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Princess of Shadows

(Fairy Tale Adventures #1)

A.G. Marshall (Goodreads Author)

4.11 · Rating details · 925 ratings · 121 reviews

This is the alternate cover edition of The Princess and the Pea by A.G. Marshall with the ASIN number B01M0MKH7Q.

Only a true princess can save the kingdom.

Alaric wants to be king. He wants to continue the peace and prosperity his father created in Aeonia. But with enemies questioning his bloodline, he’ll have to put his heart on the line and marry a stranger to secure his ...more

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Kindle Edition, 428 pages

Published September 28th 2016 by Avanell Publishing

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Average rating 4.11 ·

Rating details

· 925 ratings · 121 reviews

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Start your review of Princess of Shadows (Fairy Tale Adventures, #1)

Mar 08, 2020 W.R. Gingell added it · review of another edition

this was ridiculous fun with a delightfully sweet edge. ALL THE SEAGULLS

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Jun 28, 2019 Bryn Shutt rated it it was amazing

Shelves: best-books

At first, I thought this might be the best fairy tale retelling I'd ever read ... I think it's better to say it's one of the best BOOKS I've ever read. Period. ...more

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Dec 22, 2020 Sarah Jayyn rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2020, fairy-tale-retellings

💚💚 (two stars as rated in little "emerald" green hearts that overcame the test of time to be together)

Maybe I've read too many of these. There's a good chance I'm getting jaded. But I am bummed because this could have been so much more than it was. The concept was TOP NOTCH. Seriously. I loved that. But the story felt needlessly convoluted at so many times. The actual relationship of the main two characters was... fine? I didn't much care for either of them, to be honest. I was annoyed at the pr ...more

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Jan 23, 2018 J.M. Stengl rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fairy-tale-retelling, i-own, princess-and-the-pea, fantasy

What a unique idea for a fairy-tale retelling!
Our heroine wakes from a hundred-year sleep to discover that she's remembered only as a folk-heroine in children's tales.
Prince Alaric has requested the "nuclear option" Princess Test to help him select the right bride and save the throne.
Lots of intrigue and a cast of delightful characters made this a book I didn't want to put down.
Now I want to read the whole series! ...more

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Mar 27, 2019 Suzannah added it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, fairytale-retellings, rating-pg

The only retelling of The Princess and the Pea I've ever read...and it was actually pretty awesome. ...more

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Aug 23, 2020 Annette rated it really liked it

Shelves: fairytale-retellings

You have no idea how much time I spent searching through my e-books to find a book ending on an uneven number. Until I stumbled upon this book. My kindle said it had exactly 331 pages that really mattered to the story (it excluded the preview of the next book at the end and the introductions at the beginning) and since my love for fairytale retelling doesn't seem to know an end I was quite happy to have found a book perfect for the prompt AND one I really did wanna read.

Let me start with one lit You have no idea how much time I spent searching through my e-books to find a book ending on an uneven number. Until I stumbled upon this book. My kindle said it had exactly 331 pages that really mattered to the story (it excluded the preview of the next book at the end and the introductions at the beginning) and since my love for fairytale retelling doesn't seem to know an end I was quite happy to have found a book perfect for the prompt AND one I really did wanna read.

Let me start with one little point of criticism: Although the main element of the princess and the pea was there, the original fairytale was hardly the backbone of this story. I wouldn't really call this a retelling. It's more the use of some key element in an entirely different and unique way. Which also turns this into a compliment. Since that one element was not of too much importance and since it didn't dictate the story this was basically a really enchanting original and fresh new tale.

Of course, quite a few elements of the plot were predictable because of the story structure and because this is a fairytale, but there were so many amazing additions to be discovered. The world building for example is quite interesting and it creates a small plot line that could follow us through future stories too. I also really liked how all the characters of the story, even the ones who seem very small at first, eventually play an active role in the finale and the solution.

