and one boo boo.
Clean, sweet romance. No foul language. No violence.
Note: I did receive a free advanced copy of the ebook from the author. Thank you!!
As for the characters themselves, I loved them! The supporting cast was phenomenal and I have high hopes to see more of them as each of their stories unfold. Omar was delightful. I loved his family and how he interacted with both the children and his parents. I loved seeing things from his perspective occasionally and he had an admirable character. He is a good role model, both for the characters in the book and those reading it. He respected Ellie, her wishes, and her needs. That's difficult to find in today's books. Similarly, Ellie made me smile. She was human. She had fears and doubts, but she was strong and lived with integrity. They made a cute couple and, because of their long history, I didn't have the overwhelming sense of insta-love. The book was filled with mysterious characters, fun characters, and the promise of many more to come. Oh, and oh my gosh, I think Briar was my favorite out of the whole lot of them!!! I can't wait to see his story!
The plot was well-paced, though not necessarily a page-turner. That said, I did uh read it in a day *blush* without noticing. I saw many nods to the classic Cinderella story, but the story was its own and maintained an original air that I also admired. There were some obvious setups for stories to come, which I am super excited about! (I am positively dying for The Scholar and the Siren, y'all!!!) Many components of the story threaded together very nicely, but I felt like the end was kind of abrupt. I don't know, it wasn't an "oh, how convenient" feeling, but rather a slightly disappointed that it wasn't set up better feeling. The last two chapters were packed with ending that maybe could have been stretched out a little bit to relieve some of the abruptness. That said, I still really, really enjoyed this story from beginning to end and very much look forward to all of the strings left unattended. The book was well-written and I only found a few typos and one boo boo.
Clean, sweet romance. No foul language. No violence.
Note: I did receive a free advanced copy of the ebook from the author. Thank you!!
February 7, 2020
This is the perfect sweet, soothing read for those days you find yourself frowning or grinding your teeth too much, it will leave you with a sappy smile and a heartwarming feeling.
While it is very much its own new story, there are enough of Cinderella’s elements here and there, reimagined in a way that fits perfectly with the story such as the heroine’s ability to ‘talk’ to and influence the animals, including the mouse-like cinder sprites and the unicorn at the center of this story. Her gift leads to her being employed in the Faraway Castle — a resort-like place royals from all over visit — and that’s how she meets Prince Omar and they have an instant connection…but she’s not allowed to fraternize with guests as an employee. What is she supposed to do, especially with the Director breathing down her neck and just itching for an excuse to fire her?
Then things get worse when one of the animals under her care upsets some of the guests and nobles now want to hunt it down for sport! Ellie now has no choice but to reach out to Prince Omar for help, and they team up to save her unicorn, and in their quest they discover some stuff about Ellie’s mysterious background and how deep their love for each other truly goes.
The setting is so interesting, it’s not the medieval fantasy you go in expecting in most adaptations, and has a lot of modern elements that go very well with the magic, almost like it’s an alternate universe of our own world, which makes the set-up of our story involving a magical creature zoo so much more enjoyable.
I finished this book feeling sad that Faraway Castle doesn’t actually exist but the closest I can get to visiting it is to see it again, in new ways, through the eyes of the heroines of the next few books in the series. And I will do just that!
While it is very much its own new story, there are enough of Cinderella’s elements here and there, reimagined in a way that fits perfectly with the story such as the heroine’s ability to ‘talk’ to and influence the animals, including the mouse-like cinder sprites and the unicorn at the center of this story. Her gift leads to her being employed in the Faraway Castle — a resort-like place royals from all over visit — and that’s how she meets Prince Omar and they have an instant connection…but she’s not allowed to fraternize with guests as an employee. What is she supposed to do, especially with the Director breathing down her neck and just itching for an excuse to fire her?
Then things get worse when one of the animals under her care upsets some of the guests and nobles now want to hunt it down for sport! Ellie now has no choice but to reach out to Prince Omar for help, and they team up to save her unicorn, and in their quest they discover some stuff about Ellie’s mysterious background and how deep their love for each other truly goes.
