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Aurelie A Faerie Tale Heather Tomlinson Books

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Aurelie A Faerie Tale Heather Tomlinson Books

I wasn't certain what to think of when I first began Aurelie. I had thought it was based on a certain fairy tale, or several, but if it is I can't find any references to its original story. The alternating chapters between Netta, Aurelie, Garin and Loic was a good way to understand better the characters and motivations as well. I was kind of puzzled by the fact that the only character not to be told in first person was Aurelie herself. Netta (who has the fewest chapters I believe) is told in first person, Garin is and Loic as well, but for some reason Aurelie, who has the most chapters, is told in third person.

This book felt divided. On the one hand you have, until Aurelie returns from Dorisen at least, a very well thought out and intriguing adventure/mystery. Netta's brief recounting of why the foursome broke apart so suddenly two years prior is told in a resigned and heartfelt manner. Aurelie, both anxious and excited to be going to the city of her one time best friend Garin's homeland, does her best to be dutiful and strong. Garin's chapter is told in a completely different voice. Much less formal, much more excitedly and filled with a lot more slang and idioms.

I loved the book then. I loved watching as Aurelie tried to be the diplomat, be the friend, be the Princess all the while breaking inside because its not who she wanted to be. Nothing, and I do mean nothing, turns out well at all. And none of it is her fault. Unfortunately the book splintered once she left Dorisen and returned home to Luminelle.

Instead of getting a more comprehensive view of events as the chapter narrative shifted, things became fragmented. There was a lot more telling in the last half of the book. Aurelie tells us what is it like in Loic's world. Garin tells us what the suspicious behavior of Inglis is. Loic tells us about his former nursemaid. All of which was being slowly revealed through their memories and present, but then suddenly came out in rapid exposition. Not only that, but Loic's true motivations are muddled at best--he wants to revenge himself on his former friends who broke his heart, but then seems to have forgotten this. His father is no longer a threat, but we're not told how. It felt as if entire chapters of the book were being referenced that never existed in the first place.

Netta, perhaps because of what happened to her, does a better job in her narrative, but even then we're deprived of a reunion that was everything she wanted. We're told it went well and well now things are better. We're not shown how they came to this agreement, or what they talked about. It just...happened off scene.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes. I enjoyed reading about the foursome and how they won the day. I would have enjoyed it so much more if I didn't feel like half the pages were ripped out.


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Aurelie A Faerie Tale Heather Tomlinson Books Reviews

Heather Tomlinson's "Aurelie" is subtitled "A Faerie Tale" even though it bears no real resemblance to one. Sure, it has a fantasy setting and other magical elements, but when I think of fairytales I think of short, simple tales involving a singular goal and one-dimensional characters, usually told with a specific lesson in mind. There have been updated or fleshed out versions of fairytales, such as Ella Enchanted for Cinderella, or Beastly for Beauty and the Beast, but to say "Aurelie" is one of them is a misnomer. It is a fantasy story, involving adventure, romance, politics and a mystery, with some ingredients of a fairytale, but not one itself.

In their childhoods, Princess Aurelie, merchant's son Garin, waiting-girl Netta and fey Loic were fast friends, with Loic granting the others the ability to see other fey creatures. This friendship ended when the darker side of the spirit world left Netta blind and war took Garin back to his own country. Years later, a diplomatic mission takes Aurelie from Jocondagne to the islands of Skoe, where she meets Captain Jacinthe Inglis and her arrogant son Hui. Aurelie suspects them of espionage against Jocondagne, including framing her people for a fire that begins at the docks. Helped by Garin - who is doing his own investigating - she makes a narrow escape back to her homeland.

Romantic complications arise when she is reunited with Loic, who spirits her away to nightly balls in fairyland, away from her worries and responsibilities. One by one, the quartet of old friends reunite, and it's only through the four of them working together that they can deflect the Skoeran forces moving in on Jocondagne.

