Veiled Rose (Tales of Goldstone Wood) [Paperback]

Anne Elisabeth Stengl (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2011 | Series: Tales of Goldstone Wood (Book 2)

Rose Red trusts no one with her secret. She hides in the forest, her face veiled in rags, shunning the company of all save her old father and her nanny goat. Her life is bleak and lonely.

Until she meets a privileged young man sent to spend his summer in the mountains. Leo, a lonely lad, befriends Rose Red, and together they begin hunting for the Mountain Monster which, rumor says, stalks these lands.

But the hunt which began as a game holds greater risk than Leo supposes. Rose Red can scarcely guess at the consequences should he insist on continuing his search. Dare she trust him with her secret? Or tell him what dwells at the top of the mountain in the cave only she can find?

Above all, when Leo asks Rose Red to leave the mountain and follow him to the low country, dare she agree and risk the wrath of a Monster that is all too real?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, Rohan, a passel of cats, and one long-suffering dog. When she's not writing, she enjoys Shakespeare, opera, and tea, and studies piano, painting, and pastry baking. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. She is the author of Heartless, Veiled Rose, Moonblood, and Starflower. Heartless and Veiled Rose have each been honored with a Christy Award.

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Bethany House Publishers (July 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764207822
• ISBN-13: 978-0764207822
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 1.1 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (56 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,013,715 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Anne Elisabeth Stengl makes her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, Rohan, a passel of cats, and one long-suffering dog. When she's not writing, she enjoys Shakespeare, opera, and tea, and studies piano, painting, and pastry baking. She studied illustration at Grace College and English literature at Campbell University. She is the author of Heartless, Veiled Rose, Moonblood, and Starflower. Heartless won a 2011 Christy Award.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A non fantasy reader is won over July 8, 2011

By Deborah VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

Why yes, this book is YA fantasy. And why yes, I normally don't touch this stuff. And indeed, last year I said, after reading the first book in this series, even though I enjoyed it I was still a bit iffy about reading more books in the series because it's hard for me to get into fantasy.

If you like dragons, fairies, handsome prince, beautiful princesses and magic, you will love this book. Leo is the prince who steals Rose Red's heart. She's a strange girl who lives in the mountains and is heavily veiled so no one can see her face. I loved seeing her evolve with Leo's character though I was saddened when she goes with him to be his servant. Her conversations with her dreams were intense. The whole dragon bit is intense but in a good way. Lots of battle between light and dark there.

Even if you haven't read Heartless, you won't be lost at all as there are mostly new characters in this story. However if you have read the first book, it is lovely to see the story from Leonard's point of view when he meets Una. It makes a lot more sense as to why he did what he did then now that we have the whole story.

As with the first book, there are allegorical references again in this story. But as I am 1) a bit clueless when it comes to knowing the true meaning and 2) got completely swept up in the story, I actually couldn't tell you exactly what and where these references are from though I'm sure they are probably faith-based. Still, the reader is not going to feel bogged down by this at all. It's wonderfully written and any YA fantasy lover will swoon over this book.

The ending of this book broke my heart. Not because it was a bad ending per se, but because I felt so much hurt for Rose Red when she finally reveals herself. Honestly I wanted to cry. I also want to say that the cover of this book is then portrayed wrong. It made have to go back and flip through the pages to see if I had somehow missed something. I do hope that we get to see more of her in future books, I truly loved her character.

I honestly want to thank Stengl for writing these simply excellent books. You have made a non fantasy reader read your books. I really do hope that more readers outside of the Christian market find these books. The covers are appealing and the stories are what YA fantasy readers will love. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series now. Next year can't come fast enough for it. HIGHLY recommended.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Not all fairy tales end with happily ever after! July 4, 2011

By Pirate2240

Format:Paperback

In fairy tales not all of them end with a happily ever after. Sometimes there are parts of the story we never really get to know. There are people that seem like the supporting character in the story, but once we learn their part of the story, it really does change how we view the story.

Leo at only eleven had been told what to do, when to do it and how it should be done. Yet what a boy at eleven really wanted was adventure. Adventure the was best lived outside the fairie tales of books, once that existed in the real world. When he learned that a monster lived in the deepest, darkest woods just outside his home in Hill House, he began in earnest to seek out its secrets despite his overwhelming fear.

Armed with a beanpole as a sword given to him by the old gardener on the property and a warning that what he seeks isn't always what it appears, he tries to hold on to bravery as he searches for a path in the darkness of the forest. What he finds there is just an old nanny goat, who scares him more than any monster would. But the goat isn't alone, it belongs to Rose Red, a girl cloaked in rags from head to toe and veils that show only her kindest eyes.

Seeking true friendship for both is what unites them and keeps them company during the long, hot days of the summer, until the day Leo mentions hunting the monster once more. When she leads him to the cave where the monster dwells it will lead them both on an unforgettable journey into the lands of legends and fairie tales.

In the sequel to the Tales of Goldstone Woods series, Veiled Rose by Anne Elisabeth Stengl, picks up as a prequel of sorts to Heartless. You won't figure it all out until the end, and just when you think you have uncovered the secrets that lay hidden in the darkness, you'll be surprised once more. For those that love fantasy in dealing with dragons, dreams and mythical creatures, like Lord of The Rings Trilogy or the Chronicles of Narnia, then this one is perfect for you. Set amid the hope of romance and love, some things will never be the way we want them to be and for this reason, I loved this book. It's unpredictable in so many ways and thus rates a perfect 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this book compliments of Christian Fiction Blog Alliance for my honest review.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing! March 4, 2012

By Shirley Rempel

Format:Paperback

Veiled Rose is the second book in the Tales of Goldstone Wood series, and released in July 2011. I had the opportunity to review the first book, Heartless last year, so was intrigued with how the remaining series would be like. I have actually really enjoyed this YA Fantasy series thus far.

It contains all the basics of a fantasy novel, with princesses, dragons and the quest of good over evil, with a little love and romance thrown in. Perfect for all fantasy genre fans for sure, particularly young adults. The writing flows nicely and gives amazing detail so you can actually visualize each scene. If a book does not allow me to visualize the scenes, or I can't see it as a movie, then typically I don't enjoy it - this one was great that way.

Actually as I read the series thus far, I am reminded of Stephen Lawhead, and C.S. Lewis (the Narnia series) and that is a great thing. The genre of fantasy is not my favorite but I have thoroughly enjoyed this series.

Although a series, both Heartless and Veiled Rose could be read as stand-alone novels, so no need to feel lost or confused as you read the second book.

Book three, Moonblood, is set to release in April 2012, and I will be reviewing that one this week as well. Starflower, book four in the series, is set to be released in October 2012. This series will actually have six books in total, and I will for sure be reading all of them!

I highly recommend this book, and series, and give it a thumbs up.