Title: Stain
Author: A. G. Howard
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 516
Method: Book
Status: Library
There are types of book people in this world and I am a book dragon plagued with both hoarding and reading her fine treasures.
I have made it my goal to read books off my TBR this year. I say this every year but this time, I told myself that I meant it. Even my friend laughed and said, “Do you mean it this time?”
Ah, the joys of knowing your bestie knows you too well and has no coms about calling you out…
But this year it is happening! I told myself I would go by shelves so that I had somewhat of a system and maybe it would keep me from getting so overwhelmed by the mountain known as TBR, which led me to Stain by A. G. Howard.
I first read Roseblood, which is a Phantom of the Opera retelling years back, and was absolutely captivated by it. (More on that to come) So, reading Stain required no second thought.
Stain is inspired by Hans Christian Anderson's work of “The Princess and the Pea.” But do not let that alone determine your choice. You will find it is its own fairytale mixed in a world of night and sunlight.
You experience beautiful world-building that feeds wonder into your imagination. You fall in love with a Sunshine King who remains kind and good even amid curses and great loss. His unhindered love for his daughter, Lyra who was born for the night, lays a foundation that cannot be shaken.
There are multiple points of view, leaving no loopholes or questions when you finish this magical tale.
Finding a pea under her mattress is not the type of girl you will find Lyra to be. The trials she faces leave her strong, brave, and compassionate.
Vesper, born of sunlight, has his own weight to bear and trials to overcome. He is a mysterious prince who will do anything for his kingdom and his people with only a hope that he loves the one he was promised to share it with.
Here you will find:
Prophecy
Witches
Scheming
A shape-shifting sylph
Betrayal
Magic
Enchantment
Challenges
Hope
Love
Loyalty
Magical creatures
Love letters written in sunshine
This is the type of story you remember and imagine retelling under a starry night sky.
Everything is not as it seems but eventually, night and light will collide creating the perfect sky.
It is a must-read for those with fairy tales written within their hearts and magic dancing along finger-tips.
Favorite Quotes:
“Friendship has many rewards. Love is the culmination of them all.”
“Sometimes it takes more courage to stay in place than to move.”
“I think you seek to tame me, just as you have my gatekeepers.”
“I don’t wish to tame you. I seek partnership. To be your eyes in the darkness. To be your hands should you ever get trapped. To be yours ears when you’re flying too high to listen.”
“I’m sorry you haven’t a more pristine canvas – she paused signing to indicate her body from head to toe – upon which to depict a princess.
Selena stopped Lyra’s hands in midair by dragging velvety-peach sleeves up her arms. “I disagree. The best canvas has flaws and furrows... and tells a story of its own before the paint is even added.”
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