Threads of Gold

I was given a copy of “Threads of Gold” by Christine Pope to read and review before it goes live for sale. Thank you, Ms. Pope, for the opportunity to do this. Not being familiar with previous books in the 'Tales of the Latter Kingdoms', I was a little concerned about picking up a book this far into the series. However, the book is a standalone book and does not require any previous readings of the series for it to make sense to the reader. I also did not read the synopsis of the book as I wanted its contents to be a surprise to me. I was captured by the story almost immediately, and read eagerly right up to the point that I realized the book was a re-telling of the Rumplestiltskin tale. Normally I do not like stories that are a re-telling and I was disappointed to learn that was the focus of this one. I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with the writing. While some areas were a bit predictable, Annora grabbed my attention and kept it as she struggled with her situation. When we finally meet “Rumple” it is a pleasant surprise and not at all what I expected from the story. His manners and mystery captured even more of my attention and brought me through the remainder of the book to the end. Though I was disappointed in learning it was a re-telling, I certainly was not disappointed with the twists that Ms. Pope has given to the original fairy tale. I wish there had been more appearances in the story or at least musing by Annora about Cordell. For me, he was a very likeable character (perhaps he will appear in a future story). “A Rumplestiltskin tale spun with sweet sensuality….” this is an appropriate summary of the book and worthy of repeating! Sprinkled throughout the book are delicious little tidbits that tickle the senses. One of my favorites is … “When I was very little, I used to take twigs from the oak trees that bordered our property and put them in the fast-running water in my street’s gutters following a heavy rainstorm. I felt rather like one of those twigs now, caught up in the currents I couldn’t control….” If you read this book for no other reason, it should be for these little delights. I would recommend this book to adults and young adults alike. It is what I call, an ‘easy read’. The story flows nicely and has the ability to draw you in and make your forget (for just a moment) anything in the world beyond Annora’s predicament.

Threads of gold. Best tale yet. Inspired by Rumplstiltskin but a whole different kind of tale.

Loved it!! Christine Pope has yet to let me down