The true stars of the story, of course, were Princess Lina and Prince Alaric. Alaric is everything a prince should be, without becoming too perfect. He's kind, charming, willing to help people in need and willing to see the best in people. He also has a sense of duty and a working brain. However, he can be quite stiff and stubborn too. Lina is also clearly an intelligent princess. She sees her possibilities and uses them. She's fierce and takes action and responsibility, but she's not reckless or running blind into situations she doesn't understand. It makes it easy to like them both and even easier to root for their happy ending.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series. We already met the main characters of that story and I kinda fell in love with them, so it will be great to see much more of them. ...more

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Mar 04, 2019 Kathryn McConaughy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: christian-sf-and-fantasy, books-for-young-women

This full-length novel retells “The Princess and the Pea” with an epic twist. Waking up from an enchanted trance in which she battled invading goblin forces and sealed them away from the world of men, Lina finds that a hundred years have passed. She arrives at the Aeonian capital just in time to be accidentally included in a Princess Test.
This generation’s Princess Test is very important to the kings of Aeonia. They came to the throne under suspicious circumstances about eighty years ago, and no This full-length novel retells “The Princess and the Pea” with an epic twist. Waking up from an enchanted trance in which she battled invading goblin forces and sealed them away from the world of men, Lina finds that a hundred years have passed. She arrives at the Aeonian capital just in time to be accidentally included in a Princess Test.
This generation’s Princess Test is very important to the kings of Aeonia. They came to the throne under suspicious circumstances about eighty years ago, and now the King of Gaveson is threatening to annex the country unless they marry into an old royal family from one of the other nations. Now twenty princesses and noble ladies—all under strict orders not to reveal who they are or which countries they came from—have arrived to meet Crown Prince Alaric and undergo the Tests.
Being included in the Tests gives Lina access to the Council of Kings. She needs to speak to them, as her magic has revealed that there is still danger of a goblin invasion. Unfortunately, no one believes in goblins any more…
Lina is competent, smart, and determined, and she quickly makes friends with the other princesses. I loved her!
When I read the blurb for this story, I noted the “prince must marry for the good of the kingdom” plot trope and groaned internally. It wasn’t a surprise—this is “The Princess and the Pea,” after all—but I’ve gotten very tired of it. The princes usually moan and groan about their situation, but instantly forget their resistance when they first see the eyes/smile of that special someone… But Marshall’s story was not like that AT ALL. Instead, we have Prince Alaric, who is determined to do the responsible thing and marry for the good of the kingdom despite the protests of his father, brother, and stepmother, who all think he should marry someone that he actually likes. He’s actually way TOO responsible, which is something I’m have a lot more sympathy for than the usual princely (or princessly) whining. He’s great!
There are also half a dozen secondary characters who add a lot to the story. Alaric’s brother Stefan and stepmother Marta, the valet Bastien, Carina and the other princesses in the Princess Test. I’m so glad that this book is part of a series—I just know we’ll get to see more of these characters.
Sometimes I felt like the fairytale tropes and the epic fantasy tropes were a little too obvious. But for the most part Marshall does a good job of weaving them together into a single plot in a coherent setting.
...more

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Feb 06, 2020 Lucy Tempest rated it it was amazing

I have to start by saying that I, as a consumer of all things fantasy, really love it when the magical world parallels our own, reminding us that people are people no matter the setting and the ubiquity of magic.

By that I mean, holy cow, this story not just has a unique take on the Princess and the Pea, with our goblin-fighting warrior-princess but it’s a fairytale within a fairytale! We see how fairytales, myths and legends impact even those who are taking part in such an event — and it’s all a ...more

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Mar 17, 2020 Coralie rated it it was amazing

This one has, sadly, been on my list since before it's title was changed. I'm not sure why I never got around to it, but boy am I glad I finally did! Plus, that is a really pretty new cover! <3

This book has got it all, the heart wrenching tragedy, the misunderstood heroes, the brutal and the more subtle threats, the dash of romance all tied into one mega adventure with some kickbutt action! I'm a fairy tale nerd. We all know this by now. Sleeping Beauty is my childhood favorite and I'm a sucker This one has, sadly, been on my list since before it's title was changed. I'm not sure why I never got around to it, but boy am I glad I finally did! Plus, that is a really pretty new cover! <3

