This was a great book. I enjoyed all of the twist interns. I also really enjoyed the magical system. I found that the Author was able to create a fascinating world dealt with all different kinds of old magic, new magic and characters. And I hope to get more.

Ancient myths being explored is one of my favorite themes. Make it a romantasy and I’m sold. I liked this. This is a YA fantasy so it’s closed door romance which I don’t mind. I really liked this.

Ich weiß ehrlich gesagt nicht, wie ich dieses Buch bewerten soll, da ich es aufgrund relativ kurzer Ausleihdauer (ohne Verlängerung) nicht lesen konnte.

I liked this one and I’m excited to read more of Penny’s story. I liked watching her as she tries to find herself and distinguish herself from her mother. The romance vibes felt appropriate for someone of her age/experience but I especially like exploring the conflict going on within their kingdom.

I really enjoyed the magic system in The Spring Maiden. I also am a fan of Hades/Persephone retellings and it didn't disappoint. Lou and Penny are a cute couple but some parts were a little obvious - like Lou's ~secret. Overall a very fun read!

This one is a bit slow, but certainly worth it to get to The Shadow Lord. The world is unique enough, the plot is interesting and characters are for sure likeable. I read this one in a day and the next one in a day as well!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC
DNF @ 27%
I just couldn't get on board with Penny. She seems very dumb despite her somehow being very successful.
The premise was interesting, I do think I will return to finish it at some point / update my review. Just couldn't get past her

Magic, impending rebellion, and golden eyed love interest? Count. Me. IN!!

I was so excited to read this book and it honestly lived up to my expectations. Immediately after finishing it, I was more than ready for the next book(and might have stalked the author a bit).

We follow Penelope Barclay and her life under her strict mother. Kept locked away on their duchy, it’s not surprise that when trouble comes knocking, Penny has to do something about it.

The concept of the letters being sent from her best friend Angela was nice, and I’m glad we got to see some of the political aspect of the outside world through her.

The story has twists and turns that i know will keep others on the edge of their seat. I really enjoyed this book and I’m grateful for the opportunity to read it early!

This book is a masterpiece. It is included in my 5 star basket . The book follows a plant mage named Penny Barclay. She works in the farm with magical abilities . She is a awesome character. Though her mother is over-controlling. She emerged as strong when the rebels came to threaten their life . She wanted to prove her worth during this events . There were many twist and turn which I completely did not see it coming . The book is amazing in every sphere . The charcters are all amazing . The author did a great job in world building . The writing style was quite beautiful as well . I wouldn't put it down and finished the book in just 1 day . Well the twist in the end was the biggest suprise . I just can not wait to read the second book .
Definitely recommended to everyone. Its a great book give it a chance

This has a well-developed magic system and great worldbuilding. The societies are a curious mix of agrarian, Victorian and fae, interestingly enough. There’s some insta-love, which I personally roll my eyes at, but overall, the story is engaging and quite the unique fantasy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Oliver Heber Books!

thank you to netgalley for the advanced reading copy. I really enjoyed this and will be getting copies for my shop.

I really enjoyed this book was completely hooked from the first page and couldn't put it down definitely recommend

EN:
This is the story of Penny Barclay, a girl from nobility and the daughter of the Duchess of Eleusion. Beyond her responsibilities with the family properties, Penny also has to manage her magical powers at a time when rebels against those who are wizards resurface.

Penny cannot remain indifferent and, against her mother's wishes, she must act to halt the growth of these rebel groups. For this, she relies on the help of Lou, a crown spy, whom she ends up falling in love with.

One aspect I appreciated was the inclusion of references to Greek mythology in this story. As a lover of mythologies, especially European ones, I was delighted to find various references throughout the book, which, in reality, aims to portray a different version of these same mythologies.

The connection to the natural world, magic, and a romantic story are also themes that I always enjoy reading, purely out of personal preference.

Some aspects I didn't appreciate as much were the superficial development of the characters' personalities. I struggled to engage with the story and characters as I couldn't find points of identification with them, making the reading challenging.

There were many clichés, without much innovation, and several points throughout the story that didn't make much sense, either because they were presented abruptly and without context or because they didn't have much relevance to the plot.

I believe this is an excellent book for young readers, but it doesn't quite meet my expectations as an adult reader with a different level of demand.

I want to express my gratitude to the author Allison Anderson and to the NetGalley website for providing this eBook. The opportunity was truly appreciated.

PT:
Esta é a história de Penny Barclay, uma rapariga da nobreza e filha da duquesa de Eleusion. Para além das suas responsabilidades com as propriedades da família, Penny também tem de gerir os seus poderes mágicos, numa altura em que ressurgem alguns rebeldes contra aqueles que são magos.

Penny não consegue ficar indiferente e, contra a vontade da sua mãe, precisa de agir para conter o crescimento destes grupos de rebeldes. Para isso, conta com a ajuda de Lou, um espião da coroa, por quem acaba por se apaixonar.

