Indebted: The Berkshire Dragon

by Charmayne Hafen, Becca Wyderko (Illustrator), Laura Bartnick (Editor)

Though a king is prone to forget his daughter, to abandon her to her own devices in his castle, at the very least revealed a fault in stewardship. Yet, the king favored conquests that required his person far away.

Little did he know, things were about to change; the princess had matured. She had found muscle and companions.

Spirited fans flattered and fawned over the mysterious Wren, bringing her gifts, but were they attracted to her skill or her need? She knew she should have kept her own counsel. With so much attention, her greatest strength has turned into nightmarish bondage.

Treachery confronts the princess with a task so impossible, she will need something far beyond her own strength to carry her through. Will she be able to win her quest for freedom or be forever indebted?

BUY THIS!

"The story is emotionally gripping and pulls the reader along from Wren at puberty to full womanhood. This plot of INDEBTED lies among the best stories that grab our emotions and don't let go." - BOOKS FOR BONDING HEARTSThis title was purchased by avid readers of Odyssey, Pendragon, Narnia, Hunger Games, and Divergent. Charmayne Hafen's debut style is similar to Veronica Roth, Suzanne Collins, J.R.R. Tolkien, Stephen R. Lawhead, and George MacDonald.

As a young adult/new adult myth, INDEBTED is fringed with strange angels and ghosts as Wren finds herself coming into her own authority. Her spirit must negotiate the maze of sorcery, magic, and a peasant-eating dragon before she recognizes light and love.

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy

300 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 26, 2018

Reviews

[Janice Sisemore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Indebted

Wren is coming of age so it is time for her to learn how to use a sword. She has lost her mother and father. She becomes friends with Aleric who helps her out. After learning the sword she is determined to fight the dragon.

I loved the illustrations in the book. They were pencil drawings. They added so much to the story.

I don’t usually like fantasy type books but I did like this one. I enjoyed Wren, she was so determined to fight the dragon. Actually there was a surprise ending that I never suspected.

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher through Celebrate Lit. This book review is my opinion.

[Carol Keen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an outstanding YA read for teens and adults of all ages. Princess Wren is young, so she has lots of ups and downs. She also has a dragon to overcome. I absolutely loved this story. It has all the right elements that I can't get enough of; Berkshire England, castles, dragons, swords, and it also has outstanding illustrations. The allegory is clear and beautiful with God guiding and protecting while working through fear and uncertainty. The author is a fan of another author I simply adore and it makes Hafen's series a perfect fit for me. I'm thrilled with this wonderfully crafted tale and I have a new author to follow. I can't wait to read the next book in this series!

This copy came from Celebrate Lit. My review is my own, left voluntarily and contains my thoughts and opinions of this book.

[Kathy Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Princess Wren pulled me in and would not let me go until the final passages of thundering triumph. Told in the first person, the text is rich with dialogue, conflict, emotion and abiding friendship. I could smell the gardens, feel the refreshing pool waters and taste the meals, so descriptive is her writing.
Charmayne's pen brings healing to any reader who has experienced abandonment.
In enchanting tales as in life, things are not always as they appear; watch for surprising twists!
Though targeted to teens and young adults, this novel is appropriate for any reader who enjoys fantasy with a strong moral compass.

Kathy Joy,
Author: Breath of Joy! Simply Summer
http://www.capturemebooks.com/breath-...

[Laura Sweat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and really enjoyed the story. It was easy to visualize and what Wren was feeling was relatable. It was a shame to reach the end.

[Deana Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very enchanting story set in the 16th century. Oh how I loved reading about castles, knights, princesses and oh yes a dragon. The story is filled with adventure, danger and a young princess who is destined to fight with a sword. In the days where the story is set, it is unheard of for a young girl to be able to use a sword to fight or even to spar. As the story continues the author illustrates the Armor of God in a brilliant way.

