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The Wordmage's Tales #3
The Artist and His Muse
It is dawn. One man stands upon a ladder, putting the final touches on his greatest work, smiling at the addition of a woman, huddled in a red cloak. With a flourish, he makes the last stroke of his brush and steps down to admire his masterpiece. The character he added draws the eye into the world of trees and hills. It is perfect and he knows his career is made.
He glances around but the woman who inspired perfection isn't there. Only a folded red cloak rests on the rock where she sat earlier. Picking up the cold fabric, the artist sighs. He must find her because he knows his life, and his creativity, will never be complete without the mysterious woman's presence. But first, he must meet a duke and receive his reward for achieving the impossible.
The Artist and His Muse is one of The Wordmage's Tales, accompanying The Apprentice Storyteller. The apprentice has learned from master storyteller, Viola Alerion, and now he performs these classic tales from the Haldrian Empire in his own right.
He glances around but the woman who inspired perfection isn't there. Only a folded red cloak rests on the rock where she sat earlier. Picking up the cold fabric, the artist sighs. He must find her because he knows his life, and his creativity, will never be complete without the mysterious woman's presence. But first, he must meet a duke and receive his reward for achieving the impossible.
The Artist and His Muse is one of The Wordmage's Tales, accompanying The Apprentice Storyteller. The apprentice has learned from master storyteller, Viola Alerion, and now he performs these classic tales from the Haldrian Empire in his own right.
- GenresFantasy
80 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 30, 2021
10 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
May 27, 2021
'Perfection can only be attained when you push yourself to your limit, stretch and reach beyond that limit, and then do your very best merely for the sake of trying. You can do this, but you must believe it is possible.'
The Artist and His Muse is one of The Wordmage's Tales, accompanying The Apprentice Storyteller. The apprentice has learned from master storyteller, Viola Alerion, and now he performs these classic tales from the Haldrian Empire in his own right.
This 'story in a story' is connected to The Apprentice Storyteller through the presence of the storytellers themselves but can be easily read as a standalone.
Jo (Viola’s apprentice) starts to tell a tale of an artist trying to accomplish a seemingly impossible task and finding a muse to inspire him along the way. Young artist Othenio, famous for his talent, dreams of becoming the personal painter of a famous duke. A respected position that all artists covet but none were able to acquire. The duke has a special test the artists must pass before he'll consider hiring them and Othenio is determined to succeed. To do that however, he must paint something extraordinary and regardless of how good his work is, something seems to be missing. An elusive something he cannot figure out. Until a bedraggled young woman dressed in rags points it out.
Darla lives her life as a scavenger on the streets. Dirty and bedraggled, she is someone most people avoid and prefer to not see. And yet, when she is drawn to Othenio's painting and tells him what she thinks may be the missing piece, the young artist sees her. Not her filthy clothes or her bedraggled appearance, but her as a human being.
'There was something about her. She was more than she appeared, and it intrigued him.'
With the inspiration Darla provides, Othenio achieves the impossible. He passes the Duke's test. But looses sight of Darla in the process. And that is how their story begins.
The experience changes Othenio and forces him to realise the dream of becoming the duke's painter is meaningless when he's left something more important slip through his grasp. The mysterious woman who inspired him and seemed to be so much more than her appearance suggested.
While Darla is faced with perhaps the hardest choice of her life when she decides to take a chance and help a desperate man get back up on his feet.
Beautifully written and with an ethereal feel, the story of Othenio and Darla is one of those inspiring tales for the heart. It speaks of love, in it's purest form - that connection between two souls without sexual attraction. It tells you about chances taken and dreams pursued but most of all, about embracing one's true self, faults and all, and using that as a step stone to reach a better future. It talks about pain embraced and regrets faced, about having the courage and determination to take a chance and embrace change, even when it's terrifying, and also face those deepest inner fears, all in an altruistic gesture - to help another soul.
The Artist and His Muse is a poignant character driven story that's both evocative and inspiring. Beautiful, elegant, ethereal.
I read it in one sitting and highly recommend it to all fantasy lovers who appreciate beauty and meaning in their tales.
Happy reading everyone
and remember,
"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."
- Pablo Picasso
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
The Artist and His Muse is one of The Wordmage's Tales, accompanying The Apprentice Storyteller. The apprentice has learned from master storyteller, Viola Alerion, and now he performs these classic tales from the Haldrian Empire in his own right.
This 'story in a story' is connected to The Apprentice Storyteller through the presence of the storytellers themselves but can be easily read as a standalone.