The setting is so interesting, it’s not the medieval fantasy you go in expecting in most adaptations, and has a lot of modern elements that go very well with the magic, almost like it’s an alternate universe of our own world, which makes the set-up of our story involving a magical creature zoo so much more enjoyable.
I finished this book feeling sad that Faraway Castle doesn’t actually exist but the closest I can get to visiting it is to see it again, in new ways, through the eyes of the heroines of the next few books in the series. And I will do just that!
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April 9, 2018💝 FREE on Amazon today (4/9/2018)!💝
Blurb:
Enter the world of Faraway Castle and live the magic . . . and the romance!
Serving as Controller of Magical Creatures at the illustrious Faraway Castle resort, Ellie Calmer knows her place. She is a servant, and she has no business thinking about handsome Prince Omar, a regular visitor at the resort, much less talking to him!
But then a unicorn on the resort grounds attacks a party of riders, frightening the guests, and a band of young and adventurous nobles decide to hunt it down. Suddenly Ellie needs Omar's help. She knows something must be wrong to have driven the unicorn to such desperate extremes. Can she and Omar find the unicorn before it's too late? And will she somehow protect her heart against the irresistible attraction she feels for the kind and gentle prince?
Blurb:
Enter the world of Faraway Castle and live the magic . . . and the romance!
Serving as Controller of Magical Creatures at the illustrious Faraway Castle resort, Ellie Calmer knows her place. She is a servant, and she has no business thinking about handsome Prince Omar, a regular visitor at the resort, much less talking to him!
But then a unicorn on the resort grounds attacks a party of riders, frightening the guests, and a band of young and adventurous nobles decide to hunt it down. Suddenly Ellie needs Omar's help. She knows something must be wrong to have driven the unicorn to such desperate extremes. Can she and Omar find the unicorn before it's too late? And will she somehow protect her heart against the irresistible attraction she feels for the kind and gentle prince?
March 20, 2019
"Sweet" and "heartwarming" aren't usually descriptions that can be used of the books I enjoy, but there are times in everyone's life when one just needs to read something totally sweet and fluffy and comforting, and this hit that particular spot for me this week. This is a book that is the equivalent of being wrapped in a soft, fluffy bedspread and having a friend hand you a cup of hot chocolate and then sit down and pat your hand for a while.
March 30, 2018
I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
But I can unhesitatingly say I loved it! This story was a fun retelling of Cinderella, had lots of allusions to the original story, but wasn’t a rigid retelling, so there was lots of room to play.
There were stepsister figures, a stepmother figure, obviously a prince, glass slippers, magic, and a ball.
I remarked to my husband that a good story makes you get excited about a possibility and then gives it to you. That was definitely me with one of the twists in the story. “Wouldn’t it be cool if...?” “I’ll bet that’s what’s going on!” “I totally called it!”
I am looking forward to more in this series. There were definitely hints of the Siren and the Scholar, and I believe I also Met the Beast character for a Beauty and the Beast retelling, which is my favorite fairy tale.
But I can unhesitatingly say I loved it! This story was a fun retelling of Cinderella, had lots of allusions to the original story, but wasn’t a rigid retelling, so there was lots of room to play.
There were stepsister figures, a stepmother figure, obviously a prince, glass slippers, magic, and a ball.
I remarked to my husband that a good story makes you get excited about a possibility and then gives it to you. That was definitely me with one of the twists in the story. “Wouldn’t it be cool if...?” “I’ll bet that’s what’s going on!” “I totally called it!”
I am looking forward to more in this series. There were definitely hints of the Siren and the Scholar, and I believe I also Met the Beast character for a Beauty and the Beast retelling, which is my favorite fairy tale.
August 20, 2018
I loved Ellie and the Prince! Our main character is sweet and kind with a powerful gift. She's head over heels in a forbidden love too. This story is light, edited to perfection, and filled with characters that will melt your heart.
My favorite is Geraldo. He never ceases to make me smile.
I would definitely recommend this book. And I dare say, it's the perfect read for the twelve-year-old daughter wanting to branch into the world of YA books. I would let my nine-year-olds read it if they could.
Thank you for the lovely story!
My favorite is Geraldo. He never ceases to make me smile.
I would definitely recommend this book. And I dare say, it's the perfect read for the twelve-year-old daughter wanting to branch into the world of YA books. I would let my nine-year-olds read it if they could.