This book has got it all, the heart wrenching tragedy, the misunderstood heroes, the brutal and the more subtle threats, the dash of romance all tied into one mega adventure with some kickbutt action! I'm a fairy tale nerd. We all know this by now. Sleeping Beauty is my childhood favorite and I'm a sucker for some of the more obscure tales like the 12 Dancing Princesses, Toads and Diamonds, The Goose Girl, and The Princesses and the Pea. This story weaves the Sleeping Beauty seamlessly together with the Princess and the Pea, and I'd argue it has hints of the 12 Dancing Princesses smattered throughout, too, though those are very, very light. It may just be more of an atmosphere reminiscent of the tale, but I loved it nonetheless.

But this story stands apart from other retellings. It had a goblin-fighting enchantress who never gave up, even when everything around her dug claws into her heart and told her to just let go. This girl was brave and strong and trained in some seriously cool shadow art. She was kind and human, too, which made me love her all the more. She was clever and doggedly determined. She brought this story to life. Marshall's mixture of intriguing magic, tragic foundation, imminent threats, action-packed suspense, and a literal whole other world makes this a unique and truly exciting tale. This isn't your typical fairy tale, and I loved that about it. I was sucked in immediately and chugged through the first 85% of it in the first night I started it.

Lina was a lot of fun. I mean, from page one she demanded respect and radiated authority, but she was also real. She was confused, yet determined. She was loyal, yet open to learning. I loved how stubborn and adventurous she was. She made for a firecracker of a heroine, someone I could cheer for and fall in love with. I also really liked Carina and am excited to see more of her in the sequel. Stefan was a hoot and I'm dying to see more of him open up. His relationship with Alaric was special and I very much enjoyed seeing the dynamic between those two. There were tons of side characters that held minor roles and I hope we get to dig deeper into those at some point, like Marta's sons, for instance. Oh, also, Luca!? Hello! He stole the show for me. Again, from page one, I was in love with him and I really, really loved seeing the power of the relationship he and his sister had. I seriously need to read those letters one day. <3

The story is set in kind a dual land, which is neat. I absolutely loved the world building and really hope to see more of the shadow vs. light world and the magic in later books. I was completely drawn in by the shadow warrior and light wielder concept, especially the twins! I hope one day we get a book of all their adventures!! Just the idea of shadow and light working together and in some cases opposing one another was fascinating. I didn't really have a great feel for the map of the world regarding other kingdoms, but I didn't really need it in this book. I mean, we had a council of kings present and other kingdoms represented, but the story all takes place in pretty much one city and on a hill. The castle was neat and I liked the little bits of history, architecture, and secrets that Lina brought to light throughout the book there.

The book only had a few typos in it that I found. This was a fun, clean fairy tale with a little bit of romance and a little bit of violence, but nothing very graphic and no foul language. The story had a few fight scenes, a little blood and some bruises here or there, and a few brief kisses. But I'd feel fine giving this to a preteen. I'd highly recommend the book and am about to dive into the sequel right now! ...more

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Oct 01, 2020 Kellie Cunningham rated it really liked it

Shelves: favorites

Oh.....my....GOSH!!!!!!!! Not being too much of a fan of "The Princess and the pea" story, this was.....EPIC!!! I put off reading this story for faaaaarrrrr too long, and I really shouldn't have. I totally intend on purchasing this book and it will most emphatically be added to my "favorites" section...❤❤❤❤❤ ...more

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Aug 23, 2019 Hayden rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, indies, fairy-tale-retellings

I didn't like this one quite as much as its sequel, but it was still fun. ...more

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Apr 11, 2020 Sarah rated it really liked it

