THE STORYSPINNER by Becky Wallace; Blog Tour: Book Review & Enter To Win!

Hello & welcome to the next stop in THE STORYSPINNER blog tour, hosted by RockStar blog tours. I'm so thrilled to feature debut author, Becky Wallace's book on Mundie Moms today. After you check out more about the book, don't miss my review, and be sure you enter to win!

ABOUT THE BOOK

By: Becky Wallace
Published by: Margaret McElderberry Books (Simon & Schuster)
To Be Released on: March 3rd, 2015
Series: The Keepers' Chronicles #1
Rating: 5 Stars - I Loved It!
Source: arc from publisher, in exchange for my honest review
Purchase from: Amazon, Barnes & Noble
Add it to Goodreads

Drama and danger abound in this fantasy realm where dukes play a game for the throne, magical warriors race to find the missing heir, and romance blossoms where it is least expected.

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.

A enchanting debut! Becky Wallace has proven she is just as talented of a storyteller, as her main character Johanna. THE STORYSPINNER is an addicting fantasy where magic, and danger lurk around every twist and turn. Secrets are guarded, but come at a deadly price. Romance is destined to happen, and not everything is quite as it seems. This is one fantasy I thoroughly enjoyed, and I really wish the rest of this series was already out. I want more!

The story itself is told from multiple points of views. At first I was a little annoyed there were so many points of views. But, as the story gets set up, I realized that the different points of views really give the reader the two different sides from the story. It didn't take me long to get into the grove of reading from the various points of views. I honestly don't think the story could have been told any different. The multiple points of view give readers the rich details, and in-depth history of both sides of the story, as well as really allow readers to get to know the various characters. I loved how the two different sides of the story come together at the end. One side tells the story of the Keepers, the guardian's of the magic, and a few other things that I won't mention, since I'd like to keep my review spoiler free. The other side is of the human point of view, which features our main character Johanna, and her love interest Rafi, as well as Rafi's brother.

I really enjoyed getting to know Johanna. I love how independent, feisty, and at times, stubborn she is. She isn't afraid to stand up for herself. Johanna has a talent for storytelling, and much like her father, has the gift for captivating her audience. She'll soon learn there is more to the stories and history she is telling, then she ever thought possible. It's hard to accept a story that's been told over and over again, especially when it's one filled with truth and shocking secrets. Johanna will do whatever it takes to protect her family, especially her younger brothers. I also liked the relationship she has with her brothers, both the older on, and the two younger ones. I feel like her relationships with her brothers helped shape her into the bold character she is. One of the things I loved about her, is she is as bold as she is loyal. She isn't afraid to say no or stand her ground, even if it's to nobility. She definitely knows how to handle herself, and boy does she know how to play her part in getting under Rafi's skin. haha It is fabulous! 

Rafi, also known as Lord Rafael DeSilva has met his match with Johanna. Though the two meet under, should I say an unusual circumstances, their lives are forever entangled by the turn of events that led them to one another. While I didn't hit it right off with Rafi, I ended up loving him, and all that he stands for. He's a complex character that needed some get to knowing. I'm glad Becky didn't allow me to like him immediately, because he is a layered character that has a lot going on, and a lot at stake. The more I got to know the bits and pieces of Rafi and his story, the more I liked him. The more I got to him, the more I ended up loving hims character. Like Johanna, I liked how he was able to get under her skin as well. These two know how to push each other's buttons, and it's fabulous.

 I love that Becky gave me the story from both Johanna and Rafi's points of views. I love a romance that involves snark, and two characters who can irk each other, while at the same time drive each other mad with the way they feel about each other. Even if it takes them both awhile to admit it. Their romance is one that wasn't immediate, and I LOVED that! Johanna and Rafi's relationship is one that naturally developed and grew into something more. I really liked seeing how the other characters in this story interacted with these two. Some of my favorites are Dom, Rafi's brother, and Johanna's younger brothers. I loved the sibling relationships through out the story. 

Through the Keepers' storyline we learn more of the history Johanna's world, and the danger some of the characters are in. In the midst of both storylines, is a traitor. It's up to the Keepers to find out who that traitor is before one of their own betrayers them all, and destroys the one thing the Keepers are tasked at protecting. I liked getting to know each of the characters within the Keepers' group. I liked the history their side of the story brought to the over all story arc. There's so much going on, and both sides keep the over all story evolving. I admit, if I didn't get to know some of the Keepers' and didn't have their storyline, I don't think I would have liked them every much. I'm still not a fan of some of the ways they go about doing things, but at least I understand the why. 

One of the things I LOVE about fantasy, is a rich story to along with the unforgettable characters. THE STORYSPINNER does just that. To compliment it's rich story telling, is a rich, captivating world I easily envisioned. The world building is beautiful, and enticing. Becky Wallace created a world full of magic, lore, and gave it a rich history with plenty of danger, and secrets. I liked that the entire story is developed in an orderly fashion, and the way the two storylines come together. It was beautifully done. The story itself is beautifully told, and easily hooked me. 

With a book this size, I never once found myself bored with the story. In fact, I wanted more of the story when it came to an end. Each of the characters, whether it be a main character or a supporting one, are all fabulously in-depth characters I really enjoyed reading about, and getting to know. THE STORYSPINNER is one of those books I had no problems jumping right into. The story is so well crafted. I really like that while Becky answered some of my questions through out the story, she didn't give me all the answers I wanted. I want more, and I can not wait to read more for this series! I look forward to reading more of Becky's books. 

About The Author 

In second grade, Becky Wallace had to sit in the corner because she refused to write anything except princess stories and fairy tales (and because she talked too much). 

Her time in isolation gave her plenty of opportunities to dream up the fantasy worlds she’s been dabbling with ever since. She was lucky enough to find her own real-life Prince Charming. They have four munchkins and live in happy little town near Houston, Texas.

Find Becky via: Website | Blog |Twitter | Facebook |Pinterest | Goodreads

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5 personalized copies of THE STORYSPINNER! US/Canada Only.

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