Thank you for the lovely story!
December 20, 2019
Very sweet story
This book was so darling. The characters were sweet and lovable, and the plot was simple but had many surprising twists I didn’t see coming. I especially loved how it wasn’t just a Cinderella story, but that multiple fairytales cleverly wove together. Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, possibly Sleeping Beauty...I cant wait to read the next book!!
Oh and the adorable animals!!! Don’t get me started on Cinder Sprites!!
This book was so darling. The characters were sweet and lovable, and the plot was simple but had many surprising twists I didn’t see coming. I especially loved how it wasn’t just a Cinderella story, but that multiple fairytales cleverly wove together. Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, possibly Sleeping Beauty...I cant wait to read the next book!!
Oh and the adorable animals!!! Don’t get me started on Cinder Sprites!!
May 7, 2020
This was a fun Cinder-ella story! My second book by J.M. Stengl and first stand-alone.
I enjoyed that this "broke" the mold for traditional Cinderella stories. Although, I felt the romance part a bit lacking for my taste. This is a modern fantasy. So, don't think you're going to find the standard tropes! You won't be wanting them after you read this anyway!
Ellie does not live in the home of her evil stepmother & stepsisters. She, in fact, has a job as a magical creature rescuer at a fancy resort for the rich & famous. Nice twist! Yes, there are unicorns but I found the sprites to steal the show!! I loved those little ones!
And then prince Omar. He was cute. Not necessarily in looks but in attitude. Here comes "prince charming" as a mathematician and extremely shy! Is he hounded by the "elite" in his kingdom? Well, it wouldn't be Cinderella if there weren't mean girls fighting over him.
I liked how Ms. Stengl added the Disney title "Cinder Ellie" into the read. It was adorable, especially coming from all of Omar's siblings!
Then, the biggest twist of all was the griffin and their bizarre ways! I liked that Ellie still arrived in the coach and horses while others arrived in limousines! Cherry on top!
Give this one a go! It was super cute and fun!! I liked all the supposed trouble our heroine found herself in by the "evil" director at the resort.
I enjoyed that this "broke" the mold for traditional Cinderella stories. Although, I felt the romance part a bit lacking for my taste. This is a modern fantasy. So, don't think you're going to find the standard tropes! You won't be wanting them after you read this anyway!
Ellie does not live in the home of her evil stepmother & stepsisters. She, in fact, has a job as a magical creature rescuer at a fancy resort for the rich & famous. Nice twist! Yes, there are unicorns but I found the sprites to steal the show!! I loved those little ones!
And then prince Omar. He was cute. Not necessarily in looks but in attitude. Here comes "prince charming" as a mathematician and extremely shy! Is he hounded by the "elite" in his kingdom? Well, it wouldn't be Cinderella if there weren't mean girls fighting over him.
I liked how Ms. Stengl added the Disney title "Cinder Ellie" into the read. It was adorable, especially coming from all of Omar's siblings!
Then, the biggest twist of all was the griffin and their bizarre ways! I liked that Ellie still arrived in the coach and horses while others arrived in limousines! Cherry on top!
Give this one a go! It was super cute and fun!! I liked all the supposed trouble our heroine found herself in by the "evil" director at the resort.
May 29, 2021
This was a really cute book! Quite enjoyed it. The reasons why I didn't give it five stars:
-romance was a bit too insta-love and I dunno, unrealistic? Don't get me wrong though, I thought Ellie and Omar were adorable. :)
-a bit predictable.
I thought the characters were pretty well written, and the world building and the more 'modern' aspect to the story was great.
I will definitely be reading the next books in the series!
4.5 stars
-romance was a bit too insta-love and I dunno, unrealistic? Don't get me wrong though, I thought Ellie and Omar were adorable. :)
-a bit predictable.
I thought the characters were pretty well written, and the world building and the more 'modern' aspect to the story was great.
I will definitely be reading the next books in the series!
4.5 stars
July 28, 2021
A slightly modernized Cinderella retelling!
-This is the first book I have read by this author and I can confidently say that J.M. Stengl is sure to be on my list of "favorite authors".😁😉
Looking forward to reading the rest of this series🤩 and any of her future works!
