Blogger: Rachel Kent
Location: Books & Such main office, Santa Rosa, Calif.
Violet Eyes by Debbie Viguie
I have read many of the YA books in the Once Upon a Time series. Fairytales are a strong trend in general market YA. I picked this book up while browsing at the bookstore because Debbie Viguie graduated from U.C. Davis, my alma mater. I googled her after I finished the book and was intrigued to see she has written other general market YA and also some CBA mysteries with Abingdon Press. I haven’t read any of her other books.
Violet Eyes retells the story of the princess and the pea. It’s a short book, so the plot isn’t too complex, but I enjoyed the story. Debbie’s writing voice is catchy. The story isn’t modernized, and I don’t think the characters would work in a modern setting. The basic motivation for the plot is finding a wife for the prince, and the princesses all participate in a contest for his hand in marriage.
Not all the books in the Once Upon a Time series are as good as this one. Written by different authors, they share the common thread of fairytales. I can’t think of any other YA series done this way. Many publishers have adult series with different authors writing “installments,” but the Once Upon a Time series might be one of the first for YA.
Does anyone know of any other YA series like that? Have you read a Once Upon a Time book? If so, which one?
Ooo, sounds like an interesting book. I have not read this one yet, might have to go find it 🙂
Wow, this is another gorgeous cover! I want to read it for the cover alone, but the fairy tale theme makes me want it even more. Thanks for all these recommendations!
I agree with Jill… this cover, just like yesterday’s book, is spectacular. I am sold on the book just by the cover! The cover to a book is the first thing a reader sees and therefore is the first line of marketing.
Rachel, Completely off the subject but something I was curious about, is the market as flooded for YA and children’s books as it is for Adult fiction?
I have to admit I’ve never paid much attention to fairytale retellings, but your last two posts have piqued my interest. I even put “The Healer’s Apprentice” on my to-read list. Thanks, Rachel!
About seven years ago, there were two 3-book series that told one story from three different perspectives, Degrees of Guilt and Degrees of Betrayal. Each book in the set of three was written by a different author.
Thanks, Katie! Were those books good?
Salena, your question is a good one. My humble opinion is yes it is as flooded, but there’s always room on those bookshelves for a wonderful book. This is true in any genre or for any age group.
Yes, the books were excellent (to be expected, since they were written by authors such as Melody Carlson and Sigmund Brouwer). I enjoyed the first “trilogy” more (Degrees of Guilt), and I still ponder the story years after reading it.