"Fantasy Romance for the Persistent Reader"

Elena Klovis lives in the Five Hundred Kingdoms, a world where fairy tales are as real as the magical Tradition that, unseen and unheard, directs the lives of all those who dwell within the kingdoms. Well, all those except the magic-users who serve it - and even they are, in the end, products of the Tradition too.

Slaving for two lazy stepsisters and the stepmother who owned everything except the clothes on her back, Elena's path was that of the classic Cinderella story. Except... something went wrong. As she aged and slowly realized that her happy-ever-after wasn't coming and that no handsome prince was going to beat down her door, Elena decided to make the best of her situation. With a pot in her hand she headed off to the fair, offering herself as a servant to any who would pay her.

Instead, she was found by Madame Bella, a Fairy Godmother who had been searching for an apprentice for many years. A woman who showed her a future she had never dared dream could be hers.

Fairy Godmothering wasn't all fun and games, though, and more often than not it demanded that she work against the heavy Tradition that weighed down on every inhabitant of the Five Hundred Kingdoms. Her life was lonely... until she met a trio of princes on a Quest and ended up with a Prince-in-Donkey-Form living in her stable. The Tradition was against her but happiness beckoned and even Elena couldn't refuse. All they had to do was... well, beat the bad guy and then convince the amorphous heaviness that was the source of all magics that she and Alexander belonged together after all.

With THE FAIRY GODMOTHER Lackey crafts a lively, light fantasy set in a newly created world of fairy tales and Tradition. From familiar tales of Cinderella and Rapunzel and beyond, the Five Hundred Kingdoms come alive for the reader through Elena's magical - and romantic - journey. The romance, however, is strictly subplot and sex is limited and relatively non-explicit. This doesn't make the story any less enjoyable or emotionally fulfilling. The magic of the story is inventive and distinct. Once again Lackey pits her beleaguered yet spunky heroine against the heavy weight of her society's tradition and mores - and pulls her out triumphant in the end, of course. Sadly, the book is marred by a plodding, whiny beginning (though Elena, we are told, is A Survivor) that may well defeat the unwary reader. After slogging through 150 pages, however, that reader may find things picking up. Incidentally, that's about the time that the hero is introduced. Lackey's tendency to explain EVERYTHING in her world leaves the reader well-informed if a little over- saturated, but at the same time prepares the reader for the ringing conclusion that, strangely enough, seems to sneak up and grab you by the throat. Though flawed, THE FAIRY GODMOTHER is a good read. If you're not up for paying hardcover prices, it's at least worth a check-out from your local library.

Reviewed by Ann Leveille
Courtesy ParaNormal Romance Reviews
Posted February 21, 2004

Cinderella meets Russian folk tales with a fairy godmother, and three princes thrown in for good measure.

Summary

Hard Cover edition also available. Jan. 2004 - ISBN: 0373802021