Maelyn by Anita Valle
Series: The Nine Princesses Novellas, #1
Published June 29th 2012
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
140 pages
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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Get it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ewPZIo
Months later, the king returned home and presented his astonished queen with not one, but nine baby girls. “One from each kingdom I visited,” said the king. “They are orphans.” The queen wept joyously at the row of cradles, each bearing a sleeping infant. After bestowing a kiss on each child’s forehead she said, “Now they are princesses.”
Book 1: Maelyn was not born a princess. The king found her as a child, the lone survivor of a poor village slaughtered by the Red Fever. Suddenly she became a princess of Runa Realm, the first of nine orphans adopted by the king.
By her eighteenth year, Maelyn rules over Runa and a family of nine sisters. But some call the princesses frauds and imposters, a handful of urchins raised into royalty. Even Uncle Jarrod, the High King of Grunwold, seems determined to prove that Maelyn no longer deserves to be a princess. With a family losing faith in her, and a kingdom growing dangerously hostile, even Maelyn begins to wonder if she is truly a real princess. And if her riches will turn to rags once again….
Review
I was actually reading a different story last night but when I was only on 20%, I lost interest and decided to put it down for good. It’s almost late but I don’t want to go to bed still haunted from the previous book that I’ve read so I decided to settle for a novella and found this story. I got this one exactly one year ago after loving Anita Valle’s Sinful Cinderella and I’m glad that I also enjoyed this story like I did with the latter.
Maelyn is a very short read with only 140 pages but still managed to get my full attention and ended up liking the whole story. It’s a story of Maelyn, one of the adopted nine sisters in the kingdom of Runa. After their parent’s death, Maelyn being the eldest was tasked to handle the whole kingdom. Because they were adopted, a lot of townsfolk don’t want them as Princesses. They feel that they are only peasants so they should be just that. But things got worse when their evil Uncle Jarod who is the High King of Grunwold came to visit and stir trouble.
I really like the idea of the king taking nine orphans from each kingdom and then presenting them to his beloved Queen who’s heartsick for not being able to bear a child. It wasn’t really what the king’s plan but since he can’t find the cure of the red fever that is plaguing their kingdoms, the idea came to mind when they saw Maelyn at the side of the road who’s obviously starving.
I really thought this one’s going to be a romance story, but was surprised when it wasn’t, but there’s a little romance I guess but it wasn’t the main focus of this story. The story focuses on the eldest of the sisters which is Maelyn who is tasked to see through the kingdom of Runa.
I love that Maelyn was not a damsel in distress and was able to defeat her wicked Uncle. So you could say that the Uncle was the wicked witch in this story, haha. It’s a very refreshing and clean read too so I guess it could pass as a children’s story. Just look at that beautiful cover!
It wasn’t as magnificent like other fantasy stories out there but I bet it would be if it were longer. Because of the previous book I had, I have to say that this story cured my pissed off mood. It has a very refreshing plot and there’s absolutely nothing to hate about it.
I noticed that I’ve been reading novellas quite a lot these days, hehe. But I’m glad that 98% of them turned out to be really good. That being said, I’ll sure to get the copies of the other books in the series…soon *wink.
The ending was quite abrupt but it also gives me something to look forward to in the second book, so no hate feeling at all.
Maelyn is a perfect story when you just want to chill and enjoy a good story. Share on XChallenges
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I have to cleanse my palette like that when a book really makes me mad and I need to get out of the mood. Glad your next choice was much better. Love the fairy tale feel of this one as you described it. I’ll have to watch for these. Thanks!
True. And I really hate it when this happens. But I guess I’m still lucky because I was able to find the perfect book to cure my mood. Thanks Sophia Rose 🙂
This looks good, and yes this time of year novellas feed my need to read, but work within my hectic schedule!
Hehe, true. It’s the same with me too 🙂
Glad you enjoyed even with an abrupt ending!
Me too 🙂 Hopefully the other books will have better ending than this one
That sounds good even with the ending that seemed rushed.
Yes, surprisingly it was good Mary. It makes me even want to read the other books soon 🙂
I notoriously have multiple books going at a time, so a short read in between something else might be just what I need!
It sure is. But I have to say that it’s a bit challenging to find that perfect novella. I hope you could find something that you’ll enjoy Nathan 🙂
Glad you were to find a book that cured your pissed off mood. I can relate. 🙂
Hehe yeah, I’m glad too. Hopefully I won’t find another piss-off worthy book to read this year
it sounds nice to have a novella like that
It really is Melliane 🙂
This sounds like a great short read. Nice that you had it to read after giving up on another book. I do like the sound of it.
This one’s a really good novella Carole. If you want to take a break from your usual read, this could book will be perfect.
Nothing wrong with enjoying novellas, sometimes short reads are really what we need 🙂 Glad this one worked well for you!
Yes, I’m glad too Silvia. Hopefully my next book would be good too 🙂
Ooh, I love the premise of this one Vanessa and assuming there’ll be nine books in the novella series? None young women made princesses and sent out into the world. Sounds brilliant! Thanks so much for sharing Vanessa, super excited to check these out!
Ohh, this series is really good Kelly. I’ve read some positive feedback about the other books and it’s making me more excited. Hope you’ll try them and enjoy 🙂
I love novellas for when I’m in a reading rut or just for something fun between heavier books.
For What It’s Worth
Same here. I have a lot in my mind so I guess that’s why I ended up reading another novella last week 😉
I understand. I used to have the same experience before though. I’m glad this year was so good to me because almost all of the novellas in my list were really good.
This is the first I’ve seen these. I like that they are shorter reads, might be nice when I don’t have as much time to read but would still like something with substance.
It is definitely a perfect read during those times 🙂
Oh that is an interesting set up. It’s so nice when a novella catches you’re attention like that.
Yes, that sure is 🙂