Shelves: retellings, fantasy, quarantine-reads

I couldn't stop laughing. I don't think that was the book's intended effect but I found it hilarious. That may have been slightly influenced by the fact that I was reading it at 1 AM and was therefore slightly delirious, but I can't be sure. It was a really creative retelling (think The Princess and the Pea meets The Selection and Sleeping Beauty) although I do feel like it's one of those books where the order we receive the information is messed up. The storytelling jumps around a little and we I couldn't stop laughing. I don't think that was the book's intended effect but I found it hilarious. That may have been slightly influenced by the fact that I was reading it at 1 AM and was therefore slightly delirious, but I can't be sure. It was a really creative retelling (think The Princess and the Pea meets The Selection and Sleeping Beauty) although I do feel like it's one of those books where the order we receive the information is messed up. The storytelling jumps around a little and we're given information that takes place before the book in the middle of the book. This can be a great plot device but here it just didn't work. I think for it to be effective there needs to be a reason that the information is withheld. In this book, however, we were given a rough outline of everything so it didn't feel like there was anything particularly new being introduced. (view spoiler) I also don't feel like I have a firm grasp on the magic system. It's definitely a soft magic system but even within that context, it doesn't feel clear. That might just be me but I didn't love the way it was explained. Finally, there was the whole thing where the prince was like way to eager to have an arranged marriage. Like I appreciate it when characters aren't totally selfish and choose to put their country before themselves but his parents are telling him that it's okay for him to try to marry for love and he's just like, absolutely not. Anyway, this is a cute clean retelling, nothing particularly exceptional but good none the less. ...more

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Jan 03, 2017 Andrea rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Entertainment in every word!

I absolutely loved this book! It is not your classic retelling or the typical modern twist but a truly unique style that is clean, captivating and fantastically original. The characters have personality and although there is a satisfying conclusion it leaves space for more tales to follow! I can't wait for the next book to come because this was by far the most unique and interesting retelling that I have ever read! ...more

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Mar 23, 2018 Kristen Kooistra rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Hands down this is one of my favorite books this year. I've been either very picky this year or I'm simply not getting floored with anything. Who knows. But anyway, 5 stars has just not been around much from me because though I'm reading a lot of good books, I'm not getting WOWED by anything.

All that to say, this came close, real close. This is a comfy 4.5 stars.

The cover is generic, the title is about as generic as you can get, and both served to leave this sitting on my Kindle for too long. Bu Hands down this is one of my favorite books this year. I've been either very picky this year or I'm simply not getting floored with anything. Who knows. But anyway, 5 stars has just not been around much from me because though I'm reading a lot of good books, I'm not getting WOWED by anything.

All that to say, this came close, real close. This is a comfy 4.5 stars.

The cover is generic, the title is about as generic as you can get, and both served to leave this sitting on my Kindle for too long. But um, they didn't do this story justice.

Very unique retelling of The Princess and the Pea. Stellar writing and characterizations. Two in the morning, people! That's how late I was up to finish this. It was something I started that night and 7 pages in realized I was NOT going to bed that night. Nope. Not until that book was finished.

Dropping the one star mostly because the romance/love interest was rather lackluster. I think if the author had actually written a non-romance of the story it would've been MUCH better. Easily could've ended up being my favorite Princess and the Pea retelling. But I guess it'll have to take second place.

The "princess" was a freaking shadow warrior! How many times does the FMC from that story get to be anything but a princess or a regular commoner?

This one wakes up from an enchanted sleep and knows a ridiculous amount of time has passed. She's smart, she thinks on her feet, she immediately comes up with a plan and executes. Did I mention she's also a freaking shadow warrior?

I liked that the Alaric was the one to set up the Princess Test. Normally it's the parents but in this one his dad is actually trying to talk him out of marrying for political reasons. His dad and step-mom want him to marry for love and he's the one that wants the political connection.(Too often the parents are cuckoo and forcing the test. I like seeing sane parents for this tale.) I liked that he had a reason for doing that too.

I thought Alaric personally was okay, but not as a love interest. I thought that considering Lina is the last shadow warrior and the last person with any knowledge on how to train more of the shadow or light warriors, that hitching herself to a crown prince didn't make sense. She should be out there, traveling, finding people who could replace the old shadow/light warriors. Training people and fighting the darkness and goblins.

Other people can be princess and, one day, queen. For her I think if she'd been just friends with the prince(who could've found out that he loved one of the other contestants) and they ended up working together (him as ruler, her as head shadow warrior) that it would've been a better way to take the story.

