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The Western Lands and All That Really Matters #1
The Purple Haze
Her twin abducted. A treacherous rescue mission. Can an unproven princess escape a prophecy of doom?
Princess Eloise Hydra Gumball III prefers things just exactly so. As the meticulous Future Ruler and Heir with an almost-useless magical gift, she’s in no hurry to take the throne. But when a seer foretells her royal twin’s peril, a simple quest with her champion friend to rescue the girl becomes a complicated journey filled with danger.
Thrown completely out of her comfort zone and with her wayward sister slipping through her fingers, Eloise’s desperate hunt turns to disaster when she’s slammed behind bars in an unfamiliar realm. And even though she persuades the stern monarch to set them free and help them secure a ship, she soon finds herself sailing headfirst into a menacing violet fog.
Can Eloise find her sister and her own strength before they fall to the deadly mist’s lethal embrace?
The Purple Haze is the sharp-witted first book in the Western Lands and All That Really Matters humorous fantasy series. If you like tongue-in-cheek humor, vivid medieval worlds, and clever cultural references, then you’ll love Andrew Einspruch’s lively adventure.
Buy The Purple Haze to smoke out the real villain today!
Princess Eloise Hydra Gumball III prefers things just exactly so. As the meticulous Future Ruler and Heir with an almost-useless magical gift, she’s in no hurry to take the throne. But when a seer foretells her royal twin’s peril, a simple quest with her champion friend to rescue the girl becomes a complicated journey filled with danger.
Thrown completely out of her comfort zone and with her wayward sister slipping through her fingers, Eloise’s desperate hunt turns to disaster when she’s slammed behind bars in an unfamiliar realm. And even though she persuades the stern monarch to set them free and help them secure a ship, she soon finds herself sailing headfirst into a menacing violet fog.
Can Eloise find her sister and her own strength before they fall to the deadly mist’s lethal embrace?
The Purple Haze is the sharp-witted first book in the Western Lands and All That Really Matters humorous fantasy series. If you like tongue-in-cheek humor, vivid medieval worlds, and clever cultural references, then you’ll love Andrew Einspruch’s lively adventure.
Buy The Purple Haze to smoke out the real villain today!
446 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 2, 2022
63 people are currently reading
180 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Einspruch
100 books146 followersGet a free novella, The Wombanditos
Get your free copy of The Wombanditos, a prequel to the Western Lands and All That Really Matters series. Click here: http://BookHip.com/FLNZSB
About Andrew Einspruch
Andrew is the award-winning author of the humorous fantasy series The Western Lands and All That Really Matters, as well as more than 120 books for primary-aged readers, both fiction and non-fiction. First published in the 1990s, Andrew's work has covered everything from basketball to DNA, from biographies to histories to mysteries, from outback heroes to Christmas Island red crabs, and from how the rides work at amusement parks to how the Australian Government works (that, perhaps the greatest mystery of all).
Andrew is an ex-pat Texan living in Australia, and is the co-founder of the not-for-profit charity the Billie Dean Deep Peace Trust (http://deeppeacetrust.com), which fosters deep peace for all species.
If pressed, he'll deny he ever programmed in COBOL for a bank.
Please visit http://andreweinspruch.com and say “howdy.”
Get your free copy of The Wombanditos, a prequel to the Western Lands and All That Really Matters series. Click here: http://BookHip.com/FLNZSB
About Andrew Einspruch
Andrew is the award-winning author of the humorous fantasy series The Western Lands and All That Really Matters, as well as more than 120 books for primary-aged readers, both fiction and non-fiction. First published in the 1990s, Andrew's work has covered everything from basketball to DNA, from biographies to histories to mysteries, from outback heroes to Christmas Island red crabs, and from how the rides work at amusement parks to how the Australian Government works (that, perhaps the greatest mystery of all).
Andrew is an ex-pat Texan living in Australia, and is the co-founder of the not-for-profit charity the Billie Dean Deep Peace Trust (http://deeppeacetrust.com), which fosters deep peace for all species.
If pressed, he'll deny he ever programmed in COBOL for a bank.
Please visit http://andreweinspruch.com and say “howdy.”
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 156 reviews
February 7, 2021
My thanks to Booktasters and the author Andrew Einspruch in providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Ok so, this was interesting for sure, no doubt about that. It did remind me somewhat of the few Terry Pratchett books that I have read in that this book was very weird and strange and incredibly abnormal to what most might expect for a young adult novel. There are talking animals for one, in fact many of the major characters are side animals, like a horse or a chipmunk, which was... odd, but I liked the way at how the author executed it. It’s also filled with an assortment of very long and strange names that largely appear unpronounceable in that they are just so long.
I really haven’t had much experience in reading absurdist works, but I don’t know really know if they are for me exactly. I get that the book is trying to be funny, or at least amusing and it seems clear that is the book’s intention. It’s not that the novel wasn’t fun, but it didn’t really vibe with my sense of humour exactly. It is very innocent and quite carefree and that’s great because not every book needs to be heavy or dark and I appreciated that, yet it was not like that I was laughing or anything. I wasn’t exactly bothered by the use of language or peculiar names or anything, but I also didn’t find it to be overly humorous either. It’s not the authors fault at all, but rather that it didn’t match what I generally tend to be particularly funny. However, I do think that if younger audiences can overlook the length, it would totally suit them for sure, as many children enjoy long winding names and talking animals and the like.
The main character has OCD which was interesting and while I can’t be sure how accurate the representation was, it was a major factor in how Eloise functioned and how it may have affected her thought processes and I am glad that author made her have OCD in the way to show kids that you can be the princess of a story despite your disability. I suppose the characters were well written enough which a fair bit of personality to them for sure and I had a good time following them. It was also interesting at how the author managed a cast of both animal and human characters because that is also just so odd to picture something like an insect talking to a person.
The plot was decent towards the start and the end. The entire middle portion was essentially just travel that showcased the world but didn’t do much character wise or in moving the plot along. It was like a goose chase where it is fun and all, but it did not amount to anything. As the reader, I went through some interesting situations in this book, but nothing was super special for me. It very much is like a quest which was totally cool, simply just not entirely original. It does move along somewhat slowly, it certainly isn’t the most fast paced novel in the world and there is no massive climax at the end despite the tension. It really ended of quite a serious cliffhanger with there being a lot of story left to be told, which was very evident and not a lot of things were truly resolved so it will be interesting to see what unfolds over the course of the rest of the series.
My final consensus was that it was good, although I feel that it wasn’t my sort of book, but if you enjoy YA with a fair bit of absurdism and light humour, this very well may be for you. 6/10
Ok so, this was interesting for sure, no doubt about that. It did remind me somewhat of the few Terry Pratchett books that I have read in that this book was very weird and strange and incredibly abnormal to what most might expect for a young adult novel. There are talking animals for one, in fact many of the major characters are side animals, like a horse or a chipmunk, which was... odd, but I liked the way at how the author executed it. It’s also filled with an assortment of very long and strange names that largely appear unpronounceable in that they are just so long.
I really haven’t had much experience in reading absurdist works, but I don’t know really know if they are for me exactly. I get that the book is trying to be funny, or at least amusing and it seems clear that is the book’s intention. It’s not that the novel wasn’t fun, but it didn’t really vibe with my sense of humour exactly. It is very innocent and quite carefree and that’s great because not every book needs to be heavy or dark and I appreciated that, yet it was not like that I was laughing or anything. I wasn’t exactly bothered by the use of language or peculiar names or anything, but I also didn’t find it to be overly humorous either. It’s not the authors fault at all, but rather that it didn’t match what I generally tend to be particularly funny. However, I do think that if younger audiences can overlook the length, it would totally suit them for sure, as many children enjoy long winding names and talking animals and the like.
The main character has OCD which was interesting and while I can’t be sure how accurate the representation was, it was a major factor in how Eloise functioned and how it may have affected her thought processes and I am glad that author made her have OCD in the way to show kids that you can be the princess of a story despite your disability. I suppose the characters were well written enough which a fair bit of personality to them for sure and I had a good time following them. It was also interesting at how the author managed a cast of both animal and human characters because that is also just so odd to picture something like an insect talking to a person.
The plot was decent towards the start and the end. The entire middle portion was essentially just travel that showcased the world but didn’t do much character wise or in moving the plot along. It was like a goose chase where it is fun and all, but it did not amount to anything. As the reader, I went through some interesting situations in this book, but nothing was super special for me. It very much is like a quest which was totally cool, simply just not entirely original. It does move along somewhat slowly, it certainly isn’t the most fast paced novel in the world and there is no massive climax at the end despite the tension. It really ended of quite a serious cliffhanger with there being a lot of story left to be told, which was very evident and not a lot of things were truly resolved so it will be interesting to see what unfolds over the course of the rest of the series.
My final consensus was that it was good, although I feel that it wasn’t my sort of book, but if you enjoy YA with a fair bit of absurdism and light humour, this very well may be for you. 6/10
October 21, 2023
Received a copy for a review!
So, this was kinda fun and quirky with human and animals interacting, silly names and excessive words etc. A simple plot, twins the younger Johanna goes off to visit with another kingdom, her older sister Eloise follows in pursuit after a warning about her sisters future come about in regards to her trip. Eloise goes off with her horse, a guard and her chosen companion, they run into other interesting characters and situations along the way, of which I'll leave for the reader to find out!
As for the main group of characters, Eloise was likable enough, her guard and horse also but they were kinda stoic and their personalities undeveloped, her companion though I found a bit annoying.
The book ends on a big cliff hanger, which leaves you wanting to know what will happen next!
So, this was kinda fun and quirky with human and animals interacting, silly names and excessive words etc. A simple plot, twins the younger Johanna goes off to visit with another kingdom, her older sister Eloise follows in pursuit after a warning about her sisters future come about in regards to her trip. Eloise goes off with her horse, a guard and her chosen companion, they run into other interesting characters and situations along the way, of which I'll leave for the reader to find out!
As for the main group of characters, Eloise was likable enough, her guard and horse also but they were kinda stoic and their personalities undeveloped, her companion though I found a bit annoying.
The book ends on a big cliff hanger, which leaves you wanting to know what will happen next!
March 2, 2021
For starters, I'd like to thank both Booktasters and the author, Andrew Einspruch himself, for free copy of this book in exchange for honest review. (And pardon me for any stylistic/grammar errors, I should be sleeping right now).
Now, I suppose I should explain my rather low rating of the novel I enoyed most of the time. If Goodreads had 10-point scale, I'd give "The Purple Haze" 5/10 without any hesitation, so theoretically I should rate it 3/5. The problem is that for years I've rated 3/5 many books that were either more enjoyable for me or better written (with no offence to the author, as his book is not badly written, I just think that he's capable of writing a better one).