Princess Wren is by far the best character in the story. She is fierce, beautiful and also holds a deep hurt in her heart. It was sad to learn that her mother had abandoned her at such a young age. Wren has carried the guilt of being the reason her mother left. Her father the king has completely turned his back on Wren. What a horrible way to live thinking you caused a parent to leave and know that your father detests the sight of you.

I loved the imagination the author used in having Wren travel to another kingdom and use her ability with the sword to find a new home. The fights were very vividly written. I could hear the clank as two swords collided against each other. Wren finds herself in danger when she is demanded to slay the dragon or find herself locked away forever. Would it be better for her to give into the dragon and be its slave? I cheered as I understood the semblance of what the dragon represented. The dragon or as I refer to it as the enemy or devil whispered lies to Wren in order to control her. She allowed her fears to overtake her mind and fell victim to the enemy's lies. The enemy is the father of lies. He will convince you that he knows what is best for you. He will entice you to follow him thinking you are doing the right thing.

One of the main things Wren lacked was trust and belief in herself. The author does an excellent job of showing us how easy it can be to fall for lies from the enemy. Wren felt she was not good enough for anyone and would never find love. The enemy loves to devour us with lies and Wren needed to build her faith in order to slay her demon. I loved reading how Wren slowly began to read the Bible and open her heart to the One who loves us unconditionally. Will Wren be able to trust anyone or will she wander the earth always guarding her heart?

The story is filled with wonderful characters who come into Wren's life and try to show her what friendship means. The action is good and the description of the dragon is one that I will not forget. This is not just another princess in distress knight in shining armor to the rescue story. What it is however is a story that uses a young princess to show us how to slay our enemy. God never leaves us. He is always there and all we need to do is have faith and trust.

" We all need someone we can count on to be there for us when other people let us down."

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating, adventurous tale that weaves fantasy and faith, Charmayne Hafen’s “Indebted” sweeps readers into mid-sixteenth-century Berkshire, England. Princess Wren has been confined to her father’s castle since the disappearance of her mother, alone and friendless until the castle cook introduces her to her son, Aleric. Wren dreams of escaping her insulated world and finds the courage to do so at age 17. However, her dream quickly morphs into a nightmare as a series of events unfolds and she finds herself indebted to a fiendish beast. Along the way, she realizes that she cannot free herself on her own, and that perhaps the answer to her dilemma lies in her fledgling faith.

There are many laudable aspects to this novel. Fantasy is not one of my preferred genres, and so it is always exciting to find a book that I enjoy from this category. In Wren, Hafen brings to life an unconventional heroine who is intelligent but naïve, who carries a heavy burden of guilt on her shoulders and who suffers from abandonment. Yet the tone of this book is hopeful because of Wren’s resilience and even more so because her journey leads her to God, a path that is at times circuitous as she battles her own fear. She is in awe that “Christ promised never to leave or forsake his followers…I couldn’t believe I could talk to God at any time and He would listen. This was more amazing than learning how to sword fight or ride a horse. This was the greatest give I had ever been given.” When her circumstances become overwhelming, she finds solace in the Psalms, remarking, “I marveled at King David’s passion and depth of sorrow. I felt like he had peered into my soul and put words to my struggles. I was not alone.” As a core theme, the idea of being abandoned and feeling so forlorn hits the mark, particularly for the intended young adult audience. Friendship and running away are also very germane, and the first-person narration drives home the point. The evangelization in the story is strong at a few different parts, and although I tend to favor a less blunt approach, it works here due to the characters.

“Indebted” is in some ways allegorical, with Biblical allusions interspersed throughout the narrative. It can, however, be enjoyed by those who may be unfamiliar with the Bible. The sketch illustrations enhance the story and aid in visualization. I think that there were some anachronistic phrases employed, but these will help younger readers connect with and understand the tale better. There are grammatical errors, but not to the extent of detracting from the writing. All of the elements come together well to form a solid story and to encourage readers, young and old alike, to turn to Jesus, the only One who promises to be with us always.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just knew I wasn't going to like the book 'Indebted" by Charmayne Hafen, but I am so happy to post that I was so wrong, I loved this book. I don't usual like books with dragons, witches, but this book is so different from other stories that involves these characters. This book actually focuses on the Christian message of God and Jesus's love.

