Fairytales of Folkshore series by Lucy Tempest --> Restarting April 7th, 2021

[Aly]

ONE MONTH. FIFTY CONTESTANTS. ONE PRINCE. AN IMPOSSIBLE HEIST.

You have been summoned to Sunstone Palace to compete in our search for the future Queen of Cahraman.

After years on the run, Adelaide thinks her lonely and dangerous life as a thief is finally over. But her world is upended when a witch steals her away to a faraway kingdom, to perform an impossible heist. If Adelaide fails, her newfound family would be sacrificed to a beast.

To complete her mission, she’s forced to assume the role of a noblewoman and enter a royal competition. The prize is the hand of the elusive Crown Prince. Elimination means certain death.

As the witch’s literal deadline approaches, Adelaide has one last gamble to save the day, and to escape to a new life with Cyrus, the handsome and mysterious fellow thief who stole her heart.

But everything falls apart when the prince finally reveals himself…

[Celia]

30%
This early on, I already feel like I will want to read the sequels, and the other books in the broader fairy tale series featuring Adelaide's friends.

(view spoiler)[I'm really enjoying this. It's like The Selection with a more fantastical element. Knowing Aladdin as well as I do, or at least the Disney version, it's pretty easy to figure out who's who right away, but that's kind of the point of a retelling I guess.

I like that the author uses names of traditional Persian (I think) princes for the royal lineage. Aladdin, based on the 1000 Arabian Knight's tales, takes place in a desert land similar to what ancient Persia might have looked like, and I'm glad Lucy Tempest is going further with this in her story.

Also, I'm noticing a lot of parallels between Thief of Cahraman: A Retelling of Aladdin and The Selection series, including just the names of the three books in the Cahraman trilogy. However, from the beginning, Tempest develops her world and characters far more than Cass started off doing, and I really love this. (hide spoiler)]

55%
This is impossible to put down!

(view spoiler)[Even though some things are very obvious even if I hadn't read the plot summary, the characters have me completely invigorated. I love Adelaide's motives for this, and the fact that she is doing this solely out of concern for Bonnie, who is clearly having her own Beauty and the Beast adventure - I knew from the beginning she was basically Belle, but Nariman having something to do with that was a big surprise, I hadn't realized the events would happen simultaneously.

And okay, even if I hadn't read the very telling Goodreads plot summary, I probably would have at least guessed that Cyrus was the prince. I mean, Cyrus and Cyaxares are a little too similar to be coincidental. (hide spoiler)]

80%
Sometimes I wonder why I constantly fall back on fairy tale retellings, and then I read something like this that completely pulls me in.

(view spoiler)[I love all the characters, and this has much stronger elements of female friendship without a man involved for the most part. It's truly amazing.

Also, that last scene with Cherine was a total shocker! I honestly didn't expect anything like that, but when I first read it I knew immediately that Fairuza did it. It was a great way for Adelaide to redeem herself, and it was a totally amazing way for her to use her talents.

I wonder how much say "Cyrus" has in all of this. He is clearly the prince, but is he also making the decisions? And who and where is the king? Does the lamp exist? (hide spoiler)]

This is so much better than anything I would have expected.

100%

I loved this so much and can't wait to read the sequel!

(view spoiler)[Even though a lot of things were explained early on, there was still enough plot twists to keep me happy. Also, the element of female friendships involved was amazing! (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

Questions once you guys finish the first book. Please comment what you think, I'd love to see your thoughts.

CONTAIN SPOILERS, DO NOT READ UNTIL AFTER YOU FINISH BOOK 1.

(view spoiler)[1. Do you think the monster Nariman sent Bonnie to is Fairuza's brother?

2. Do you think Nariman has a counterpart inside the castle, the way Jafar was the helpless old man to fool Aladdin?

My answers:
(view spoiler)[1. I feel like there are some clues, considering she is from that area and he is referenced a lot in passing. Adelaide even mentions she thinks there's some family disease that makes him look and act like a beast. I kind of hope not, though, because Cora seemed to mention something about him raping her, or something.

2. At first, I thought it was Loujaine, but I'm not sure. If it's anyone, it might be Farouk, although we haven't seen enough of him or the other advisors. Or maybe she's actually the king. I honestly have no idea, but I imagine she does have a counterpart/persona. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Again, I'd love if you guys comment or message me what you think, I'd love to discuss this further, and also if you have any discussion questions, I would love to talk about them with you.

