"An imaginative fairy tale"

Part fairy tale, part Greek odyssey, AN EXALTATION OF LARKS is an imaginative first person account of one woman's quest to find True Love, which evolves into a journey of personal growth and self-discovery.

Upon her coronation as Queen of Canticle, Perion Marrett is expected (and required by law) to announce the name of the man she has chosen to be her King. Unfortunately for Perion, she hasn't met a man she trusts enough to marry. All of her numerous suitors only want her wealth and power, and secretly ridicule her for her lack of beauty. Then she meets Sir Barrett Llewellyn, who may just be her Knight in Shining Armour. But tragedy strikes and before Perion can decide if it is indeed true love, Sir Barrett is magically transported to Cimmerian, the stronghold of the evil sorcerer Mason. Armed only with a bag of spells given to her by the witch Magogah, Perion sets out alone into the dangerous world to find her hero and rescue him. Along the way she encounters road pirates and other dangers, and is helped out by such creatures as unicorns and fairies. Will she be able to survive long enough to reach Cimmerian, and if so, will she find her true love there? At times she has her doubts, but she perseveres.

I found this story to be unique and quite entertaining. The fairy tale elements were fun, but sometimes violent and disturbing, as fairy tales often are. Perion did a lot of growing up, and eventually had to make some hard choices. There are moments of loss and tragedy, but moments of triumph as well. And never fear, this is a romance with a happy ending, so you don't have to peek ahead like I did.

Reviewed by Janice Bennett
Posted May 24, 2002

Order at Wings ePress

Summary

Princess Perion Marrett has always found more pleasure in filling her mind than her dance card. Becoming queen, however, means more than taking the throne. She must also take a husband. Only one man makes her heart beat faster, but when a witch's miscast spell sends Sir Barrett Llewellyn to the land of Grimearth, Perion journeys to find him. There she learns the truth of her heart -- but will it be her noble knight or the man she fears most, Dark Sorcerer Mason de Cimmerian? A princess, a knight and a rescue from the dark tower -- it's not the fairy tale your mother read you.