The Storyspinner
Author: Becky Wallace
Series: The Keepers’ Chronicles #1
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Historical
Release Date: March 3, 2015
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry
Summary:
In a world where dukes plot their way to the throne, a Performer’s life can get tricky. And in Johanna Von Arlo’s case, it can be fatal. Expelled from her troupe after her father’s death, Johanna is forced to work for the handsome Lord Rafael DeSilva. Too bad they don’t get along. But while Johanna’s father’s death was deemed an accident, the Keepers aren’t so sure.
The Keepers, a race of people with magical abilities, are on a quest to find the princess — the same princess who is supposed to be dead and whose throne the dukes are fighting over. But they aren’t the only ones looking for her. And in the wake of their search, murdered girls keep turning up — girls who look exactly like the princess, and exactly like Johanna.
With dukes, Keepers, and a killer all after the princess, Johanna finds herself caught up in political machinations for the throne, threats on her life, and an unexpected romance that could change everything.
First Sentence: Johanna could feel it.
My Review:
As soon as I saw the cover and the synopsis of The Storyspinner, my automatic thought was NEEEEEEEEEEEEEED. Not only is there a female archer on the cover (I’m crazy about anything with archers and arrows and bows), but The Storyspinner also deals with murdered girls who looks like the missing princess – who is also supposed to be dead. How can you not want the book in your hands after reading all that? I am happy to report that The Storyspinner is a really enjoyable read that you will definitely fall in love with.
Two girls murdered and marked. Both sixteen and of questionable heritage. It couldn’t be a coincidence. (ARC 187)
Before starting The Storyspinner, I pretty much had a majority of the book figured out. I mean, the summary of The Storyspinner on Goodreads pretty much made it so easy to figure out what was going on and what the huge twist in the book was going to be, probably done on purpose. That made me pretty worried that I wouldn’t enjoy reading the book since there would be no surprises for me to figure out, but to my surprise, I completely enjoyed reading The Storyspinner either way. Knowing the huge twist coming beforehand didn’t affect my enjoyment of the book at all.
There are two main storylines in The Storyspinner. One storyline follows Johanna and Rafi while the other one follows the Keepers’ journey to find the missing princess. These two storylines later meet and intertwines into one main storyline in the last third or so of the book. As I was reading, I found myself more interested in reading about Johanna and Rafi rather than reading about the Keepers’ journey. Everytime I was reading a Keepers chapter, I found myself wishing that I can read past that part already so I can get back to reading about Johanna and Rafi.
“No!” The scream wrenched from her throat. She tried to force her way forward, but the crowd was too tight, the bodies too close. (ARC 11)
The only issue I have with The Storyspinner is the world-building. In the beginning of the book, Becky Wallace would insert tidbits of the world-building here and there in the form of very small info-dumps and I have no problem with that. What I have a problem with is that I can’t picture the world – I found everything confusing except for the roles of the Keepers and Performers (the former took a little while to figure out until it was explained). I think having a map at the beginning of the book may have made the world of the Keepers a little easier to understand. As I read on, things got easier to understand, but I still can’t tell you what that region is called and where it’s located in the world of the The Storyspinner for the life of me.
Overall, I definitely recommend The Storyspinner to everyone, especially if you’re a fan of books about missing princesses and magic. I need the sequel asap because how can you not after that ending? (Don’t worry guys, the ending of The Storyspinner is not a cliffhanger ending.) I’ve heard that The Storyspinner is a duology, which makes me happy because that means less waiting for us to get the complete story!
Yess. Gorgeous review Kelly :D I’m so so happy that you loved this book. <3 I cannot wait to read it too. Sigh. Soon, I shall :D I can't wait to meet Rafi, hih. <3 The plot sounds exciting, and the characters sounds great :D You make this book sound all kinds of amazing. <3 and now I'm more excited for it :) Thank you for sharing your thoughts sweetie. <3
Carina Olsen recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday #177
oh look an arrow! and we know how obsessed you are about arrows! hehehe! but i am glad this time there are arrows and that you weren’t disappointed. Hmmm…missing princess and magic…why not? unto my tbr pile then :)
Glad you still enjoyed it, even if you did guess the twist! And really glad to hear it doesn’t have a cliffhanger ending, I’m getting so tired of those ;)
Wonderful review! :D
Lea @ YA Book Queen recently posted…Blog Tour Q&A with Marie Rutkoski + Giveaway
The cover is lovely! I can see traces of the info dumping even in the synopsis . . . . And the fact that the “twist” is obvious . . .I think I’ll skip this one. MISTBORN awaits.
