The Raven Prince and Other Stories

This is a collection of stories that address some serious issues in the world and make them easier to understand as well as cope with.
*Our Lady of the Axe
“Your Grace, this will take far too long and risk an outcome more disadvantageous to you, if there is no honesty in this room.” I stroked the shaft again. “Have you ever wondered if a battle axe might find particular delight in hewing down the dishonest?”
The first story is Our Lady of the Axe who is a protector of the family that descends from her line. Each time the eldest daughter in this family is married they receive the painted depiction of Our Lady and are told the secrets that are hidden in the portrait. In this case, the story is about Elanor and her refusal to marry though it is her third season in the Ton of 1800’s England.
I particularly adored Elanor and her refusal to settle down to just any Courtier that wants her dowry and even if that means being called a spinster at the ripe ole age of 19! Furthermore, I loved that her parents supported her and did not pressure her to marry the not so charming Duke that is dead set on marrying her. The Duke, however, will not be so easily dissuaded and hatches a plan to have our fair beauty and her friends kidnapped.
What happened next was absolutely glorious and had me cheering aloud for Our Lady! To avoid ruining it for you I will not give details but now I envy Elanor to the extent that I want my own portrait protector! There was also some tonsil hockey gratitude bestowed upon Elanor by her friend Diana that had Elanor regretting kissing men! Holy Medieval Girl on Girl Action Batman!
Elanor is a fantastic heroine all the way through to the end! She dispatches the dastardly Duke like a real Lady should and insists on finding a way to be with her true love even if it is a faux pas to the Ton and the loss of her reputation.
“At the moment we are discussing honesty and the men... the remaining men… that you hired to kidnap us and hold us for ransom. You did not believe their story of an insane woman who, ah, took an axe and gave them forty whacks, and when saw what she had done, tried to give them forty-one?” I borrowed a bit of his smugness back and used it. I thought it rather a clever rhyme made up on the spot.

*Edging
This was an eye-opening short that will introduce the reader to two fifteen-year-old homosexual boys, Vince and Tommy. Vince and Tommy are curious to try new things… and do what fifteen-year-old boys do. It did make me laugh several times and I had to look up a few terms because I was not familiar with them. Now I am. Love is a beautiful thing, and everyone should be fiercely in love and be loved in return no matter who they love! <3

*The Plan That Didn’t Gang Aft Angly
This short is also about two fifteen-year-old homosexual boys but I sure do prefer it to the former because it is a love story- albeit a short love story. I was genuinely happy and giddy after reading it. I am a sap for a huge romantic gesture and lordy-be this one had me tearing up. Jack and Billy are on the high school football team deep in hometown Texas football country. The courage that it takes to stand up and announce to everyone right on the football field with both families present, that they are now an “out and proud” couple is truly inspiring. Loved this one!

*Family Be Damned
I adored this short and simple retelling of Romeo & Juliet! Like I said I am sap for love stories! I am not going give away the big secret, but this short was a stroke of genius! Especially the names and the planned meeting! Ah, to be young and in love again!

*The Raven Prince
The Raven Prince is by far the best short story in the novel and I am glad they saved the best for last! The Raven Prince deals with some serious injustices. It’s been far too long that bullying has been classified as physical abuse alone and too long weak-minded people have turned a blind eye to the abuse. We are reminded how difficult small circles in society make the lives of those who classify themselves as homosexual and those who support them. The world needs more people to stand up to bullying and to the hate.
The Raven Price is an unsung hero in this aspect. He exacts his own form of justice for someone he cares about dearly when no one – even that person’s own family- did not care if he lived after being brutally “Gay-Bashed” for a nasty rumor with zero merit! I celebrate the way that this story was written and for someone trying to open the minds of others. Bravo!
Mike is an average raven-shifter boy who undergoes the dreaded move to a new home in a very closed-minded small town in suburbia. Right from the moment the token bullies of his new school lay their eyes on him, Mike becomes their favorite new toy. Too bad their toy does not play fair and is not afraid of them or their jeers. After many trial and error attacks, the Four, as Mike refers to them, find a way to truly hurt Mike and to ruin another’s life.
Johnny and Mike had become fast friends from very different ends of the social hierarchy. Johnny is a “mindless jock” from the wrestling team and a popular kid around the school. He does not let the faux pas of high school social standards keep him away from his new best friend – that Four refers to as “the fair”y- or as Johnny calls him “Goth Boy”. Mike and Johnny joke about their self-imposed titles but are delighted to find that other people start to “flock” to them after Mike has a very visible victory over the Four.
The Four decide that since they cannot hurt Mike, Johnny should be their new target. Now as previously mentioned, the tale is set in a close-minded small town, so when rumors of sexual favors between Mike and Johnny become rampant, Johnny begins to show the side effects of bullying. Soon it is clear that he is trying to avoid Mike to help stop the rumors. That is until Johnny becomes a victim of a hate crime and is brutally attacked by his own family! Thus, leaving him in a coma. Que the best revenge piece I have ever read! To avoid spoiling it for other readers I will not elaborate in detail but Mike avenges not just Johnny, but all of those out there that wish they could stand up for themselves and get justice. Thus being a hero in a very untraditional form.
Just when I thought there would not be a complete happy ending, the author sprinkled in more than a few P.S. memos which each caused laugh out laughter and a warmth to spread all over my soul! I loved that Mike and the characters often laughed at themselves and did not remain too serious even at the end!
“Wipe your eyes at the beauty of life, love, and Ravens of Unusual Size..”

This novel had several stories in it and I hope I have did them all the credit they deserve! It is so refreshing to read a book, and have so many issues addressed within. I do recommend this book to anyone wanting to broaden their horizons and to those who love a good dose of satire!