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The Changeling's Daughter
Fourteen-year-old Brynn McAwber discovers a terrible truth about herself and her family and must undergo a perilous quest to another world, to save a friend and redeem her soul. Unusual things have been happening to Brynn McAwber. A strange little man keeps showing up at her door. She's being watched by a mysterious woman with a sword strapped to her back. And her body keeps…disappearing.When Brynn discovers the terrible truth about herself and her family, she embarks on a perilous quest, which takes her far from Indiana, far from the world she knows, into the Land of Annwfyn, home of brownies and bwbachods, xanas and zephyrs, goblins and gods.This is the story of a girl who finds out she's supposed to be the villain, but decides to be the hero anyway.
305 pages, Paperback
Published December 13, 2018
About the author
R. Chris Reeder
3 books4 followersR. Chris Reeder grew up in a tiny town you’ve never heard of and attended college in Walla Walla, Washington. He founded a theatre company, worked across the country as a professional Shakespearean actor, traveled the globe as an international courier, took a year and a half detour to be a singing activist, and then settled down into the comfortable life of a stay-at-home father and part-time author.
He currently resides in Madison, Wisconsin, with his wife, two children, and a pair of cats named Monster Jack and Tiny Jill.
He currently resides in Madison, Wisconsin, with his wife, two children, and a pair of cats named Monster Jack and Tiny Jill.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 15, 2019
A new twist on the classic fairy tale, this is a great read for tweens coming to the age where everything changes - in Bryn's case, because of enchantment, but the parallels to the onset of adolescence are strong. Mature middle-grade readers will enjoy the moral decisions Bryn must make, and the world she explores both in fairy land and as a growing young woman. The fairy world is delightfully traditional with modern tweaks, and the surprise of discovering those moments is part of the reading fun.
March 24, 2019
Read this review and more on my blog at Hey, Roxie Reads.
‘The Changeling’s Daughter’ by R. Chris Reeder
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
GIVEN A FREE COPY FOR REVIEW
Finished on March 11, 2019
FREE on Kindle Unlimited | $6.99 on Kindle | $20.95 in Paperback
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Fourteen-year-old Brynn McAwber discovers a terrible truth about herself and her family and must undergo a perilous quest to another world, to save a friend and redeem her soul.
Strange things are happening to Brynn, and they aren’t puberty. Her body keeps disappearing, an odd little man appears at her family home and steals her dad for several days, and a mysterious woman with a sword stands watch in her town.
Discovering the truth of her family — of herself — sends her on a quest to a new and strange world — the Land of Annwfyn.
This is the story of a girl who finds out she's supposed to be the villain, but decides to be the hero anyway.
MY REVIEW:
I was given a copy of this book to review.
‘The Changeling’s Daughter’ is a fun, light-hearted, and exciting tale. It tackles on age-old themes in an easy-to-read modern way. It’s a story that can appeal to people of all ages.
Brynn discovers she comes from a long line of goblins. She’s supposed to be evil, but she doesn’t feel evil. She feels like a hero. Her determination and strength of will proves that despite our lineage, we choose the sort of person we want to be.
This book is full of whimsical and enchanting characters set in a vibrant world. The pacing is extremely well done. The plot moves along without dragging or feeling rushed. The dialog reads naturally, and I laughed out loud a few times.
I devoured this book in only a couple sittings, and I wished there was more. I think this could make a lovely series.
‘The Changeling’s Daughter’ by R. Chris Reeder
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
GIVEN A FREE COPY FOR REVIEW
Finished on March 11, 2019
FREE on Kindle Unlimited | $6.99 on Kindle | $20.95 in Paperback
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Fourteen-year-old Brynn McAwber discovers a terrible truth about herself and her family and must undergo a perilous quest to another world, to save a friend and redeem her soul.
Strange things are happening to Brynn, and they aren’t puberty. Her body keeps disappearing, an odd little man appears at her family home and steals her dad for several days, and a mysterious woman with a sword stands watch in her town.
Discovering the truth of her family — of herself — sends her on a quest to a new and strange world — the Land of Annwfyn.
This is the story of a girl who finds out she's supposed to be the villain, but decides to be the hero anyway.
MY REVIEW:
I was given a copy of this book to review.
‘The Changeling’s Daughter’ is a fun, light-hearted, and exciting tale. It tackles on age-old themes in an easy-to-read modern way. It’s a story that can appeal to people of all ages.