Clean Rating 5/5
Squeaky clean!
-This is the first book I have read by this author and I can confidently say that J.M. Stengl is sure to be on my list of "favorite authors".😁😉
Looking forward to reading the rest of this series🤩 and any of her future works!
Clean Rating 5/5
Squeaky clean!
September 15, 2019
2.5 stars. A cute but really sappy instalove retelling of Cinderella (which to be fair, is faithful to the original story). Everyone knows the ending of a fairy tale, so it is the characters and the writing that make the story stand out. Neither were remarkable in this case. The main characters weren't particularly interesting or distinct. I'm curious about the fate of the other characters, but not enough to read the sequel.
May 31, 2021
I ended up dnf‘ing this one. It started out so good—all the humor and fun—but got repetitive over time as the plot disintegrated. I may come back to it later, but at this point I won’t be continuing.
dnf’ed around 76%
dnf’ed around 76%
April 26, 2020
A wonderfully sweet and original retelling of Cinderella with unexpected twists and turns and romance.
April 28, 2018
The authors I started following from the Entwined Tales Launch Party led me to the discovery of a brand new fairy tale book series, Faraway Castle by J. M. Stengl. As it turns out, her writing style is a perfect match for me. Her books are fast-paced and take place in a magical yet modern setting with a light-hearted tone and lovable characters. The series kicks off with two introductory novellas that can each be completed in about an hour. Cinder Ellie sets up Ellie's backstory for the first novel, Ellie and the Prince, and The Little Siren, which is available for free upon signing up for the author's mailing list, introduces a romance between a mermaid and a human that will take place in the second official novel in the series, The Siren and the Scholar. There is so much to love about this series that I'm not even sure where to begin.
Ellie and the Prince, the first official novel in the Faraway Castle series, tells the story of Ellie Calmer, who was selected to help keep the magical creatures at Faraway Castle under control thanks to her supernatural abilities to calm others with the sound of her voice. Her specialty in this role, as introduced in the prequel, Cindere Ellie, is trapping "cinder sprites," small rodent-like beings that burst into flames when they are scared or intimidated. As a magical animal rights activist of sorts, Ellie invents a spray that puts out the creatures' fires while still allowing them to stay alive. She contains the cinder sprites in small glass capsules to make sure they can't harm anyone with their fiery mischief so the guests at Faraway Castle remain happy during their stay. The castle itself is more of a vacation resort for royalty than an actual royal castle. As an employee there, Ellie sees guests come and go and makes sure that the magical beings that only she and a small handful of other people can see don't disturb anyone.
Even though the story takes place in a world of royalty and enchantment, the setting is surprisingly modern. The characters are often described as wearing clothing such as jeans and t-shirts. I thought that was a clever idea that made the world of Faraway Castle very unique. If princess stories take place in other worlds that are full of magic, why must they always be set during the medieval or Rennaissance era? After all, they aren't meant to be historical fiction. Faraway Castle is set in a very gentle fantasy land devoid of terrifying monsters or dark mages. It reminded me of the land of Avalon from the series Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders or Centopia from Mia and Me, a friendly world full of magic and wonder that would be a lot of fun to visit. This type of pleasant escapism is exactly the sort of thing I look for in my fantasy tales.
The princes of J. M. Stengl's world also have more of a modern appeal than the vapid Prince Charmings of the past. Today's generation prefers men who are gentle and nerdy and willing to let women take the initiative. That is exactly how Prince Omar behaves. Even though he clearly has feelings for Ellie, he is too nervous to talk to her and tries to place himself in as many situations as he can where she would need to talk to him to make it easier for him to cope with his anxiety. Though Ellie is aware of his feelings, she tries to be as standoffish as possible because she doesn't feel that she is worthy of a prince as a mere servant of Faraway Castle. This makes for an adorably awkward relationship that is a lot more fun to read about than a charming prince sweeping a beautiful princess off her feet at first sight. Torbjorn and Kamoana from The Little Siren behave in a similar demeanor. I found their romance even more enjoyable because I love stories about supernatural beings falling in love with ordinary men.
