Selling stories is a deadly businessTanwen doesn’t just tell stories—she weaves them into crystallized sculptures that sell for more than a few bits. But the only way to escape the control of her cruel mentor and claw her way from poverty is to set her sights on something grander: becoming Royal Storyteller to the king.During her final story peddling tour, a tale of treason spills from her hands, … tale of treason spills from her hands, threatening the king himself. Tanwen goes from peddler to prey as the king’s guard hunts her down . . . and they’re not known for their mercy. As Tanwen flees for her life, she unearths long-buried secrets and discovers she’s not the only outlaw in the empire. There’s a rebel group of weavers . . . and they’re after her too.
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I don’t read much fantasy, but this book totally hooked me. I fell in love with the characters and couldn’t wait to find out what happened to them next!
Excellent YA Fantasy! Franklin does a beautiful job revealing the characters and their motivations, and her world-building is so imaginative. Most teens can relate to the struggle of trying to figure out and practice their gifts, but Tanwen has no ordinary gift. When she tells stories, magic strands come from her fingers and create glass objects. Yet something isn’t right. She’s only allowed to tell approved “crown” stories, but when she does, she feels a painful pinch that warns her these stories aren’t true. When she can’t suppress the truth any longer, she must run for her life. Although the ending is far from resolved, it is satisfying and provides a sense of closure. I look forward to reading the sequel!
The story Peddler is a fantastic tale about a story weaver, Tanwen, who tells stories that stream from her fingertips like ribbons, forming objects that crystallize into a solid object she can sell. The problem is, she’s only allowed to tell stories approved by the king. Any stories veering from strict royal guidelines are punishable by death.
Unfortunately for Tanwen, rogue story strands begin to emerge… publicly.
Before she is captured by the palace guards, a rogue band of weavers approach her to bring her under their wing.
But despite their heroic efforts to escape and remain hidden, their inevitable capture leads to more intrigue into a past Tanwen doesn’t remember and the king who doesn’t belong on the throne.
The author does a great job weaving this tale though there were a couple places where I found it difficult to envision what was happening. And though the stories the peddler sold were themselves weak and short, I was able to look past it and assume it was the swirling colors pouring from Tanwen’s fingertips and the solidifying story that made the listeners oooh and aaah. But the author has a knack for coming up with fun exclamations and sayings unique to her world. Each one was a satisfying little nugget found throughout the book. But what I loved most was the overarching message: “Art has a way of revealing truth.” As an author who hopes to do just that… I’m encouraged by those words.
If you enjoy fantasy with a unique twist, characters you’ll love, others you’ll hate, wrapped in adventure and mystery, be sure to read the Story Peddler.
Lindsay A Franklin combines an interesting and detailed medieval dystopian world with good character building, fluid and down-to-earth writing, a hint of mystery, and a fascinating plot line. This book is the first in a trilogy and the next installment promises more adventure and deeper insight into the battle between good versus evil in this kingdom of Tir. Anyone who enjoys a well-written YA dystopian novel will absolutely love this book.
Tanwen is a funny, big-mouth, impulsive storyteller who has a tender heart. She has a way of bumbling and fumbling that is almost embarrassing but endearing to the reader at the same time. Her childhood and parentage are a mystery to her and she gets into trouble with the king of the land which prompts her fleeing and hiding. The way that she can crystallize a story into something solid is quite fascinating and adds that dose of magic to this novel. As the story unfolds, we meet the supporting cast of characters who hold up the plot line. The switch from first person limited point of view from Tanwen’s eyes to third person limited point of view of Princess Braith and a mystery character is fluid and well-executed.
The first half of the story moves a bit slowly due to the world-building, but half-way through the story, the plot picks up speed and gains momentum. Several mysteries are unraveled but the ending….. it leaves us with a cliffhanger much in line with some of the Star Wars or Marvel Avengers movies and leaves us with more questions than answers! I can’t wait for book 2 and 3 so that I can figure out who really is behind such evil plaguing the land of Tir. And what will happen to Tanwen and her friends?!?! Augh, the agony of waiting…..
I received a copy of the book from author/publisher through JustRead Publicity Tours and was under no obligation to post a review. All comments and opinions are solely my own and subjective.
The Story Peddler by Lindsay A. Franklin
Stories that are woven with words and colors that crystallize into sculptures? What an amazing concept! Author Lindsay Franklin has written an intriguing fantasy tale that entices you to read and torments you if you try to put it down.