As I said, I enjoyed "The Purple Haze" most of the time - I may not be familiar with Pratchett's books but I was raised on Monty Python-ish comedy and "The Purple Haze" gave me a familiar vibe. There were pages, when I really laughed (e.g. story about Itchy, Itchier and For The Love Of Calahan Cut It Out You Two, or Jerome's predictions) but there were also many jokes that could be summed up with quote from the book itself: If it was a comedy routine, the audience wasn’t laughing. What mostly kills the comedy here is, I think, tendency to overuse the same joke over and over again. Repetitiveness can (and often is!) fun... but not when it's the source of, like, 85% of all jokes. Sometimes I was going trough pages and pages, and whole chapters when I felt that I had already read all of that. The most overused joke is, however, the same one that made me laugh the most: names. I get it, it was supposed to mock all of these pretentious names in high, epic fantasy (especially in YA nowadays), but most of the time it felt like the author was trying too hard with it. Especially with names of rooms in Eloise's castle (seriously, first few chapters are really overpacked with it) and names of characters. Eloise herself is enough to prove my point here. To sum this up: I understand from where all of these jokes come from. I get it, truly. And I clearly see that the author can be very funny; what sabotages him is (I suppose) trying too hard. Then he starts to sound like an edgy teenager and a fountain of dad jokes at once. Yeah, I'm also suprised of this mix.
My second problem with "The Purple Haze" was pacing. There were many pages and chapters when almost nothing happens - but I think I might felt it that way because there are too many chapters against the story. For example, if I remember correctly, Jerome's Naming Ceremony took 3-4 chapters wihout any real reason for it! One of supposed cliff-hangers was the entrance of the jester! Many chapters, especially later in the story, contains only one scene and often it's not even a scene that is necessary for the plot. If they would be part of longer chapters, which also contains something important for the story, there would be balance between scenes written transparently only for the comedic purposes and those that improves the story we follow. Of course, not every scene needs to brings something to the plot or worldbuilding, but when you have an entire chapter that could be summed up as The characters discuss name of the soup, there is something wrong. However, to be fair, pacing was a problem I had mostly with second (longer) part of the book; chapters before travelling weren't perfect but they weren't so much of them that felt... unnecessary. That makes me think that maybe the roadtrip part was worse because there were less ideas to explore. Honestly, if this book would be like 100 pages shorter, I think I would enjoy it way more.
Without separating rest of my issues with this book into different paragraphs, I should simply say that my last problem with "The Purple Haze" were both characters and worldbuilding. It's not that I didn't find anyone I would like, not at all. I really liked Johanna, I could say that she's my favourite character for now; to be fair, I didn't expect to meet such a complex and vivid character in a book like this. I was really disappointed that we have only few chapters from her perspective. I liked Lorch as well, I liked Hector, Al and Nameless One (okay, Nameless One probably counts only because I'm sucker for horses with personalities in fiction). But I didn't like Eloise nor Jerome. Not that I despise them or something but I don't feel anything towards them. Mostly because I can hardly name any of their traits. Eloise is a princess and she knows what princess and heir to the throne is supposed to do (unlike many princesses in fiction). Jerome is an anxious chipmunk. The end. I don't feel like they were as fleshed out as other characters, which is funny because they're the ones that are supposed to be our main duet. Hell, we spend most of the book in Eloise's head but I still feel like I don't know her at all. Although, I must add, I think her OCD is described very well. It doesn't determine her completely (which is often the case with neurodivergent characters), it really slightly, without any exaggeration - at least none that I can point out. It felt very refreshing, especially while one of my best friends is neurodivergent too and sometimes I saw a little bit of her in Eloise. My worldbuilding problem is, suprisingly, smaller. I totally get that the whole world is supposed to be a parody of typical fantasy universe - and it works, really. Also, it was nice to see at least two queendoms; especially when one has (if I understand correctly) a matriarchaty society. It still is a very underused concept, even (especially?) in YA. My only problem was how carelessly the author put in there everything that came to his mind. In this world there is no France, yet you have here French words. There is no Japan, yet you have here origami. There was no Rome as well, I suppose, but you have Latin (although this one is so common that I might ignore it). You have no Spain, yet you have Spanish. Speaking of which: I'm not sure if Al was a parody of stereotypical Latino or if he himself was a stereotypical Latino. Even if we're talking about horse here. Because, really, those random Spanish words in his dialogues were a little bit annoying - being bilingual doesn't look like that! Of course, it would be very silly of me to demand creating new languages from the author, but throwing elements strictly linked to our culture into a fantasy world with no connection to ours seems sloppy to me. Even in comedy. I also liked the amount of animal characters but I felt like comedic potential of it was underused and limited mostly to how they look like - e.g. during Naming Ceremony Jerome panicks out of fear and starts running... but from everything I know about chipmunks, when they're frightened they become almost literally frozen and unable to move. Like I get that they're antrhopomorphic but I think there are still many ways of using specific traits of their species to embrace both comedy and fairy tale styling of the story.
I'm probably sounding like I didn't like "The Purple Haze" at all but really - I did. It wasn't always an easy ride, as I said, but it was still very nice. From the very start I liked the absurd atmosphere mixed with those less-popular European fairy tales that focuse rather on adventures and talking animals than on love and finding a right prince/princess (to be fair, it reminded me a little of Grimm's "Two Brothers", which is still my favourite). I liked the humour when it wasn't shoved down my throat. I liked the premise of the story because it was focused on a relationship between sisters (also, twins' scene before Johanna's departure was really well-written and moving for me) - and it's one of the reasons why I felt like the travelling part was too long, often losing track of searching for Johanna. As I said, I liked Johanna very much and she's the main reason why I'm seeing potential in the author. I liked lack of male gaze, which is hard to dodge even for really good male writers - I'm not saying that it's super-feminist or something but during my reading I never felt that you can clearly see that it was written by a men. Probably because of covering almost-only family friendly (in a PG-12 way) topics but still, it's important for me (and was one the reasons why I dislike Rick Riordan's books). I believe Andrew Einspruch has enough talent and imaginery to create really enjoyable stories, as "The Purple Haze" itself has a potential - even despite its flaws, I'm still interested in Eloise and Johanna's story and want to know how it ends. So it's 2/5 rating but a really, REALLY solid one.
Now, I suppose I should explain my rather low rating of the novel I enoyed most of the time. If Goodreads had 10-point scale, I'd give "The Purple Haze" 5/10 without any hesitation, so theoretically I should rate it 3/5. The problem is that for years I've rated 3/5 many books that were either more enjoyable for me or better written (with no offence to the author, as his book is not badly written, I just think that he's capable of writing a better one).
As I said, I enjoyed "The Purple Haze" most of the time - I may not be familiar with Pratchett's books but I was raised on Monty Python-ish comedy and "The Purple Haze" gave me a familiar vibe. There were pages, when I really laughed (e.g. story about Itchy, Itchier and For The Love Of Calahan Cut It Out You Two, or Jerome's predictions) but there were also many jokes that could be summed up with quote from the book itself: If it was a comedy routine, the audience wasn’t laughing. What mostly kills the comedy here is, I think, tendency to overuse the same joke over and over again. Repetitiveness can (and often is!) fun... but not when it's the source of, like, 85% of all jokes. Sometimes I was going trough pages and pages, and whole chapters when I felt that I had already read all of that. The most overused joke is, however, the same one that made me laugh the most: names. I get it, it was supposed to mock all of these pretentious names in high, epic fantasy (especially in YA nowadays), but most of the time it felt like the author was trying too hard with it. Especially with names of rooms in Eloise's castle (seriously, first few chapters are really overpacked with it) and names of characters. Eloise herself is enough to prove my point here. To sum this up: I understand from where all of these jokes come from. I get it, truly. And I clearly see that the author can be very funny; what sabotages him is (I suppose) trying too hard. Then he starts to sound like an edgy teenager and a fountain of dad jokes at once. Yeah, I'm also suprised of this mix.
My second problem with "The Purple Haze" was pacing. There were many pages and chapters when almost nothing happens - but I think I might felt it that way because there are too many chapters against the story. For example, if I remember correctly, Jerome's Naming Ceremony took 3-4 chapters wihout any real reason for it! One of supposed cliff-hangers was the entrance of the jester! Many chapters, especially later in the story, contains only one scene and often it's not even a scene that is necessary for the plot. If they would be part of longer chapters, which also contains something important for the story, there would be balance between scenes written transparently only for the comedic purposes and those that improves the story we follow. Of course, not every scene needs to brings something to the plot or worldbuilding, but when you have an entire chapter that could be summed up as The characters discuss name of the soup, there is something wrong. However, to be fair, pacing was a problem I had mostly with second (longer) part of the book; chapters before travelling weren't perfect but they weren't so much of them that felt... unnecessary. That makes me think that maybe the roadtrip part was worse because there were less ideas to explore. Honestly, if this book would be like 100 pages shorter, I think I would enjoy it way more.
Without separating rest of my issues with this book into different paragraphs, I should simply say that my last problem with "The Purple Haze" were both characters and worldbuilding. It's not that I didn't find anyone I would like, not at all. I really liked Johanna, I could say that she's my favourite character for now; to be fair, I didn't expect to meet such a complex and vivid character in a book like this. I was really disappointed that we have only few chapters from her perspective. I liked Lorch as well, I liked Hector, Al and Nameless One (okay, Nameless One probably counts only because I'm sucker for horses with personalities in fiction). But I didn't like Eloise nor Jerome. Not that I despise them or something but I don't feel anything towards them. Mostly because I can hardly name any of their traits. Eloise is a princess and she knows what princess and heir to the throne is supposed to do (unlike many princesses in fiction). Jerome is an anxious chipmunk. The end. I don't feel like they were as fleshed out as other characters, which is funny because they're the ones that are supposed to be our main duet. Hell, we spend most of the book in Eloise's head but I still feel like I don't know her at all. Although, I must add, I think her OCD is described very well. It doesn't determine her completely (which is often the case with neurodivergent characters), it really slightly, without any exaggeration - at least none that I can point out. It felt very refreshing, especially while one of my best friends is neurodivergent too and sometimes I saw a little bit of her in Eloise. My worldbuilding problem is, suprisingly, smaller. I totally get that the whole world is supposed to be a parody of typical fantasy universe - and it works, really. Also, it was nice to see at least two queendoms; especially when one has (if I understand correctly) a matriarchaty society. It still is a very underused concept, even (especially?) in YA. My only problem was how carelessly the author put in there everything that came to his mind. In this world there is no France, yet you have here French words. There is no Japan, yet you have here origami. There was no Rome as well, I suppose, but you have Latin (although this one is so common that I might ignore it). You have no Spain, yet you have Spanish. Speaking of which: I'm not sure if Al was a parody of stereotypical Latino or if he himself was a stereotypical Latino. Even if we're talking about horse here. Because, really, those random Spanish words in his dialogues were a little bit annoying - being bilingual doesn't look like that! Of course, it would be very silly of me to demand creating new languages from the author, but throwing elements strictly linked to our culture into a fantasy world with no connection to ours seems sloppy to me. Even in comedy. I also liked the amount of animal characters but I felt like comedic potential of it was underused and limited mostly to how they look like - e.g. during Naming Ceremony Jerome panicks out of fear and starts running... but from everything I know about chipmunks, when they're frightened they become almost literally frozen and unable to move. Like I get that they're antrhopomorphic but I think there are still many ways of using specific traits of their species to embrace both comedy and fairy tale styling of the story.