[Kim]

10% (view spoiler)[ so what happened to the eyes in the wood? also, is Ella Cinderella and Bonnie Belle? (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

40% (view spoiler)[ this reminds me quite a bit of Selection series, probably because I read it fairly recently. I'm curious to see what that thief in the vault means. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

Kim wrote: "40% [spoilers removed]"

A lot of people have gotten Selection vibes. I imagine there are actually a lot of books in that format, but because The Selection is one everyone has read, we make the connection there most easily.

[Kim]

70% (view spoiler)[ why did she say nothing?! she could have at least told a story! she's a thief and liar, who makes up stories! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

100% i'm so glad we decided to do the series!!!

[Celia]

Kim wrote: "100% i'm so glad we decided to do the series!!!"

Me too! I really love this. Would you mind posting your answers to my questions in message 3? I'd just really like to see what you think.

[Kim]

My thoughts are: (view spoiler)[

1. Do you think the monster Nariman sent Bonnie to is Fairuza's brother?

I think Nariman is the genie from within the lamp. The king is holding it hostage so she can't leave (maybe he has like 1 more wish?) but he's put up a magical barrier so she can't get it herself. I think the albino might be Fairuza's brother (secreted away and hairy!).

2. Do you think Nariman has a counterpart inside the castle, the way Jafar was the helpless old man to fool Aladdin?

I feel like she must but I haven't determined who it could be yet. I'm thinking Cora, since she's had Ada's back since before they even got on the train.

(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Celia wrote: "Kim wrote: "100% i'm so glad we decided to do the series!!!"

Me too! I really love this. Would you mind posting your answers to my questions in message 3? I'd just really like to see what you think."

I like your thoughts on the second one! That'd be a killer twist. Can't wait to get into the next one; so glad they're on KU.

[Celia]

25% (view spoiler)[Okay, so I'm back to thinking Loujaine might be the counterpart. I think you also have a good point, Kim, that it might be Cora, but I really hope it isn't, because Adelaide's friendship with Cora is so genuine, and her hatred for Nariman is completely justified. (hide spoiler)]

50% (view spoiler)[These last few chapters have been a whirlwind. It's amazing how the story of Nariman comes together. I had a feeling Jumana was Cyrus's father, but I hadn't realized what that would all mean. I had a feeling Loujaine was part of the problem, just not exactly in the way I expected.
Then there was the part about Cora saying she won't be able to keep covering for Adelaide anymore. I really hope Adelaide tells her soon, it would strengthen their friendship a lot.
Earlier in the novel, I knew from when we first met Aurelia that I would love her. She just seemed like this spunky, no-nonsense old lady, and I hope we see more of her later on in the series.
It's interesting what's happening with Fairuza's character as well. I suspected she would be this story's version of Celeste from The Selection series, but the changes in both the way she acts and the way Adelaide starts to see her are impressive. And now, of course, they're trapped together in some other world (maybe Ericura?). Anyway I'm so excited to read more. (hide spoiler)]

80% (view spoiler)[I loved the way Adelaide and Fairuza worked their way out of this together. I knew something like this would happen, but this part kept me turning pages until the very end of the scene to find out how they would leave the cave. Also, Cora. Need I say more? (hide spoiler)]

FINISHED (view spoiler)[In 2020 I've found myself attached fully to three series: Nyxia, Zodiac, and now Fairytales of Folkshore. This last book was amazing, and had many more twists and turns than the first novel. Lucy Tempest is definitely one of my favorite authors, and I'm so impacted by this series. I immediately bought and downloaded the third book, and I NEVER buy books if I can help it. That ending had me in tears too! Amazing! (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

25% (view spoiler)[I actually have to force myself to step away from this, and that hasn't happened with a novel in a long time. All I want to do is read this series. Also, I've been trying to figure out Adelaide's family relationship in this whole thing since the last book, but I never expected that she was Ayman's half sister! I really want to know more about King Azal of Almaksham now too.