The characters are endearing – you really care about what happens to Tanwen and the others. Told by Tanwen, Princess Braith and “The One in the Dark”, the reader gets a view of happenings all over the kingdom. The rebel weavers include a dreamy pirate, the lady in exile, the farmer, and former guardsmen. There are also some unsavory characters, including the king who controls not only the stories and songs that can be told (Tanwen was stunned to find out that there are more than two songs), the high priest, and the advisor (ew! Was he slimy!).
Everything was in constant motion. There are sword fights, secret passages, and bold escapes. I would love to see this made into a movie!
My only regret is that this is the first book of the trilogy. It did have a clear ending, though it is certain there is more is to come as Tanwen goes off to. . . Sorry! No spoilers allowed, so you’ll just have to read this book and wait with me for the next one to be released. (Sigh)
Though I have not indicated the genre to be Young Adult, it is certainly appropriate for them. I just don’t want to scare any adults away by listing it that way.
This review was originally posted on AmongTheReads.net
I would like to thank Just Read Publicity Tours for giving me this item. This gift did not influence my opinion or review.
If that gorgeous cover hasn’t caught your eye, the description of the book should. Lindsay A. Franklin takes the printed-black-and-white pages of this story and infuses them with heart and color. Adventure, treason, rebellion, and art await readers.
Tanwen’s life has mostly consisted of the small farming town she’s lived in as long as she can remember. Her longing for memories of her parents, for a family, is achingly haunting while her closest held dream of storytelling for the king is one she is passionate about. She is a combination of naivety and drive. Of a young woman who grew up too fast out of necessity.
Tanwen’s journey is full of unanswered questions, intense moments of danger, and lots of introspection. Can she make a difference from the inside without erasing all she holds dear?
Franklin’s land of Tir is magical, mysterious, and the world building is top notch. The characters are given individual expressions that keep the supporting cast from running together. Franklin’s expert storytelling reveals secrets at just the right point as she weaves her own magic throughout the pages.
I’m looking forward to spending more time Tanwen and the others in book two.
Disclosure statement:
I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors, including NetGalley. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
I’ve been eyeing this novel to a while now.
It definitely was worth the wait.
Lindsay A. Franklin created a story that transports you to another realm. It’s one filled with hope, love, kinship, and biting avarice from some detestable characters. This means the story carries itself from beginning to end with a tightly knit plot and cast of characters.
What a great read!
Fantastic story! Loved it!
Such a unique story. What an incredible idea of people doing fantastical things with their hands! I was blown away by how this story unfolded. The journey of Tanwen hooked me immediately with her storytelling and wanting to know why her talent is a threat to the king.
I really enjoyed the character development of Tannie. She’s a young girl of 17, but has her sights set on serving at the king’s palace. She’s lost everything in her world aside from her best friend, Brac, and while she’s been on her own for quite a while and seems independent, the reader learns quickly how naive she still is in many ways.
There’s a ton of adventure from nearly the start and I’m thankful I had book 2 on hand to continue it immediately! While this is a young adult book, I think anyone enjoys Lord of the Rings will enjoy this series as well! There’s so much to say about all of the characters we meet who impact Tannie’s life in a variety of ways. So many twists and turns that you can’t speak about because it gives too much of the story away. I’ll be sure to share more with my book 2 review.
This is a unique book. I don’t know how authors of Christian fantasy even come up with these concepts. Who would have thought oh hey let’s write about a girl who weaves stories into sculptures? That’d be cool!
Yeah, would never have crossed my mind.
But now my thoughts are filled with thoughts of what sculpture would this story become? If I were to make a sculpture about our day what would it look like? It’s a deep hole that you might also be sucked into when you read this book.
This is a nice clean book which is good because then I can let my fantasy-loving teens read it as well. I love having books that we can all read and then discuss together.
Bottom line, this is a fun and fast read. You’re going to feel such strong emotions for each and every character and have a vested interest in the outcome. This is one of those books that you simply cannot put down and that’s a good thing!
Grab a copy today and make sure you’re ready to grab the next books in the series too because you’re going to want them all at once! At least, that’s our consensus here.
I have voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from Celebrate Lit. All views expressed are only my honest opinion. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC regulations.
“Many people’s lives were stories with mysterious endings. Mine was a story with a beginning I could never make sense of. It was like fifty different unrelated strands I couldn’t weave into a solid crystal.”