Oooh! You gave The Storyspinner a 4 out of 5. That has to be a good sign! n_n I’ve heard about this book here and there, but not until now did I bother to read a review about it. I think most ratings are around the 3 range, but I wasn’t ever sure if that was good or not. But I can definitely say that I look forward to reading this book thanks to your review. I like that you didn’t hold anything behind about what bothered you and what you enjoyed and what the story could have included. Hopefully I can get my hands on a copy soon! :D
I love the archery aspect to it. It kind of gives the whole fairy tail vibe a new twist. I’m glad you enjoyed it! I have seen this book popping up more and more lately, so maybe it’s a sign that I need to read it! Hahaha! Great review!
I’m glad you ended up enjoying this! I thought it was really well done and can’t wait for more. Have you ever been to Becky’s Pintrest page? it has some world building pics on there that might help you visualize the world a bit better. I was worried about that summary too…it seemed like it gave everything away. Luckily the book was really great and kept me completely interested.
Kristen@My Friends Are Fiction recently posted…Review of Vanishing Girls by Lauren Oliver
That sounds like such an interesting book. I need it! :)
Cynthia recently posted…BOOK REVIEW: Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood.
Will really really read this as soon as I can grab a copy. <3
Maca recently posted…Book Tour: The Disappearing Dolphins and Author Interview
Ohh, I’ve been seeing this book online everywhere! I’m definitely going to get it now, it sounds like a fantastic book, and I’m curious as to how to story is still really enjoyable after the major twist is revealed in the blurb (that I can already guess at). Great review
Gina @ Behind the Pages recently posted…Review: Before the Fire by Sarah Butler
the type of heroine sounds interesting
Same thing happened to me upon reading the book synopsis. I already know what’s gonna happen here. Good to know that you still enjoyed reading through despite knowing the twist beforehand. Sometimes it’s really fun when things go how you thought it would be in books.
What was holding me back in reading this is that it’s a series. Glad you mentioned here that there is no major cliffhanger going on at the end because I am not much into waiting for book sequels.
Oooh! I’m so glad you gave it a 4/5 rating! I had the same exact reaction as you when I saw the cover. So gorgeous! Am always a sucker for badass female protagonists :D
Awesome review! I was the same as you, as soon as I read the synopsis, I needed to read this book! I haven’t grabbed a copy yet, but I’m definitely going to now I’ve read you rave review – it sounds like it has everything I love in a book!
This definitely does sound promising! And a missing princess and murders add to it!
NEEEED! That pretty much sums up my own thoughts about The Storyspinner! It sounds fabulous, and the cover is beautiful! I am so happy that you liked it so much. The world-building makes me a bit nervous, but I think with all of the other goods going on in the story, I will love it anyway! Thank you for your review!
Jaime Lester recently posted…Stones and Finger Bones by Jessica Minyard ~ Blog Tour Review (by Jaime!) and Giveaway!
I acted just like you! I mean, a missing princess, magic, death, and a fight for the throne? As soon as I read that (and saw the cover) I was like, Sign me up! I still haven’t been able to read it, but thanks to your review, I’m even more excited to read it :)
I love anything about archers and arrows and bows. And it’s a duology. Definitely a must read.
Thanks so much for this review! This one has been on my TBR list for awhile now (because of the cover!) but hearing that it’s enjoyable even with a predictable twist is a relief. And it sounds like it definitely doesn’t assume the reader is an idiot, which is also a relief. :)
Beth W recently posted…Book Review: I, Coriander
I have seen this book around a lot lately! I didn’t plan on reading it, but after reading your review, I think that I’ll add it to my tbr! Great review!
This sounds like a book I might like. Will have to check it out soon! :D
Stephanie @ Bookfever recently posted…Stacking The Shelves: April 18, 2015
Not being able to picture the world could be an issue, but I still can’t wait to read this book!
Mandy K recently posted…Stacking The Shelves
Good review!! I really wanted to read this book too just because of the cover; now that I see the story line, I can’t wait to read it. :)