Category Archives: The Nine Princesses Novellas

Review: Maelyn

09 Monday Dec 2013

Posted by in Novellas, The Nine Princesses Novellas

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maelyn

Maelyn (The Nine Princesses Novellas #1) by Anita Valle

Months later, the king returned home and presented his astonished queen with not one, but nine baby girls. “One from each kingdom I visited,” said the king. “They are orphans.” The queen wept joyously at the row of cradles, each bearing a sleeping infant. After bestowing a kiss on each child’s forehead she said, “Now they are princesses.”

Book 1: Maelyn was not born a princess. The king found her as a child, the lone survivor of a poor village slaughtered by the Red Fever. Suddenly she became a princess of Runa Realm, the first of nine orphans adopted by the king.

By her eighteenth year, Maelyn rules over Runa and a family of nine sisters. But some call the princesses frauds and imposters, a handful of urchins raised into royalty. Even Uncle Jarrod, the High King of Grunwold, seems determined to prove that Maelyn no longer deserves to be a princess. With a family losing faith in her, and a kingdom growing dangerously hostile, even Maelyn begins to wonder if she is truly a real princess. And if her riches will turn to rags once again…. (review from goodreads)

General Overview (No Spoilers)

This book was just under 100 pages, so a nice quick easy read. It was full of love, family, commitment and a little bit of mystery. I like stories about Princesses and this one had the Princess using common sense and a little initiative to win rather than fighting or magic, it was refreshing. I thought the book was predictable at the start but the author was leading me into a false sense of security and everything I thought was going to happen was turned on it’s head, was really enjoyable read.

4 stars out of 5. 

Step by Step Overview (Spoilers)

0% – The idea that a King took in 9 orphans and loved them like his own, is a lovely idea. Usually Kings in fantasy are portrayed as evil or weak, this King seems neither. It is the first book of 9 by 9 sisters from 9 lands, there are so many possibilities for this series.

10% – The prologue is all about how Maelyn was adopted by the King, very quick overview but explains everything you need to know. I have never truly been bookless, sometimes I feel like I have nothing that I want to read, but I always have unread books waiting for me (thank goodness).

20% – So far the story is charming and still setting the scene.

30% – What possible reason could she have for dismissing every servant in the castle?

40% – Maleyn seems so kind and generous, perfect to rule a Kingdom, no request from her subjects is too small for her.

50% – Is she too going to fall for two people? Will she be marrying the Prince?

60% – Will she send one of her sisters or will she go herself, or find another way entirely.

70% – That cannot be a good thing that he is taking her there.

80% – Did she put something in the wine to mimic the Red Fever or does he really have it?

90% – Aww, that’s sweet, he wrote the books that he gave to her.

100% – Oh no, not a love triangle involving two sisters, please no.

Who would I recommend this book to?

Anyone who likes YA, Princesses, fairytales or just an enchanting read.

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