Jo (Viola’s apprentice) starts to tell a tale of an artist trying to accomplish a seemingly impossible task and finding a muse to inspire him along the way. Young artist Othenio, famous for his talent, dreams of becoming the personal painter of a famous duke. A respected position that all artists covet but none were able to acquire. The duke has a special test the artists must pass before he'll consider hiring them and Othenio is determined to succeed. To do that however, he must paint something extraordinary and regardless of how good his work is, something seems to be missing. An elusive something he cannot figure out. Until a bedraggled young woman dressed in rags points it out.
Darla lives her life as a scavenger on the streets. Dirty and bedraggled, she is someone most people avoid and prefer to not see. And yet, when she is drawn to Othenio's painting and tells him what she thinks may be the missing piece, the young artist sees her. Not her filthy clothes or her bedraggled appearance, but her as a human being.
'There was something about her. She was more than she appeared, and it intrigued him.'
With the inspiration Darla provides, Othenio achieves the impossible. He passes the Duke's test. But looses sight of Darla in the process. And that is how their story begins.
The experience changes Othenio and forces him to realise the dream of becoming the duke's painter is meaningless when he's left something more important slip through his grasp. The mysterious woman who inspired him and seemed to be so much more than her appearance suggested.
While Darla is faced with perhaps the hardest choice of her life when she decides to take a chance and help a desperate man get back up on his feet.
Beautifully written and with an ethereal feel, the story of Othenio and Darla is one of those inspiring tales for the heart. It speaks of love, in it's purest form - that connection between two souls without sexual attraction. It tells you about chances taken and dreams pursued but most of all, about embracing one's true self, faults and all, and using that as a step stone to reach a better future. It talks about pain embraced and regrets faced, about having the courage and determination to take a chance and embrace change, even when it's terrifying, and also face those deepest inner fears, all in an altruistic gesture - to help another soul.
The Artist and His Muse is a poignant character driven story that's both evocative and inspiring. Beautiful, elegant, ethereal.
I read it in one sitting and highly recommend it to all fantasy lovers who appreciate beauty and meaning in their tales.
Happy reading everyone
and remember,
"The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away."
- Pablo Picasso
Find this review and more on my book review and cover art blog The Magic Book Corner
August 3, 2022
The Artist and His Muse is a tale that the apprentice, Jo, learns from his Master in The Apprentice Storyteller. Having recently read The Apprentice Storyteller, I appreciated this story even more. However, this story is a quick read that can be enjoyed by anyone.
The Artist and His Muse follows the journey of a kind, but short-tempered artist and the mysterious scavenger woman who inspires him. This story is beautifully written. The rich, vivid imagery is gorgeous. I also loved the characters in enjoyed following their journey as they each matured, overcame demons, and discovered who they were destined to be.
Overall, I found the Artist and His Muse to be a wonderful story of friendship and platonic love. I look forward to reading more tales from this series.
The Artist and His Muse follows the journey of a kind, but short-tempered artist and the mysterious scavenger woman who inspires him. This story is beautifully written. The rich, vivid imagery is gorgeous. I also loved the characters in enjoyed following their journey as they each matured, overcame demons, and discovered who they were destined to be.
Overall, I found the Artist and His Muse to be a wonderful story of friendship and platonic love. I look forward to reading more tales from this series.
May 4, 2021
I received an arc copy of The Artist and His Muse for an honest review.
I was not familiar with the authors work. The book being part of The Wordmage Tales series with some characters from book one apparently appear in this book.
This is the tale of Darla and Othenio. The story starts with a storyteller telling the tale to a group of children.
It has a very old time feel about the setting. It was a charming story about the development of the two main characters. How they meet and gain each others trust. It did not take me long to read this. Having very quickly gotten invested with their stories and what happens to them. I read the book in one sitting.
If you like a good story with strong main characters then I recommend you give this author a try.
I was not familiar with the authors work. The book being part of The Wordmage Tales series with some characters from book one apparently appear in this book.
This is the tale of Darla and Othenio. The story starts with a storyteller telling the tale to a group of children.
It has a very old time feel about the setting. It was a charming story about the development of the two main characters. How they meet and gain each others trust. It did not take me long to read this. Having very quickly gotten invested with their stories and what happens to them. I read the book in one sitting.
If you like a good story with strong main characters then I recommend you give this author a try.
April 30, 2021
Love is love, and real love possesses the power to save us all. Such is the case with Othenio and Dee, people on opposite ends of the spectrum who find within the other the peace they've so desperately longed for. Many think a love story must incorporate romantic love, but love exists in many a fashion, and this tale speaks of a love that will undoubtedly stand the test of time.
