Title: Heartless
Author: Anne Elisabeth Stengl
First published July 1, 2010
368 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780764207808 (ISBN10: 0764207806)
Rating: 3.76
Overview
Princess Ariella of Parumvir is on the cusp of adulthood and eagerly awaits the day she can wed a handsome prince. But when a suitor arrives, he’s not the charming prince she had hoped for.
Prince Marius of the far-off kingdom of Brangonia is strange and unsettling, and he brings with him ominous warnings of an impending danger. A dragon is rumored to be on the loose and wreaking havoc.
Ariella, blinded by her infatuation with a dashing knight, disregards Marius’ warnings at her own peril. Soon, the Dragon King himself invades Parumvir, and Ariella finds herself in his crosshairs.
Only the most daring and brave are capable of stopping this malevolent force from destroying everything in its path. Will Ariella heed the warnings of the enigmatic Marius before it’s too late?
About the Author
Anne Elisabeth Stengl resides in Raleigh, North Carolina with her spouse Rohan, a cluster of felines, and a patient pooch. Alongside writing, she indulges in the works of Shakespeare, opera music, and tea, while also pursuing her passion for playing the piano, painting, and baking pastries.
Anne studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. She has authored the TALES OF GOLDSTONE WOOD series, which currently comprises seven novels and two novellas, with several more publications expected to be released in the upcoming years.
Her books, HEARTLESS, VEILED ROSE, and DRAGONWITCH have each been bestowed with a Christy Award, and STARFLOWER was voted as the winner of the 2013 Clive Staples Award.
Editoral Review
In her debut novel Heartless, Anne Elisabeth Stengl creates a fantastical world that is both captivating and heart-wrenching. Published in 2010, Heartless tells the story of Princess Una of Parumvir, who has been cursed from birth to never find love or happiness.
Stengl, a Christian fantasy writer, sets her story in a world filled with magic and dark shadows, but also with the potential for hope and redemption. At the heart of the story is Una’s search for the one thing that has been denied to her: love.
She finds herself torn between two suitors, the mysterious Prince Aethelbald of Farthestshore and the courageous Bard of Parumvir. As Una tries to navigate the complexities of her feelings, she discovers that there is more at stake than just her own happiness.
There are dangerous forces at work that threaten to destroy everything she holds dear. Stengl’s writing is lush and descriptive, immersing the reader in a world filled with vivid imagery and richly-drawn characters.
The world-building is impressive, with Stengl crafting a fully-realized realm that feels both familiar and completely original. Heartless is a story of magic and witchcraft, of love and sacrifice, and of the thin line between darkness and light.
One of the strengths of Heartless is its characters. Una is a complex and sympathetic protagonist, struggling with the weight of her curse and the conflicting desires of her heart.
Aethelbald and the Bard are both intriguing love interests, and the supporting cast of characters, from Una’s mother the queen to the unsettling witch who cursed Una, are all well-drawn and memorable. Stengl’s pacing is steady and measured, with the plot unfolding at a deliberate pace that allows for rich character development and deepening tension.
The book does have some weaknesses, however. The overarching plot can feel a bit predictable at times, and some of the dialogue can be a bit stilted.
Additionally, readers looking for a strictly Christian allegory may find the book lacking in explicit Christian themes. Overall, Heartless is a captivating and well-crafted novel that will appeal to fans of Christian fantasy and fairy tale retellings.
Stengl’s writing is beautiful and evocative, and her characters are compelling and fully-realized. While the book may not be without its flaws, it is a strong debut from a talented writer.
Rating: 4/5 stars.