I'm probably sounding like I didn't like "The Purple Haze" at all but really - I did. It wasn't always an easy ride, as I said, but it was still very nice. From the very start I liked the absurd atmosphere mixed with those less-popular European fairy tales that focuse rather on adventures and talking animals than on love and finding a right prince/princess (to be fair, it reminded me a little of Grimm's "Two Brothers", which is still my favourite). I liked the humour when it wasn't shoved down my throat. I liked the premise of the story because it was focused on a relationship between sisters (also, twins' scene before Johanna's departure was really well-written and moving for me) - and it's one of the reasons why I felt like the travelling part was too long, often losing track of searching for Johanna. As I said, I liked Johanna very much and she's the main reason why I'm seeing potential in the author. I liked lack of male gaze, which is hard to dodge even for really good male writers - I'm not saying that it's super-feminist or something but during my reading I never felt that you can clearly see that it was written by a men. Probably because of covering almost-only family friendly (in a PG-12 way) topics but still, it's important for me (and was one the reasons why I dislike Rick Riordan's books). I believe Andrew Einspruch has enough talent and imaginery to create really enjoyable stories, as "The Purple Haze" itself has a potential - even despite its flaws, I'm still interested in Eloise and Johanna's story and want to know how it ends. So it's 2/5 rating but a really, REALLY solid one.
September 11, 2023
I first saw the book and fell in love with the pretty cover, also my favourite colour is purple, so the book has be intrigued.
The book started off with Eloise and Jerome being the friends they are & accepting Jerome ,the chipmunk as a Champion. They both are so funny together, I laughed so much.
The writing style is easy to read, for a past paced reader like me, not too difficult to understand.The plot building goes from introducing the characters and getting us acclimatised to their personality to understand better.
Next thing I loved is the sibling bond, Eloise going for her twin sister Johanna.that’s truly wonderful.The mysterious purple haze divides the country.
The plotting of the antagonist is also done is a great way.
Overall I would say it’s pretty hilarious YA book, written wonderfully by the author. One thing is that chapters are too long and a bit dragging. It could be done in short instead of streching that much.Thankyou Booktasters and Mr Einsprusch for giving me a free copy of this book in response for a honest review
The book started off with Eloise and Jerome being the friends they are & accepting Jerome ,the chipmunk as a Champion. They both are so funny together, I laughed so much.
The writing style is easy to read, for a past paced reader like me, not too difficult to understand.The plot building goes from introducing the characters and getting us acclimatised to their personality to understand better.
Next thing I loved is the sibling bond, Eloise going for her twin sister Johanna.that’s truly wonderful.The mysterious purple haze divides the country.
The plotting of the antagonist is also done is a great way.
Overall I would say it’s pretty hilarious YA book, written wonderfully by the author. One thing is that chapters are too long and a bit dragging. It could be done in short instead of streching that much.Thankyou Booktasters and Mr Einsprusch for giving me a free copy of this book in response for a honest review
March 9, 2021
Adventurous, enjoyable, and funny.
I am honored to get a copy from the author and the story captivating my heart. This is a debut works by Andrew Einspruch which tells the story of Princess Eloise Hydra Gumball III, a princess and heiress of The Western Lands and All that Really Matters kingdom, and her journey to save her twin sister, Johanna from getting caught into a killer cloud. Accompanied by some loyal companions to help her, they faced many things during the journey.
One thing I like about this novel is how the author using puns very well. Somehow it makes the story funnier. Also, I realized the names of the character and places are unique and some kind of fantastical vibes. Like Eloise's full name, Seer Maybelle der Chipmunk Umgotteswillen, and also places like Exposure Pit, Flinging Field, and Culpability Courtyard. It makes the story more alive.
Besides, since Eloise has OCD tendencies, we can understand their world and how they deal with it. It can be seen in the phrases like "knowing when something is just right" and some others. I also love how the author created many characters with their peculiar or I can say their unique side. I find out that the stories are a little bit different than other fantasy stories that I had read but it captures my heart and makes me wonder what happens next. Well, I don't want to spoil the plots but it really worth reading.
This story reminded me of Through the Looking Glass story by Lewis Carroll, it seems confusing at first but when I go through from pages to pages the story gets more interesting. Perfect reading for fantasy lovers. It not only worth my 5 stars but also my time.
I am honored to get a copy from the author and the story captivating my heart. This is a debut works by Andrew Einspruch which tells the story of Princess Eloise Hydra Gumball III, a princess and heiress of The Western Lands and All that Really Matters kingdom, and her journey to save her twin sister, Johanna from getting caught into a killer cloud. Accompanied by some loyal companions to help her, they faced many things during the journey.
One thing I like about this novel is how the author using puns very well. Somehow it makes the story funnier. Also, I realized the names of the character and places are unique and some kind of fantastical vibes. Like Eloise's full name, Seer Maybelle der Chipmunk Umgotteswillen, and also places like Exposure Pit, Flinging Field, and Culpability Courtyard. It makes the story more alive.
Besides, since Eloise has OCD tendencies, we can understand their world and how they deal with it. It can be seen in the phrases like "knowing when something is just right" and some others. I also love how the author created many characters with their peculiar or I can say their unique side. I find out that the stories are a little bit different than other fantasy stories that I had read but it captures my heart and makes me wonder what happens next. Well, I don't want to spoil the plots but it really worth reading.
This story reminded me of Through the Looking Glass story by Lewis Carroll, it seems confusing at first but when I go through from pages to pages the story gets more interesting. Perfect reading for fantasy lovers. It not only worth my 5 stars but also my time.
September 9, 2021
I don't like comparing books, but I couldn't help thinking that "The Purple Haze" achieves what Alan Dean Foster attempted with his Spellsinger series - and does it so much better. For all the humour, nothing is forced - it has a completely organic feel. Of course, there's a really great story to carry the humour, along with some brilliant characters, and excellent writing. Looking forward to the next book!
My thanks to the author and BookTasters. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
My thanks to the author and BookTasters. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.
September 29, 2023
I appreciate Booktasters and Andrew Einspruch, the author, for giving me a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
I tend to love any media that is absurd in nature. I believe Einspruch tackles the absurdist genre incredibly well in this fantasy world. This world is frolicking with talking animals, illogical traditions, and a few cups of Haggleberry Tea. The overall vibe and culture presented in this world, while insane compared to Earth standards, are interwoven quite well into this fantastical setting of this narrative. The absurdist nature of the story is what I came away liking most about this novel.
Moving towards characters, I really enjoyed reading the perspective of Princess Eloise. I haven't yet read a character that struggles with OCD, and although I'm not at liberty to say whether it was handled appropriately to the real thing, I can say I enjoyed reading it myself. Her dynamic with Jerome was handled well throughout the story in my opinion. Both of them are able to fill in for each other's weaknesses, and that's always a neat thing to see in a story.
The plot of a rescue mission is usually something that hooks me pretty fast, and this novel was no different. Seeing Eloise go after Johanna despite their differences and mood towards each other captivated me quickly. The dangers and obstacles faced really help the characters grow and progress throughout the story. Not to dive too forcefully into spoiler territory, but I found the villain of the story quite interesting (and definitely a little creepy).
I don't read a whole lot of YA novels, but I can definitely say I want to keep reading this series. If you're a fan of absurdism, humor, and/or fantasy then I would definitely recommend you give this a shot.
I tend to love any media that is absurd in nature. I believe Einspruch tackles the absurdist genre incredibly well in this fantasy world. This world is frolicking with talking animals, illogical traditions, and a few cups of Haggleberry Tea. The overall vibe and culture presented in this world, while insane compared to Earth standards, are interwoven quite well into this fantastical setting of this narrative. The absurdist nature of the story is what I came away liking most about this novel.
Moving towards characters, I really enjoyed reading the perspective of Princess Eloise. I haven't yet read a character that struggles with OCD, and although I'm not at liberty to say whether it was handled appropriately to the real thing, I can say I enjoyed reading it myself. Her dynamic with Jerome was handled well throughout the story in my opinion. Both of them are able to fill in for each other's weaknesses, and that's always a neat thing to see in a story.
The plot of a rescue mission is usually something that hooks me pretty fast, and this novel was no different. Seeing Eloise go after Johanna despite their differences and mood towards each other captivated me quickly. The dangers and obstacles faced really help the characters grow and progress throughout the story. Not to dive too forcefully into spoiler territory, but I found the villain of the story quite interesting (and definitely a little creepy).
I don't read a whole lot of YA novels, but I can definitely say I want to keep reading this series. If you're a fan of absurdism, humor, and/or fantasy then I would definitely recommend you give this a shot.
June 3, 2024
What a great read! It took me out of my comfort zone as its not the style of writing that I am used to. I was highly amused and enjoyed the talking animals, silly names and fun banter between the characters. Discovering song lyrics strategically written into the story was also a fun experience.
Our main character Princess Eloise, with the aid of her Champion (a talking chipmunk) and other unlikely companions, travel through the mysterious Purple Haze to rescue her twin sister Johanna, from their Uncle. The journey does not go smoothly and hilarious obstacles are experienced throughout. This in turn strengthens the bond within the group and beautiful friendships are formed.
It was great to read about Princess Eloise pushing through, gaining confidence and believing in herself. Her personal growth whilst exhibiting traits of OCD was beautifully written.
I really enjoyed The Purple Haze and looking forward to continuing with the series. If you enjoy laughing, cosy fantasy, absurdism, talking chipmunks and cliffhangers then this book is for you!
Thank you Andrew Einspruch and Booktasters for providing me with the ebook to review.
3.5/5 Stars
Our main character Princess Eloise, with the aid of her Champion (a talking chipmunk) and other unlikely companions, travel through the mysterious Purple Haze to rescue her twin sister Johanna, from their Uncle. The journey does not go smoothly and hilarious obstacles are experienced throughout. This in turn strengthens the bond within the group and beautiful friendships are formed.
It was great to read about Princess Eloise pushing through, gaining confidence and believing in herself. Her personal growth whilst exhibiting traits of OCD was beautifully written.
I really enjoyed The Purple Haze and looking forward to continuing with the series. If you enjoy laughing, cosy fantasy, absurdism, talking chipmunks and cliffhangers then this book is for you!
Thank you Andrew Einspruch and Booktasters for providing me with the ebook to review.
