The Seventh Bride by T. Kingfisher is a dark and eerie retelling of the Bluebeard fairy tale, featuring a miller's daughter, Rhea, who is forced to marry a mysterious sorcerer lord. As Rhea navigates the sorcerer's mansion filled with strange and sinister characters, she must complete impossible tasks to avoid the same fate as his previous wives. The book blends elements of horror, fantasy, and fairy tale, creating a captivating story that explores themes of courage, friendship, and the fight against evil. The writing style is described as imaginative, with a good mix of pragmatism and invention, creating a unique and enthralling atmosphere throughout the book.

Characters:

The characters are diverse, with Rhea being a capable and relatable heroine, but some secondary characters could benefit from more depth.

Writing/Prose:

The prose is engaging and humorous, showcasing a blend of whimsy and darkness, which draws readers into Rhea's journey with accessible storytelling.

Plot/Storyline:

The story involves Rhea, a miller's daughter, who is engaged to a sorcerer lord with dark secrets and multiple wives, compelling her to navigate a world of magic and danger while trying to escape her predicament.

Setting:

The setting is a magical yet eerie fairy-tale world where dark sorcery and strange elements coexist.

Pacing:

The pacing strikes a balance, starting slow but becoming increasingly engaging, leading to a satisfying conclusion.

Her father said that she had been named after a great and powerful goddess of the old days, the queen of all the gods, but in that country at that time, there weren’t many books about gods. There were...

Notes:

The Seventh Bride is a retelling of the Bluebeard fairy tale.

The main character, Rhea, is a fifteen-year-old miller's daughter.

Rhea is desired by Lord Crevan, a nobleman who already has six wives.

The story has elements of magic, including talking animals like a helpful hedgehog.

Rhea's tasks include various magical challenges that reflect her resourcefulness and courage.

The novel blends dark fantasy with humor and adventure.

T. Kingfisher is a pen name for author Ursula Vernon, who is known for her unique storytelling.

The book explores themes of female friendship and solidarity among the wives.

The story is suitable for both young adult and adult audiences.

Readers appreciated the blend of horror and fairy tale elements throughout the novel.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Content warnings include themes of violence, female imprisonment, and sorcery but are presented in a way that aligns with fairy tale conventions.

From The Publisher:

Young Rhea is a miller's daughter of low birth, so she is understandably surprised when a mysterious nobleman, Lord Crevan, shows up on her doorstep and proposes marriage. Since commoners don't turn down lords-no matter how sinister they may seem-Rhea is forced to agree to the engagement.

Lord Crevan demands that Rhea visit his remote manor before their wedding. Upon arrival, she discovers that not only was her betrothed married six times before, but his previous wives are all imprisoned in his enchanted castle. Determined not to share their same fate, Rhea asserts her desire for freedom. In answer, Lord Crevan gives Rhea a series of magical tasks to complete, with the threat -Come back before dawn, or else I'll marry you.-

With time running out and each task more dangerous and bizarre than the last, Rhea must use her resourcefulness, compassion, and bravery to rally the other wives and defeat the sorcerer before he binds her to him forever.

Ratings (10)

Loved It (5)
Liked It (2)
It Was OK (3)

Reader Stats (29):

Read It (12)
Want To Read (15)
Not Interested (2)

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