Author: Rachael Pruitt
Format: Ebook
Publisher: Dragon Harp Productions
Publish Date: February 8, 2012
Source: HF Virtual Tours
Why You're Reading This Book:
- You love historical fiction with a splash of fantasy.
- You love a good legend.
From Goodreads.com: "Before Gwenhwyfar became Queen - before Arthur met Merlin - a tribal Welsh princess met a young Heatherlands Mage. Together, they will create a legend.
Inside a mist of beauty and brutality waits the Arthurian legend as you’ve never heard it before. Enter the world of THE DRAGON'S HARP, a realm of blood lust and vengeance, of spellbinding magic from the beginning of time. The realm of Princess Gwenhwyfar: a young girl torn between magic and desire, born with magical powers she can either wield to save her people from destruction - or deny to save her soul."
My Two Cents:
The Arthurian legend has gotten the literary treatment from a variety of authors throughout time. It's been told in many different ways and many different formats. King Arthur and his knights of the round table and even the stories of Guinivere (called Gwenhwyfar in Pruitt's treatment, a Welsh spelling), Arthur's great love, have been told in so many different ways and from so many different points of view that sometimes its hard to believe that the stories could be told in any different way. Even though this is so, The Dragon's Harp is a story that needed to be told and sheds new light on the Arthurian legend and is told from the point of view of Gwenhwyfar.
The Dragon's Harp is the first book in a planned 5 book series. The first book in this series covers Gwenhwyfar's young life from her childhood through her teen years. One thing that I really, really loved about this book is the magic factor. Gwen's world is not that glamorous and Pruitt stayed true to the sort of grittiness that medieval Wales held (there is one point that sort of creeped me out and turned my stomach). I liked the grittiness but I liked more that the magic sort of makes up for the grim lives that some are living during the time.
Gwen's world is full of real, tangible magic and dragons and all of these really fantastic things. I don't read a whole lot of fantasy but when I do, I love when an author is able to "normalize" the fantasy elements so they feel real to the world of the book. Pruitt passes that test with flying colors.
I also loved that this book was told from the point of view of Gwen herself. I think it made the story especially special. I loved hearing directly from the woman who has been the star of so many legends and tales throughout history. It's her voice that really makes me anxious to read the next books in this series.
Bottom line: A fabulous historical fantasy!
Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Don't Forget to Follow the Rest of the Tour:
Wednesday, March 7th
Author Guest Post at The Owl Bookmark Blog
Wednesday, March 14th
Author Guest Post at The Musings of a Book Junkie
Friday, March 16th
Review at Booksessed
Tuesday, March 20th
Review at The Owl Bookmark Blog
Wednesday, March 21st
Author Interview at Booksessed
Friday, March 23rd
Review at A Chick Who Reads
Monday, March 26th
Review at A Casual Reader's Blog
Thursday, March 29th
Author Guest Post & Giveaway at Passages to the Past
Monday, April 2nd
Wednesday, April 4th
Review at vvb32 Reads
Friday, April 6th
Review at Bippity Boppity Book
Author Guest Post at To Read or Not to Read
Wednesday, April 11th
Review at Unabridged Chick
Friday, April 13th
Author Interview at The True Book Addict
Monday, April 16th
Review at Let Them Read Books
Author Interview & Giveaway at Unabridged Chick
Monday, April 23rd
Review at Always a Booklover
Wednesday, April 25th
Review & Giveaway at A Bookish Affair
Friday, April 27th
Author Interview at Always a Booklover
Monday, April 30th
Author Interview at A Bookish Affair
Told from Gwen's point of view is different. I'd love to win this one. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read the next book!
DeleteI really liked this one too and am looking forward to the next one in the series. Great review!
ReplyDeleteSame here. I'm only sad that it's going to be a bit before the rest of the books are out!
DeleteI liked The Once and Future King by T.H. White and the one by Ursula Le Guin. This one sounds interesting too.
ReplyDeleteI read The Once and Future King back in high school. I also really liked the Mary Stewart series (which I also read in high school).
DeleteThis sounds like an interesting perspective. I tire of the male perspective in historical literature.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the great blog and giveaway!
Phoenix
PhoenixCarvelli at gmail dot com
Same here. It's refreshing to hear from a female voice especially when it comes to such a male-centric legend like the Arthurian one.
DeleteOooh! This sounds like EXACTLY my kind of book - plus you gave it a 4.5 rating...yup, it's now on the TBR!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway too :)
I absolutely cannot wait for the other books in this series! I really think you will like this one :)
DeleteSounds like a great book especially since you gave it such a wonderful review and I do like your taste in books!
ReplyDeleteIt really is a great book to get sucked into!
DeleteThank you so much, Meg, for your wonderful review of my novel, DRAGON'S HARP. As an avid reader myself, I'm thrilled that you enjoyed the world Gwen, Merlin, & I created :) Special thanks to all your readers for your great comments..I'd also like to mention some good news: "Harp" is now available in print as well as an eBook--and sample chapters are available on my website at http://www.rachaelpruitt.com.. Thanks very much again, Meg, for hosting me--it's an honor to spend time with you & your readers!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm so glad that I got a chance to read your book! I am anxiously awaiting the other books in the series.
DeleteVery nice review. The book sounds very interesting.
ReplyDeletePicked this up on your recommendation and just finished it--loved it!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you liked it!!!!
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