3.5/5 Stars
July 7, 2024
Thank you Booktasters for another great opportunity to read a wonderful book!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
This was an amazing book with great world building, comedy, storytelling, characters, and plot. This is books shows the love and devotion of two sisters when Eloise rides across the country for her sister. There were many unique things that caught my attention, like the talking animals and friendly chipmunk, this was a great addition to the book.
This book is a quick read for fast paced readers like myself, and ends in a cliffhanger that will leave you dying to read book two, overall, this is a great read that I would highly recommend, and that I am very glad I read!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5
This was an amazing book with great world building, comedy, storytelling, characters, and plot. This is books shows the love and devotion of two sisters when Eloise rides across the country for her sister. There were many unique things that caught my attention, like the talking animals and friendly chipmunk, this was a great addition to the book.
This book is a quick read for fast paced readers like myself, and ends in a cliffhanger that will leave you dying to read book two, overall, this is a great read that I would highly recommend, and that I am very glad I read!
August 1, 2021
I loved this book. It shows how a sibling is will to go and save her twin. This book was a great book and I couldn’t put it down. I loved the magic and the amount of obstacles the characters face on their journey. I loved this medieval storyline and I enjoyed reading this book.
November 14, 2021
"So, you've been on two deserts on a horse with no name. How was it?" "After sloshing through Inner Splutter? It was good to get out of the rain."
First Impressions
When I first decided to read this book - I was immediately drawn to the cover of the book. I'm just a sucker for a good cover. I understand the old adage of never judge a book by it's cover - but I will one hundred percent judge a book by it's cover. And the cover was interesting very much grabbed my attention. Maybe it's my bias to the color purple - actually, yeah it's definitely my bias to the color purple.
It captured me from the first chapter, when Seer Maybelle, a chipmunk, begged Princess Eloise Hydra Gumball III to marry Jerome, the seer's only son: also a chipmunk. Whatever it was I was expecting when I opened this book, it definitely was not that. That chapter definitely did set the pace for much of the story that would follow.
World Building:
The world where the Purple Haze exists is an alternate medieval world. A world filled with kings and queens, talking animals and what used to be strong but is now weak magic. While reading this book, I could see that the author had such fun writing it because there were so many things in this world that made me laugh out loud.
I think my favorite part was the different Calaht worshippers because I come from a very religious background and the different sects reminded me so much of the different denominations. I'm sure that was intended.
It is definitely a world that I want to explore so much more of because I'm curious to see what other weak magic other people had and how it could manifest. It's a hilariously beautiful world that I wouldn't mind visiting myself
Characters:
The world is rich with many characters, without detracting from the main characters. Each character introduced provided a wonderful layer to the story - with their own flavoring. If I had to pick a favorite, and I definitely have one, it's definitely Lorch.
I just absolutely adore the man and want to see more of him.
In close running to favorites: the twins. I love the Princesses so very much. I know there wasn't that much of Princess Johanna but she's pretty awesome. I live for the angry but actually cuddly teddy bear trope that she obviously characterized. As for Princess Eloise III - her flaws and her habits never detract from the fact that she's caring and loving, and very brave.
Even the villain of the story - Turpy - is more than sufficiently creepy. I dream of writing a character that is as unsettling as His Jesterness Turpy.
Favorites:
I've mentioned earlier that there are many things to love about this book for me - and the fact that it's hilarious is at the top of that list. I always enjoy books that make me laugh out loud and I have laughed several times while reading this book. From the chapter that focused on the giant hole in the ground to the different festivals - I particularly enjoyed the one about the Aloe Vera one festival - it was like being in a world where in the Author and I were sharing one inside joke after the other.
Very clever, but not smug.
Final Words:
I'm definitely glad to have read this book and it is one of those books that I will probably re-read on days when I'm feeling down and if that's not a ringing endorsement - then I don't know what is.
First Impressions
When I first decided to read this book - I was immediately drawn to the cover of the book. I'm just a sucker for a good cover. I understand the old adage of never judge a book by it's cover - but I will one hundred percent judge a book by it's cover. And the cover was interesting very much grabbed my attention. Maybe it's my bias to the color purple - actually, yeah it's definitely my bias to the color purple.
It captured me from the first chapter, when Seer Maybelle, a chipmunk, begged Princess Eloise Hydra Gumball III to marry Jerome, the seer's only son: also a chipmunk. Whatever it was I was expecting when I opened this book, it definitely was not that. That chapter definitely did set the pace for much of the story that would follow.
World Building:
The world where the Purple Haze exists is an alternate medieval world. A world filled with kings and queens, talking animals and what used to be strong but is now weak magic. While reading this book, I could see that the author had such fun writing it because there were so many things in this world that made me laugh out loud.
I think my favorite part was the different Calaht worshippers because I come from a very religious background and the different sects reminded me so much of the different denominations. I'm sure that was intended.
It is definitely a world that I want to explore so much more of because I'm curious to see what other weak magic other people had and how it could manifest. It's a hilariously beautiful world that I wouldn't mind visiting myself
Characters:
The world is rich with many characters, without detracting from the main characters. Each character introduced provided a wonderful layer to the story - with their own flavoring. If I had to pick a favorite, and I definitely have one, it's definitely Lorch.
I just absolutely adore the man and want to see more of him.
In close running to favorites: the twins. I love the Princesses so very much. I know there wasn't that much of Princess Johanna but she's pretty awesome. I live for the angry but actually cuddly teddy bear trope that she obviously characterized. As for Princess Eloise III - her flaws and her habits never detract from the fact that she's caring and loving, and very brave.
Even the villain of the story - Turpy - is more than sufficiently creepy. I dream of writing a character that is as unsettling as His Jesterness Turpy.
Favorites:
I've mentioned earlier that there are many things to love about this book for me - and the fact that it's hilarious is at the top of that list. I always enjoy books that make me laugh out loud and I have laughed several times while reading this book. From the chapter that focused on the giant hole in the ground to the different festivals - I particularly enjoyed the one about the Aloe Vera one festival - it was like being in a world where in the Author and I were sharing one inside joke after the other.
Very clever, but not smug.
Final Words:
I'm definitely glad to have read this book and it is one of those books that I will probably re-read on days when I'm feeling down and if that's not a ringing endorsement - then I don't know what is.
October 20, 2023
DeEsta es la historia de la princesa Eloise y su viaje para salvar a su hermana, junto con la compañía de su amigo y una ardilla parlanchina se embarcan en una aventura llena de magia, diversión, situaciones un poco locas y muy interesantes descubrimientos.
Esta novela es bastante juvenil tanto en su trama como en su desarrollo se puede sentir pues no es muy complejo sin embargo las descripciones y el desarrollo de la historia es bastante bueno, el autor hace que te adentres en la historia y disfrutes imaginando las situaciones que se le presentan a los protagonistas ademas que el humor es bastante sencillo y entretenido.
En cuanto a los personajes la protagonista tiene TOC y esta bastante bien desarrollado en la historia, los personajes secundarios también son bastante interesantes y me gusta que logra que te puedas imaginar a los animales interactuando con los humanos y hablando con ellos sin problema.
En general es un libro muy interesante perfecto para los amantes de la fantasía, es el inicio de una saga por lo que quedan detalles pendientes pero es muy rápido y fácil de leer por lo que si lo recomiendo para quienes quieran comenzar a leer fantasía ligera y muy entretenida.
Agradezco mucho a Booktasters y al autor por el envío digital del libro para esta colaboración lo disfrute mucho.
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This is the story of Princess Eloise and her journey to save her sister. Together with the company of her friend and a chatty squirrel, they embark on an adventure full of magic, fun, slightly crazy situations and very interesting discoveries.
This novel is quite youthful both in its plot and in its development, you can feel it because it is not very complex, however the descriptions and the development of the story are quite good, the author makes you delve into the story and enjoy imagining the situations that occur. The protagonists are introduced, and the humor is quite simple and entertaining.
As for the characters, the protagonist has OCD and is quite well developed in the story, the secondary characters are also quite interesting and I like that it allows you to imagine the animals interacting with humans and talking to them without a problem.
In general, it is a very interesting book, perfect for fantasy lovers, it is the beginning of a saga so there are still details pending, but it is very fast and easy to read, so I do recommend it for those who want to start reading light fantasy and very entertaining.
I am very grateful to Booktasters and the author for digitally sending the book for this collaboration, I really enjoyed it.
Esta novela es bastante juvenil tanto en su trama como en su desarrollo se puede sentir pues no es muy complejo sin embargo las descripciones y el desarrollo de la historia es bastante bueno, el autor hace que te adentres en la historia y disfrutes imaginando las situaciones que se le presentan a los protagonistas ademas que el humor es bastante sencillo y entretenido.
En cuanto a los personajes la protagonista tiene TOC y esta bastante bien desarrollado en la historia, los personajes secundarios también son bastante interesantes y me gusta que logra que te puedas imaginar a los animales interactuando con los humanos y hablando con ellos sin problema.
En general es un libro muy interesante perfecto para los amantes de la fantasía, es el inicio de una saga por lo que quedan detalles pendientes pero es muy rápido y fácil de leer por lo que si lo recomiendo para quienes quieran comenzar a leer fantasía ligera y muy entretenida.
Agradezco mucho a Booktasters y al autor por el envío digital del libro para esta colaboración lo disfrute mucho.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This is the story of Princess Eloise and her journey to save her sister. Together with the company of her friend and a chatty squirrel, they embark on an adventure full of magic, fun, slightly crazy situations and very interesting discoveries.
This novel is quite youthful both in its plot and in its development, you can feel it because it is not very complex, however the descriptions and the development of the story are quite good, the author makes you delve into the story and enjoy imagining the situations that occur. The protagonists are introduced, and the humor is quite simple and entertaining.
As for the characters, the protagonist has OCD and is quite well developed in the story, the secondary characters are also quite interesting and I like that it allows you to imagine the animals interacting with humans and talking to them without a problem.
In general, it is a very interesting book, perfect for fantasy lovers, it is the beginning of a saga so there are still details pending, but it is very fast and easy to read, so I do recommend it for those who want to start reading light fantasy and very entertaining.
I am very grateful to Booktasters and the author for digitally sending the book for this collaboration, I really enjoyed it.
July 28, 2019
Read my full review here: https://lifesanovelty.blogspot.com/20...
Opinions: Perhaps Einspruch has never heard of Chekhov's Gun, but it doesn't matter. The Purple Haze can only be described as a hoot! It is light-hearted and full of innocent humour. This is the first YA "fairytale" I've read, and it set the bar high for others (if there are any). There is an unbelievable amount of creativity and, at times, randomness in The Purple Haze, allowing it to be an easy and fun read. The ending unfortunately does not end on a cliffhanger, but based on the amount of fun I've had with The Purple Haze and The Wombanditos, I will continue reading anyway. I also can't say I learned much/took anything from the book, but sometimes you just need an entertaining, thoughtless read.