But okay I wish she would just tell Cyrus what's going on! So frustrating! (hide spoiler)]

50% (view spoiler)[Okay, I'm so happy the reconciliation and understanding happened much quicker than I expected. With all the family history, I think Adelaide's admission that she was Ayman's half sister came at the right time.

I really want to know more about Loujaine. Her past is so wrapped up in all of the women's.

Also, I had a feeling once Adelaide started looking into her family history and really understanding things that her mother was not actually dead. I didn't get my hopes up, because I've thought this in a lot of fantasy lately and it didn't turn out to be true, but the way Adelaide and Cyrus realized it was beyond anything I expected. This was amazing. (hide spoiler)]

75% (view spoiler)[That was amazing! The way they uncovered all their family history and found things that tied them together... I had a feeling the Cave of Wonders would be part of this story, but I thought (as Lucy Tempest likely wanted readers to) that this was either the palace vault or the king's vault. But finding out it was real was even more impressive. (hide spoiler)]

FINISHED (view spoiler)[OMG! I know I always gush over fairytale retellings, but this was just something else. I absolutely loved the way the characters were able to atone for everything they did. I'm not usually a fan of "excuses" in novels, but the way Lucy Tempest wrote the genie into play in everything was absolutely wonderful. Yes I already bought the first Bonnie book. (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

i started the second book finally! What a dramatic start!

[Kim]

27% I'm enjoying this one more than the first book, which is fairly unusual for me. I typically enjoy the building of the characters and their introductions to each other. (view spoiler)[ Cora and Cherine are still such great wing girls, I love their chemistry with Ada and each other. After this court scene, I can't wait to see how the rest of the tests continue. Spoiler> (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

I found the court scene very interesting, and somewhat central to something from book 3, although it's never addressed this way.

[Kim]

84% I am just cruising through this one, in only work wasn’t getting the way! (view spoiler)[ That cave scene was intense. However I love the twist that Fairuza is like a pseudo sleeping beauty! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

Kim wrote: "84% I am just cruising through this one, in only work wasn’t getting the way! [spoilers removed]"

Lucy Tempest's next book in the series (book 7 I think) is a Sleeping Beauty retelling, out in September I think. I'm sure it will be Fairuza's story, and I'm excited for that.

[Kim]

100% I liked this one even better than the first and can't wait to read the third book. I totally agree with you Celia about the twists and turns; it had me turning and turning! It was nice to have such an exciting story in the middle (those ghouls!). I'm curious to see how the witch's fortunes will play out for Ada and Cora...

[Celia]

Okay is it just me or do you imagine Cyrus as looking exactly like Aladdin from the live action 2019 movie?

[Celia]

I want to start on this month but I'm not sure when I'll get to it. When do you think you'll read ?

[Kim]

Agh I missed your last comment! I haven’t seen the live action Aladdin lol

[Celia]

Just from the picture though what do you think?

[Celia]

When are you planning on reading ?

[Kim]

I have fallen so behind lol. My second job started up again so I feel like all my beautiful time reading has disappeared! I have it downloaded from Amazon so probably once I finish Finale (last book in Caraval series). I’m hoping end of the week.

[Celia]

Kim wrote: "I have fallen so behind lol. My second job started up again so I feel like all my beautiful time reading has disappeared! I have it downloaded from Amazon so probably once I finish Finale (last boo..."

Sounds good. I didn't want to get too ahead of you with .

[Celia]

40% (view spoiler)[Not sure if I'm as enthralled as I was with Adelaide's story, since I don't share Bonnie's worries about Adelaide because I've already read her story. I'd be interested to know more about Will and Robin as well. Who are they, and how do they know Leander? Does Leander know they know who he really is? It's a little hard to tell for any of it.

The timeline on this is also a little odd, because I forget how long the Cahraman arc was supposed to last. I know Bonnie says she's been in the woods for two weeks, but I forget if Adelaide's story was within that time span or a month long, or even longer. I guess I'll know soon enough.

Also, interesting take on the castle's inhabitants being half animal instead of furniture. I wonder if this is closer to the original fairytale. It certainly makes things more interesting and believable. (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

66% (view spoiler)[I'm very impressed with this novel so far. It might not be as close to my heart as Adelaide's story, but it definitely does a good job of creating strong characters, as well as making me wonder even more about Nariman's influence. After all, she sort of indicates that she did what she did with the added benefit of saving Fairuza from her curse and giving her the time to find someone adequate, as well as gaining power for herself and reintroducing Adelaide into her world.