Brynn discovers she comes from a long line of goblins. She’s supposed to be evil, but she doesn’t feel evil. She feels like a hero. Her determination and strength of will proves that despite our lineage, we choose the sort of person we want to be.
This book is full of whimsical and enchanting characters set in a vibrant world. The pacing is extremely well done. The plot moves along without dragging or feeling rushed. The dialog reads naturally, and I laughed out loud a few times.
I devoured this book in only a couple sittings, and I wished there was more. I think this could make a lovely series.
January 27, 2022
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.The Changeling's Daughter by R. Chris Reeder is about Brynn McAwber finding out the truth about her and her family while going against what she is to become the hero in her own story.
Will Brynn be the hero?
Brynn McAwber has lived for fourteen years, thinking that she was a regular human being until she started to disappear. She finds out who she and her family truly are while learning that some things in her life aren't quite right. Instead of just sitting back and forgetting about everything, Brynn has decided to go on a quest not to be a villain but the hero that she needs to be.
A lot is going on for Brynn to muddle through, especially on her own, since she doesn't know how to ask her parents questions about themselves. I felt terrible for Brynn because of that. Usually, any kid should feel like they can go to their parents with questions and think they will have the answers. However, for Brynn, that isn't the case.
Mr. Reeder dumps tons of information on us throughout the story. We learn about everything with Brynn.
Three Stars
My rating for The Changeling's Daughter by R. Chris Reeder is three stars. I think that Mr. Reeder did a good job writing the story, but I also feel that some parts could have been left out or put together in one chapter. Mr. Reeder has created a weird world that I'm sure he just barely scratched the surface of when he was creating this story.
The Coblyn Chronicles Series
Will Brynn be the hero?
Brynn McAwber has lived for fourteen years, thinking that she was a regular human being until she started to disappear. She finds out who she and her family truly are while learning that some things in her life aren't quite right. Instead of just sitting back and forgetting about everything, Brynn has decided to go on a quest not to be a villain but the hero that she needs to be.
A lot is going on for Brynn to muddle through, especially on her own, since she doesn't know how to ask her parents questions about themselves. I felt terrible for Brynn because of that. Usually, any kid should feel like they can go to their parents with questions and think they will have the answers. However, for Brynn, that isn't the case.
Mr. Reeder dumps tons of information on us throughout the story. We learn about everything with Brynn.
Three Stars My rating for The Changeling's Daughter by R. Chris Reeder is three stars. I think that Mr. Reeder did a good job writing the story, but I also feel that some parts could have been left out or put together in one chapter. Mr. Reeder has created a weird world that I'm sure he just barely scratched the surface of when he was creating this story.
The Coblyn Chronicles Series
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Changeling's Daughter by R. Chris Reeder.
Until the next time,
Happy Reading!
This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove
June 30, 2020
Fun coming of age story
While I'm waiting for a copy to be available for purchase I read this with Amazon Prime. I happened to go to school with the author and I'm not surprised that the book is a fun journey and a delight.
While I'm waiting for a copy to be available for purchase I read this with Amazon Prime. I happened to go to school with the author and I'm not surprised that the book is a fun journey and a delight.
June 21, 2021
Venturing outside of one’s expected path of existence can be one of the most challenging and rewarding tasks of all. Fourteen-year-old Brynn McAwber lives with her family in Jeffersonville, Indiana, where there is not much to do and she appreciates spending time with her best and only friend, Makayla. A series of unusual events begins to unfold, revealing truths about Brynn’s heritage that make her question everything she thought she knew. When Makayla starts acting differently, and Brynn herself becomes someone she does not recognize, Brynn embarks on an epic solo adventure to set things right.
Excellent and dynamic writing guides this story, incorporating words and elements from Welsh language and folklore into the narrative. Occasional assistance with pronunciation is provided, but for the most part readers are left to decipher the consonant-laden vocabulary on their own, just as Brynn herself must do. Each unique character has a personal voice and communication style, making it easy to determine who is speaking even without textual guidance. Makayla especially has a colloquial and direct speech pattern that is endearing from the very beginning.
Much like a video game, this story is designed around a structured backbone that incorporates three main challenges with a final conflict at the end. As a solo adventurer, Brynn must rely on the occasional assistance of others at just the right time to accomplish her mission, all the while trusting herself to make important decisions. Brynn is a young teenager, transitioning to a more independent existence than she had during childhood while continuing to embrace her deep family ties.