My Favourite Thing(s): I enjoyed the innocent humour while reading The Purple Haze. A lot of YA authors stretch themselves to write innuendos, roasts, or other inappropriate jokes, but Einspruch just wrote what was natural. There are a lot of plays-on-words (champignon vs. champion), bizarre stories (losing an eye and a kidney in a freak kumquat harvest), and ridiculous word choices (spangly bits). This book could easily be considered too juvenile to be funny for teenagers, but I enjoyed the break from all of the awfully written sex jokes.
I was also able to connect to these characters very easily for two reasons. One, Einspruch (although not right away) described them and showed the readers who they were. There was a range of character types and personalities, which opened up for more people finding a person they enjoy reading about. Two, there are a lot of "experiences" or "situations" that I share with the characters, including speaking French and having OCD. There are a lot of random French words in The Purple Haze, and because I speak French, I find it even funnier. I also see myself in Eloise a lot because of her OCD tendencies, such as "knowing when something is just right." The numbers in the library "just make sense." I noticed these habits right away and connected with Eloise, which made engaging with the text easier.
My Least Favourite Thing: There were too many characters introduced at once in the first two chapters, which made it confusing. Are there two chipmunks? And what specifically is a champion? There's a duck...? These issues rolled out soon after the conflict was introduced, but it was a bit difficult and deterred me from engaging right away.
Opinions: Perhaps Einspruch has never heard of Chekhov's Gun, but it doesn't matter. The Purple Haze can only be described as a hoot! It is light-hearted and full of innocent humour. This is the first YA "fairytale" I've read, and it set the bar high for others (if there are any). There is an unbelievable amount of creativity and, at times, randomness in The Purple Haze, allowing it to be an easy and fun read. The ending unfortunately does not end on a cliffhanger, but based on the amount of fun I've had with The Purple Haze and The Wombanditos, I will continue reading anyway. I also can't say I learned much/took anything from the book, but sometimes you just need an entertaining, thoughtless read.
My Favourite Thing(s): I enjoyed the innocent humour while reading The Purple Haze. A lot of YA authors stretch themselves to write innuendos, roasts, or other inappropriate jokes, but Einspruch just wrote what was natural. There are a lot of plays-on-words (champignon vs. champion), bizarre stories (losing an eye and a kidney in a freak kumquat harvest), and ridiculous word choices (spangly bits). This book could easily be considered too juvenile to be funny for teenagers, but I enjoyed the break from all of the awfully written sex jokes.
I was also able to connect to these characters very easily for two reasons. One, Einspruch (although not right away) described them and showed the readers who they were. There was a range of character types and personalities, which opened up for more people finding a person they enjoy reading about. Two, there are a lot of "experiences" or "situations" that I share with the characters, including speaking French and having OCD. There are a lot of random French words in The Purple Haze, and because I speak French, I find it even funnier. I also see myself in Eloise a lot because of her OCD tendencies, such as "knowing when something is just right." The numbers in the library "just make sense." I noticed these habits right away and connected with Eloise, which made engaging with the text easier.
My Least Favourite Thing: There were too many characters introduced at once in the first two chapters, which made it confusing. Are there two chipmunks? And what specifically is a champion? There's a duck...? These issues rolled out soon after the conflict was introduced, but it was a bit difficult and deterred me from engaging right away.
April 8, 2024
First of all, I would like to thank Booktasters and Andrew Einspruch for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
To be honest, I had never read absurdist books or books in this genre before picking up the Purple Haze so it was really intriguing for me to read about the world depicted in this story. The writing style is beautiful and I enjoyed most of the jokes made (even though it could be a bit of an overkill at times). While the story itself is pretty simple (the main character Eloise is travelling across different places to save her twin sister from their uncle), and I loved the digestible short chapters, the main issues with this novel are its pacing and the distinctiveness of characters. A lot of the chapters about them travelling could be cut as they don’t really add anything to the main plot except for serving as obstacles for the main characters to get through (which we already have enough chapters of). This in turn made the middle part of the book a bit tedious to get through as we are meeting all of these new and random characters who add nothing new to the story.
Another issue that I found was the lack of character development with the main characters of the story. I understand that this book is supposed to be the first instalment of a series, but I personally believe that it would have been fascinating to see some new skills or mindsets that Eloise picked up after experiencing the events in the story. Aside from Jerome, who was more toned down near the end, all of the characters remained the same at the end of the story which left me feeling unsatisfied with their characterisations. It would have also been interesting to see more glimpses of Eloise and Johanna’s past sisterhood before they got estranged over the years, as it would have made it more believable for readers to believe in the strength of their relationship which is the main driving force behind Eloise’s motivation throughout the book.
Overall, with some edits, I do believe that the Purple Haze has a lot of potential to become a more nuanced and entertaining book:) I really enjoyed myself when I was reading this and I would like to know what happens next!
To be honest, I had never read absurdist books or books in this genre before picking up the Purple Haze so it was really intriguing for me to read about the world depicted in this story. The writing style is beautiful and I enjoyed most of the jokes made (even though it could be a bit of an overkill at times). While the story itself is pretty simple (the main character Eloise is travelling across different places to save her twin sister from their uncle), and I loved the digestible short chapters, the main issues with this novel are its pacing and the distinctiveness of characters. A lot of the chapters about them travelling could be cut as they don’t really add anything to the main plot except for serving as obstacles for the main characters to get through (which we already have enough chapters of). This in turn made the middle part of the book a bit tedious to get through as we are meeting all of these new and random characters who add nothing new to the story.
Another issue that I found was the lack of character development with the main characters of the story. I understand that this book is supposed to be the first instalment of a series, but I personally believe that it would have been fascinating to see some new skills or mindsets that Eloise picked up after experiencing the events in the story. Aside from Jerome, who was more toned down near the end, all of the characters remained the same at the end of the story which left me feeling unsatisfied with their characterisations. It would have also been interesting to see more glimpses of Eloise and Johanna’s past sisterhood before they got estranged over the years, as it would have made it more believable for readers to believe in the strength of their relationship which is the main driving force behind Eloise’s motivation throughout the book.
Overall, with some edits, I do believe that the Purple Haze has a lot of potential to become a more nuanced and entertaining book:) I really enjoyed myself when I was reading this and I would like to know what happens next!
August 13, 2018
Are you ready for a new imaginary world full of surprising characters and wry humour? Andrew Einspruch’s latest offering, “The Purple Haze” is the book for you. Join the twin heroines, Eloise and Johanna, as they step up to life as the heir and the spare in the court of a Queendom ruling the Western Lands and All That Really Matters. Being a princess in a world where a chipmunk becomes your champion (not to be confused with your champignon) or a platypus your maid-in-waiting gives the imagination a significant work-out. Follow along as the sisters discover for themselves that sometimes being a tad OCD can be helpful and sibling rivalry might just save your life. And all the while the mysterious purple haze that divides the Queendoms west, east and south, lingers over land and sea as a menacing backdrop to the plotting afoot in the Kingdom of the North under the prattled oversight of Uncle D. Meet the Court Jesters from the North who put the coul in coulrophobia. Watch what happens when magic is demoted to only a shade more than wishful thinking. Be swept along in a not-so-traditional traditional heroic quest where the stakes could not be higher but the food will always be deliciously steak free. (If you thought the Hogwarts feasts sounded mouth-watering just wait till you hear what vegetarian delights, accompanied by the unparalleled haggleberry teas, are served up to people in these lands.)
Einspruch launched this humorous YA fantasy series Matters with a prequel novelette "The Wombanditos ". No matter if you have not read it yet. Like Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, Einspruch’s stories are exquisite jewels unto themselves to be enjoyed alone as well as in series. And hopefully, like Pratchett, more of Einshpruch’s stories of the Western Lands and All That Really Matters will follow thick and fast. I want to know what the Purple Haze is doing there. Why is a mere jester so bound on revenge and just what does Uncle D. have in mind for his beautiful spiteful niece, Johanna? Get reading. I have a good feeling this series is going to be a wild ride.
Einspruch launched this humorous YA fantasy series Matters with a prequel novelette "The Wombanditos ". No matter if you have not read it yet. Like Terry Pratchett’s Discworld series, Einspruch’s stories are exquisite jewels unto themselves to be enjoyed alone as well as in series. And hopefully, like Pratchett, more of Einshpruch’s stories of the Western Lands and All That Really Matters will follow thick and fast. I want to know what the Purple Haze is doing there. Why is a mere jester so bound on revenge and just what does Uncle D. have in mind for his beautiful spiteful niece, Johanna? Get reading. I have a good feeling this series is going to be a wild ride.
February 9, 2024
The Purple Haze was an interesting fantasy novel where there are several kingdoms/queendoms and animals can speak. This makes for some hilarious characters, fun banter, and silly rules.
Characters: I really liked the characters, both human and animal, because they all had their quirks and their charm. The Latino singing horse might be my favorite, just an overall happy dude. I have mixed thoughts about the champion chipmunk. I liked the future ruler; she is brave and kind and definitely worthy despite her quirks and discomfort. Her second-born twin sister? Well, I definitely understand her feelings of loneliness and boredom.
Setting: Being set in the old days before technology and instant communication is what drives this whole story. The kingdoms and queendoms are their own world, not set in our world, though we have the same languages. And songs that sound just a bit familiar in their titles. The land is wide and difficult to cross by horseback or carriage, and that allows a sinister character to send us on a wild goose chase. The Purple Haze itself is both a landmark and an ominous being. No one knows what is beyond it, and no one who goes in has returned.
Plot: Unfortunately this is where I get lost, as the journey from here to there is monotonous and gets boring. Despite the comedy and crazy issues they run into, the overall go here and go there and oops, we were tricked, let's go somewhere else got a bit old. However, right at the end, it got really good. It's suspenseful and scary, and yes, while it ends on a cliffhanger, it really sets up for what comes next. As I see, this is a full series.
Cover: I like the cover; it really got me in. The purples, obviously my favorite color, the drawing of the kingdom, even the champion chipmunk. I am not sure who the creature is on the right side or why we do not have our princess depicted on the cover, but it is still an interesting cover. The haziness to it fits with the haze.
Comedy: Going to end this review with the comedy aspect, which is the biggest part of the book. Everything is goofy, silly, and strange (if you're prattled, you speak in 3s). And I loved that. Even the lands our princess is from - called The Western Lands and "all that really matters" is an example of the sarcastic silly things throughout. We have silly jesters and performers with the weirdest songs. We have rules upon rules of absolute absurdity. That was most enjoyable and would have me want to read the next book.
I would read the next installment. I absolutely must know what is beyond the Purple Haze and what our Princess will discover while going in to save her sister!
Overall 3.5 stars
Characters: I really liked the characters, both human and animal, because they all had their quirks and their charm. The Latino singing horse might be my favorite, just an overall happy dude. I have mixed thoughts about the champion chipmunk. I liked the future ruler; she is brave and kind and definitely worthy despite her quirks and discomfort. Her second-born twin sister? Well, I definitely understand her feelings of loneliness and boredom.