I also find the information about Bonnie's family fascinating. Now that we know Dorreya is both from Folkshore and alive, I'm wondering if there's any possibility Belinda (I think that's her name?) is also alive, and if Bonnie is much more closely related to Folkshore than she expected as well. (hide spoiler)]

[Celia]

80% (view spoiler)[I love Beauty and the Beast retellings where the characters are basically the same as in the Disney movie, but they elaborate so much more on how they fall for each other. I've always been one to insist that, at least in the Disney version, the story isn't anything to do with Stockholm Syndrome, but I love stories that really do elaborate on how it isn't, and take time to explore in depth the characters' fear to frenemies to friends to lovers story comes about, especially when it includes lots of books. (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Started Queen of Cahraman; can’t wait to see how this goes!

[Celia]

Kim wrote: "Started Queen of Cahraman; can’t wait to see how this goes!"

Yay! Can't wait to read your updates!

[Celia]

FINISHED
I did NOT see that coming.

(view spoiler)[Okay, so my thoughts are,
A) Bonnie is not a changeling, she's a half human, half fairy
B) This is another Beauty and the Beast retelling where the princess's mother was the one to curse the beast, and Bonnie will be the one to stop it and reason with her (hide spoiler)]

I can't remember if the Cahraman books made me feel this way, or even made me cry, but Lucy Tempest has added even more depth to this amazing world and I'm anxious to see where it goes.

[Kim]

Oh wow now I can’t wait to get to that book! Haha

[Celia]

Kim wrote: "Oh wow now I can’t wait to get to that book! Haha"

I fell in love with the Cahraman series and didn't really get into this one for a while because it was different, but when I did, WOW. Enjoy I LOVED that one too.

[Celia]

Also, I have a clearer idea as to what happens throughout the rest of the series, including into Fairuza's story with an expected pub. date in the fall.

[Kim]

50% (view spoiler)[ whoa so much has happened and we are only halfway through! still love Cyrus so much (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Celia wrote: "Okay is it just me or do you imagine Cyrus as looking exactly like Aladdin from the live action 2019 movie?

"

I definitely think this could be Cyrus

[Kim]

100% (view spoiler)[ great way to end the trilogy! very Disney inspired with the happy ending of course but i wish at least 1 thing had still been a twist. maybe later in one of the other books? (view spoiler)[

I'll probably start next week after my camping trip. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Just started Beast of Rosemead

[Celia]

Nice!

[Celia]

Oh, in response to your 100% comment - you didn't think Dorreya being alive and having gone to Faerie was a twist? I thought that was very much one. Although the rest of it was slightly more predictable than the others, I guess.

[Celia]

Also, release date for Fairuza's story August 15 and cover release on Goodreads shortly after! I'm excited though I know there's no way I'll read and both before that comes out! Either way I'm already really excited for it. It's called Dreamer of Briarfell (not on Goodreads yet)

[Celia]

Dreamer of Briarfell: A Retelling of Sleeping Beauty is out and it's probably the most gorgeous cover yet!

(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Beast of Rosemead 36% (view spoiler)[ I can’t lie I’m a little annoyed at bonnie’s character. Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney movie and she doesn’t stand up to Belle’s character at all. I know it’s a retelling but the best part of the original is how smart and strong the heroine is. Bonnie seems like a ding dong to me. Maybe that’ll change. (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Beast 68% (view spoiler)[ ok after that show in the dining room with teaching him how to eat without caring, I’m liking Bonnie more. Although I definitely envisioned that scene from Christmas Story where the little brother shows how piggies eat haha (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Kim]

Beast 10% I ended up liking this book after the halfway point. I’m more interested in the next to see how the problem is fixed!

[Kim]

100% ** aka I finished it haha

[Celia]

yay now we are on the same book again! when do you anticipate starting Beauty?

[Kim]

Oh cool! I wasn’t sure if you had started it yet! I’m on vacation through Monday so probably after that. How about you?

[Celia]

I'm not sure. I've got a lot I'm reading for different challenges and BRs right now. At this rate I'm not likely to start until early September.