Fabled by Vanessa K. Eccles
Publication date: May 5th 2015
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Synopsis:
Rowena thinks the Grimm’s infamous podcasts are simply another teen fad until she finds herself trapped in a land of nightmarish storybook characters. She tries desperately to flee Mezzanine and return home, but Dresdem, Mezzanine’s wicked monarch, plans to use Rowena’s access to her world to bring dark magic and absolute rule into Georgia and beyond.
But when Rowena’s dear friend Madeline falls into Dresdem’s grasp, her battle with him becomes war, and all hopes of home are temporarily thwarted. With the help of an invisible hero, a beast, and an owl, she sets out to free Madeline from a deadening sleep. But Rowena must become her own hero when she finds herself bound by the kingdom’s darkest family. She must make the ultimate choice – align herself with her enemies or live on the run forever.
Excerpt:
The dirt shifted beside me, and the end of the tunnel opened. The crevice felt like it plucked me up in a whirlwind. In seconds, I landed on the ground face first on the surface of whatever lay beyond the tunnel. It smelled like nature after a storm. When I opened my eyes, I stared down at my mud-covered hands. The darkness that I once thought would be my tomb was now gone, and two low hanging moons lit the forest where I found myself. Even though I had no idea where I was, the fact that I was out of the hole sent a surge of relief that filled my entire being. I stood up, dusted off all the mud I could, and looked back. Strangely, there was nothing but trees. As I moved closer to the spot where I’d most certainly came from, all I saw was a mirror that reflected the woods. An illusion. I touched its smooth surface, tried to find the end of it but couldn’t. Another dead-end.
Before I could figure out what to do, I heard a voice and spun around to confront it.
“What are you doing here?” I heard a man’s voice growl, but I couldn’t see anyone. I looked around. He sounded like he was only a few feet from me.
“Where are you?”
“First, tell me why you’re here?”
“I don’t know why I’m here. I’m lost, I think. I was at a party, and while walking in the woods behind the house, I fell into a hole. Now here I am. I have no idea what happened. Where am I?”
Silence.
Right square in front of me, he appeared out of thin air. I blinked my eyes in disbelief. He seemed to be about my age and wore his hat cocked to one side with suspenders atop a blue button-up and brown trousers. It reminded me of Dashielle’s costume. I guess he could read the amazement on my face, so he answered the question that my mind was trying to form.
“Invisibility. That’s all.”
Ten Fabled Facts:
1.) Trapped in a world of dark magic, Rowena must learn how to become her own hero. Easier said than done.
2.) In Mezzanine, neither time nor death exist.
3.) Many storybook characters appear, but they’re not as friendly as we remember.
4.) Kidnapping and slavery doesn’t sound like a fairy tale, or does it?
5.) Adelaide Kane would be my pick to play Rowena in a movie.
6.) The Brothers Grimm make an appearance.
7.) Someone becomes possessed, and someone gets married.
8.) Sometimes aligning with your enemies is the only solution.
9.) Betrayal of a sister is the worst of all wounds.
10.) Home isn’t how she left it.
Book & Author Details:
Vanessa K. Eccles graduated Troy University with a degree in English. She currently serves as executive editor of Belle Rêve Literary Journal and is founder of the book blog YA-NASisterhood. When she’s not writing or devouring books, she enjoys the lake life with her Prince Charming and their four dogs.
Author Links:
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