There is so much to love about the world of Faraway Castle. The books are full of magic, wonder, cute, awkward romance, and read quickly during a busy day. They are the perfect escape from the monotony of everyday life. The next book in the series, The Siren and the Scholar comes out next week! I am extremely eager to read about how things turn out for the lovely siren Kamoana and her nerdy boyfriend, Torbjorn. If you're looking for a light-hearted escape from everyday life, you should absolutely check out the Faraway Castle series by J. M. Stengl. It's just like our world but better because it's filled with fantasy and fun.
Ellie and the Prince, the first official novel in the Faraway Castle series, tells the story of Ellie Calmer, who was selected to help keep the magical creatures at Faraway Castle under control thanks to her supernatural abilities to calm others with the sound of her voice. Her specialty in this role, as introduced in the prequel, Cindere Ellie, is trapping "cinder sprites," small rodent-like beings that burst into flames when they are scared or intimidated. As a magical animal rights activist of sorts, Ellie invents a spray that puts out the creatures' fires while still allowing them to stay alive. She contains the cinder sprites in small glass capsules to make sure they can't harm anyone with their fiery mischief so the guests at Faraway Castle remain happy during their stay. The castle itself is more of a vacation resort for royalty than an actual royal castle. As an employee there, Ellie sees guests come and go and makes sure that the magical beings that only she and a small handful of other people can see don't disturb anyone.
Even though the story takes place in a world of royalty and enchantment, the setting is surprisingly modern. The characters are often described as wearing clothing such as jeans and t-shirts. I thought that was a clever idea that made the world of Faraway Castle very unique. If princess stories take place in other worlds that are full of magic, why must they always be set during the medieval or Rennaissance era? After all, they aren't meant to be historical fiction. Faraway Castle is set in a very gentle fantasy land devoid of terrifying monsters or dark mages. It reminded me of the land of Avalon from the series Princess Gwenevere and the Jewel Riders or Centopia from Mia and Me, a friendly world full of magic and wonder that would be a lot of fun to visit. This type of pleasant escapism is exactly the sort of thing I look for in my fantasy tales.
The princes of J. M. Stengl's world also have more of a modern appeal than the vapid Prince Charmings of the past. Today's generation prefers men who are gentle and nerdy and willing to let women take the initiative. That is exactly how Prince Omar behaves. Even though he clearly has feelings for Ellie, he is too nervous to talk to her and tries to place himself in as many situations as he can where she would need to talk to him to make it easier for him to cope with his anxiety. Though Ellie is aware of his feelings, she tries to be as standoffish as possible because she doesn't feel that she is worthy of a prince as a mere servant of Faraway Castle. This makes for an adorably awkward relationship that is a lot more fun to read about than a charming prince sweeping a beautiful princess off her feet at first sight. Torbjorn and Kamoana from The Little Siren behave in a similar demeanor. I found their romance even more enjoyable because I love stories about supernatural beings falling in love with ordinary men.
There is so much to love about the world of Faraway Castle. The books are full of magic, wonder, cute, awkward romance, and read quickly during a busy day. They are the perfect escape from the monotony of everyday life. The next book in the series, The Siren and the Scholar comes out next week! I am extremely eager to read about how things turn out for the lovely siren Kamoana and her nerdy boyfriend, Torbjorn. If you're looking for a light-hearted escape from everyday life, you should absolutely check out the Faraway Castle series by J. M. Stengl. It's just like our world but better because it's filled with fantasy and fun.
April 2, 2018
3.5 stars
Ellie and the Prince is the first novel in the FARAWAY CASTLE series by J.M. Stengl. It was quite a cute tale with lots of intriguing creatures, some lovely characters, and a few fun twists. As the cover implies rather nicely, this book is a light fairy tale retelling. It has a modern-day sort of setting, but with a heavy fantasy thread. If you haven't figured out, it's a retelling of Cinderella ... And yes, I enjoyed it!
I'll mention this again, this series has more of a magical theme than the fantasy/fairy tale books I usually read. But it's not at all dark/creepy. The magical powers almost appear to symbolize natural talents or gifts and I found myself enjoying how some of that played out. Other aspects of it still came across as a little weird. But overall I didn't have a problem with it.