I'm a lifelong fan of Astrid's, her boundless imagination and ability to weave tapestries of stories from her words a gift rarely seen in today's world. I've said it before, she is a word painter. Every story has layers of morals and lessons to glean, her characters so believable and lifelike you wonder if they won't jump off the page.
It's a true pleasure to read her works, and The Artist and His Muse is a wonderful addition to my collection.
I'm a lifelong fan of Astrid's, her boundless imagination and ability to weave tapestries of stories from her words a gift rarely seen in today's world. I've said it before, she is a word painter. Every story has layers of morals and lessons to glean, her characters so believable and lifelike you wonder if they won't jump off the page.
It's a true pleasure to read her works, and The Artist and His Muse is a wonderful addition to my collection.
July 28, 2021
This story tells us what happens when two broken people find each other. It pulls at your heartstrings and leaves you feeling overwhelmed. At least that's what it did to me.
The beautiful prose captured my attention from the first page itself. The love explored in this book is beyond anything I've ever read or seen. What Darla and Othenio share is more than friendship, but it's not about romance or sexual attraction. They were just there for each other, helping the other person heal.
The relationship described is not something I can explain in a few words. People will have to read it themselves and experience the beauty of it.
The book is set in the Haldrian Empire where Jo, an apprentice storyteller is narrating these stories to others. At first, I didn't think much about the book. I got it for free on kindle and randomly picked it up to read. I'm awed by the quality of writing and definitely going to read the other books in the series.
The main series is described as futuristic fantasy and this is a spin-off novella. It gave me historical vibes so, I recommend it to people who enjoy both or either genre.
The beautiful prose captured my attention from the first page itself. The love explored in this book is beyond anything I've ever read or seen. What Darla and Othenio share is more than friendship, but it's not about romance or sexual attraction. They were just there for each other, helping the other person heal.
The relationship described is not something I can explain in a few words. People will have to read it themselves and experience the beauty of it.
The book is set in the Haldrian Empire where Jo, an apprentice storyteller is narrating these stories to others. At first, I didn't think much about the book. I got it for free on kindle and randomly picked it up to read. I'm awed by the quality of writing and definitely going to read the other books in the series.
The main series is described as futuristic fantasy and this is a spin-off novella. It gave me historical vibes so, I recommend it to people who enjoy both or either genre.
April 30, 2021
The Artist and His Muse, part of the Wordmage’s tale, has a special place in my heart as I had the opportunity to name to characters in the story, and for his I’ll be forever grateful to Astrid!
In this fantastic series we follow our storytellers around the kingdom where using their incredible abilities entertain kids and adults with their stories.
In The Artist and His Muse, Jo (Viola’s apprentice), start narrating the story of a Duke who was in need of a painter, but it seems an impossible task for his soldiers, cause no one seemed meeting the Duke’s expectation. Until a young artist Othenio, take on the challenge and with the help of a mysterious woman manages to please the demanding Duke.
But unfortunately a greater challenge awaits, which drains our artist of all his energy, until he finds comfort on the woman again..
The bond between Othenio and Darla is absolutely platonic and not sexual, and it warmed my heart to see how both could find solace and strength in each other. Our mysterious woman is definitely a complex character, and her past has been definitely a difficult one and she doesn’t seem able to let it go.
What I love the most about Astrid is her capacity to set the scene and creating memorable characters, but especially, how she manages to always include profound teachings.
Probably only thing I would have like to see more of was Dijana, she seemed initially an important part of the story, but then she just disappears in the midst of it.
Definitely looking forward to the next novella in the series!
In this fantastic series we follow our storytellers around the kingdom where using their incredible abilities entertain kids and adults with their stories.
In The Artist and His Muse, Jo (Viola’s apprentice), start narrating the story of a Duke who was in need of a painter, but it seems an impossible task for his soldiers, cause no one seemed meeting the Duke’s expectation. Until a young artist Othenio, take on the challenge and with the help of a mysterious woman manages to please the demanding Duke.
But unfortunately a greater challenge awaits, which drains our artist of all his energy, until he finds comfort on the woman again..
The bond between Othenio and Darla is absolutely platonic and not sexual, and it warmed my heart to see how both could find solace and strength in each other. Our mysterious woman is definitely a complex character, and her past has been definitely a difficult one and she doesn’t seem able to let it go.
What I love the most about Astrid is her capacity to set the scene and creating memorable characters, but especially, how she manages to always include profound teachings.
Probably only thing I would have like to see more of was Dijana, she seemed initially an important part of the story, but then she just disappears in the midst of it.
Definitely looking forward to the next novella in the series!
April 30, 2021
Another beautifully written story by Astrid V.J. 🥰 The Artist & His Muse is an accompanying novella to The Storyteller’s Apprentice (which I also 100% recommend you go and read!) If you’re looking for a quick, uplifting story, this one is perfect. I read it in a single sitting and absolutely loved getting to know these complex characters, even in such a short expanse of pages.
April 28, 2021
The artist and his muse is part of the wordmage’s tales’ series, they entail amazing stories told by storytellers. In the Wishmaster series you can read all about the storytellers themselves and their journey, and this series of novellas focusses on their beautiful tales. They can all be read as standalones, but I definitely recommend reading all of it as this really adds to the experience.
Jo, apprentice of master storyteller Viola Alerion is starting a story for the children, he is learning the art of storytelling. Do you know the tale of the artist and his muse? They are at Jo’s lips!
This tale tells the story of a duke, in search of a new painter. It seems impossible to please him and he thinks of a test to make sure which artist is good enough. For a long time, no one passes, until Othenio shows up. Thanks to a mysterious woman, he passes the first part. The second part seems even harder and is sucking the life energy out of him, but then they meet again. That woman…
Othenio and the woman (Darla) share a very unique bond. They save and help each other and find their purpose. But there is much more to Darla then it seems. Mysteries slowly unravel as their bond grows ever stronger. Great plot with much detail for the characters and their relation to each other and atmosphere in the story. As Astrid always does, she paints the whole world and its characters greatly and I really enjoyed this story. Let’s look out for the next one!
Jo, apprentice of master storyteller Viola Alerion is starting a story for the children, he is learning the art of storytelling. Do you know the tale of the artist and his muse? They are at Jo’s lips!
This tale tells the story of a duke, in search of a new painter. It seems impossible to please him and he thinks of a test to make sure which artist is good enough. For a long time, no one passes, until Othenio shows up. Thanks to a mysterious woman, he passes the first part. The second part seems even harder and is sucking the life energy out of him, but then they meet again. That woman…
Othenio and the woman (Darla) share a very unique bond. They save and help each other and find their purpose. But there is much more to Darla then it seems. Mysteries slowly unravel as their bond grows ever stronger. Great plot with much detail for the characters and their relation to each other and atmosphere in the story. As Astrid always does, she paints the whole world and its characters greatly and I really enjoyed this story. Let’s look out for the next one!
April 26, 2021
"I don’t know why, but I feel calm with you here. Would you please stay. I know I can succeed with you by my side. I’m never calm, but suddenly everything is crystal clear to me. It’s like some breath of air stilled a raging storm and I can breathe again." 🎨
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The Artist and His Muse is one of The Wordmage's Tales, accompanying The Apprentice Storyteller. The apprentice has learned from master storyteller, Viola Alerion, and now he performs these classic tales from the Haldrian Empire in his own right. 🏛
.
I loved how the Storyteller began his tale and let the reader to guess or predict what the story was about and what would happen. ⏳
.
Darla was a girl who thought that people were crazy to wait a painter to finish his job. She saw this as something uninteresting. But then, at Duke Andors lands, she was fascinated by Othenio and his painting. Othenio understood that something was missing in his painting and it was her. And after finishing the painting with Darla on it, he passed the Duke's challenge. 🖼
.
How will their story continue? Find out at "The Artist and his Muse". 🌸
.
A very beautiful story. The book is easy to read and make you fly in another world. I loved Darla and Othenio and their affection love story. The author amazed me again after reading "The Apprentice Storyteller". I highly recommend it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
.
The Artist and His Muse is one of The Wordmage's Tales, accompanying The Apprentice Storyteller. The apprentice has learned from master storyteller, Viola Alerion, and now he performs these classic tales from the Haldrian Empire in his own right. 🏛
.
I loved how the Storyteller began his tale and let the reader to guess or predict what the story was about and what would happen. ⏳
.
Darla was a girl who thought that people were crazy to wait a painter to finish his job. She saw this as something uninteresting. But then, at Duke Andors lands, she was fascinated by Othenio and his painting. Othenio understood that something was missing in his painting and it was her. And after finishing the painting with Darla on it, he passed the Duke's challenge. 🖼
.
How will their story continue? Find out at "The Artist and his Muse". 🌸
.
A very beautiful story. The book is easy to read and make you fly in another world. I loved Darla and Othenio and their affection love story. The author amazed me again after reading "The Apprentice Storyteller". I highly recommend it. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 29, 2021
The Artist and his Muse (A&M) is part of a short story series that's part of the Wishmaster's series. If you haven't read the Apprentice Storyteller (Book 1 in the Wishmaster's series) I highly recommend you do so, because it's beautiful (for more info, check my review on it).
In A&M we follow Darla, a vagrant with a troubling past, and Othenio, a master painter. Both have issues of their own and try to find a way to come to terms with them. They find comfort in each other's company and the relationship they have is wholesome and unique.
Despite the short length of the story, Astrid did a great job at setting the scene and creating memorable characters. The story is enticing and her writing style is excellent. I enjoyed this story very much, especially towards the end when everything came together.
The only (minor) downside I can think of is that one of the characters - Dijanna - wasn't as strongly rooted in the plot despite her overall presence in the story. I would've liked her to be a bit more 'useful' to the story, or at least to see her again at some point later on so it wouldn't seem like she was only present for convenience. But this didn't ruin the story experience for me.
In A&M we follow Darla, a vagrant with a troubling past, and Othenio, a master painter. Both have issues of their own and try to find a way to come to terms with them. They find comfort in each other's company and the relationship they have is wholesome and unique.
Despite the short length of the story, Astrid did a great job at setting the scene and creating memorable characters. The story is enticing and her writing style is excellent. I enjoyed this story very much, especially towards the end when everything came together.
The only (minor) downside I can think of is that one of the characters - Dijanna - wasn't as strongly rooted in the plot despite her overall presence in the story. I would've liked her to be a bit more 'useful' to the story, or at least to see her again at some point later on so it wouldn't seem like she was only present for convenience. But this didn't ruin the story experience for me.
April 28, 2021
I was lucky enough to get my hands on a review copy of this book. Not having read much by the author before, I wasn't sure what to expect from it when I sat down to read it.
This book begins with the heroine in this tale living on the streets as a scavenger when she meets a painter who is working on a challenge from an art connoisseur that lives in the area hoping that this lover of art will accept him as his hired painter. Her eye for the arts and calming presence helps him out, but as soon as he is done, she disappears.
This tale of how the two met and their growing friendship is a calming read, something I'd curl up with on a rainy Sunday, with my cup of tea and a blanket. I enjoyed reading it and ended up finishing it in one sitting. It does however touch on some darker subjects, including sexual trauma, so if you are sensitive to such, this might not be the book for you.
Would I read it again? Most definitely.
-Elle
This book begins with the heroine in this tale living on the streets as a scavenger when she meets a painter who is working on a challenge from an art connoisseur that lives in the area hoping that this lover of art will accept him as his hired painter. Her eye for the arts and calming presence helps him out, but as soon as he is done, she disappears.
This tale of how the two met and their growing friendship is a calming read, something I'd curl up with on a rainy Sunday, with my cup of tea and a blanket. I enjoyed reading it and ended up finishing it in one sitting. It does however touch on some darker subjects, including sexual trauma, so if you are sensitive to such, this might not be the book for you.
Would I read it again? Most definitely.
-Elle
April 21, 2021
After Astrid VJ's The Apprentice Storyteller and the Sewing Princess, this short story was a vivid treat to read. I was captivated from the start as the story is told with very visual language, in a Coelhoesque way and I love Coelho. Another artist contender wants to impress the Duke and paint a masterpiece fresco, but his magnificent painting is missing something. The artist is inspired by a beggar woman to finish his painting, but she's gone from his life in the morning. Their story quietly unravels as do the secrets of the beggar woman. The feel of the book at this point was melancholy kindled with hope. And that ending, loved it! Recommended for those who love to see their protagonists grow and heal and stand up to the injustice of the world and simply believe things are possible for everyone, including for them.
June 25, 2021
The Artist & His Muse is a marvelous story within a story. It has a mysterious aura & a fairytale vibe. It is a tale of Othenio (the artist) & his mysterious muse (Darla) , I really loved the narration and the way story develops. The way Darla dealt with her dark past & matured into a confident young women is admirable. She is one of the strongest female character I've came across in a while. Also, the bond between Othenio & Darla (their platonic love, the way they complete each other, evolve around each other) was so heartwarming and a treat to read. Dijana, an unconventional female character, who loves to talk, is overexcited and her understanding of people around her made her an adorable character. Altogether, it was an intensive short read packed with powerful emotios and sentiments & rich in vocabulary.
March 8, 2022
Five inspired stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 for “The Artist & his Muse”
This story is part of “The Wordmage’s Tales”, stories told by Viola or her apprentice Jo in “The Apprentice Storyteller”. All these stories hold a deeper message. For me, the message of this story is about love.
💖 What is love? There is more than one kind. The love between partners, the love to parents, children, relatives. The love to friends, to pets, even to inanimate things like art.
❤️🔥 Love can be hot, dirty, violent, passionate,
💝 or gentle, compassionate, innocent and pure.
This tale is about the latter. The pure love of an artist to his craft, and the woman who inspires him to go above and beyond every limit to achieve perfection. It’s the love of the Muse to the artist’s work, to his visions and struggles, to every shade of color used, every stroke of his brush that creates perfection.
💕It’s completely platonic, a love of two minds with one goal, supporting each other for the benefit of both. It is blind to social status, age, gender or orientation. It never judges, and that makes it the most beautiful love of all.
This story is part of “The Wordmage’s Tales”, stories told by Viola or her apprentice Jo in “The Apprentice Storyteller”. All these stories hold a deeper message. For me, the message of this story is about love.
💖 What is love? There is more than one kind. The love between partners, the love to parents, children, relatives. The love to friends, to pets, even to inanimate things like art.
❤️🔥 Love can be hot, dirty, violent, passionate,
💝 or gentle, compassionate, innocent and pure.
This tale is about the latter. The pure love of an artist to his craft, and the woman who inspires him to go above and beyond every limit to achieve perfection. It’s the love of the Muse to the artist’s work, to his visions and struggles, to every shade of color used, every stroke of his brush that creates perfection.
💕It’s completely platonic, a love of two minds with one goal, supporting each other for the benefit of both. It is blind to social status, age, gender or orientation. It never judges, and that makes it the most beautiful love of all.
April 23, 2021
Loved it! An amazing short story from the Word Mages Tales that The Apprentice Storyteller spins. I loved the world Astrid VJ built, and I adored her characters, so fragile yet strong. If you like stories about women rediscovering themselves after being thrown into impossible circumstance and tales told in a visual language that brings the world to life, this one's for you. Recommended for lovers of Coelho, the book had a similar vibe, which I loved.
May 2, 2021
This latest work sees storyteller-in-training Jo tell an entrancing tale of an artist and the mysterious woman who becomes his muse.
Continuing on from the author's previous book, The Apprentice Storyteller, we find Jo honing his ability to entrance an audience with his tale-telling skills.
This short book is a story within a story, told in a gentle style that I found to be a pleasant read, with a heartwarming theme, at least for the subjects of Jo's tale. As for the storyteller himself, I suspect his adventures have only just begun.
Continuing on from the author's previous book, The Apprentice Storyteller, we find Jo honing his ability to entrance an audience with his tale-telling skills.
This short book is a story within a story, told in a gentle style that I found to be a pleasant read, with a heartwarming theme, at least for the subjects of Jo's tale. As for the storyteller himself, I suspect his adventures have only just begun.
April 30, 2021
This is such a sweet story, and I just love the whole idea behind these books. In The Apprentice Storyteller you can read about the storytellers and how they travel around, while The Wordmage's Tales are the story's they tell.
I recommend reading The Apprentice Storyteller first, but this book is just as good as a standalone.
I recommend reading The Apprentice Storyteller first, but this book is just as good as a standalone.
April 27, 2021
Such great character devopment in this story! I read it straight through. I can't wait to read The Apprentice Storyteller with the full stories that are being told.
May 1, 2021
This is not the first book by Astrid V.J that I've read and I've yet to find anything that I don't like about her stories. Astrid's unique way of storytelling makes her books stand out among those of a similar genre. "The Artist and His Muse" is no different. The characters and the world of the story make it a real treat to read. I cannot wait to read the rest of The Wordmage's Tales.
July 14, 2021
Lovely story about how others can make life complicated, while just listening to each other helps to understand and make life better for every one. It was a real pleasure to read it. Read this book and besides reading a lovely story, you’ll also learn from it.
July 23, 2021
I have read a few in this series, and enjoyed them all, but for whatever reason, I struggled to really get into this one. Once I was half way through, I flew through the rest, but I found it to be a slow start.
As always, the writing and storytelling was beautifully told. I would recommend this book.
As always, the writing and storytelling was beautifully told. I would recommend this book.
June 14, 2021
A Creative Story For Everyone!
The Artist and His Muse was such a creative and unique story. Astrid V.J. is an excellent story teller. I was so delighted to come by it, that I read straight through it in one reading. It takes place on the planet Harland, which implied to me that it was a futuristic story. The Duke of Andor has commissioned for an artist to be his own artist. However, all artists are tested and must win the position. Othenio is considered the greatest of them all among the people. There is a young beggar woman who lives freely around the town. She will come in contact with Othenio, only revealing herself as Dee. How this will play out is something of a mystery. It is definitely worth reading. In fact, I forgot I was reading and simply enjoyed the story playing out in my mind. Bravo Astrid V.J.!
