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Once upon a Time from the Perspective of an Innocent Bystander
Dreary and unassuming Elphadora Pratt had a relatively quiet life - spying on neighbors and taking notes in her diary. Thanks to her twelve, talented siblings, it was easy to go unnoticed. Misfortune befalls her, however, as she eventually is noticed by a formidable figure in black and she becomes entangled in a web of magic, kings, and mythical creatures. Secrets are revealed, but more mysteries are waiting around each corner in this curiously, chimerical, coming-of-age, chronicle.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 28, 2017
Cynthia Breheny has created a gem of a story in this, her first novel. She writes with a sure hand.
Elphadora Pratt is a boring and dreary girl of fourteen. Her twelve siblings are all wonderfully gifted children; Elphadora most assuredly is not. That's where the story begins, but it not where it ends. She and we are in for a wild ride.
I bought the book because I know Cindy on-line. I had not known she wrote. I know now. I started reading in the morning. It wasn't quite the next day when I finished. Highly recommended. I am eagerly looking forward to book 2 of the Curiously Chimerical Chronicles.
Elphadora Pratt is a boring and dreary girl of fourteen. Her twelve siblings are all wonderfully gifted children; Elphadora most assuredly is not. That's where the story begins, but it not where it ends. She and we are in for a wild ride.
I bought the book because I know Cindy on-line. I had not known she wrote. I know now. I started reading in the morning. It wasn't quite the next day when I finished. Highly recommended. I am eagerly looking forward to book 2 of the Curiously Chimerical Chronicles.
July 10, 2018
This is a fun, interesting little magic-adventure story. It felt a little Lloyd Alexander-esk with its quirky characters and out of the blue situations. (That's a compliment. :)
I will say I wish there had been one more edit. Not for the story, but to slash a few unneeded scenes. For example, there's a long build up before things really start to happen. I think I would have liked getting to know Elphadora from how she reacts/behaves in her actions scenes, etc.
I would recommend this for upper middle grade on up.
I will say I wish there had been one more edit. Not for the story, but to slash a few unneeded scenes. For example, there's a long build up before things really start to happen. I think I would have liked getting to know Elphadora from how she reacts/behaves in her actions scenes, etc.
I would recommend this for upper middle grade on up.
January 15, 2021
I had a fabulous time with Elphadora. This book had the charm and imagination of the Narnia books, which I have always loved. It was disheartening to learn this book is the first of a series, but it doesn't look like it will be finished. It has already been 3.5 years since it's release and nothing on Goodreads indicates the sequels will come. Such a shame, because this book ends on a cliffhanger. I would have immediately started book two, if only it had been available. I hope the author is just a George R. R. Martin perfectionist who takes forever versus disheartened as an indie author and moved on to new hobbies. Books like this are why indie authors need more love! The rest of my review will contain spoilers.
The Good.
I liked the diary entries. Some were redundant, but they added whimsy. There weren't that many because Elphadora doesn't have it when kidnapped, but they do make somewhat of a comeback.
The fight with the witch was great. Tinsel and Elphadora got some good licks it but were outmatched. Alvin saving the day made more sense, though the timing was a bit convenient.
Elphadora's anxiety around others. Her gift explains this, but some people are just naturally awkward. So many heroines are always self-assured. Elphadora's moments of doubt made her a better character.
The wizard revelation chapter. It kind of crept up on me and was given far early than I otherwise would have expected. Furthermore, only three members of the family knew. This made the secret that much better. We often find out that the unpowered child is overpowered and everyone knew to expect this except her (I'm looking at you Umbrella Academy).
The tournament and subsequent coup. I always enjoy action. I didn't expect much in this book, so the ending gave me far more than I anticipated. It was greatly appreciated.
The Bad.
A lot of characters are introduced up front. Elphadora is one of thirteen children. We learn about all of them and their amazing skill in a few pages. It took until the end of the book to keep them straight, and even then I couldn't remember exact ages and gifts for everyone.
The family is full of talented children yet they're poor? I call BS. Just Melody or Mervyn alone would have made them middle class between the concerts and seven published and well received novels. It stretched my disbelief just a bit too much.
Elphadora sabotaging Bethany. I understood the reasoning. It made sense for the story, but I still didn't like it.
The Technical.
The book is written with a lot of passive voice.
The book has segments of third person omniscient. This is especially evident in the final chapters when the Pratt children are in multiple locations.
The Good.
I liked the diary entries. Some were redundant, but they added whimsy. There weren't that many because Elphadora doesn't have it when kidnapped, but they do make somewhat of a comeback.
The fight with the witch was great. Tinsel and Elphadora got some good licks it but were outmatched. Alvin saving the day made more sense, though the timing was a bit convenient.
Elphadora's anxiety around others. Her gift explains this, but some people are just naturally awkward. So many heroines are always self-assured. Elphadora's moments of doubt made her a better character.
The wizard revelation chapter. It kind of crept up on me and was given far early than I otherwise would have expected. Furthermore, only three members of the family knew. This made the secret that much better. We often find out that the unpowered child is overpowered and everyone knew to expect this except her (I'm looking at you Umbrella Academy).
The tournament and subsequent coup. I always enjoy action. I didn't expect much in this book, so the ending gave me far more than I anticipated. It was greatly appreciated.
The Bad.
A lot of characters are introduced up front. Elphadora is one of thirteen children. We learn about all of them and their amazing skill in a few pages. It took until the end of the book to keep them straight, and even then I couldn't remember exact ages and gifts for everyone.
The family is full of talented children yet they're poor? I call BS. Just Melody or Mervyn alone would have made them middle class between the concerts and seven published and well received novels. It stretched my disbelief just a bit too much.
Elphadora sabotaging Bethany. I understood the reasoning. It made sense for the story, but I still didn't like it.
The Technical.
The book is written with a lot of passive voice.
The book has segments of third person omniscient. This is especially evident in the final chapters when the Pratt children are in multiple locations.
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