Carefully chosen vocabulary and an entertaining and fast-paced plot help this story appeal to intellectual young readers who enjoy adventure. Atypical heroes are at the forefront of this tale, incorporating elements from folklore into an action-packed storyline. Open for a sequel, readers will wait with eager anticipation for the next installment. This is a highly recommended adventure for readers transitioning from middle grade to young adult stories, especially those who believe in the capacity of all creatures to change for the better.
I received a copy of this book from the author and I chose to leave this review.
Excellent and dynamic writing guides this story, incorporating words and elements from Welsh language and folklore into the narrative. Occasional assistance with pronunciation is provided, but for the most part readers are left to decipher the consonant-laden vocabulary on their own, just as Brynn herself must do. Each unique character has a personal voice and communication style, making it easy to determine who is speaking even without textual guidance. Makayla especially has a colloquial and direct speech pattern that is endearing from the very beginning.
Much like a video game, this story is designed around a structured backbone that incorporates three main challenges with a final conflict at the end. As a solo adventurer, Brynn must rely on the occasional assistance of others at just the right time to accomplish her mission, all the while trusting herself to make important decisions. Brynn is a young teenager, transitioning to a more independent existence than she had during childhood while continuing to embrace her deep family ties.
Carefully chosen vocabulary and an entertaining and fast-paced plot help this story appeal to intellectual young readers who enjoy adventure. Atypical heroes are at the forefront of this tale, incorporating elements from folklore into an action-packed storyline. Open for a sequel, readers will wait with eager anticipation for the next installment. This is a highly recommended adventure for readers transitioning from middle grade to young adult stories, especially those who believe in the capacity of all creatures to change for the better.
I received a copy of this book from the author and I chose to leave this review.
December 16, 2018
A most unusual and amazing anti-hero questing fantasy not just for young people has arrived.
Up front caution: although I could watch this story unfolding in epic technicolor and would recommend it to teens with an advanced reading level, I caution parents who care that a fair amount of profanity when a couple of shock value uses would have been enough, some gore, and a generous vocabulary boost this story into a tween/early teen caution level. Some parents may want to check it out first.
For the rest of us, Reeder’s maiden fantasy is a delight. I admit I intended to read enough for a good review, but didn’t look up except for touchdowns during the Packers-Bears football game until I was finished. Using an anti-hero, in this case a typically-misunderstood creature of folklore hiding in plain sight, as a champion certainly isn’t new, but the author’s ability to recombine fantasy elements into a true hero’s journey makes for a fresh, entertaining read.
Brynn’s family secret stems not simply from their traditionally accepted roles but also how they are perceived by others. When Brynn’s best friend Makayla suddenly turns against her, Brynn’s loyalty and character are tested in ways that help her understand and grow into the kind of person she’s meant to become. Makayla’s defection is not the only weird thing happening to Brynn these days. When faced with disaster, Brynn’s options are to do the right thing by her friend no matter the odds, or be the expected generic typecast of her kind. Knowing Makayla would never willingly abandon her gives Brynn the strength to fight not just for physical rescue, but for the decision to live a meaningful, positive family lifestyle.
Told through the eyes of Brynn, the fourteen-year-old main character, The Changeling’s Daughter is a lovely adventure for readers who enjoy a good old-fashioned questing tale with surprising heroes unafraid to challenge even themselves.
Up front caution: although I could watch this story unfolding in epic technicolor and would recommend it to teens with an advanced reading level, I caution parents who care that a fair amount of profanity when a couple of shock value uses would have been enough, some gore, and a generous vocabulary boost this story into a tween/early teen caution level. Some parents may want to check it out first.
For the rest of us, Reeder’s maiden fantasy is a delight. I admit I intended to read enough for a good review, but didn’t look up except for touchdowns during the Packers-Bears football game until I was finished. Using an anti-hero, in this case a typically-misunderstood creature of folklore hiding in plain sight, as a champion certainly isn’t new, but the author’s ability to recombine fantasy elements into a true hero’s journey makes for a fresh, entertaining read.
Brynn’s family secret stems not simply from their traditionally accepted roles but also how they are perceived by others. When Brynn’s best friend Makayla suddenly turns against her, Brynn’s loyalty and character are tested in ways that help her understand and grow into the kind of person she’s meant to become. Makayla’s defection is not the only weird thing happening to Brynn these days. When faced with disaster, Brynn’s options are to do the right thing by her friend no matter the odds, or be the expected generic typecast of her kind. Knowing Makayla would never willingly abandon her gives Brynn the strength to fight not just for physical rescue, but for the decision to live a meaningful, positive family lifestyle.
