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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Short and Sweet!, August 19, 2009
Dark Destiny: The Sleeping Beauty Story Your Mother Never Told You
BY: Kym Hackenberger & Melody Lowe
PUBLISHED BY: Wicked Witch Productions, LLC
PUBLISHED IN: 2008
ISBN: 978-1440412417
Pages: 158
Ages: Teen & Up
Do you remember the evil stepmothers and queens from the classic Grimm Brothers' fairy tales? Did you every wonder how they became evil? Authors Kym Hackenberger & Melody Lowe gives us the dark and twisted tale of how an innocent young woman became the Queen of the Dark Realm.
Elspeth, the oldest princess of Rookskrieg, is soon to marry Malcolm, the prince of Talonsbay. It's an arrange marriage set up by their fathers. Neither Elspeth or Malcolm want to get married. Malcolm is womanizer and Elspeth just doesn't love him. She wants to fall in love like her newly married younger sister, Isabelle, did.
On the night of her sister's wedding, she is embarrassed by Malcolm but is rescued by a dark and mysterious stranger, Jethart. She instantly falls in love him. They sneak around, but can only visit each other at night. Jethart isn't like Malcolm or any normal man. He can turn himself into an owl and can cast magical spells.
During Elspeth's wedding to Malcolm, Jethart appears and steals the bride-to-be. They elope, and, afterwards, Jethart takes Elspeth to his castle, Dubh Rathgart, aka the Black Fortress. She soon bares a son named Ossian.
Full of rage and lust for revenge, Malcolm starts a war with the Dubh Rathgart. He starts the chain of events that could destroy the kingdoms, and causes Elspeth to become the Queen of the Dark Realm.
Under 160 pages, this book is short and sweet, but at times the story feels rushed. Some of the dialogue feels a little flat. The characters are not developed enough. There was not one character I felt anything for. I did like that the chapters were short and kept your interest until the very end. Fans of fairy tales and pre-teens will enjoy reading this retelling.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
The story of Sleeping Beauty like youv'e never heard before, October 14, 2009
They say that every story has two sides, in "Dark Destiny", we see the other side in Sleeping Beauty. No longer does this legendary tale feature the famous blond, as it's central character. We are finally introduced to the villain of the story. She is no longer viewed as the Dark Queen, but as a Princess named Elspeth. We are first introduced to Elspeth as a little girl running away from her Nurse. Stopped by a mysteries stranger, who she wants to learn more about, she is dragged back home. Next, we see an older Elspeth at the wedding of her sister Isabelle. Berated by her betrothed, Malcolm, she is surprised as a stranger comes to her aid. Falling for the said stranger, she abandons Malcolm on the day of their wedding. Leaving Malcolm to nurse the wrath that he holds for this elusive man, Jethart. Now, Elspeth finds herself ensconced in the Dark Realm becoming its Dark Queen. When Malcolm fulfills his vowel of killing Jethart, Elspeth does the only thing she can, She teaches their son Ossian the magic he needs to revenge the death of his father. When Elspeths sister Isabelle seeks her aid in having a child, Isabelle, is forced to enter her daughter into a betrothal with Elspeths son. When it comes to light that Isabelle's daughter Ealasaid, has been promised to Malcolm's son, Roderick, the Dark Queen then places the now famous curse upon Ealasaid. Upon hearing that Ealasaid would die once she pricks her finger upon a golden spindle, Isabelle's younger sister revises the curse so that instead of dying she would only sleep until awoken by true loves kiss. As Roderick races to save Ealasaid, the Dark Queen imprisons him. Will Ossian kill Roderick, or will Roderick escape and save the damsel in distress?
Kym Hackenberger and Melody Lowe have brilliantly woven the magic of Merlin, with the fairy tale of Sleeping Beauty. "Dark Destiny", is a spellbinding story that combines charm, wit and personality. Hackenberger and Lowe, sheds new light on an old story. Brilliantly packaged with an eye catching cover that instantly will have drawn in. "Dark Destiny", is a must read for all ages. The first sentence will have you spell bound. I look forward from seeing more from these charming authors.
Reviewed on 08/17/2009 by [...] Member
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3.0 out of 5 stars
How do they become Dark or Evil?, July 24, 2009
Have you ever wondered how the Evil Queen, Evil King, Wicked Stepmother, etc become evil or what they were like when they were young? That's the road "Dark Destiny" takes in the story about the Queen of Darkness in Sleeping Beauty.
Princess Elspeth of Rookskrieg, is betrothed to Prince Malcolm of Talonsbay. However, Malcolm wants nothing to do with Elspeth. He finds her ugly and sullen. She wants nothing to do with Malcolm either. She would rather join her sister, Lillith, training in magic with the fairies in Elfhame. However, her "destiny" is to marry Malcolm and join the realms of Rookskrieg and Talonsbay.
On the night of Elspeth's sister Isabelle's wedding to Byron, Malcolm humiliates Elspeth in front of the kingdom and she is rescued by a stranger, Jethart, who is actually the Dark King.
Jethart visits Elspeth nightly and they fall in love, however she is betrothed. On the day of her wedding Jethart rescues her from being united with Malcolm and finds happiness with Jethart at Dubh Rathgart, or the Black Fortress. He teaches her the magic she has longed for and become powerful together. Meanwhile, Malcolm is growing in his hatred and ends up battling Jethart and kills him. Leaving Elspeth to brew her anger as she is alone with their son, Ossian.
Basically, the anger at having all her happiness being taken away from her grows Elspeth into the infamous Dark Queen. Who wants to destroy Malcolm and his happiness.
I thought the story was ok. I felt it was hurried and many other areas could be built upon. I feel that the author touched on the aspects of magic, darkness, battle, love and beauty. All things important to fairy tales, fantasy and the like. I was hoping for a little more dialogue, character building, and more action. However, with this being a short read, it was written well enough to get the point of the story across and created enough of a visual to make this an enjoyable. I certainly felt Elspeth's anger and pain from losing her love and enjoyed watching Ossian grow into a powerful magician. Also Prince Roderick's (King Malcom's son) also is a character to watch out for is the author decides to continue this story. I imagine him growing into a wonderful king, unlike his evil father. I am saddened by Ossian.
I definitely recommend this book to preteens and teens. This was my first experience with reading a retelling of a fairy tale and definitely won't be my last!
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