It was really good though. Definitely give it a try. ...more

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Mar 10, 2020 Bess rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, borrowed

This was my first read by A.G. Marshall and I daresay not my last. While there were a couple of aspects from my favorite fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea, this was, in my opinion, not a "retelling". Others may argue and that is okay.
Lina was a warrior and maybe a princess but not in the traditional sense of the word. However, when she descends upon the castle after a long "nap", she is thrust into the convergence of rivaling women all vying for the prince, his attention and his throne.
Which ...more

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Oct 05, 2020 Toni rated it it was amazing

5 stars

This is the first book in the Fairy Tale Adventures series by A.G. Marshall.

I really enjoyed this fairy tale retelling. I wasn’t sure what to expect since I had not read a book by this author before but I have to say I came away impressed.

I almost wish Lina had a bit more distraught about waking up and finally realizing that everyone she ever knew was already dead and buried. But I guess she had a bit more than her own worries on her mind as she stumbled into town to tell the Council of K ...more

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Dec 23, 2017 Cindy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: romance, fairy-tale, 2017

I really liked this one! Solid characters and a nice twist to the plot. Some really funny moments too, and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. ...more

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May 31, 2020 Alexandra G. rated it liked it

Shelves: meh, fantasy

3 stars

Meh. It started out really good but it gradually became a princess cartoon story. I sort of had different expectations.

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Dec 06, 2019 Jodie (J.C.T) rated it really liked it

This has been one of my favourite retellings maybe because the original story wasn't particularly one of my favourites either way i loved this.

It had solod charcters that i couldn't help but be intreiged6 with. ...more

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Nov 12, 2017 April rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: clean-read-romance, young-adult, adventure, kindle-unlimited, fantasy, royalty, fairytale-based, action

4.5 Stars

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Mar 13, 2019 Lisa Dawn rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I was fortunate enough to receive a free ebook of The Princess and the Pea by up-and-coming fairy tale author A.G. Marshall from a promotion on Facebook. Since the book was named directly after the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, I was expecting a fairly direct adaptation. Instead, I was blown away by A.G. Marshall's originality. The book is a "fish out of water" story that delves into the creation of mythology and legend. The protagonist wakes up in another time that she knows nothing about I was fortunate enough to receive a free ebook of The Princess and the Pea by up-and-coming fairy tale author A.G. Marshall from a promotion on Facebook. Since the book was named directly after the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale, I was expecting a fairly direct adaptation. Instead, I was blown away by A.G. Marshall's originality. The book is a "fish out of water" story that delves into the creation of mythology and legend. The protagonist wakes up in another time that she knows nothing about, which allows the reader to explore this new world with her. I am a huge proponent of "fish out of water" stories, so the Fairy Tale Adventures series is one that I will be following closely from this point on.

A.G. Marshall's The Princess and the Pea tells the story of a girl named Lina who wields a magic ring and fights goblins in the shadow world. Due to a sleeping spell that allowed her to stay in the protect the world from some dangerous threats, she wakes up to find that a century has passed and everyone she knew is gone. When she tries to dig into her own past, she learns that her story has become the myth of Evangelina Shadow-Storm, a bastardized version of the events that she had actually lived through. She gets involved in the competition to find a bride for the prince because she sees it as the only way for her to deliver her report about the dangers in the shadow world to the grand council, the only people who might still be aware that she exists.

Many of the characters in this book have more knowledge than they let on. When Lina learns that her past has become fiction, she must do her best to pretend to blend in so that she won't be seen as crazy. Prince Alaric, who is obsessed with the story of Evangelina Shadow-Storm, notices Lina regularly skulking around the castle and searching the library for clues of what has happened while she was asleep. He knows that she is after something other than his hand in marriage, but he keeps her secrets in an attempt to earn her trust. Carina, one of the princesses that Lina befriends in the contest, puts on a completely different facade in public than she does in private. She has no interest in winning Prince Alaric, so she attempts to be as vapid and boring as possible, resulting in some hilarious antics. She is secretly a fierce warrior, who is all too happy to learn more about Lina's quest. The queen, a former goat herder, turns out to be hiding the biggest secrets of all much later in the book.