Told through the eyes of Brynn, the fourteen-year-old main character, The Changeling’s Daughter is a lovely adventure for readers who enjoy a good old-fashioned questing tale with surprising heroes unafraid to challenge even themselves.
January 26, 2019
The Changeling's Daughter by R. Chris Reeder is a delightful story about how the world around us may not be what it seems. Based in Welsh mythological folklore, this book follows fourteen-year-old Brynn McAwber in a journey of self-discovery and heroism. I truly enjoyed this story and highly recommend it.
I would rate The Changeling's Daughter to be at about a ninth grade reading level. However, it contains more profanity than I would recommend for the average young teen--in fact, enough for a YA novel. This combined with the reading level of the book makes for a story that doesn't quite fit in either category. Thus, four stars instead of five.
A more detailed review of this book will eventually appear on my blog, www.techno-literate.com.
I would rate The Changeling's Daughter to be at about a ninth grade reading level. However, it contains more profanity than I would recommend for the average young teen--in fact, enough for a YA novel. This combined with the reading level of the book makes for a story that doesn't quite fit in either category. Thus, four stars instead of five.
A more detailed review of this book will eventually appear on my blog, www.techno-literate.com.
February 27, 2022
I don't often read the second book in the series before the first one. However, with the Coblyn Chronicles it happened exactly like this. The second book that I happened to read first was so great I needed to know what happened in the first.
Now there’s been several months since I read The Trickster’s Sister and I managed to forget why exactly Finian wanted Brynn, but that made reading the first book even more interesting.
Now the thing I liked about the Trickster’s Sister was the endless banter between Makyla and Brynn and how the book was written in the best friends perspective, The Changeling’s Daughter had significantly less banter, the best friend being kidnapped and all and Makyla did not get her own point of view. I still enjoyed the book, but little less than the second one!
Now there’s been several months since I read The Trickster’s Sister and I managed to forget why exactly Finian wanted Brynn, but that made reading the first book even more interesting.
Now the thing I liked about the Trickster’s Sister was the endless banter between Makyla and Brynn and how the book was written in the best friends perspective, The Changeling’s Daughter had significantly less banter, the best friend being kidnapped and all and Makyla did not get her own point of view. I still enjoyed the book, but little less than the second one!
December 13, 2018
Great Read
Reeder puts together a wonderful story in The Changeling's Daughter. Brynn is an interesting character. I like the premise of the story and it gives the ideas of how one may be destined or assumed to be one thing, and in turn, be something more true to themselves. This is the first book of Reeder's that I've read and I enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Reeder puts together a wonderful story in The Changeling's Daughter. Brynn is an interesting character. I like the premise of the story and it gives the ideas of how one may be destined or assumed to be one thing, and in turn, be something more true to themselves. This is the first book of Reeder's that I've read and I enjoyed it. I look forward to reading more by this author.
December 28, 2018
A great coming of age book about a young girl who upon learning her family secret is faced with a choice about who she wants to be. Great for any readers who enjoy great characters, quests, and witty dialogue.
January 13, 2021
Wow. Otherworldly and brilliant. Can't wait to read book 2!!
March 24, 2021
Really enjoyed this book. That says a lot for someone who doesn't usually read this genre. Great story line, very descriptive and entertaining. Looking forward to the next one.
April 7, 2019
I adored the book. Within two chapters I was completely hooked.
I loved the style, I loved the theme (growing up, coping with all sort of things you do not understand), I loved the conversations between the two friends, I loved the way in which the book was written, as a quest, I loved ... just so much of the book.
Yes, I would have liked to know more about the brother. Now I see him not often enough. And yes, I do think the relation between mother and daughter is too good tu be true (apologies to all the mothers).
But all in all, I loved the book.
I loved the style, I loved the theme (growing up, coping with all sort of things you do not understand), I loved the conversations between the two friends, I loved the way in which the book was written, as a quest, I loved ... just so much of the book.
Yes, I would have liked to know more about the brother. Now I see him not often enough. And yes, I do think the relation between mother and daughter is too good tu be true (apologies to all the mothers).
But all in all, I loved the book.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews