The Destitute Countess

The Wordmage's Tales #6

by Astrid V.J.

The count is dead and his daughter has inherited his debts. With her friends dwindling away and faced with losing her home, the new countess sets out to restore her family’s fortune and good name. Being plunged into poverty brings with it a whole host of new experiences that terrify the young countess, and she promises herself she’ll do anything to find financial freedom, but can she really do it alone? And what of the man she loves? Would he help her or reject her for the misfortunes that have befallen her?
The Destitute Countess 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.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Fantasy

162 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 1, 2022

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

"When you're rich, everyone wants to be your friend, but it's only in times of poverty that you understand who your true friends are." The author tried to convey this message through Mildred's story, and I must say that she did a wonderful job. The writing had a lyrical quality to it, and the story had my complete attention from start to finish.

Despite being a novella of approximately 140 pages, the characters had so much depth and personality that even full-length books cannot manage to achieve at times. I could feel Mildred's pain; the sudden burden of responsibility, abandonment by some people she thought she could count on, threat of being humiliated and cast out of society were explained in so much detail. But I admired her perseverance and determination. The supporting characters were given equal importance and did a great job moving the story forward.

I've always been in awe of the author's ability to take a simple plot and mould it into a unique story that you've never read before. I feel the same way about this book.

I loved the way the story ended. It gave me immense satisfaction, as I had not expected the outcome. Having read a lot of books in the genre, I'm able to guess the ending most of the times, but that wasn't the case here, so I'm very happy.

Astrid V.J is one of the best fantasy authors, and her books are truly amazing. If you enjoy fantasy novellas set in a fictional realm, stories with an important message, and character-driven novels then you have to give it a try.

[Marie Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lady Mildred is such a strong character who stands up for what she believes in (helping others) even when she has nothing to give. This is another of The Wordmage's Tales that I would love to see an expansion of. How do Mildred's efforts help the people she stands up for? Was that comment about the lion shifters and Plains Wars about Warring Lions? Is Jo telling these connected stories on purpose?

Now I feel like I need to go back and check all the other stories to see if there are any other hidden details.

[Ecce Libri · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second book by this author, and I liked it just as much as the first! It was an extraordinary tale of a young woman standing up and working to solve her problems. I love how these Wordmage Tales begin with a storyteller telling the story to a group of people. It doesn't take me long to get absorbed into the account before I forget that part and focus on the story being told. I thought Mildred was a fantastic character and one that anyone could quickly identify with. I also loved how Mildred and her mom handled the issue facing them differently. I thought it showed how there could be two very different types of people in a stressful situation. Without getting into too many details, I'd like to avoid spoilers, but my only real problem with the story is an incident outside of a meeting hall that looks pretty rushed and isn't ever brought up again. I thought that was a bit sad because I believe it could have been incorporated into the story more while still keeping it at a novella length. Likewise, there were a few characters that I would have liked to know more about, as far as their backgrounds. Other than those two picky things, I thought it was a great story, and I look forward to the next book in this series!

[Ellen's · Rating 4 out of 5]

"𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐚𝐲, 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭?! 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫! 𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐡𝐲. 𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐨'𝐯𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬. 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐞𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬."

In this story from apprentice storyteller Jo, we meet Lady Mildred. I thought this was a very enjoyable read. I didn't think I would like a mix of fantasy and space opera, but this is novella two that I've read by Astrid... And I really really liked it!

I found so many lessons that could be taken from this book! The Law Of Attraction, money isn't what makes you happy, and not everyone is a true friend are three of the main lessons I walked away thinking about. The relationship between Kayden and Lady Mildred is refreshing and sweet. I love the kind of person Mildred is, ans everything she does. She is a very strong female character.

𝐋𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐦, 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐦 𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐛𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥. 𝐇𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐡𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐧'𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐢𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐰𝐧.

The world building that Astrid does is lovely, I'm very excited to get to more stories in this universe. I think they will all tie in to each other beautifully. But, you don't need to read all of the stories to read any of the Wordmages short stories. The two I have read so far do well as stand alone stories. I do wish we could have spent more time with Mildred, I have some unanswered questions about what happens with the Magical Creatures. But, it would have been a much, much longer story to be abme to tell that i think. I hope we learn more in future short stories! Astrid has a really pretty way of strining words together to create a nice little picture. I definitely recommend these for quick short reads!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

𝘐 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘤𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘯 𝘈𝘙𝘊, 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

[Chad Barrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

When her father dies Lady Mildred goes to see the family lawyer to hear the last will and testament of her late father. What she hears is the farthest thing she ever imagined. Her father died leaving an enormous debt that must be paid shortly or they will find themselves in the poor house. Her friends desert her with one exception- a man her other friends ridicule constantly because he is lame.

Mildred does everything she thinks possible to try and come up with the monies to pay the debt to no avail until just before the due date another friend tells her he may have a solution to her problem. As it turns out he did because of a connection he had. Her other friends who deserted her in her hour of need want to be her friend again but she has some advice for them
instead!

Astrid’s books in this series get right to the heart of the matter and show people’s true colors when the chips are down so to speak!

I have enjoyed all of Astrid’s books and highly recommend you read not only this one but all the books in this series as well as her other books! They prove what is important in a relationship or in dealing with others as one should.

You can change your life by reading and taking to heart what you read and hopefully you will if you find you have and do things you now read about are things which you must change to make yourself a better person!

Bless you Astrid for your wonderful insightful books and stories! I am striving to be a better person after reading your wonderful books!

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the remarkable things about The Wordmage's Tales is that each tale illustrates one of the fundamental principles of human transformation. This novel features The Law of Attraction, which is a philosophical principle that states that you can attract positive things by focusing on positive thoughts, and negative ones by doing the reverse. This is indeed illustrated beautifully by the hope, positivism and willpower displayed by the main character. This provides a stark contrast with the behaviour of Mildred's mother and friends who all tend to focus on the negative.

I greatly appreciated the worldbuilding in this novel. I admit that I'm usually not a big fan of science fiction, so I wasn't sure about reading something that was described as a fantasy/space opera cross-over, but it was done beautifully and worked very well for the story. I'm in fact curious to discover more about this world, so I will dive into the Wishmaster's Series next.

I also loved the frame story setup. Such a narrative immediately transports me back to 1001 Nights or to long nights around a campfire, listening to stories. Delightful concept <3

Last but not least, I was pleasantly surprised by Mildred's interest in Magical Creature Rights. She even joins The Protection of Magical Creatures Association. As a child, I was very much appalled by the way Remus Lupin was treated in the Harry Potter series, so I tried to enlist my entire family in a similar organisation as well. This made me feel an immediate kinship with Mildred, and I've decided to take the next spaceship towards her world and become her new best friend ;)

Very well written, great characters and a unique concept: I gave this book 4 stars out of 5! 

The full review as well as a Dutch version can be found on my blog:
talesfromthedragonslair.be
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[Ilona Nurmela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this hopeful short story and all of the Wordmages Tales, really. Set on a planet in the Haldrian Empire, a young storyteller apprentice tells the tale of a Destitute Countess. When Mildred comes into her inheritance, it’s worse than a fat load of nothing, it’s debts and ruin she is facing. I liked the duality undertone of the story - frenemies who turn away vs friends who stick with you in hard times, Mildred’s hopeful faith in a resolution vs her mother’s defeatist attitude, doing something vs serendipity, help from strangers vs that from friends. I particularly enjoyed the author changing the reader’s perspective on wasteful and unfortunate things happening - as in everything has a reason, purpose and application. Kayden’s actions did puzzle me throughout the story, but in the end I decided I liked the lack of trope and the fact that it was the heroine and her kindness and way with people and magical beings that created the foundation for the resolution. And I loved the HEA and how things came together. Recommended for lovers of fairytales, original stories with kick-ass, relatable female leads and lovers of stories that make you think.

[Ellesharin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to get my hands on a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review and as usual, the author delivers.

This book begins as the others of the shorter stories linked to the wordmages tales, with the storyteller deciding to tell a story, and as Jo spins the tale, we get to know the story of a countess who has just lost her father and on top of that she has to deal with his creditors, which she was only informed of upon hearing the will.

Upon learning of her unfortunate circumstances, our heroine tries her best at finding solutions to the issues she's facing and as the story progresses, she discovers who her true friends really are. Not everybody will stand by you when you face hardships, but those that do are all the more precious to us.

This is a tale of finding out who your true friends are, of learning to lean on others, of trying one's best, but also trusting that things will work out somehow in the end. These tales can be said to be about personal growth and overcoming ones issues, something the author writes really well. I do enjoy these books as when you finish them, you're left with that sense of contentment and a feeling that no matter how bad things may look, everything will be all right.

Would I read it again? Most definitely.
-Elle

[Adrian Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've enjoyed the author's previous tales within a tale and this latest book doesn't disappoint. Once again, we join apprentice storyteller Jo as he weaves another rich adventure.

This time the subject is Lady, now Countess, Mildred. Instead of a vast fortune, her late father left her saddled with enormous debts, the result of his well-meaning but hugely expensive efforts to modernize their enormous ancestral home.

Mildred's friends will stand by her, right? Not so much, as she discovers who her true allies are. Yet despite the risk of losing the family mansion, and ending up in debtors' prison, Mildred refuses to give in to despair (unlike her embittered mother). And she continues to support a cause close to her heart, that of magical creatures facing a hostile, bigoted society.

Can Mildred overcome her many challenges? Will Jo's audience appreciate his latest tale? You'll have to read this gently paced, enjoyable book to find out.

[Lynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author has created another wondrous character-driven tale set in the greater compass of the Haldrian Empire. The Countess, Lady Mildred, is a mentally strong, resourceful and compassionate player in this world and when her life changes with the death of her father and the acceptance of his debts she has choices to make. Astrid has a skilled way of weaving characters together, and telling a tale through them that is revealing and lingering.

If you haven’t read this yet, even if you haven’t read any of the other stories in the Wordmage’s Tales series, and if you’re interested enough to be here on this page, I think you should go follow Jo and master storyteller Viola Alerion on their journey through the stories of the people of the Haldrian Empire.

[Simpu · Rating 5 out of 5]

" Within moments, his heart had calmed, and Jo felt the story begin to tingle in his blood. It wanted to break free from him, and who was he to deny it?"

Yet another enchanting story-telling by Jo, the apprentice of Viola, the storyteller. Jo narrates the story of a Countess who after the death of her father not only received the title Countess, but also was given the huge responsibility of paying off the debts her father caused. Will the title become a burden or will there be a salvation?

Though all of Wordmage's tales are different, it has something that connect the stories together, which is obviously different aspects of Haldrian Empire. The more you read the more you want to know about this empire. Each story has something to give to the audience and this story is not different. Every story written by Astrid V.J has the potential of a much larger version, or a sequel. It has some mystery surrounding it and that is what is making her stories magical.

[Jasmijn · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘A rich story with a strongly spirited main character, filled with valuable lessons.’

This book can be read as a standalone really well, but is part of a series called ‘The Wordmage’s tales’. These are novellas accompanying the series ‘The apprentice storyteller’ containing some of the stories Jo and Viola have shared.

Jo and Viola are ready to enlighten people with their stories again. This is Jo’s first public performance. He starts to tell a tale about young lady Mildred, who inherited a great debt since her father has just passed. She will lose everything and learns the hard way who liked her for money and status and who doesn’t. A struggle for freedom and doing what is right.

‘No one should have to work under duress. No one should ever be forced to live or speak or be a different way from what springs out of the eternal well of their heart.