Setting: Being set in the old days before technology and instant communication is what drives this whole story. The kingdoms and queendoms are their own world, not set in our world, though we have the same languages. And songs that sound just a bit familiar in their titles. The land is wide and difficult to cross by horseback or carriage, and that allows a sinister character to send us on a wild goose chase. The Purple Haze itself is both a landmark and an ominous being. No one knows what is beyond it, and no one who goes in has returned.
Plot: Unfortunately this is where I get lost, as the journey from here to there is monotonous and gets boring. Despite the comedy and crazy issues they run into, the overall go here and go there and oops, we were tricked, let's go somewhere else got a bit old. However, right at the end, it got really good. It's suspenseful and scary, and yes, while it ends on a cliffhanger, it really sets up for what comes next. As I see, this is a full series.
Cover: I like the cover; it really got me in. The purples, obviously my favorite color, the drawing of the kingdom, even the champion chipmunk. I am not sure who the creature is on the right side or why we do not have our princess depicted on the cover, but it is still an interesting cover. The haziness to it fits with the haze.
Comedy: Going to end this review with the comedy aspect, which is the biggest part of the book. Everything is goofy, silly, and strange (if you're prattled, you speak in 3s). And I loved that. Even the lands our princess is from - called The Western Lands and "all that really matters" is an example of the sarcastic silly things throughout. We have silly jesters and performers with the weirdest songs. We have rules upon rules of absolute absurdity. That was most enjoyable and would have me want to read the next book.
I would read the next installment. I absolutely must know what is beyond the Purple Haze and what our Princess will discover while going in to save her sister!
Overall 3.5 stars
August 7, 2019
The Purple Haze - a review by Rosemary Kenny
Prolific Australian author (and animal sanctuary owner/manager) Andrew Einspruch writes a comic epic saga for young adults, The Purple Haze, which is Book 1 in The Western Lands and All That Really Matters series, (that's already up to Book 3) for your reading pleasure.
A comic combination of Dr Doolittle and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Purple Haze tell how twin princesses in the eponymous Kingdom of The Western Lands and All That Really Matters, are very different in manner and inheritance prospects. The elder is Heir Presumptive and the rebellious younger Princess enjoys comparative freedom from the Court etiquette system of Protocol and flouts it to the full.
When an invitation to their uncle's Northern kingdom for one of the girls turns into a worrying absence, the King and Queen strangely send their elder daughter to seek out her younger sibling with only a human guard with weak magic mounted on horseback, (one of whom has taken a vow of silence!) and a talking Chipmunk for company and - hopefully - protection!
Can both HRHs make it home in one piece? Who's behind the cunning plot to change the line of Succession to the Throne? Who's the Seer?
Are they telling the truth about what's really happened - or is someone else up to mischief?
Find out by reading the delightful The Purple Haze, by Andrew Einspruch as it leads the ardent fantasy reader through encounters with foreign kingdoms'
dungeons,a talking alpaca, chameleon and other animals, plus Germanically umlauted names for characters who may have good or other intentions in mind, past the cliff-hanger ending to continue this great, (450 page long) saga in the next two, (already published) books - it's a labour of love that young adults, (of all ages) will be sure to enjoy!
Prolific Australian author (and animal sanctuary owner/manager) Andrew Einspruch writes a comic epic saga for young adults, The Purple Haze, which is Book 1 in The Western Lands and All That Really Matters series, (that's already up to Book 3) for your reading pleasure.
A comic combination of Dr Doolittle and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Purple Haze tell how twin princesses in the eponymous Kingdom of The Western Lands and All That Really Matters, are very different in manner and inheritance prospects. The elder is Heir Presumptive and the rebellious younger Princess enjoys comparative freedom from the Court etiquette system of Protocol and flouts it to the full.
When an invitation to their uncle's Northern kingdom for one of the girls turns into a worrying absence, the King and Queen strangely send their elder daughter to seek out her younger sibling with only a human guard with weak magic mounted on horseback, (one of whom has taken a vow of silence!) and a talking Chipmunk for company and - hopefully - protection!
Can both HRHs make it home in one piece? Who's behind the cunning plot to change the line of Succession to the Throne? Who's the Seer?
Are they telling the truth about what's really happened - or is someone else up to mischief?
Find out by reading the delightful The Purple Haze, by Andrew Einspruch as it leads the ardent fantasy reader through encounters with foreign kingdoms'
dungeons,a talking alpaca, chameleon and other animals, plus Germanically umlauted names for characters who may have good or other intentions in mind, past the cliff-hanger ending to continue this great, (450 page long) saga in the next two, (already published) books - it's a labour of love that young adults, (of all ages) will be sure to enjoy!
December 22, 2021
The story of The Purple Haze by Andrew Einsprunch is set in a fantastical realm constructed of subtle lighthearted puns, vivid imagery, animals that talk and function alongside humans, and a suspense-filled plot. Its fairytale-like tone lured me in not knowing what to expect. I was more than pleasantly surprised. I couldn’t put the book down and now am a fan who plans to read the rest of the series.
The story centers on the Royal family of Brouge and, in particular, the twin princesses Eloise and Joanna. Eloise is the heir to the throne, and a rivalry exists between the two. Following the Thorning Ceremony, a root of bitterness sets in and Joanna makes it clear she is unhappy. She leaves with her uncle to visit his kingdom and no one thinks anything of it until a seer brings about a dire prediction regarding Princess Joanna’s wellbeing. Princess Eloise is the logical choice to navigate protocols, find her sister, and bring her home. The quest quickly turns into a rescue mission filled with unlikely allies, dangers, and of course complications
The only thing I didn’t love about the book is that it ended too soon. I want to know what happens next. I give this book a solid 5-star rating. It offers strong female protagonists, plenty of humor woven into the plot and dialog, and a plot that keeps the pages turning. It’s a perfect choice for fantasy readers looking for a captivating page-turner that’s also light and funny. If you enjoy stories like The Princess Bride, this is a book for you.
The story centers on the Royal family of Brouge and, in particular, the twin princesses Eloise and Joanna. Eloise is the heir to the throne, and a rivalry exists between the two. Following the Thorning Ceremony, a root of bitterness sets in and Joanna makes it clear she is unhappy. She leaves with her uncle to visit his kingdom and no one thinks anything of it until a seer brings about a dire prediction regarding Princess Joanna’s wellbeing. Princess Eloise is the logical choice to navigate protocols, find her sister, and bring her home. The quest quickly turns into a rescue mission filled with unlikely allies, dangers, and of course complications
The only thing I didn’t love about the book is that it ended too soon. I want to know what happens next. I give this book a solid 5-star rating. It offers strong female protagonists, plenty of humor woven into the plot and dialog, and a plot that keeps the pages turning. It’s a perfect choice for fantasy readers looking for a captivating page-turner that’s also light and funny. If you enjoy stories like The Princess Bride, this is a book for you.
December 18, 2024
3.75/5
There's a lot in this book that I really liked. First of all, the main character, Eloise, was perfectly done. From her personality to her inner thoughts, I thought the author got her down perfectly. How would a teenaged future heir would act on their first trip to the outside world after multiple embarrassments? The answer is Princess Eloise Gumball III.
Another thing I adored were the family dynamics. Being royalty would mess up certain aspects of family. A lot of fantasy media tends to show it just by making the family either terribly dysfunctional or abusive. But I liked that the Gumballs were mostly a good family. Slightly dysfunctional, of course, but there was genuine love that was shown and verbalised.
The worldbuilding! God, I loved the worldbuilding. From the difference in terrains, the one main religion having different sects, the fairs, the names. It was wonderful. The random tidbits were lovely.
The side-characters were, of course, a delight. From the small champion to the ever changing party members, there was real grit and life in every character that presented themselves in the scenes.
Reading this book was like watching a TV show. I mean this in a good way. The chapters were structured in such a way that there was a perfect suspense-knowledge ratio.
The start of the book (a solid 20%) was pretty slow. While it helped us understand the dynamics, I do believe certain things could've been fastened up. Otherwise, this is a perfectly nice fantasy novel to read. Especially when you don't want to read something heavy.
There's a lot in this book that I really liked. First of all, the main character, Eloise, was perfectly done. From her personality to her inner thoughts, I thought the author got her down perfectly. How would a teenaged future heir would act on their first trip to the outside world after multiple embarrassments? The answer is Princess Eloise Gumball III.
Another thing I adored were the family dynamics. Being royalty would mess up certain aspects of family. A lot of fantasy media tends to show it just by making the family either terribly dysfunctional or abusive. But I liked that the Gumballs were mostly a good family. Slightly dysfunctional, of course, but there was genuine love that was shown and verbalised.
The worldbuilding! God, I loved the worldbuilding. From the difference in terrains, the one main religion having different sects, the fairs, the names. It was wonderful. The random tidbits were lovely.
The side-characters were, of course, a delight. From the small champion to the ever changing party members, there was real grit and life in every character that presented themselves in the scenes.
Reading this book was like watching a TV show. I mean this in a good way. The chapters were structured in such a way that there was a perfect suspense-knowledge ratio.
The start of the book (a solid 20%) was pretty slow. While it helped us understand the dynamics, I do believe certain things could've been fastened up. Otherwise, this is a perfectly nice fantasy novel to read. Especially when you don't want to read something heavy.
August 13, 2018
This is not your mama's fairy tale adventure - this is more like a trip down the rabbit hole where up isn't always up and you never know what is going to happen next.
Not only does this story have the most unlikeliest group of heroes ever, it is full of puns that touch on everything from technology tycoons (there's a bridge in town called William Gates named after a man from a long ago era who made a fortune selling glass panes) to music (When Doves Laugh, Last Carriage to Clarksville, Mama's Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be Jesters) to popular TV Shows (Stúüùbing. Captain Stúüùbing of the Barco del Amor).
The characters are vivid enough that I can picture them in my mind - I can see Jerome's little stub of a tail twitching with excitement, I can see Hector posing automatically whenever he's given a chance, I can feel Eloise's disgust when she has to put the stone in her mouth over and over again, I feel the menace of the Happy Clappers as they encircle and close in on Eloise, Lorch and Jerome.
I think that it takes a talented person to tell a good story, and it takes an incredibly talented person to fill their story with puns and witticisms that add to and do not detract from the tale being told. Just like Robert Asprin, Terry Pratchett and Piers Anthony before him, Andrew Einspruch's tales of the Western Lands and All That Really Matters falls into the latter category.
I hope that there will be many more tales in this series and can't wait to read them.
Not only does this story have the most unlikeliest group of heroes ever, it is full of puns that touch on everything from technology tycoons (there's a bridge in town called William Gates named after a man from a long ago era who made a fortune selling glass panes) to music (When Doves Laugh, Last Carriage to Clarksville, Mama's Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be Jesters) to popular TV Shows (Stúüùbing. Captain Stúüùbing of the Barco del Amor).
