Book by book, the storyline is evolving. I’m riveted to the mysteries it’s slowly revealing. It’s simultaneously a world you want to live in, but also one you really want to expose all the secrets of… and those secrets go a long way down the rabbit hole.There’s no place like home. And maybe that’s a good thing. Because the two homes I know—my school and my castle in the kingdom of … kingdom of Midveil—aren’t what they used to be.
With my friends by my side and the aid of a new mentor for magic, I thought I was ready to fight the antagonists who planned to take over the realm of Book and destroy all its protagonists. Unfortunately, the universe had other plans that I didn’t see coming.
And that’s saying a lot for a girl who can see the future.
On our quest to find the missing Fairy Godmother Paige Tomkins, my friends and I would be transported to an array of magical lands. From the horrors of Sleepy Hollow and shores of Neverland, to the Wizard of Oz’s front door—we were in for one dangerous, bizarre foe and setting after another. And yet, they would be no stranger than my own world. Because thanks to a brewing common character rebellion in Book, relentless magic hunters, and the people I trusted most turning against me, the world I once knew was a thing of fairytales past.
The Crisanta Knight Series: Book 1 – Protagonist Bound
Book 2 – The Severance Game;
Book 3 – Inherent Fate;
Book 4 – The Liar, The Witch, & The Wormhole;
Book 5 (to be released in April of 2019) – To Death & Back.
more
I have to admit when I saw the size of this beast grace my threshold, I had a momentary mouth drop. No need for me to worry though because this is Culbertson’s writing. Just like the first novel that I read, I was sucked into the journey of Crisa and her crew. Yet again, Culbertson has swept me off my bookish feet and this time landed me in the realms of Neverland, Camelot and even freaking Sleepy Hollow!
I love a good mashup of stories and Culbertson is one of the few who can take tales as old as time and weave them together with grace and excitement. This is a continuation (Book 4) and I have to tell you that even if you start in the middle of everything like I did you will not be disappointed or lost. I, however, will fully and forever recommend that these are read from the beginning in order. Not only do you get a deeper understanding of Book, the prophecy and the other intertwined tales but you get to connect with the characters on a deeper level. For me, I connected more with Crisa in this book when I read about more of her home life. And let’s not forget the world building! Seriously. The world building alone is just one of my favorite aspects. Need I say it again? FREAKING SLEEPY HOLLOW!!!
These are written for a more of a middle grade and possibly younger (depending on reading level) crowd, but as an adult I can truly say that I am still easily hooked. Personal preference does have me shying away from some of the more inner monologue type areas, however, I think that is more a reflection of my age than anything else.
I did think that there would be elements of Narnia in this one based on the title construction, but it was just the title overall. Catchy if you ask me. I liked the themes in this fourth installment as well. I especially enjoyed how the lines between friend and foe can be easily blurred and the betrayals that existed were not ones that I outright expected. Friendship is a focal point and for younger readers this is such a breath of fresh air. The connection Crisa has with her friends and the way they solve personal problems is what younger kids should be reading these days. There’s an excellent play on the powers of good verse evil in both books that the characters battle and propels a lot of the exciting twists too.
If you love fairy tales, folklore and legends or you’re looking for a novel for your littles to grow from that they will enjoy… I highly recommend this series. Excellent flawed characters, stories we all know and love, realistic circumstances that can translate to everyday scenarios and twists and turns that keep readers engrossed in the plot. What more do you even need?
Thank you, Culbertson for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. True rating 4.5/5.
Crisa and her friends make it back to school by the skin of their teeth and can’t wait to reveal all they have learned while on their quest to find the Author. Sadly, this isn’t going to happen as the powers higher up threaten the group into keeping their mouths shut. This is only a chink in their plan as they begin preparing for the next quest .. to find Paige Tomkins .. the fairy godmother the antagonists are hunting.
Meanwhile SJ and Crisa, who have been best friends since Crisa first came to Lady Agnue’s, aren’t speaking. SJ seems to have a problem with Crisa’s newfound fame in not only being a hero but also as a princess. Since SJ found out that she does NOT have a book for her future story, and that is also not the top princess at school, she is suffering an identity crisis. She doesn’t know what her role is anymore or that she’s even important. Can SJ & Crisa get it together in time for their departure on this newest quest? If not, how can the quest even succeed when trust is absent?
As if this wasn’t enough, before the group can leave and begin their quest Crisa will suffer a devastating betrayal, one she never saw coming and one she isn’t sure how to return from. She feels she has no one to confide in except herself, but realistically how long until she puts, not only herself, but her friends in danger with that type of attitude?
Ok and then cue the really cool scenes (and my ever present geeky squeals) because ummm Neverland, Captain Hook & Peter Pan??!! Oz and the Wizard, Sleepy Hollow!! Excalibur and a journey to Camelot??!!
But keep your hats on because the stories we all know and love are not necessarily the TRUE fairy tales that actually occurred. Man oh man I cannot say enough how much I am digging this series. Just go and grab this already y’all!! LOL
A brilliantly written story, easily ready for the TV or movie screen! As good as Game of Thrones but written for a younger audience, this book will pick you up on its very first page, wrap you in its arms, and carry you all the way to the end. I read this with my daughter and we both loved it. The characters were brilliantly written and all 3 of the main female protagonists were easy to relate to. The male protagonists were equally well-written and all of the friendships were shown in such a way that kids can recognize their own friendships in them. These aren’t perfect, pretty little relationships but real ones with highs and lows, awkwardness, growth, and all that comes with being a teenager. The parent/child dynamic was excellently handled and just as well done. The worlds built were wonderfully imaginable. Character development was done in such a way as to really make sense and challenged readers to think of their own perceptions of their world. The action was exceptional without completely taking over the story. All in all, our family has definitely found a new author to add to our list of favorites and we can’t wait to go back and read the series from the very beginning. This is an absolute must-read!
Thank you to BQB Publishing, Geanna Culbertson, and NetGalley for allowing us the opportunity to experience this amazing story and share our thoughts and opinions with others.
An engrossing read! I’ve read all available Crisanta Knight books and look forward to the next. These have a fresh voiced perspective on who can be a hero, not just the predictable guy. Sassy characters with strong qualities, in depth self reflection processes and quirky quests all rolled into a comfortable, interesting story.
Many unexpected events happen in this book. Crisanta has many limbos with her friends that she tries to solve. A person extremely dear to her betrays her horribly. Halfway through this amazing series and I can’t wait for the fifth book to come out thank you Geanna Culbertson for working so hard to make this fantastic series.
Absolutely love this series! I can’t wait for the next book to come out!
This series is just getting better and better, the characters are growing in each book and learning to trust each other and each book brings even more plot twists!