The Artist and His Muse was such a creative and unique story. Astrid V.J. is an excellent story teller. I was so delighted to come by it, that I read straight through it in one reading. It takes place on the planet Harland, which implied to me that it was a futuristic story. The Duke of Andor has commissioned for an artist to be his own artist. However, all artists are tested and must win the position. Othenio is considered the greatest of them all among the people. There is a young beggar woman who lives freely around the town. She will come in contact with Othenio, only revealing herself as Dee. How this will play out is something of a mystery. It is definitely worth reading. In fact, I forgot I was reading and simply enjoyed the story playing out in my mind. Bravo Astrid V.J.!
June 4, 2021
Once again, a fantastic work from a brilliant author. This book is short but inspiring read. Can't put it down until you finish reading. Although its not a romance, there are enough romantic elements to enchant the reader. Highly recommend!!
I received a free ARC ebook copy in return for an honest review.
I received a free ARC ebook copy in return for an honest review.
September 26, 2021
Beautiful
What a beautiful story of friendship. Sometimes friendship can be more powerful than lovers. What a great story. Definitely recommend
What a beautiful story of friendship. Sometimes friendship can be more powerful than lovers. What a great story. Definitely recommend
April 30, 2022
This was such a unique story about love, but not romantic love, just two people who care so deeply for each other in a platonic way.
Another great short story from the Wordmages tale, I can actually imagine being in a tavern and hearing this story whilst I drink ale and bread.
Another great short story from the Wordmages tale, I can actually imagine being in a tavern and hearing this story whilst I drink ale and bread.
April 27, 2022
Fantastic story telling
A story within a story The Artist and His Muse defies the age old thought that men and ladies cannot be friends.
This is a beautifully written tale. A quick read to enjoy over and over again.
A story within a story The Artist and His Muse defies the age old thought that men and ladies cannot be friends.
This is a beautifully written tale. A quick read to enjoy over and over again.
September 13, 2021
Compelling and rewarding, this novella is a creative tale of love’s power to redeem and is a story born of the book The Apprentice Storyteller, which is also well worth reading. The Artist and His Muse is beautifully told and a pleasure to read. I got through it in one sitting and was sorry it ended – with a twist I didn’t see coming - but happily, there are other novellas in this series. The author is a magical storyteller in her own right and I cannot recommend her work more highly.
September 2, 2023
Another great story from that great storyteller, Astrid!
In this tale, Viola’s apprentice, Jo, recounts the story he learned from Viola and tells the story to the children gathered around him on the Startraveler Hope as it is journeying to its destination.
This story is about an artist who is trying to create a masterpiece to be able to sustain him being an accomplished artist but he has hit an impasse until he spots a homeless woman who inspires him. As his inspiration, his muse, he completes the mural and then finds to his dismay the woman has disappeared. His life spirals out of control until she finds him and rescues him again one night and as the case may be he rescues her as well.
Through their friendship his craft grows but she refuses to tell him who she really is until one night he finds a picture of her on a wall and though it’s of a younger girl he knows it’s his muse. He is caught in the rain shortly thereafter and is dying because of the illness that has taken over his body which finally spurs the woman to face her worse nightmares and confront those who can save him and let them know what really happened some fifteen years before to her.
Astrid’s stories resonate with stirring one’s emotions as you read these stories. They hit home even if you, yourself, haven’t experienced what these people have experienced. It becomes a deeply shared experience nonetheless which you can’t help but emphasize with!
These stories contained within The Wishmaster Tales
point one’s energies into how he or she can also change their life for the better if they face their fears and what is holding them back from attaining their desires.
I strongly recommend you get this entire series and while you’re at it, get the books related to them mainly The Apprentice Storyteller and the Elizabeth and Edvard box set wherein Viola relates stories from before the Empire of how those before them coped with things that came their way!
As I mentioned, Astrid is a marvelous master storyteller and you’ll be captivated and whisked off to places while you’re reading about them! Her words will captivate you as much as her stories do and you’ll just marvel at what you’re reading!
Get this series today and let it change your life!
In this tale, Viola’s apprentice, Jo, recounts the story he learned from Viola and tells the story to the children gathered around him on the Startraveler Hope as it is journeying to its destination.
This story is about an artist who is trying to create a masterpiece to be able to sustain him being an accomplished artist but he has hit an impasse until he spots a homeless woman who inspires him. As his inspiration, his muse, he completes the mural and then finds to his dismay the woman has disappeared. His life spirals out of control until she finds him and rescues him again one night and as the case may be he rescues her as well.