"Aurelie" is quite an erratic book. Just when things are getting interesting in Skoe, the plot heads back to Jocondagne for a completely unrelated set of events. Furthermore, it often skips over what could have been interesting developments - such as Netta's long-awaited reunion with Loic, which happens between chapters. It also flips between first and third person narration - for some reason Aurelie's story is told by a narrator, whilst the others give first-hand accounts. It doesn't detract from the story in any way, but it's an odd choice.

It's a pleasant enough story, as are all the characters. It made a nice change of pace to have a clever, formidable female villain, and Tomlinson creates a strong sense of place, from the winter city of Lumielle to the rugged fishing isles of Skoe. It also includes a smattering of French folklore and language that add a certain atmosphere. And now I find that I've run out of things to say about "Aurelie". It's a slender novel, with brisk pacing and delicate prose - but just not hugely memorable.
A bit slow on the start, however it picked up speed quickly. In typical Ben Bova style you are hooked into a fight between religion and the life and death struggle for a world and its creatures. Outstanding. I highly recommend this book.
Aurelie is a slender fantasy story about a land in turmoil as it faces blockade and possible attack from a neighboring country, Skoe. Aurelie is heir to the throne and is dealing with her mother's death. As a child, she had three near constant companions; Netta, whose family served in the palace, Garin, from the neighboring country, Skoe, and Loic, a river drac, part of the Faery who can use glamour to appear human. He gives the others a gift of being able to see the Faery's true nature in an ointment stolen from his human nanny, indentured to his family through magic. This gift is not without consequence, and unfortunately leads to permanent injury to Netta and splits up the group over fear of the repercussions. Aurelie is sent to Skoe to assist in the negotiations and finds that there are other plans for her in aligning the two countries. She spots a disguised Garin and later both Netta and Loic return into her life as misunderstandings and romance crop up with the four now in their teenage years. Aurelie must solve a mystery and help right some old wrongs in order to save her country and her friends. This was a delightful story with a well crafted world.
I wasn't certain what to think of when I first began Aurelie. I had thought it was based on a certain fairy tale, or several, but if it is I can't find any references to its original story. The alternating chapters between Netta, Aurelie, Garin and Loic was a good way to understand better the characters and motivations as well. I was kind of puzzled by the fact that the only character not to be told in first person was Aurelie herself. Netta (who has the fewest chapters I believe) is told in first person, Garin is and Loic as well, but for some reason Aurelie, who has the most chapters, is told in third person.

This book felt divided. On the one hand you have, until Aurelie returns from Dorisen at least, a very well thought out and intriguing adventure/mystery. Netta's brief recounting of why the foursome broke apart so suddenly two years prior is told in a resigned and heartfelt manner. Aurelie, both anxious and excited to be going to the city of her one time best friend Garin's homeland, does her best to be dutiful and strong. Garin's chapter is told in a completely different voice. Much less formal, much more excitedly and filled with a lot more slang and idioms.

I loved the book then. I loved watching as Aurelie tried to be the diplomat, be the friend, be the Princess all the while breaking inside because its not who she wanted to be. Nothing, and I do mean nothing, turns out well at all. And none of it is her fault. Unfortunately the book splintered once she left Dorisen and returned home to Luminelle.

Instead of getting a more comprehensive view of events as the chapter narrative shifted, things became fragmented. There was a lot more telling in the last half of the book. Aurelie tells us what is it like in Loic's world. Garin tells us what the suspicious behavior of Inglis is. Loic tells us about his former nursemaid. All of which was being slowly revealed through their memories and present, but then suddenly came out in rapid exposition. Not only that, but Loic's true motivations are muddled at best--he wants to revenge himself on his former friends who broke his heart, but then seems to have forgotten this. His father is no longer a threat, but we're not told how. It felt as if entire chapters of the book were being referenced that never existed in the first place.

Netta, perhaps because of what happened to her, does a better job in her narrative, but even then we're deprived of a reunion that was everything she wanted. We're told it went well and well now things are better. We're not shown how they came to this agreement, or what they talked about. It just...happened off scene.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes. I enjoyed reading about the foursome and how they won the day. I would have enjoyed it so much more if I didn't feel like half the pages were ripped out.