This book is about Princess Wren's search for love and belonging.

I definitely recommend this book to all readers who like stories that show characters struggle just like we do. This is a story that will stay with me for a while. I kept telling my husband the whole time I was reading this book, that he would like the movie if it was made into one.

I love this statement from the book " Life is especially hard if you don't know you are loved" , which is truly what this story is about.

Wren's struggles with guilt because she believes that it is her fault's that her mother has disappeared. I really loved the ending.

This is also a clean love story so I say this book has everything that makes it a fast, keep turning the pages novel which includes the Christian message that God loves us and sent His son, and forgiveness and friendship and love and that suspension of disbelief needed for us all to see the possibility of walking in faith with others in traumatic times and to experience the wonders of God’s word to us.

So I say Well done, Mrs. Hafen, you have made me look at dragons stories through a different set of lens. I am looking forward to reading more of your books.

I was given a complimentary copy by the author and Celebrate Lit. These opinions are my own.

[Tabitha Bouldin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Indebted gave valuable insight into the life of a young princess who felt abandoned by her parents. Her mother disappeared and her father ignores her. Princess Wren only wants to be accepted and loved.

This was a great premise for the story behind Indebted. There are too many people out there who feel unloved and will connect with Wren on that level. The basic theme of the novel is that God loves us, despite what anyone else might think of us.

While I love a good Christian Fantasy novel, I felt that Indebted missed the mark just a bit, at least for me. Princess Wren had extreme potential that was constantly being buried. From one breath to the next, she would go from warrior princess to whiny pity party.

The end to the hero’s journey though, was quite satisfying. Wren started her journey because she was looking for love and acceptance. She found both through God, but that did not mean her journey became an easy path of sunshine and roses.

As someone who had only ever relied on herself, Wren found it difficult to trust anyone else. Afraid of being rejected, she risked losing her friends as a result of that fear.

I recommend this book for fans of Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance series and any who enjoy Christian Fantasy.

I requested a copy of this book from BookCrash. I was not required to leave a positive review. all thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Indebted contains much of what young adults look for in a fantasy novel - adventure, a little magic, princesses, good triumphing over evil, a little romance, a lot of parent-child relationship issues, and even a dragon. It also contains references to the Bible and the characters use the wisdom found there to guide their decisions. Charmayne Hafen has created likable characters that readers will empathize with. Both female main characters are mother-less with fathers that are not as responsive as the girls would like. I did feel that some of the dialogue was a little stiff - it didn’t really feel like natural conversation to me. Overall though, I thought the plot was a good one. I was happy to see that at least one of the father figures became a loving and understanding man by the end of the book. I think young adult fantasy lovers will enjoy Indebted.
There is nothing in the book to keep me from adding it to my to my k-12 Christian school library. I think it is appropriate for (most) fourth graders and up.
I want to thank Celebrate Lit for the complimentary copy of Indebted. This is my honest review.

[Cyndi · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are a lover of tales from the days of knights and princesses, then this is definitely a book you need to get on your "to be read" list for this summer! It was laden with hopes of a young princess, plights of a young soldier in the king's army and tales of friendship.

As the book begins, the reader is taken back to a time when little girls were to act proper and young men were expected to become swordsmen. However, after a dreadful happenstance, we find our heroine, Wren, embarking on a journey to find answers to one question that plagued her for the latter part of her young life. Befriending a young swordsman is the spark that changes her path and gives her hope on her quest for the truth. Without the guidance of her parents, Wren finds herself in a quandary of decisions that will affect others that she cares about.

[Heidi Bryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full Disclosure: I received this book free as a reviewer's copy.