What I love the most about Marshall's adaptation of The Princess and the Pea is that it portrays the way that people respond to fairy tales in a fairy tale setting, giving its audience a new perspective of the impact that these types of stories have on people. Prince Alaric is obsessed with what he believes to be the myth of Evangelina Shadow-Storm just as many of us find inspiration from stories about fictional princesses. It also acknowledges that many legendary characters such as King Arthur or Snow White may have originated as actual historical figures whose tales were exaggerated and fictionalized over time. Some of the changes that Lina learns were made to her story are horrifying to her but quite humorous in the context of the book. A lot of silly touches Marshall included such as Lina's password to the grand council and Carina's vapid acting skills made it a fun and light read, which was a welcome contrast to the dark turn the story could have taken if it placed more focus on Lina's family being dead when she woke up.

A.G. Marshall's adaptation of "The Princess and the Pea" overwhelmed me with its sharp and exciting storytelling. It delves into the making of a hero and how some parts of a legend can stem from reality. I loved that Lina was a confused and lonely girl first and foremost and an epic war heroine second. The ability to do great acts does not require perfection. We are all capable of great deeds if we are willing to make the effort. The Princess and the Pea was thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end thanks to its pristine pacing and perfect balance between comedy and drama. I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys reading princess stories. ...more

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Jun 05, 2020 Rose Hastings rated it really liked it

Aww....this was such a cute read.

Evangelina Shadow- Storm is a shadow warrior, one of the bravest and fiercest warrior at that. But, she had been shrouded in a myth to keep her mission of safe but over time, people forgot her. She was tasked with keeping the light realm safe from the monsters in the shadow realm, but after more than hundred years of sleep, she finds that one pesky goblin has somehow escaped and must stop it. But the Council of Kings doesn't believe her and the common folk believ ...more

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Jan 29, 2020 Angeline rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fairytale-retellings, ya, clean

I loved this book from the beginning! It was so good. This is the first full length book that I have read of Ms. Marshall’s and I loved it.
Evangelina Shadow-Storm has been sleeping for over a hundred years and nothing is the same. She has woken up to a drastically different home. Alaric never thought that he would be in this position. He never imagined that being the crown prince would be so hard.
They will have to learn how to get past projects and figure out how to defend their home. What wil ...more

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Oct 22, 2019 Jayne rated it liked it

Shelves: faerie-tale-retellings

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Oct 30, 2017 christi anne rated it really liked it · review of another edition

It was so good!
That first chapter completely gripped me- what happened after victory, the realise of what sacrifice cost and so forth.
Of course, the rest of the book was hilarious and had me laughing- especially Stefan and Carina (so I immediately bought the second book.) Don't get me wrong- I loved the MC's. They were wonderful...
I felt like the love story was a bit hit and miss- the two characters didn't love each other instantly, but it still felt a little abrupt. But sweet.
The content was al ...more

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Jul 18, 2019 Heather Hayden rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Lovely dark twist on the typical Princess and the Pea retelling (with a dash of Sleeping Beauty thrown in). The characters were believable, the plot intriguing, and the setting perfect for the story.

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Jul 22, 2020 Cassandra Key rated it it was amazing

Loved this story.

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Aug 03, 2020 OldBird rated it liked it

Shelves: e-books, romance, young-adult, fantasy, magic, fairy-tale, series-but-standalone

A very unusual take on The Princess and the Pea. I loved this fantasy world and the sneaky princesses as everyone hid secrets.

It follows a girl named Lina who wakes from an enchanted sleep where her shadow magic has kept evil at bay. She finds the world much changed and the dangers of the shadow realm goblins forgotten. Determined to make her report to the Council of Kings as she used to, she ends up caught in a modern political mess: The Princess Test. Prince Alaric is hosting the trials to fin A very unusual take on The Princess and the Pea. I loved this fantasy world and the sneaky princesses as everyone hid secrets.