Another great read by Astrid V.J. What I like most about her stories is the richness of character-development which makes them feel real and more relatable. There are also (again) valuable life lessons in contained in this book. The writing style is mesmerizing. Despite being a novella, the characters had amazing debt to them and their story managed to grab me throughout the whole book. Lady Mildred and Kayden have great and honest characters. Mildred being headstrong and truly caring made her easy to love. Another story that enriches our knowledge about the Haldrian Empire.

[Chere Gruver · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be a very interesting read about an apprentice storyteller telling a story about a countess who loses both her and father and her money at the same time. Not only does the countess lose her money upon her father's death, she also inherits an unbelievable debt. This is the tale of how she deals with her new situation. I found this story to be well written and intriguing and highly recommend it.

[Erica Vogel · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite tales by Astrid V. J. yet. I love how elements from her other stories are woven into this wonderful tale. The characters feel real and so do their problems and I love the dynamics between the people. Also, MVP: Claudette. (You'll know it when you read it)

[Marjorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful story of Lady Mildred's indomitable spirit in the face of overwhelming misfortune. Opportunity abounds, one must only look for it, even if it seems there is nothing but dead ends, rejection and heartbreak every place Mildred turns. Her means may have shrunk, but her heart did not and she is determined to do her best for her people. Can she do the impossible and find a solution to the quandary left her?

As with the other Wordmage's tales, Astrid's story telling is just mesmerizing and I find myself drawn into the telling just as the apprentice's audiences are. This is a slower-paced, gentler tale, but still full of twists and turns and unexpected moments.

The Wordmage's tales can all be read as standalones, but the more you read, the more you start to see the strands tying them together. Another aspect of the Haldrian empire is revealed in each book. There seems to be a purpose behind the choice of each tale, more than just how it is suited to its audience.

[Jessica Gwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Astrid VJ’s Destitute Countess follows the story of Lady Mildred, who is thrust into a world of worry and the potential of losing everything upon her fathers death. I very much cheered Mildred on, thoroughly enjoyed the outcome of her struggles and the lesson she learned along the way.

[Oksana · Rating 5 out of 5]

"The Destitute Countess" is another joy of a read from Astrid V.J. The apprentice has learned well and now he tells these stories, and he does it brilliantly. I couldn't help but fall in love with her character from the moment I met Lady Mildred. She's determined and strong. This young countess is not afraid of anything. I will definitely reread this.

[Miriam Løvdahl · Rating 5 out of 5]

As usual, Astrid spins a wonderful tale. I'm really loving to get to hear the stories that are told in the Wishmaster series. As always there is an underlying message in the story, in this case, it's in hardship you find your true friends. Those who will stand by you no matter what. I'm loving the character growth and the build of the story.

I think I need to go back and re-read the earlier stories since there seems to be a connection I didn't see before. Can't wait for the next one <3

[J.K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story, rich world building.

[Leigh W · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the tales told in The Apprentice Storyteller, this was Jo’s first tale with an audience. It was told in part one of the book. Mildred becomes heiress to her family’s land and debts when her father unexpectedly passes away. She was unaware of the debts or how large the sums were, enough to make her inheritance and home vanish from her grasp. Needing someone to depend on in this storm, she calls upon Kayden to be her support. When her other friends find out about what has happened, they abandon her in her time of need. Mildred now has to attempt to save her home and those who work for her lands or face going to what amounts to slave labor to pay off the debt. She discovers who are actual friends or those just pretending as she looks for any help or guidance in this situation. I really enjoyed this, this touched on later elements about magical beings we see in book 2, Finding the Way, along with things the Jo talks about but told from a different viewpoint than his. At the end, Jo even acknowledges the lessons are the same but taught in a different way to reach a different audience. I also enjoyed the classic fall from grace only to rise up with true friends type story, it is a familiar and comfortable one

[Maris McKay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read any of the other Wordmage's Tales yet, but I have read some of the other stories from set in this same world. I enjoyed this story, and it definitely feels like it's part of a larger world, which makes me want to keep reading to discover more of the worldbuilding. For some reason, I kept expecting there to be a mystery component and I second-guessed what was going on, but the story turned out to be straight-forward.