The characters are vivid enough that I can picture them in my mind - I can see Jerome's little stub of a tail twitching with excitement, I can see Hector posing automatically whenever he's given a chance, I can feel Eloise's disgust when she has to put the stone in her mouth over and over again, I feel the menace of the Happy Clappers as they encircle and close in on Eloise, Lorch and Jerome.
I think that it takes a talented person to tell a good story, and it takes an incredibly talented person to fill their story with puns and witticisms that add to and do not detract from the tale being told. Just like Robert Asprin, Terry Pratchett and Piers Anthony before him, Andrew Einspruch's tales of the Western Lands and All That Really Matters falls into the latter category.
I hope that there will be many more tales in this series and can't wait to read them.
December 8, 2021
Delightful, Enchanting, Amusing, Entertaining, and Enjoyable
Princess Eloise Hydra Gumball III, Future Ruler and Heir to the Western Lands and All That Really Matters has enough on her plate just trying to prepare for her future as Queen of the Western Lands and All That Really Matters without trying to deal with her contentious twin sister Johanna. The matters of court are riddled with complicated Protocol and expectations. But matters between the two estranged sisters are brought to a head after Eloise picks an unusual champion and her mother informs them they must perform a centuries old ceremony, one which neither sister is willing to perform, each for their own reasons.
The tension is high in the kingdom, at least for Eloise and Johanna. Then days after the ceremony is completed Johanna disappears and it is up to Eloise to find her and bring her home safely. Providing her sister wants to come home.
In this witty and fun to read book, readers will find themselves immersed in a world of word play and parodies as Eloise and her unlikely companions journey the neighboring kingdoms in search of Johanna. No synonym is left unchecked, no onomatopoeia is left unturned, resulting in hours of reading enjoyment for anyone looking for an out of the ordinary adventure, or just a bit of word fun.
Recommended reading for all ages, but especially for those with a love for a good turn of phrase.
Princess Eloise Hydra Gumball III, Future Ruler and Heir to the Western Lands and All That Really Matters has enough on her plate just trying to prepare for her future as Queen of the Western Lands and All That Really Matters without trying to deal with her contentious twin sister Johanna. The matters of court are riddled with complicated Protocol and expectations. But matters between the two estranged sisters are brought to a head after Eloise picks an unusual champion and her mother informs them they must perform a centuries old ceremony, one which neither sister is willing to perform, each for their own reasons.
The tension is high in the kingdom, at least for Eloise and Johanna. Then days after the ceremony is completed Johanna disappears and it is up to Eloise to find her and bring her home safely. Providing her sister wants to come home.
In this witty and fun to read book, readers will find themselves immersed in a world of word play and parodies as Eloise and her unlikely companions journey the neighboring kingdoms in search of Johanna. No synonym is left unchecked, no onomatopoeia is left unturned, resulting in hours of reading enjoyment for anyone looking for an out of the ordinary adventure, or just a bit of word fun.
Recommended reading for all ages, but especially for those with a love for a good turn of phrase.
September 17, 2023
Thanks to BookTasters I was able to get a free copy to read and drop an honest review.
I must say I really enjoyed every bit of this fantasy piece. I feel Andrew (the Author) is very witty with words. He sure knows how to keep you glued to his book by inventing unrealistic things and making you want to imagine them in existence.
From the very beginning I found this book very interesting and at the same time full of suspense. At first when I saw these names "Princess Eloise Hydra Gumball III" and "Seer Maybelle de Chipmunk", I couldn't help but laugh. I tried to imagine what Andrew was actually thinking when he coined such characters and named them the way he did. Moving further I was glued to the need to see if Princess Eloise would turn down the offer to marry Chipmunk's son with all his shortcomings simply because of the vision.
I can say categorically that the scenes, the choice of words, the characters, and practically everything in this book make it a true fantasy novel everyone might enjoy reading once they grab a copy.
I was unable to stop wanting to find out what the next chapter held especially when Princess Eloise was reminded at seventeen, that she must carry out a very important ceremony called "the Ceremony of the Stone of the Ancestors" where her twin sister, Johanna will be the stoner and she the stonee. The whole scene was hilarious even though they both tried to reject it due to its degrading and repulsing nature despite it being Protocol.
I must say I really enjoyed every bit of this fantasy piece. I feel Andrew (the Author) is very witty with words. He sure knows how to keep you glued to his book by inventing unrealistic things and making you want to imagine them in existence.
From the very beginning I found this book very interesting and at the same time full of suspense. At first when I saw these names "Princess Eloise Hydra Gumball III" and "Seer Maybelle de Chipmunk", I couldn't help but laugh. I tried to imagine what Andrew was actually thinking when he coined such characters and named them the way he did. Moving further I was glued to the need to see if Princess Eloise would turn down the offer to marry Chipmunk's son with all his shortcomings simply because of the vision.
I can say categorically that the scenes, the choice of words, the characters, and practically everything in this book make it a true fantasy novel everyone might enjoy reading once they grab a copy.
I was unable to stop wanting to find out what the next chapter held especially when Princess Eloise was reminded at seventeen, that she must carry out a very important ceremony called "the Ceremony of the Stone of the Ancestors" where her twin sister, Johanna will be the stoner and she the stonee. The whole scene was hilarious even though they both tried to reject it due to its degrading and repulsing nature despite it being Protocol.
December 22, 2023
I love it. I love everything about The Purple Haze. First, I was curious. How would a realm so hung up on Protocols offer anyone any chance of escapades or mischief? And the story follows Eloise, the heir and future ruler of the queendom. Where the penchant for Protocols and its observations are bone deep for royal families/settings. How could her mission to retrieve Johanna, her sister, be adventurous amidst her compulsions and her wet behind the ears state?
Which made the story brilliantly funny and hilarious. Andrew Einspruch delivered the humor as promised. The frivolous and nonsensical stuff on steroids here didn't drag the story, instead it enhances the comicality of the situations. Gems like "Yes, there was a risk of the ship floundering off course (a phrase offensive to certain fish)" and that one satirical paragraph about MI6 and oh oh seven agent left me in stitches. I can't stress enough how much fun I had reading!
Eloise's mission companions are too lovable. I love them, funny quirks and all. The rescued one, the flashy one, the dependable one, the nameless one, the magnificent one, and of course the too many titles childhood friend and champion, Jerome Abernatheen de Chipmunk. Each held their own in the story, making them dearer to me as the story progressed. I confess, I do share Eloise's feelings for them. Especially during what happened towards the end.
As for Eloise's family, Johanna's POV is valid to me. Being the second in everything can take a toll on you, especially if there's an inciting incident. I'm curious about what happened during the thorning ceremony. I'm glad their relationship's somewhat not too far gone, that Johanna's still open to Eloise. The end of book one though, I just can't deal with the cliffhanger! So a word of caution, book one will left you wanting for more, we're finally getting into what in the Western lands and all that really matters is the purple haze?
I love to see Eloise's growth from the start of the journey to the cliffhanger at the end. I love how matters like inclusivity, mental health, religious zealoussness, kindness, adaptability and many more were touched in a humorous but profound manner. The satire of everything sombre and petty appeals to me. Kudos to Andrew Einspruch for such a delightful read. I am totally looking forward to read the rest of the series!
Which made the story brilliantly funny and hilarious. Andrew Einspruch delivered the humor as promised. The frivolous and nonsensical stuff on steroids here didn't drag the story, instead it enhances the comicality of the situations. Gems like "Yes, there was a risk of the ship floundering off course (a phrase offensive to certain fish)" and that one satirical paragraph about MI6 and oh oh seven agent left me in stitches. I can't stress enough how much fun I had reading!
Eloise's mission companions are too lovable. I love them, funny quirks and all. The rescued one, the flashy one, the dependable one, the nameless one, the magnificent one, and of course the too many titles childhood friend and champion, Jerome Abernatheen de Chipmunk. Each held their own in the story, making them dearer to me as the story progressed. I confess, I do share Eloise's feelings for them. Especially during what happened towards the end.
As for Eloise's family, Johanna's POV is valid to me. Being the second in everything can take a toll on you, especially if there's an inciting incident. I'm curious about what happened during the thorning ceremony. I'm glad their relationship's somewhat not too far gone, that Johanna's still open to Eloise. The end of book one though, I just can't deal with the cliffhanger! So a word of caution, book one will left you wanting for more, we're finally getting into what in the Western lands and all that really matters is the purple haze?
I love to see Eloise's growth from the start of the journey to the cliffhanger at the end. I love how matters like inclusivity, mental health, religious zealoussness, kindness, adaptability and many more were touched in a humorous but profound manner. The satire of everything sombre and petty appeals to me. Kudos to Andrew Einspruch for such a delightful read. I am totally looking forward to read the rest of the series!
March 3, 2021
I would like to thank Booktasters and author Andrew Einspruch, in these difficult times I really needed a book that good! So, the book has caught me since the beginning, the way I laughed at the marriage proposal scene was indescribable. In the book Princess Eloise, future ruler and heir to The Western Lands and All That Really Matters, needs to take a journey through a murderous purple haze to rescue her twin sister Johanna with her champion Jerome and the most unlikely team. I like how the world created by the author is so peculiar and attractive, there are talking animals that perform actions as if they were human in a way that everything was so common! Not to mention the names so long and capricious that until now I have not learned to pronounce. What makes me laugh the most is the use of puns during the book (I particularly love the champignon and champion). I found the princess Eloise to have OCD interesting, which brought very little representation of main characters with disorders in fantasy books. The way the author created unique and peculiar characters and managed to develop their personalities well, I was delighted. The plot of the book is wonderful !!! READ THE PURPLE HAZE
July 12, 2021
Thank you Booktasters for connecting me with the author and Andrew Einspruch for sending me a copy of this book.
This book was an entertaining adventure. His writing is so whimsical and fun and has some of the quirkiness of the world he has created. I liked all of the fun nods and parodies of pop culture titles. I haven’t read a book with this much humor and fun in I don’t know how long. I really enjoyed being in this fun, new land with lots of quirks and strangeness that made it that much more interesting and different. I got enough information about it that I knew what was going on but there wasn’t any unnecessary info-dumping which I appreciate.
The adventure that this book takes you in is just perfect. It’s exciting enough with a different trial and crazy turn at every stop in the road. It’s also not too exciting and crazy that there’s too much going on. You can blow through it really fast or you could take your time with it and enjoy the ride and I loved that.
I love a good big cast of characters and this story definitely had that. You had your main traveling group that became like a family and got to know each other and love the parts they didn’t necessarily like at the beginning. You also had someone new at every stop that added something fun and different to that location. I appreciated the mentions of Eloise’s possible OCD or anxiety or other mental illness. It made her more than just a prissy princess and added some depth and normalcy to her.