Fantasy is not the first genre that I go to when looking for a book to read; I enjoy fiction, but I suppose it’s safe to say that I’m a fan of realistic writing, as historical fiction is my favorite category. However, once in a while a fantasy book will appeal to me, enticing me to give it a chance. I’ve heard so much about the Weaver Trilogy and found the covers to be enchanting, so I was eager to start reading. My impressions on the first book? A solid debut.
With “The Story Peddler”, Lindsay Franklin opens her Weaver Trilogy in the land of Tir. Tanwen is a young girl living in absolute poverty. Her neighbors have helped take care of her and, now that she is almost 18, still provide some food for her due to the fact that she lives alone and must provide for herself. The neighbor’s son, Brac, intends to marry her because they have grown up together and are very close friends. Tanwen, however, has her own dreams. At the abrupt termination her job, Tanwen, in fear for her life for unwittingly committing treason during a storytelling tour, begins to find answers to questions and customs that have eluded her for years. Furthermore, her story intertwines with that of Princess Braith, with each chapter marked to denote which young woman is the focus.
I love the concept behind this book. Franklin does a nice job of combining literature and art to form a new realm in which dictatorial rule threatens the well-being of the citizens. Full of danger and action, there is plenty here to keep readers engaged. Tanwen’s struggles with committed relationships and being tied down to rural life when her dream is to serve the King as a royal storyteller echo similar strivings that we endeavor to fulfill today. While not overtly Christian, it definitely has strong underpinnings based on Christian teaching and the Bible. “The Story Peddler” is a story that speaks to young adults and grandparents alike, as well as everyone in between.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit and was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are my own.
Perhaps because I am a homeschooling mother myself, I was drawn to this book. The concept is well-executed. At first, I was not sure what I thought about Tanwen. But this fantasy novel pulled me into the story. But the idea of being able to tell stories that weave together objects that can be sold for a higher price is interesting.
The colors and objects that result from the story caught my attention. I think one of my favorite interactions with Tanwen comes when she tells a story for a young girl. But you will have to read the book for yourself to find out how it turns out.
I think my favorite character was Braith, daughter to the king. She shows genuine compassion and concern for those around her. She illustrates and exemplifies what a ruler should be.
This story contains a mystery character as well. As the first of three books in this series, I now want to read more to find out what happens because the ending did not tie up everything neatly for me.
So check out this book for yourself.
I received a copy of this book for my fair and honest review.
What a fantastic story filled with danger, imagination and a place where anything can happen. The brilliance of the author’s sheer ability to take readers on a journey to an unknown world is awesome. The characters come alive and I loved the idea of storytelling. I loved being at school and listening to my teacher read stories that took my breath away. I could escape into the book for awhile and be part of another place. This book is perfect for the adventurer in all of us.
There is something so mystical about knights, danger and a story that turns Tanwen into something of a threat when the story doesn’t go as planned. I loved the creativity of colors and how Tanwen captured peoples attention. What happens when a story she knows by heart is told differently? Will the king cause her harm? Most intriguing was , what happened to her parents? The author weaves a tale of fantasy and teaches us lessons about truth.
I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.
The magic of storytelling comes to life…
In my reading circles I’ve heard some good things about Lindsay A. Franklin over the last year or more but I just hadn’t tried her out yet. However, in that same time I’ve also come to enjoy to a number of fantasy or sci-fi books from Enclave and I’ve found some excellent new-to-me authors that way. So, I was pretty excited when I finally got to read The Story Peddler, and yes, I already have books 2 and 3 in The Weaver Trilogy in my book collection.
I will make a confession, and seriously you’ll have to be over 30 to understand, this book made me feel a mite old. Most of the good guys are under 25 and one character notes how Old another one is because he’s 37. Yeah, old at 37! That number isn’t too far off for me, so…
Ah, well. Even though this series is clearly intended for a YA audience and I am almost officially Old I did find The Story Peddler to be completely enjoyable. Lindsay A. Franklin has done a great job with her worldbuilding. The peoples and landscape are diverse enough to be interesting but the reader is not bogged down in endless details. I also genuinely appreciated the delicate blend of fantasy and magic with the Christian elements. There is no doubt that the story is a Christian fantasy but it is still completely entertaining.
Anyone who knows me also knows that I strongly advocate reading aloud to your kids for as long as they are willing to listen, even teenagers. While I’ve only read the first book I have a pretty good feeling that all three books in The Weaver Trilogy would be excellent family reading material.