This is a nice book for young readers. It's filled with action, good vs. evil, fantasy type lore. I wish Ms. Hafen had written about a mythological land though and not base it in the medieval period in Europe. There were too many historical inaccuracies that could have been avoided if she had just made the setting completely fictional. Other inconsistencies too like fresh daisies and roses in winter. A bit evangelistic too. However, there were lots of plot twists that prevented it from being too predictable. Fun, easy to read book. I'd give it a 2.5 star rating if I could.

[Laura Bartnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Raised as an avid allegory reader, I am taken by a strong story like Wren's. Charmayne Hafen corraled me from the start. Wren is bull-headed enough to leave her father's kingdom, her own kingdom, and seek a new future of her own making.
Why is it youth don't grasp this until much later in life? We seek our dreams by our own strength, our own hand, but we inherit wealth and belonging by another's desire for us. Wren's journey is lured by evil deceits and also wooed by mercy and grace. How can she tell which is real? Which will she choose?
My favorite part of this story is the significance of the clothing because it speaks to me of atonement.

[Melinda Staley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Wren is not what you would expect from a princess. She is lonely and through the years makes a friend who teaches her skills that lead to her independence. Princess Wren finds herself in some impossibly hard circumstances that leave you on the edge of your seat to see what the outcome is. Throughout the story, the gospel message is weaved in seamlessly. While reading the book, I was reminded of Pilgrim’s Progress several times. I would highly recommend reading the book.

[Kelly Howell-Rouchka · Rating 2 out of 5]

From the description, I fully expected to like this book, but I just don't. The opening lines are good, but unfortunately it's mostly downhill from there. I found the book quite preachy and the writing was also somewhat stilted. I just really couldn't get into it.

[Ricki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have no problem with religious fantasy, but the Bible as we know it seemed very out of place in a world plagued by dragons.

[Chautona Havig · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Excellent Reasons This Belongs on Your TBR List

Indebted offers the classic story of good vs. evil with the literal and symbolic "slaying of dragons" in our lives. When the free review copy I requested arrived, my youngest absconded with it, and I haven't seen it since.  She's not finished, but her halfway-mark opinion is, "It's a really good book, but the cover makes you think it won't be."

I concur... mostly.

There are a few problems with Indebted that I want to look at before I tell you why, despite those problems, I still think it belongs on YA lovers and fantasy/medieval fiction lovers' TBR lists.

The writing needs a bit of work. Told in the first person, far too many sentences and phrases begin with "I," which becomes frustrating to the reader.  Additionally, there's a lot of "telling" by means of "explaining" what we just saw/were told.  This also results in quite a bit of repetition.

Add to those the frustration of having awkward and sometimes over-the-top wording, and you'd think that I didn't actually like it.

But that's not true.  There are three excellent things about this book.

First: Indebted tells the story of a confused and hurting young woman desperate to find somewhere that she feels wanted and accepted. Sometimes I wanted to roll my eyes at her dramatics, but they were natural and realistic for Wren's age. These timeless themes are important to remember for those of us who are a bit older and have learned Where our true acceptance and worth lies.

Second: The allegorical nature of the story is excellently done. The story unfolds in delicate layers that add richness and depth to it.  In fact, the final "battle," if you will, teaches an excellent lesson in slaying dragons in our lives. I can't really say what it is without giving away the story, but I will say that I believe rereading this scene is worth it--read with an eye to what truths could be shown in this showdown between mankind and the spiritual representation of Satan.

Third: Not all of the spiritual truths are layered in the story. Those that are out front and open are well done, too.  In fact, I think Wren's first real prayer to the Lord is one of the most realistic I've read in conversion-like scenes.  Instead of it being couched in "churchese," Wren related her hopes and pleas with what she knew someone else had in her life. 

