Welcome to the blog tour for Midnight’s Curse, book two in the Beyond the Tales series by Tricia Mingerink. Beyond the Tales is a series of fairy tale retellings with hints of allegorical elements set in a world based on the Appalachian Mountains. Don’t miss the giveaway at the end of this blog post nor the invite to the Facebook party for more giveaways!
About the Book
The glass slippers might be her dreams come true…or her worst nightmare. High King Alexander rules the Seven Kingdoms of Tallahatchia—a divided nation on the brink of yet another war. When an invitation arrives from the king of Pohatomie, Alex knows it must be a trap, but could it also be his opportunity to unite the kingdoms? Daemyn Rand has lived a hundred years, served an arrogant prince, fallen in love with a princess, and lost himself somewhere along the way. He has already died for his loyalty. Will standing at the high king’s side cost him his last chance to truly live? Elara Ashen is a lowly, miserable servant. All she wants is to spend even one night in a fancy dress dancing with the high king. When she is offered a pair of glass slippers, it seems that all her dreams have come true. But dreams have a price, and gifts can be curses in disguise. What will it cost to stop this curse from tearing Tallahatchia apart yet again? Fairy tales meet the Appalachian Mountains in this adventurous fantasy retelling of the classic Cinderella story.
Add to Goodreads – Buy on Amazon
The first book in the series Dagger’s Sleep, a Sleeping Beauty retelling where the prince is cursed to sleep and the princess must wake him, is on sale for $.99 on Kindle! Follow this link to snag this deal while it lasts!
My Review
One of my favourite things to see in fairytale retellings is a reversal of roles or story elements. I probably should’ve expected it here given the title. Midnight’s Curse does contain the word curse, and curses can have a very physical manifestation in this world. Also based on what Tricia did in Dagger’s Sleep, she’s not going to let the story run its traditional course.
But I didn’t read the blurb or make any attempt to guess the story before reading it, so I was pleasantly surprised. This isn’t a story full of twists, but the whole thing is a completely different take on the Cinderella story. What was good is now bad, and those who were bad are now good.
Another thing I love about Midnight’s Curse is the characters, both old and new. Rosanna is back and still awesome. Her brother make an appearance, though one of them in particular is being a bit of a bear. Daemyn is there too and struggling with figure out what his place is now that Prince Alexander is awake. He’s in love with a princess, but he’s far from being royalty himself. Is he a leader now, a hero of the shadows, or a bland follower?
And then we have Alex himself. He might now have a goal of being a decent person, he may not want to be arrogant, but he finds it so easy to revert to his old ways. He’s more likeable now (not that I ever hated him), but it’s certainly not an instant fix.
And Elara, our Cinderella, a girl who want to better herself because she deserves better than just being a servant. This girl has dreams, and reminds me of one of my own characters. She’s also got a very helpful fae entirely willing to give her the tools to go to the ball and have all the men fall in love with her.
If you’re ever offered something like that, please don’t take it. It’s a trap, especially in a world with curses.
The way in which this ability or curse plays out is truly fascinating, the way it ends… It’s a happy ending, though i am feeling slightly sorry for one character who keeps missing out of fairytale endings despite being central to the fairytales.
Midnight’s Curse is a thematically beautiful book. I especially love the idea in this world of the Cursebreaker (I may have gotten excited when that word was used in church on Sunday.) There is a curse, sometimes we bring it upon ourselves, but it can be broken.
This is a book for those who love fantasy, allegory, or fairytales. The allegory is quite light, especially in this book, so don’t let that keep you away.
Content Rating: Possibly distressing show of blood, and someone get dungeoned and it is mentioned that they were beaten.
My Own Random Cool Thing
I got to meet Tricia at Realm Makers last month. I was in some of the same sessions as her on the Friday and got to sit with her as well as with Jaye L. Knight and Morgan Huneke (especially Morgan), and had lunch with the three of them. I also was at the same table as them and Kendra E Ardnek at the awards banquet. And I filled in my Blades of Acktar collection and got Dagger’s Sleep as well and went and asked her to sign all five books.
About the Author
Tricia Mingerink is a twenty-something, book-loving, horse-riding country girl. She lives in Michigan with her family and their pack of pets. When she isn’t writing, she can be found pursuing backwoods adventures across the country. You can connect with Tricia on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Facebook Party!
The Facebook party should be a blast with giveaways of Midnight’s Curse, Dagger’s Sleep, and over ten other Cinderella retellings by indie authors! Follow this link to join the Facebook party.
Giveaway!
Enter to win signed copies of Dagger’s Sleep and Midnight’s Curse (it will be the actual copy, not a proof copy as shown) as well as a Currently Reading 4oz candle from Novelly Yours Candles. Due to shipping, the giveaway is open to the US only. Void where prohibited. a Rafflecopter giveaway
Check out the rest of the blog tour below
Monday – August 5
- The Florid Sword – Author Interview & Book Review
- Scribeheart – Author Interview
Tuesday – August 6 – Release Day!
- The Music of a Story – Book Review
- Jaye L. Knight – Author Interview
- Perfectly Quirky in Every Way – Book Review
Wednesday – August 7
- Liv K. Fisher – Author Interview
- Blooming with Books – Author Interview & Book Review
- TJ’s Musing – Book Review
Thursday – August 8
- Imperial Scribis – Author Interview
- Dream Write Now – Author Interview & Book Review
- Morgan Huneke – Author Interview
Friday – August 9
- The Page Dreamer – Book Spotlight
- Elizabeth Koetsier – Book Spotlight
- Brie Donning – Book Review
- Facebook Party 8-10PM EST
Saturday – August 10
- Novels, Dragons, and Wardrobe Doors – Book Review
- M.H. Elrich – Book Review
I hope that the one character you are referring to gets to have a happier ending next time, though you never know 😉
I hope so too, when he’s ready for it. He’s certainly not yet, but he’ll get there.