All in all The Story Peddler was a good read and I’m looking forward to reading the next books in Lindsay A. Franklin’s fantasy adventure The Weaver Trilogy series.
(I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)
Tanwen dreams of being the royal storyteller, spinning her colorful stories and never going to bed hungry again. But her craft is a dangerous one when there are only a handful of approved stories, and anything outside of that is considered treasonous. As she continues to tell her stories and she unravels more of her mysterious past and that of the usurper, the truth becomes more and more difficult and even painful to suppress.
Will the truth cost Tanwen her life?
A fantastical new series, with strong worldbuilding, and wonderfully unique underdog heroes. A well crafted story, with a straightforward, and unflinchingly curious heroine. Tanwen says what she thinks, though she is also sensitive to others and struggles to strike a balance with one of her dearest friends.
I loved how the author used the color imagery of story spinning to bind the story together, as well as using various viewpoints to tell the story.
Overall this is an excellent start to a sure to be fantastic trilogy. I had heard rave reviews from other bookish friends so I was excited to dive into this one, and I wasn’t disappointed. It has strong themes of truth, with seedling threads of faith, as well coming of age themes. Many of the characters are very interesting, some of them we got to know better than others, but I’m excited to get to know them better and see where the story goes. The ending was satisfying, in that it gave me just enough answers, while still leaving many threads unwound to be woven in subsequent installments. Definitely recommend!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Such a fun read! I was thrust right into another world, rooting for the main characters to succeed and curious on every page as to what would happen next.
It took me a few chapters to connect with the characters in “Story Peddler,” but once I did, I completely fell in love with the story. The premise was especially intriguing, the plot had a couple of great twists I didn’t see coming, and I loved the different manifestations that art took the storyworld, providing a beautiful and tangible representation of the power of art. Recommended for artists and lovers of traditional fantasy, both teens and adults.
Wow! Lindsay Franklin can weave a wonderful story. She grabbed my attention in the very beginning, and kept it right up until I read the last few words. First of all, I need to comment on her imagination. What a creative story line! I was totally blown away by how excited I was to be reading this book, kind of like a kid at Christmas. It was exciting, it was beautiful, it was fun, and it was adventurous. This book is not just for YA – it is for adults too 🙂
Beneath the fun tale was a beautiful picture of good versus evil, and how we have to deal with it on a daily level here in the world. The presentation of the gospel was so evident to me in this story, and I’m not sure if that was intentional or not, but it’s certainly what I got out of it. I am always looking for authors who can write the Good Story in a creative way – a way that may speak to the lost without them even realizing it, or a way that just makes people stop and think, huh…I think there’s something to this story. Franklin has mastered that in my opinion.
This series has taken me by complete surprise – now I understand what the hype was all about – and I cannot wait to see what happens next! I received a complimentary copy of this book. I was not required to write a favorable review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5 stars
This was an extremely interesting read! The storytelling was amazing, and I mean that literally. Making stories and then crystallizing them? So cool! (Can I please be a storyteller like that?) As things progress near the end, it was even cooler to see her create stories. 😮 😮 😮
I really related to Tannie. She made a great heroine and loved her bold nature. She wasn’t afraid to speak up and share something on her mind that’s for sure! Ha! Yet she could also be kind and compassionate too.
Confession: I thought with their being so many characters, it would be really hard to remember everyone. However, it was far from that. The author did an amazing job of really bringing each character to life and making them very distinct where I knew each person. I honestly thought I wouldn’t like War the most, but I really really liked him.
Overall, this was a great story! Never a boring spot and plenty of action to keep me on my toes. The author even threw a little twist in there with a certain young male character that left me sad in that it wasn’t your “typical” outcome. (I’ll just leave that vague so there will be no spoiling.) I’m very curious to see where things will go from here!
(I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and author in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts expressed were my own and was not required to write a positive review.)
I want to gush! Can I gush?
Wowwwwwww
“Most people’s lives were stories with mysterious endings. Mine was a story with a beginning I could never make sense of. It was like fifty different unrelated strands I couldn’t weave into a solid crystal.”
This is by far one of my favorite books of the year! Captivating writing, unique plot and endearing characters.
I was completely lost in this setting full of story peddlers, colormasters and enough mystery to keep you up at night!
I truly believe this is a book for all ages!