Rating: Summary: Classic Mercedes Lackey! Review: Not since By the Sword have I enjoyed one of Ms. Lackey's novels so thoroughly. Any fan of Mercedes Lackey, fairy tales and/or GOOD stories will enjoy this.In the Five Hundred kingdoms, 'The Tradition' rules. It is nearly an unstoppable force. If the lives of any individual in the kingdoms begins to resemble that of a fairy tale, the Tradition gathers force to bring that story to its proper fairy tale conclusion. Elena Klovis has an evil stepmother and two stepsisters, and is well on the way to becoming Cinderella. However, the prince of her kingdom is only 11 years old! Unable to fulfill her destiny, Elena ends up as a fairy godmother's apprentice. Though Elena is now outside Tradition, it is still determined that she should somehow fulfill her destiny, while Elena struggles to bring 'happliy ever afters' to other people in her kingdom with or without the Tradition's help. This novel was really, really well written. I simply couldn't put it down. Elena is charming and hardworking, sensible (but not too sensible!) and kind. Everyone in the novel was well-written, from Sergei the little horse, to Arachnia,the evil Sorceress, to Alexander the haughty prince, to the unicorns, who were cutely dopey. Everytime I thought something wouldn't be explained, it was! Everything happened satisfactorily. Watching Elena manipulate the Tradition( one of Ms. Lackey's more interesting characters, although it's not quite sentient) was very entertaining. The Tradition is like Destiny, but more obvious and immensely powerful, not to mention stubborn. It's not always a good thing, as some of the fairytales it steers people into are quite nasty. It's just a force, for good or ill. You can note the author poking fun at some of the fairytale endings, like when Elena explains that the Tradition will require a rescued princess to automatically fall in love with her rescuer, even if she's already married! Go out there and buy this book! You won't be sorry, and you'll only hope that Ms. Lackey writes more such stories.
Rating: Summary: A light, enjoyable read, but.... Review: Admittedly this is the first book I've read by Mercedes Lackey, so I do not have any prior experience with her work to compare it to. Many of the concepts introduced in the story were very interesting and unique, but the characters often failed to come to life. Obviously with a title like "The Fairy Godmother" I wasn't expecting anything deep and heavy, but still, I felt that these inventive ideas could have been taken in a direction that produced more excitement and drama. Even conflict resolution seemed overly simple and light. I still enjoyed reading it and would recommend it to someone looking for something light and fun to read. Hopefully if there's more books in this line, with the background already laid out, there'll be room to give the characters room to grow.
Rating: Summary: Good, but this is more romance than fantasy Review: I am a fan of Mercedes Lackey's Valdemar series and have not been disappointed with the other books of hers I have read, so when I bought this book after reading an interesting first chapter, I didn't expect to have any problems. While the book was interesting and I did enjoy the first third a lot, then the hero rolled around and kind of ruined it for me. Alexander was a bit cliche, but I could have lived with him if it wasn't for the new element he introduced to the book: an opportunity to write very graphic love scenes. Since this book and the LUNA line was billed as fantasy with light romance, I was not only dismayed but confused. Especially after reading the next two books in the LUNA line (which also have rather overdetailed love scenes), I think the publishers have mistargeted the science fiction/fantasy audience when they should be shooting for the romance audience, since that's where most of the emphasis is. I have no problem with some and more tastefully portrayed romance, but I just think LUNA should include more fantasy if that's what they're billing it as. Despite the obvious genre mix-up, I gave this book three stars because I did enjoy the novel and will reread it, but definitely skipping over the love scenes. If you've never read any Mercedes Lackey books, I personally recommend "The Arrows of the Queen" to start with, a wonderful series with adventure, heroes and heroines, and real light romance
Rating: Summary: Loved it! Review: This book was a nice change from Lackey's typical work. It was a bit lighter of a read, but good nonetheless. The characters were great, and I loved the spin on a classic fairy tale. I was actually sad to have the book end...I wanted more!
Rating: Summary: extremly interesting Review: I really enjoyed this book. I'm teaching fairy tales in English right and this really hit the spot. The entire premise was so fresh and unique. No graphic sex scenes explicit themes, just a really interesting book.
Rating: Summary: Enjoyable Review: Mercedes Lackey writes an enjoyable, if not unforgettable story in "The Fairy Godmother". This story is about Elena Klovis, a girl who was destined to be a Cinderella in her kingdom. However, a twist of fate lands her with a job as a fairy godmother to her kingdom. From then on, countless adventures come her way, along with a spoiled, rude, arrogant prince who she is determined to change for the better.
To me, Elena wasn't a particularly special heroine. She just didn't seem that interesting even though she was a fairy godmother. However, I thought this story was still quite enjoyable. It is a book that you would read on a long lazy day when you have nothing else to do. If you are looking for a special, interesting book, try another before you read this one.
Rating: Summary: Nice tale, but ultimately disappointing Review: First of all, the Fairy Godmother had a good, well-developed storyline, one which could have been quite enjoyable. That is, if the characters themselves weren't so very bland. I did not like the main character. At all. She had the potential to be an interesting character, but that potential never developed into anything more substantial. She seemed like a character developed mainly to pander to the general audience. Hers was a Cinderella-type background which changed for the better when a Fairy Godmother decided to take her on as an apprentice. She is strong-willed, smart and capable. However, she was boring. After I reached the 200 page mark, I was beginning to tap my feet impatiently, waiting for her to develop some sort of depth, waiting for her to make me take an interest in her. It never happened.
While I am quite the fan of Mercedes Lackey's work, I have to say that I found this book one of her worst. The two stars I gave are for the potential of the book. The other stars were taken away for my occasional onset of boredom and for lack of attachment to any of the characters (a pivotal factor in my books).
Rating: Summary: Not Actually Cinderella. Review: This book was really good for the most part. I thought the plot was unique. It started out looking like a cinderella book but became something much different. It is a bit longer and more drawn out than I thought it would be. It is worth reading if you would like something to cleanse your mind and enjoy a less than epic book. It was fun to read.
Rating: Summary: ML's Best In A Long Time!! Review: 'The Fairy Godmother' is a fresh, tongue in cheek look at happily ever after and all the things that have to happen in order for it to be achieved. I love the power that Tradition is given and the sleeves rolled up, down to earth approach that "The Godmother" takes in making sure that it is upheld. This book will appeal not only to fantasy/fairy tale enthusiasts but to romance readers as well. **Quick not-so-spoiler: if you're looking for a lusty, sex peppered book...this ain't it. If you're looking for a cracking good read with an innovative plot, well fleshed characters and one that will make you laugh out loud in appreciative irony then this is the book for you. I cannot praise it highly enough!!
Rating: Summary: one of her best Review: I'm an old Lackey fan and love this new romantic focus that she's been putting into some of her books, making them more rounded. There was a somewhat negative review about the charecter Alexander, and I somewhat agree; but he grows on you. However, the book is incredible, but hey, I've only reread it about twenty times so maybe I'm biased.
Cheers!
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