Oh my goodness ... and now I think I'm rather in love with cinder sprites! The author did such a good job with the description of these sweet, furry creatures and they stole my heart! *grins* The unicorns were fun, too.
I really enjoyed Prince Omar as a character once more. And his siblings are utterly adorable! Love them so much. His big brother relationship with them is precious. And, not to mention, Ellie's interactions with them.
Also, loved the mentions of Tor and the little siren. I can hardly wait for the continuation of their story! *tries to smother excited squeals*
And the big twist! And another certain character! I just love how that all played out.
Ellie and the Prince was a relatively easy and fast-paced read. I flew through a lot of it - it keeping my interest effortlessly. The last piece of the book lagged a tad, but it was a very cute ending that had me sighing in sweet satisfaction.
Now to read The Siren and the Scholar!
Ellie and the Prince is the first novel in the FARAWAY CASTLE series by J.M. Stengl. It was quite a cute tale with lots of intriguing creatures, some lovely characters, and a few fun twists. As the cover implies rather nicely, this book is a light fairy tale retelling. It has a modern-day sort of setting, but with a heavy fantasy thread. If you haven't figured out, it's a retelling of Cinderella ... And yes, I enjoyed it!
I'll mention this again, this series has more of a magical theme than the fantasy/fairy tale books I usually read. But it's not at all dark/creepy. The magical powers almost appear to symbolize natural talents or gifts and I found myself enjoying how some of that played out. Other aspects of it still came across as a little weird. But overall I didn't have a problem with it.
Oh my goodness ... and now I think I'm rather in love with cinder sprites! The author did such a good job with the description of these sweet, furry creatures and they stole my heart! *grins* The unicorns were fun, too.
I really enjoyed Prince Omar as a character once more. And his siblings are utterly adorable! Love them so much. His big brother relationship with them is precious. And, not to mention, Ellie's interactions with them.
Also, loved the mentions of Tor and the little siren. I can hardly wait for the continuation of their story! *tries to smother excited squeals*
And the big twist! And another certain character! I just love how that all played out.
Ellie and the Prince was a relatively easy and fast-paced read. I flew through a lot of it - it keeping my interest effortlessly. The last piece of the book lagged a tad, but it was a very cute ending that had me sighing in sweet satisfaction.
Now to read The Siren and the Scholar!
April 17, 2018
This book has everything I want in a fairytale: romance, adventure, courageous heroines, kind heroes, princes in more than just blood. I love fairytales, and any retellings, and this author is proving to be a new favorite of mine. Ellie is a great beginning to this series. She's a hard worker with a kind heart, everything you'd expect from a 'Cinderella' character, except the fact that she has magic. She helps everyone she can, even if her friendship with some of the royals extends a bit beyond what a resort worker should. Then there's Omar, kind, shy, and absolutely adorable with his little siblings, who fully believe that Ellie is the best person ever. Their relationship is so sweet to watch, each knowing that their positions aren't exactly ideal to be together, but drawn to each other none-the-less. Though there's quite a bit of adorable awkwardness, there's also a great connection, especially when they have to band together to save some magical creatures. Throw in a mysterious character who's head of all magical creatures, a sulky head of the resort, a troublemaking prince, and a flirtatious one, and this book is a recipe for fun. I especially love the mix of magic and fairytale style culture with a modern-day resort. All together, this is a book I highly recommend and I cannot wait for the next one!
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 9, 2018
I have only read this book once and loved it! I admired the cover the whole time! YES, there are unicorns, but there are several other magical creatures AND we learn about Ellie's background in this one because she has no memory of who she is.
We also get a glimpse of Tor trying to get into the Siren island and Ellie risks herself more than once to rescue him. Can't wait to read his story in the sequel!
Omar is a true hero in this story, he makes his intentions known to Ellie and is willing to risk everything to be with her.
My favorite part is at the end as the Gamekeeper creature travels with Ellie to his haven and she is able to get answers and then gets a makeover. The entire conclusion was incredible and I was thrilled with not just the happy ending but also the story's parallels to the actual fairy tale of Cinderella. The author is brilliant in making Faraway Castle so vivid yet filled with mischief. Loved Ellie and her heart for this place!
We also get a glimpse of Tor trying to get into the Siren island and Ellie risks herself more than once to rescue him. Can't wait to read his story in the sequel!
