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An absolute delight, this charming fairy tale will take you on a journey to castles, and kingdoms, and witches with spells that may or may not be broken.

When wealthy and evil Vespasia Marchand messes with the wrong fledgling sorcerer, magic happens. And not the good kind. Yes, Vespasia is nasty, and what befells her may feel like poetic justice. Until some innocents are affected too, including a sweet and outspoken silk-trousered princess, and her worried kingly father.

What transpires is a tale of love and loss, good and evil, and ultimately, truth and justice. Featuring a slew of earnest characters doing their best under very trying circumstances, our story is set in a kingdom evocatively drawn — the setting is impeccable, the writing vivid and poetic.

“A small fire snickered cheerfully in the hearth “.

“She fell asleep as the sky was turning to rose and lemon in the east.”

“The wind had blown the sky to a spotless enamel blue.”

The story unfolds with the help of some fine furry animals, which will, of course, make any tale (fairy or otherwise) all the better. The most central of which is a miniature greyhound, Pip, who is able to use his words (sometimes), to help his much-loved mistress through a series of crises.

Note: A wonderful tale which will tug at your heartstrings, this book also sports a truly gorgeous cover, featuring one of this reader’s most loved 20th century artists.

A great big thank you to the author for an ARC of this book. All thoughts presented are my own.