The Princess in the Opal Mask Tour Schedule
Title: The Princess in the Opal Mask (Book #1)
Author: Jenny Lundquist
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Release Date: October 22, 2013
Acquired Via: Author
One Legend Determines the Fate of Two Lives.
In the faraway village of Tulan, sixteen-year-old Elara has spent her entire life as a servant, trying to track down her real name. The name she was given before being orphaned. Meanwhile, in the kingdom of Galandria, Princess Wilhamina does not know why her father, the king, makes her wear a mask. Or why she is forbidden to ever show her face.
When a new peace treaty between Galandria and Kyrenica is threatened, Elara and Wilha are brought face to face. Told in alternating perspectives, this intricate fairy tale pulls both girls toward secrets that have been locked away behind castle doors, while the fate of two opposing kingdoms rests squarely on their untrained shoulders.
My Review
The Princess in the Opal Mask by Jenny Lundquist is the latest of my self-indulgent reads. What I mean to say is that fairy tales are the literary equivalent of chocolate for me, and The Princess in the Opal Mask is a delicious bit of brain candy for me. It also reminds me a bit of Mark Twain's The Prince and the Pauper.
The two main characters, Elara and Wilha (short for Wilhamina) were two very different girls whose lives collided unexpectedly during the princess' sixteenth birthday celebrations. I liked them both as characters, though Elara was probably my favorite. She had a very crappy childhood, being mistreated by all members of her foster family and forced to work as a servant. Despite her circumstances, she was not afraid to speak her mind or stand up for her beliefs. It's not very often that I see characters who have been treated badly as children grow up to be emotionally healthy (mostly), strong adults, and that's what I read Elara to be. She was a tough cookie, and I loved her. Wilha, on the other hand, had lived a privileged life as the princess of Galandria, yet had problems of her own. She was forced to wear a mask from the time of her birth, which led to all sorts of strange rumors about the true nature of her face. The interaction of the two girls once their lives brought them together made for an interesting dynamic.
I enjoyed the world-building in The Princess in the Opal Mask as well. Galandria was a country with a rich history, and I enjoy any time that legends/mythology are introduced to the story. The legend of the first opal and the history of Kyrenica's split with Galandria was one of my favorite things to learn about in the story.
I think The Princess in the Opal Mask was a really fun, clean read that I can't wait to get more of. Hopefully the sequel will be out soon, so I don't have to wait long to continue the adventures of Elara and Wilha.
Buy Links
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Indiebound
About the Author
Jenny Lundquist was born and raised in Huntington Beach, CA. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Intercultural Studies with a minor in TESOL at Biola University. Lundquist has published two middle-grade books, Seeing Cinderella and Plastic Polly. She lives in Rancho Cordova, California with her husband and two sons.
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Giveaway
Jenny is giving away 15 paperback copies of The Princess in the Opal Mask! Enter to win by entering the Rafflecopter below.
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To satisfy FTC guidelines, I am disclosing that I received a copy of the novel from the publisher through TLC Book Tours in exchange for an unbiased review. It has in no way affected the outcome. All expressed opinions are awesome, honest, and courtesy of me.
I cannot wait to read this one!! Loved your review. I liked that its your equivalent of chocolate. Now I really cannot wait to read it!!
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