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armyofgnomes
Posted March 28, 2012
For the most part, I enjoyed this book. I think the mix of characters is fun, and the plot has plenty of interesting twists and turns and suspense. The writing is gorgeous, with some turns of phrase that really knocked my socks off. I think my main issue with it is that, having finished it, I'm still not entirely sure what happened.
The last half felt like there was quite a bit of material being used to create the climax, not all of which the reader had been previously introduced to. Words like 'Wish' were used as if they were important, but they weren't explained or really set up as being such earlier in the book. And as much as I enjoyed the delightful metaphors and turns of phrase throughout, I could have done with fewer during the climactic scenes--too many of them just muddled what could have been conveyed more clearly in plainer terms.
I feel almost that the plot of this book would have done better in a longer format--there was certainly enough plot for that, almost too much, in places. A longer format also would have given me more time to get to know and care about the characters--as it is, with all the shifting between POVs, I found it a bit hard to work through the different character arcs and see how they fit together. Also, it was extremely hard to tell who the main character was. I'd assumed Breena, since her character arc touches each other character's arc, but by the end she felt almost like a supporting character to Natter or Nerissa.
One last gripe was the blocking: in several scenes, notably when Breena and Baldemar are in the tower, I was utterly lost as to where the characters were in the room and what they were doing. This also made several of the climactic scenes hard to read, because I wasn't sure where people were, or sometimes, even who was in the room. This is another place where I could have done with less florid language and more plain description.
Overall, I did enjoy this story, but I feel it has more promise than it actually delivers. I think a good editing job would clear up my issues--the story itself is for the most part solid and interesting, with a fun mix of characters and scenarios. It's some aspects of the writing itself that in places need work. I'd be interested to check out the others in the series and see if the author's writing improves with more practice in the world and with the characters.
MamaLee1983
Posted March 9, 2012
If you love a good fairytale, you are going to love my this book!
Catspell, is kinda like Cinderella with a twist, or actually several of them. For starters, Catspell is written from several different points of view. In the beginning, we meet Narissa, the fairy godmother. She is sick and doesn't want to be bothered, but the fairy queen insists that she take a contract for a DID (damsel in distress) that she wants to be rid of. Despite her best efforts to get out of the contract, she eventually meets her DID, Breena. Breena, doesn't want a fairy godmother even more than Narissa doesn't want to have to find a DID a Prince and a Happily Ever After. But Breena reminds Narissa of her one failure in all her years of being a fairy godmother, Maya. Maya is her one regret, so she decides that maybe she needs to help Breena after all. Which brings us to our 3rd VIP Natter, Breena's goblin friend who wants so much to help Breena escape her contract with Narissa and find a way to be happy.
Poor Natter, is servant to cloaked woman, who tells her that she wants to help Breena but needs her to steal a potion from the fairy queens chamber. A potion that is supposed to help Breena escape. But, Natter grabs the wrong bottle, and Breena becomes a cat! Yes, that is exactly what I thought! How in the world is a cat supposed to find a prince. Well, it turns out that she doesn't really want one. Just a place to call her own where she can help others. Little did she know that the "place of her own" that Narissa gives her used to belong to a DRAGON and the servants there (*cough*all of whom Narrissa has charmed to look like even more cats!) are loyal only to him!
When she first arrives at the castle, with her now cat servants, a Mage, Myles, escorting, Baldemar, who just happens to be a prince, finds their way to the castle. Prince Baldemar is on a quest to find the perfect dog for his father, the king, to win the right to rule his kingdom. But they have found themselves on another quest as well, one to find a beautiful woman from his dream. But Breena is now a CAT! How could he possibly see through her cat exterior to find the lost princess that she is inside? And remember that one little thing, that she Doesn't Want A Prince! There is a twist for ya! Will Narissa be able to fulfil her contract and help her DID find her Happily Ever After? If you want to know more than this, you will have to read if for yourself!
This book is full of twists and turns, and what the heck's! You will find lost of adventure and magic, and of coarse, a terrific fairytale. I know you are going to want find out more about these characters and their many trials on their journey to find Happily Ever After in their lives. So do yourself a favor and pick up a copy! Don't forget that if you get one between March 12th and 31st the royalties go to buy Kindles for Kids! Which I think is AWESOME!!!
Larya
Posted March 7, 2012
Sometimes, I can be surrounded by people and still feel alone. Thankfully, for me that feeling fades after a while, a few days at most. When she was a baby, Breena was traded to the Faerie queen, and now the Faerie queen wants to get rid of her. Breena always feels out of place with the faeries, but this just proves to her that she is right. No one wants her. When the Fey saddle her with a Fairy godmother, Breena, wallowing in self-pity, wants nothing to do with her. When she tries to take matters into her own hands, Breena winds up a cat, and this story is just getting started...
As I pick up Catspell, I am super excited because I ADORE Fairy Tales. I very anxiously read to see how this one will turn out, because I love when a fairy tale has a new spin. Catspell starts out really amazing-- it is unique, different, and full of twists and turns! However, the ending strikes me as "off the mark". Catspell's Breena is a fantastic heroine, but in the end she makes some atypical decisions that don't seem to fit in with her character.
One of the first things that strikes me about Breena is her independence. She practically refuses her fairy godmother's help and instead turns to her own devices. Breena's character is complex -- not the average fairy tale princess, which I really enjoy. She takes her Cat-ness in stride and never lets it slow her down. I really like that Breena refuses to be bossed around or looked down upon. She is a loyal friend and is always willing to help others. The fact that Breena doesn't wish for "prince charming and happily ever after" tells me, right off the bat, that she is unique.
I also really enjoy that Catspell switches between characters so I can see everyone's side and opinion. If I only look through Breena's eyes, I would think Myles is a pompous, arrogant, jerk. But, with the change in perspective, I can understand Myles' actions and see his intentions. I especially like seeing the fairy godmother's opinions. I have never read a book that has done this-- it is a revelation!
The Cover:
I really, REALLY like this cover. I love how the girl on the front almost completely fades into the background, it gives it a magical feel. All the colors are soft, so nothing hurts my eyes! I think the snow (or maybe it's little faerie lights?) have a really cool effect. It's almost like they frame the girl in the middle! So basically: this cover is stunning.
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars: Great Book!
Read more of my reviews at Epiloguereview at blogspot
minreads
Posted October 23, 2011
CATSPELL is well writen and has great characters. Nerissa, the fairy godmother, was my favorite. She had me smiling many times.
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LendMe™
Overview
Sixteen-year-old Breena never thought anything could be worse than being forced to leave the faerie realm. Then she got stuck with a fairy godmother. But if she has to choose between the two, she’d leave the Faerie Realm over getting bossed about by a faerie with a pointed stick any day. Unfortunately, her attempt to evade her fairy godmother gives her growing pains in the form of fur, whiskers, and a tail.Turning into a cat is the least of her worries, though. The potion wasn’t meant to bring out her inner feline, it was meant to put her to sleep. Forever. If Breena wants to make it to her Happily Ever After, she’ll have to accept that sometimes a ...