Um ponto que apreciei foi a inclusão de referências à mitologia grega nesta história. Como amante de mitologias, especialmente as europeias, fiquei muito feliz por verificar várias referências ao longo do livro, que, na verdade, pretende retratar uma versão diferente da mitologia grega.

A ligação ao mundo natural, à magia e a uma história romântica são também temas que me agradam sempre ler, meramente por gosto pessoal.

Alguns pontos que não apreciei tanto foram a superficialidade do desenvolvimento das personalidades das personagens. Tive dificuldade em envolver-me com a história e as personagens, pois não encontrei pontos de identificação com estas, o que dificultou a leitura.

Houve muitos lugares-comuns, sem grande inovação, e vários pontos ao longo da história que não fizeram muito sentido, quer por serem apresentados de forma abrupta e sem contexto, quer por não terem grande importância para a trama.

Acredito que este seja um excelente livro para jovens leitores, mas não preenche as minhas expectativas enquanto leitora adulta com outro nível de exigência.

Quero expressar a minha gratidão à autora Allison Anderson e ao site NetGalley por disponibilizarem este eBook. A oportunidade foi verdadeiramente apreciada.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

First in the new series 'The Cartographer's War", this YA fantasy re-imagining of Persephone and Hades was epic. Full of suspense, intrigue, adventure and romance it had everything I hoped a series would have.
Excited to read the next book!

This book was so good! I am highly impressed by the storytelling. It is one of those books you are aching to read when you have other things to do. I didn't want to put it down and found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. LOL.

The story revolves around a girl who is set to inherit their family orchard from her mother. Both possess magic that calls to the earth, assisting them with their family's business. Her mother puts her through hell by not allowing her outside of their manor without her being there.
One day, on a trip to town with her mother, Penny is attacked by 3 men. She is unable to defend herself when a savior with amber eyes shows up.
Life goes on and then one day a man shows up as a new employee in their manor and the first thing Penny notices is Amber eyes. But he didn't look the same so she knew it wasn't him. Through time Penny learns things about amber eyes (Lou) that change her perspective on her life and the lives around her. She begins training with him to learn to defend herself as she longs to become a part of his world.
Over time, she starts discovering things about her mother that lead her to believe she might be a part of the rebels that are slowly taking over duchys and kidnapping or killing those with magic. She wants to discuss it with Lou but she never gets the chance to.
Her family's manor and all of their fields and orchards were overcome by fire one night and tragedy struck. She is saved by Lou who then takes her to meet her friends from her home to help heal her burns. Then he disappears.
Shortly after they are called to the capital to meet with the council, including members of the royal family, it is here that Penny discovers a huge secret that will change things forever.

The writing starts out a little wobbly and pitches headlong--and rather unceremoniously--into a flirtation. The characters become more developed and easier to adore as the story goes on, and I enjoyed the way magic is woven into nearly every aspect of the story. In the end, this is a really enjoyable story and I look forward to reading the sequel.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Fun read, loved the mythology aspects as well as the regency backdrop. I didn't particularly love or feel connected to the characters.

This book has a ton of dialogue - almost too much. I got bogged down in the conversations, and in the descriptions. Somethings just seemed overdone and did not add to character development, or plot development. For this reason this book was super hard to get into, and super hard to stick with. I am just being honest. However, the overall premise is good, And honestly, if you get past all this the story is good and enjoyable.

THE SPRING MAIDEN by Allison Anderson

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Who doesn’t love a Hades and Persephone retelling?!

This book is definitely a build up for book number 2. It explains the world, the magic system, the hierarchy of types of beings, the relationship between the FMC and the other characters.

The inclusion of letters to her friend who is away from home is a lovely touch. It helps to explain the passing of time but also some fillers that may be useful in book 2!

The MMC is mysterious and exciting, you’re guessing about who he is and how he relates to the FMC… is he Hades? Is he a replicant of another of the Greek Gods? (You’ll find out as the story unfolds)

The story unfolds with clear resemblance to the relationship between Persephone and Demeter in the myths, the frustrations and deep routed twisted love burns through as the characters develop.

This is a must read and I MUST read the next instalment when it comes! I’m very excited!

Thank you to NetGalley, Allison and Oliver Heber Books for allowing me to Arc read your amazing story!

#thespringmaiden

WOW -This book was great

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the Arc and for giving me the chance to read and give my honest review.

The book Follows our FMC Penny who comes from a long line of mages - whose life is pretty much run by her mother, whom is overprotective and trying to make Penny in to a strong magical woman who had no need of men. I loved how the author showed all sides to Penny, her struggles and triumphs in her young life. I loved how we got to see all these sides to her as it made me like her more, she seemed more real in that respect. I thought the world building in the book was really great. I do believe this first novel leaned more to YA and it’s not something I would typically reach for but I did enjoy it none the less. I believe we will see much more of the relationship between Lou and Penny in the second book which I can’t wait for
😍❤️😍❤️
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