Through their friendship his craft grows but she refuses to tell him who she really is until one night he finds a picture of her on a wall and though it’s of a younger girl he knows it’s his muse. He is caught in the rain shortly thereafter and is dying because of the illness that has taken over his body which finally spurs the woman to face her worse nightmares and confront those who can save him and let them know what really happened some fifteen years before to her.
Astrid’s stories resonate with stirring one’s emotions as you read these stories. They hit home even if you, yourself, haven’t experienced what these people have experienced. It becomes a deeply shared experience nonetheless which you can’t help but emphasize with!
These stories contained within The Wishmaster Tales
point one’s energies into how he or she can also change their life for the better if they face their fears and what is holding them back from attaining their desires.
I strongly recommend you get this entire series and while you’re at it, get the books related to them mainly The Apprentice Storyteller and the Elizabeth and Edvard box set wherein Viola relates stories from before the Empire of how those before them coped with things that came their way!
As I mentioned, Astrid is a marvelous master storyteller and you’ll be captivated and whisked off to places while you’re reading about them! Her words will captivate you as much as her stories do and you’ll just marvel at what you’re reading!
Get this series today and let it change your life!
December 12, 2021
A captivating book which offers the reader a delicate blend of melancholy and hope. This is one of the books in the series called “The Wordmage’s Tales”, but it can be read as a stand-alone as well. Through her books, the author explores the universe of transformation fiction, bringing us closer to values we all strive for.
I loved this book from the first paragraph. Making good use of visual language, the author introduces us to the world of artists, showing how big of a role muses actually play. An artist wants to impress a duke and paint a masterpiece, but it seems like the painting has yet to be complete. He finds his inspiration in a beggar woman, only to discover she has disappeared soon after. As the reader follows their story, secrets come out to the surface, making you turn one page after the other.
This was such an interesting read. Indeed, I kept reading, as I wanted to find out what would happen next. The ending was definitely unexpected and so well delivered, far from predictable. The author did a great job foreshadowing the story conclusion, and it was so amazing to follow the journey of the main characters. I could relate to them and how they were standing up to the injustice of the world. It was also great to see that they had faith in the future, believing it is possible to achieve your dreams.
The story focuses on love and forgiveness, but it also offers morals and lessons to learn. I loved the universe the author created, weaving a creative tapestry from her seemingly endless imagination. In the end, some of the best stories in the world invite readers into their own universe, with relatable characters and their life experiences. This book offers more than a love story, I saw it as a beautiful portrait of acceptance and healing.
You will love this book! From the unique universe to the relatable characters, whose stories blend to perfection, you will find story to be delightful. It was great to be able to read it as a standalone, but I think the other books in the series are worth checking out as well. A pleasure to read!
I loved this book from the first paragraph. Making good use of visual language, the author introduces us to the world of artists, showing how big of a role muses actually play. An artist wants to impress a duke and paint a masterpiece, but it seems like the painting has yet to be complete. He finds his inspiration in a beggar woman, only to discover she has disappeared soon after. As the reader follows their story, secrets come out to the surface, making you turn one page after the other.
This was such an interesting read. Indeed, I kept reading, as I wanted to find out what would happen next. The ending was definitely unexpected and so well delivered, far from predictable. The author did a great job foreshadowing the story conclusion, and it was so amazing to follow the journey of the main characters. I could relate to them and how they were standing up to the injustice of the world. It was also great to see that they had faith in the future, believing it is possible to achieve your dreams.
The story focuses on love and forgiveness, but it also offers morals and lessons to learn. I loved the universe the author created, weaving a creative tapestry from her seemingly endless imagination. In the end, some of the best stories in the world invite readers into their own universe, with relatable characters and their life experiences. This book offers more than a love story, I saw it as a beautiful portrait of acceptance and healing.
You will love this book! From the unique universe to the relatable characters, whose stories blend to perfection, you will find story to be delightful. It was great to be able to read it as a standalone, but I think the other books in the series are worth checking out as well. A pleasure to read!
August 30, 2021
A Duke sets a competition to find the greatest of painters, which attracts the troubled Othenio. It's only when he meets scavenger homeless Darla that he finds his muse. But Dee has her own secrets.
A sweet story, not so much about romance or secrets as it is about the nature of art within the soul. Possibly I was looking for a little more drama at the conclusion after such a compelling set up, but it's still 4 stars for this well written pageturner.
A sweet story, not so much about romance or secrets as it is about the nature of art within the soul. Possibly I was looking for a little more drama at the conclusion after such a compelling set up, but it's still 4 stars for this well written pageturner.
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