Omar is a true hero in this story, he makes his intentions known to Ellie and is willing to risk everything to be with her.
My favorite part is at the end as the Gamekeeper creature travels with Ellie to his haven and she is able to get answers and then gets a makeover. The entire conclusion was incredible and I was thrilled with not just the happy ending but also the story's parallels to the actual fairy tale of Cinderella. The author is brilliant in making Faraway Castle so vivid yet filled with mischief. Loved Ellie and her heart for this place!
July 2, 2019
Cute but occasionally annoying
This was a fun read but the story unfolded in a jerky almost annoying way. This is one story that would actually benefit from being longer and more detailed. Parts are just told not really described. It was like I was reading the ideas of a story instead of a finished book. There is no real character development. Also it seemed as if this was written to a much younger audience. The dialogue was dreadful in places. This was an interesting story but could have been written better in my opinion. Still I recommend it as a quick fun read for fans of retold fairytales.
This was a fun read but the story unfolded in a jerky almost annoying way. This is one story that would actually benefit from being longer and more detailed. Parts are just told not really described. It was like I was reading the ideas of a story instead of a finished book. There is no real character development. Also it seemed as if this was written to a much younger audience. The dialogue was dreadful in places. This was an interesting story but could have been written better in my opinion. Still I recommend it as a quick fun read for fans of retold fairytales.
March 7, 2018
Couldn’t put this book down! I love fairy tale retellings and Stengl has done a brilliant job turning the humdrum old Cinderella tale into an exciting romp of magical creatures, spoiled stuck up nobility, and a true love story that goes so much deeper than a beautiful girl showing up at ball!
Each story in this series (at this point, I’ve read The Little Siren and Cinder Ellie) is a great stand alone, but the intricacies mean that I’m already guessing what characters are going to pop up as main characters in future tales!
Each story in this series (at this point, I’ve read The Little Siren and Cinder Ellie) is a great stand alone, but the intricacies mean that I’m already guessing what characters are going to pop up as main characters in future tales!
February 25, 2018
Wow! I was thoroughly captivated with this book and could not put it down. It is a Cinderella re-telling based on the original, but not strict to it. I loved the changes and all the characters.
Ellie is such a strong character you can't help but fall in love with her. Full of Kindness!
This is Book one in an upcoming series. There are several hints of what the other books in the series will be about. I picked up on a few! I can't wait for the next book!
Ellie is such a strong character you can't help but fall in love with her. Full of Kindness!
This is Book one in an upcoming series. There are several hints of what the other books in the series will be about. I picked up on a few! I can't wait for the next book!
August 28, 2018
Sweet and clean fairy tale. Ellie works at a castle resort for the rich. She has a bit of magic that helps her to keep the critters under control, and soon she is promoted to a higher position, something that causes trouble for her. Then there is the shy Prince who likes her - but she isn't of his class! It's just a delightful tale that gives us suspense as well as an escape from the "real" world!
February 7, 2019
I'd give this 3.5 stars if I could. Quite cute, and I enjoyed all the magical creatures and the beautiful fairytale castle setting. Omar came off as a bit wimpy at times, but I loved the witty Briar (a guy who appears as a main character in book 3!) and the mysterious Gamekeeper (I hope we'll see him in a future book!).
August 27, 2018
Really enjoyed this book. Full of cute characters. Couldn't put it down.
August 28, 2020
Cute
Could have had more. Just more. And maybe it will in the next book. There were lots of side stories going on.
Could have had more. Just more. And maybe it will in the next book. There were lots of side stories going on.
January 24, 2022
Hey everyone! The BOXSET kindle edition for the first three books of this series is FREE this weekend on Amazon! Please be sure to check it out!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MK3RGZ6/...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07MK3RGZ6/...
March 5, 2022
This sucked me in with a humorously sweet and awkward opening. I found the whole story to be delightfully addictive. Omar and Ellie have had a crush on each other for six years. Both have guarded themselves well enough to keep the other from realizing. I highly appreciated Ellie's actions and decisions in light of her feelings. I give the purity standards in this book 4 stars. Unnecessary touch was minimal. There was kissing after the proposal.
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