If the things I mentioned that I didn't like aren't your pet peeves (and if you don't mind a few typos and such), this book might just be the one for you.  Recommended for those who love allegories, fairytale-like stories, enjoy YA drama, and learning spiritual truths

[Tristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

My mom ordered this book for me to review without consulting me on it first, so when I got it I was a bit leery of it, but gave it a shot anyway. I must admit, for the first hundred or so pages, my leeriness was for good reason. While I found the beginning to draw my interest slightly, it felt like a very generic female empowerment story. Then everything changed. I had a wrench thrown in the gears of my expectations, when I found that the expected outcome was not what was coming; so, as I read the middle of the book, I found myself more interested. It had become more than the usual “I have to go on a quest to kill a dragon plot”. Granted, I still found a few very generic elements in this part of the book, the need for Wren to keep a certain secret being the most glaring one, mostly in the way she went about it, but I was still interested. The ending was both good and bad. I must admit, something I expected to be a long, drawn out battle, turned out to last a single page, and that was extremely disheartening, but the final plot twist made up for my disappointment, as did the rest of the ending.

Overall, I give Indebted four stars. Though it was well written through most of it, the generic elements that were included caused it to be very predictable at many points, making this a book that is better used as a time filler than the thing to look forward to after a long and exhausting day. But, having said that, I must admit a few of the twists in the plot were very ingenious, and, while they didn’t entirely make up for the predictable, they made this book worth the time spent reading it.

I was provided with a free copy of this book courtesy of the author and Celebrate Lit. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions are my own.

[Phillip Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Princess Wren feels trapped in her home, not allowed to leave the kingdom, or even fully enjoy being outside. Learning how to use a sword awakens a desire to see more than her immediate surroundings, but her journey creates new troubles. She goes from feeling trapped to being Indebted.

The story pulls you in quickly, and keeps you reading. The characters are creative, and it’s easy to picture how they look and act. The plot moves along at a good pace, one that keeps it from dragging but not too fast to follow. There were a few times that the action seemed to be forced, but that didn’t detract from reading the book.

Although I enjoyed the story, I also like the messages taught through it. At the forefront, trusting God and accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior are prominent. Wren meets people who are bold in their faith. Not an aggressive boldness, but one that keeps them from shying away from sharing their faith with others. Wren, and others, learn about forgiveness and trusting other people. Though it is aimed at youth, adults can enjoy it too, as the messages can apply to them.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through the BookCrash.com book review program. All opinions are my own.

[Carolina Colleene · Rating 2 out of 5]

Language: G (0 swears, 0 “f”); Mature Content: PG13; Violence: PG
Princess Wren is trapped in her own castle by her grieving father after the disappearance of her mother. But after years of acting in secret to find happiness where her father would forbid it if he knew, Wren finds word about a contest. A contest she is determined to win to show everyone that she is more than a princess.
Hafen writes as an emergent writer, with an appealing but unpolished story. Her writing finds a space between genuine and forced, especially with the Christian theme she wants to highlight. With prayers, scriptures, and discussions of belief, Hafen successfully communicates her values to readers. However, though the intent is genuine, the execution seemed forced. Dialogue was stilted, and the characters didn’t always seem to respond naturally according to the way they were written. The story isn’t bad, it just comes across as choppy, occasionally inconsistent, and a little cheesy at times. The mature content rating is for brief nudity.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/

[Patti Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps because I have always been an avid reader, and I homeschool our children I enjoy reading Young Adult fiction – especially so I can recommend books to our teenage daughter. With a setting of princesses, castles, knights and sword fights, this book has a lot to offer. The story, as well as the message of the book, will capture your attention.

The idea that we matter to our Heavenly Father comes across clearly, even if we do not think we matter to our earthly parents. Princess Wren proves to be a character worth knowing and reading about.

So if you have a young adult in your life who loves this type of story, I definitely recommend sharing the book with them. However, it is also one that adults will enjoy reading as well.

So check out this book for yourself.

I received a copy of this book for my fair and honest review.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This turned out to be a very good book. I wasn't sure how I would feel reading a Christianity based fantasy book at first but it did flow nicely. I did find a few continuity issues though which always frustrates me.

*I received a copy of this book for free. The review is my own, honest and unsolicited.

[Laura Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for girls who love action stories. Full review here: https://laurasbooksandblogs.com/book-...