It follows a girl named Lina who wakes from an enchanted sleep where her shadow magic has kept evil at bay. She finds the world much changed and the dangers of the shadow realm goblins forgotten. Determined to make her report to the Council of Kings as she used to, she ends up caught in a modern political mess: The Princess Test. Prince Alaric is hosting the trials to find a suitably noble wife to secure his rule. The only way for a strange girl to get access to the Kings is to be inside the palace. Of course, she has to take part...

I loved the silly, strange inventiveness of the premise. The fantasy world is gorgeously written, full of ridiculous politics and twists. Lina's a go-getting heroine, not one to lose her head or her heart easily. Side characters like Princess Carina and all her air-headed acting, or Prince Stefan and his flippancy, were an absolute delight. The unpredictability of the story was also great fun - of course being a retelling you know where it has to go, but how it gets there was really different.

Now to be nitpicky. I wasn't so gone on the actual romance angle. It seemed a little too close to insta-love for my personal preference, and the whole thing went on inside the guys head, pin-balling between "I love her and would do anything for her even though we just met" to "I can't love her because duty". I liked them as a couple, but it didn't have much build up chemistry and could get a bit repetitive. There was also the habit of just dropping in ideas that maybe could have been foreshadowed a little earlier, or leaving seemingly important details unresolved. (view spoiler) Some of the humour seemed a bit odd, given the overall serious tone (just calling a villain Nog sounds funny, but he's real bad news, and "I want you to be my queen-ah"? Funny, but strange!) And lastly, sorry, but flip-flop attitudes and ease of conflict resolution. (view spoiler)

My confusion aside, I loved the writing style. It was a breeze to read, and the quirkiness made it all the more fun. Anyone looking for a light fairy tale retelling that's fluffy but with a dark edge will undoubtedly love this one. I would certainly read more from this author (especially as I see this series of stand-alones is interlinked by characters and Carina and Stefan are back for more!) ...more

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Dec 13, 2020 Sydney rated it liked it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Princess of Shadows is the first book in the Fairy Tale Adventures series by A. G. Marshall.

Evangelina Shadow-Storm slept for a decade to seal the scourge of goblins into the shadow realm. Protecting all of Aeonia with her life, as all she’s known was lost to time. To be relegated to a mere children’s story, and a debasing one at that. When she awakens she knows the seal is in jeopardy, but with her identity nearly scrubbed from all of history, even if for her safekeeping, makes the mission to ...more

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Mar 03, 2020 Crystal D rated it liked it

Shelves: fairy-tale-retellings

I'm coming at this book having read Princess of Mermaids, book 3 before this one. The epilogue made me want to see what Leena's story was about, so I went for it. I'm not exactly sure what this has to do with Princess and the Pea other than a slight reference here and there, but it was a good enough read.

I got spoiled with Fiora and Gustav though. I like Leena a lot as a character, but Alaric was not nearly as good a male lead as Gustav was. His family, other than Marta and her family, weren't a ...more

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About A.G. Marshall

A.G. Marshall

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Angela Marshall loves fairy tales and has been writing stories since she could hold a pencil. She works as a professional pianist and teacher and enjoys crocheting.

In addition to writing books, she has published numerous piano solos including Romanza, Forgotten Waltz, and Notes from the Past.

Other books in the series

Fairy Tale Adventures (4 books)

Books by A.G. Marshall

Princess of Secrets (Fairy Tale Adventures, #2)

Princess of Mermaids (Fairy Tale Adventures, #3)

Princess of Roses (Fairy Tale Adventures, #4)

The Bruised Princess (Once Upon a Short Story, #3)

The Grandmother with Enormous Eyes (Once Upon a Short Story, #1)

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Why not focus on some serious family drama? Not yours, of course, but a fictional family whose story you can follow through the generations of...

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“She placed her hand over his. His arm trembled. He was nervous. That was the sane reaction. Especially if you hadn’t seen a goblin before.” — 1 likes

“Some of the princesses rolled their eyes. Some nodded in agreement. Lina yawned.” — 1 likes

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Princess of Shadows

(Fairy Tale Adventures #1)

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