I think this would be a great book to listen to as an audiobook because of all of the fun names and different characters that could have different voices. If you are looking for anything to get you out of a reading slump this book would definitely do it.
This book was an entertaining adventure. His writing is so whimsical and fun and has some of the quirkiness of the world he has created. I liked all of the fun nods and parodies of pop culture titles. I haven’t read a book with this much humor and fun in I don’t know how long. I really enjoyed being in this fun, new land with lots of quirks and strangeness that made it that much more interesting and different. I got enough information about it that I knew what was going on but there wasn’t any unnecessary info-dumping which I appreciate.
The adventure that this book takes you in is just perfect. It’s exciting enough with a different trial and crazy turn at every stop in the road. It’s also not too exciting and crazy that there’s too much going on. You can blow through it really fast or you could take your time with it and enjoy the ride and I loved that.
I love a good big cast of characters and this story definitely had that. You had your main traveling group that became like a family and got to know each other and love the parts they didn’t necessarily like at the beginning. You also had someone new at every stop that added something fun and different to that location. I appreciated the mentions of Eloise’s possible OCD or anxiety or other mental illness. It made her more than just a prissy princess and added some depth and normalcy to her.
I think this would be a great book to listen to as an audiobook because of all of the fun names and different characters that could have different voices. If you are looking for anything to get you out of a reading slump this book would definitely do it.
August 30, 2023
"In the realm of adventure, laughter, and exploration, I was graced with a copy bestowed by the author. Enthralled, my heart was captivated by the tale woven by Andrew Einspruch, an inaugural offering. Herein, the narrative unfurls, revealing the odyssey of Princess Eloise Hydra Gumball III, sovereign and inheritor of The Western Lands and the Kingdom of All that Truly Matters. Her sojourn embarks upon a noble quest – to liberate her twin, Johanna, ensnared within the clutches of a lethal mist. In her company, steadfast allies march, confronting myriad trials on this voyage.
The saga unfolds with a play of puns, a craft deftly wielded by the author. These jests lend a humorous hue to the tale's fabric. It is in the nomenclature of personas and locales that a fantastical tapestry is woven – the likes of Eloise's grand title, Seer Maybelle der Chipmunk Umgotteswillen, and vistas such as the Exposure Pit, Flinging Field, and Culpability Courtyard. Thus, the narrative pulsates with vitality.
Through the lens of Eloise's proclivity for order, a window is opened to comprehend their universe and the means to navigate it. Phrases like "discerning the perfection within" bear testament to this. The author's artistry lies in sculpting an ensemble, each character adorned with their idiosyncrasies, their distinctive traits. This divergence from the conventional hues of fantasy infuses an enigmatic charm that entwines the heart, shrouded in anticipation.
Ethereal echoes of Lewis Carroll's 'Through the Looking Glass' resonate through this saga. Perplexing upon the first glance, yet deepening in allure as pages turn. A balm for the soul of fantasy enthusiasts, beckoning them into its fold. Not merely deserving of five stars, but also of cherished hours willingly surrendered."
The saga unfolds with a play of puns, a craft deftly wielded by the author. These jests lend a humorous hue to the tale's fabric. It is in the nomenclature of personas and locales that a fantastical tapestry is woven – the likes of Eloise's grand title, Seer Maybelle der Chipmunk Umgotteswillen, and vistas such as the Exposure Pit, Flinging Field, and Culpability Courtyard. Thus, the narrative pulsates with vitality.
Through the lens of Eloise's proclivity for order, a window is opened to comprehend their universe and the means to navigate it. Phrases like "discerning the perfection within" bear testament to this. The author's artistry lies in sculpting an ensemble, each character adorned with their idiosyncrasies, their distinctive traits. This divergence from the conventional hues of fantasy infuses an enigmatic charm that entwines the heart, shrouded in anticipation.
Ethereal echoes of Lewis Carroll's 'Through the Looking Glass' resonate through this saga. Perplexing upon the first glance, yet deepening in allure as pages turn. A balm for the soul of fantasy enthusiasts, beckoning them into its fold. Not merely deserving of five stars, but also of cherished hours willingly surrendered."
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 28, 2023
"The Purple Haze" by Andrew Einspruch is a delightful fantasy novel that takes readers on a whimsical adventure filled with humor, complex characters, and a richly detailed world. The story follows Princess Eloise, a protagonist who defies traditional princess stereotypes with her wit and courage.
Einspruch weaves a narrative that combines sibling rivalry, political intrigue, and a mysterious realm known as the Purple Haze. The characters are given amusing and tongue-twisting names, adding to the story's charm. The author's attention to detail in world-building is commendable, creating a realm that is both fantastical and relatable.
One notable aspect of the book is its playfulness, reminiscent of Terry Pratchett's style, making it a perfect read for those who enjoy clever banter and satirical elements. The emphasis on vegetarian and vegan food throughout the story adds a unique touch and a sense of wholesomeness to the characters' lives.
While the book is a substantial read, it promises rewarding payoffs in its sequels. However, be prepared for a cliff-hanger ending that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment.
In summary, "The Purple Haze" is a must-read for fans of fantasy looking for a lighthearted and immersive adventure. It's a world that doesn't take itself too seriously but offers a deep and engaging narrative that will appeal to a wide range of readers.
Einspruch weaves a narrative that combines sibling rivalry, political intrigue, and a mysterious realm known as the Purple Haze. The characters are given amusing and tongue-twisting names, adding to the story's charm. The author's attention to detail in world-building is commendable, creating a realm that is both fantastical and relatable.
One notable aspect of the book is its playfulness, reminiscent of Terry Pratchett's style, making it a perfect read for those who enjoy clever banter and satirical elements. The emphasis on vegetarian and vegan food throughout the story adds a unique touch and a sense of wholesomeness to the characters' lives.
While the book is a substantial read, it promises rewarding payoffs in its sequels. However, be prepared for a cliff-hanger ending that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next installment.
In summary, "The Purple Haze" is a must-read for fans of fantasy looking for a lighthearted and immersive adventure. It's a world that doesn't take itself too seriously but offers a deep and engaging narrative that will appeal to a wide range of readers.
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April 17, 2020I’m a sucker for witty prose, especially with musical references. Laughing feels good and music is my world. I find The Purple Haze, Book One: The Western Lands and All that Really Matters by Andrew Einspruch is the perfect novel while sheltering in place during the coronavirus pandemic—or anytime. Between the pages, you will meet the slightly OCD Princess Eloise Hydra Gumball III, future Ruler and Heir to the Western Lands. She takes a long journey into the unknown, accompanied by her champion, Jerome Abernatheen de Chipmonk—throughout you will find whimsical names. In this magical land, characters wish each other safety with, “Boring Travels.” Some characters, like the princess and her family, are human and many they encounter are talking creatures such as a welcoming grasshopper in a bellhop uniform, an horologist Cukoo calling out the time, and a chameleon named Cäääsëëëy, The book is peppered with quick wordplay such as rooms that are bugged--with actual bugs that listen in and report conversations. Preparing for the long journey to rescue the princess’s twin sister, Princes Johanna, Eloise and Jerome interview horses to serve as guards. In one conversation regarding Jerome’s history with a nameless horse, Eloise asks, “So you’ve been to two deserts on a horse with no name. . .?” The many clever song references had me laughing such as “Oh What a Reasonably Pleasant Morning,” “I’ve grown Accustomed to her Pelt,” and “Sufficient Grace.”
The Purple Haze is classified as a Young Adult novel, but it is enjoyable for adults as well. It is the kind of work that is layered so that young readers will enjoy the thrilling story with quirky characters; but older readers will absorb more references to religion, pop culture and music. Now this is a particularly good time get lost in an entertaining, positive and true page-turner of a novel. Purple Haze is excellent reading for anytime!
The Purple Haze is classified as a Young Adult novel, but it is enjoyable for adults as well. It is the kind of work that is layered so that young readers will enjoy the thrilling story with quirky characters; but older readers will absorb more references to religion, pop culture and music. Now this is a particularly good time get lost in an entertaining, positive and true page-turner of a novel. Purple Haze is excellent reading for anytime!
April 8, 2024
I really loved that book. At the beginning it was hard for me to dive into the story because it was really strange, and I haven’t had read anything like this so far. It was full of strange rituals and traditions, even the characters seemed detached. But as the story goes on and I got used to the unfamiliar world, it got better and better.
Eloise the princess and heir of The Western Lands and All That Really Matters has to go on a mission to get her sister back and bring her home, but the journey is full of obstacles and the mission takes longer than anticipated. But Eloise gets closer to her companions and friendships are starting to grow. She has to learn quickly to overcome her own fears and inabilities and her friends are always by her side. My favourite character was Jerome Abernatheen de Chipmunk, he was really hilarious, full of fears but witty and a chipmunk.
Purple Haze is a cozy fantasy novel about growing friendships, to overcome your own fears and grow in mind and body. It is very funny und partly exciting. I had to laugh a lot and I liked the lovely characters and their strange and funny names. I really enjoyed the story and can’t wait to read the next book.
Eloise the princess and heir of The Western Lands and All That Really Matters has to go on a mission to get her sister back and bring her home, but the journey is full of obstacles and the mission takes longer than anticipated. But Eloise gets closer to her companions and friendships are starting to grow. She has to learn quickly to overcome her own fears and inabilities and her friends are always by her side. My favourite character was Jerome Abernatheen de Chipmunk, he was really hilarious, full of fears but witty and a chipmunk.
Purple Haze is a cozy fantasy novel about growing friendships, to overcome your own fears and grow in mind and body. It is very funny und partly exciting. I had to laugh a lot and I liked the lovely characters and their strange and funny names. I really enjoyed the story and can’t wait to read the next book.
June 4, 2024
Delightfully whimsical and hilarious fun! The Purple Haze by Andrew Einspruch is a breath of fresh air in the fantasy genre, perfectly combining humor and whimsy in a tale that captivates from the first page. As the opening book in the Westlands and All That Really Matters series, it raises the bar for what promises to be a magical epic. The story introduces us to Princess Eloise Hydra Gumball III, who finds herself in the unusual position of considering a marriage proposal from the Seer, Maybelle the Squirrel, on behalf of her son Jerome. This unexpected and fun proposal sets the tone for a story full of delicious surprises and moments of laughter. Einspruch's masterful use of satire and witty dialogue keeps the reader engaged, while the richly imagined world and its strange inhabitants add a layer of depth and charm. Prince's interactions, thoughtful and humorous approach to the absurd situations he faces, and the colorful cast of characters make this book an enjoyable read. “Purple Haze is more than just a humorous fantasy; is a story about embracing the unexpected, challenging conventional norms, and finding joy in the most surprising places. Einspruch's talent for creating a fun and moving atmosphere while at the same time conveying meaningful messages is admirable. The Purple Haze is a must-read for anyone looking to escape into a world of laughter and magic. I eagerly await the next chapter of this delicious series!
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