Selling stories is a deadly business.
Tanwen doesn’t just sell 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 master 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, 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.
The publisher’s excerpt on the back cover and the cover art of The Story Peddler. All credit goes to the author, Lindsay A. Franklin.
Intrigued? Read on:
Imagine walking into a minefield and searching for gold. It’s difficult. Going to the public library and entering the YA section is the same. More often than not, choosing blindly leads to bombs exploding in your face. So imagine my surprise when I risked choosing two books without prior research into them, only to find that one turned out to be a jewel, a diamond in a minefield.
That’s right. Somehow, some way, I happened upon a quality Christian novel, buried among the dirt and grime and bombs that make up today’s YA.
So now, allow me to brush the dirt off this buried diamond and present its fine cut to you.
What I love:
It’s hard to balance action and intrigue, yet maintain that gentle fantasy style that I love. The Story Peddler has managed that balance, and quite beautifully. With enough suspense and mystery to keep the reader hooked, paired with the majesty of Lindsay A. Franklin’s prose, I devoured The Story Peddler.
I know I’ve often praised characters in a story. This is because good stories have no choice but to have deep, true, dynamic characters. The Story Peddler accomplishes this, with deep mysteries and histories for every important character. None came across as dull or repetitive.
The magic system in The Story Peddler appears similar to others—art often features in magic—yet it is beautiful and unique. I love the idea of stories and songs spinning into color and light, and art forming in the air, vibrant and real.
And last but not least, The Story Peddler’s religious system is logical and all too true. The “crowned” or approved religion decrees that four petty goddesses created the earth from themselves. Lots of legends of lovesick men dying for the goddesses followed.
Though hardly anyone believes in the goddesses, they daren’t speak up against the “priests” who enforce the religion or the king who put it in place. Everything taught to the people is wrapped up and twisted with the religion that the tyrant king put in place. It’s a means of control over the minds of the people. Sound familiar?
Meanwhile, the daring few speak up and tell of a benevolent Creator who offers redemption. Upon research, I have discovered that the author is indeed Christian as I suspected.
*Happy dance ensues*
What I don’t love:
Normally, I will put a book down when I discover that the author wrote it in first person (I, we). I possess very strong preferences when it comes to the person used, hence why most of the books I review will be in the third person unless otherwise stated. And most certainly I will dump the story if most of it turns out to be first person, with intermittent chapters in third person (he/she/it, they) from other narrators. Luckily, this book introduced itself with such a quick, intriguing hook that it immediately drew me in. Somehow, Lindsay A. Franklin pulled off the most difficult of the persons to manage.
Content warnings:
Violence, kissing, and insinuations to sex.
Multiple deaths occur, as do fighting scenes. Nothing is described in gory details.
Two kisses are forced upon one lady. Another girl receives a kiss unwilling. Aside from that, there is no kissing or other romantic gestures.
A despicable man in the royal court is known for behaving like a scoundrel and is said to have wooed many girls and “keeps a mistress in his chambers.” In addition, an inn is mentioned to have “girls waiting upstairs for lonely farm boys.”
Ratings:
Appropriate content: 3.5/5
Story construction: 4.5/5
Writing skill: 3.8/5
Ethics: 5/5
Other information:
Christian: Yes
Point of view: First person alternating with third person limited
Tense: Past tense
Romance: Yes
Series: Yes
Conclusion:
With masterful religious worldbuilding, hooks, and a beautiful style, The Story Peddler will draw readers in and hold them fast till the very last page. Enchanting, dazzling, and yet sweet as morning dew, The Story Peddler is certainly worth the read. I believe there’s much more to come in the next two novels. I gladly recommend this novel to any fantasy lovers. Altogether, it deserves 4 out of 5 bites of zucchini bread.
Until next time, readers!
–Astor
Did you like Lindsay Franklin’s writing? Looking for the next book in the series? Look no further than The Story Raider and The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine.
Don’t forget to comment below with thoughts or suggestions for the next book review! I love feedback! And remember to subscribe and receive your free short story, The Shadow Queen!
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