The Light Bearer by Andrew Einspruch - 5 stars

 The Light Bearer by Andrew Einspruch is the third book in The Western Lands and All That Really Matters series. It follows Princess Eloise Hydra Gumball III as she finally heads back home along with the man guilty of treason and killing her uncle. She’s looking forward to getting back to the comforts of home but dreads her mother’s reprisal for not returning with her sister. Of course, things don’t go as planned. The prisoner not only escapes but kidnaps Eloise’s friend and champion, Jerome. With the escapee’s long walking weak magic, he puts distance between himself and those giving chase. 

Princess Eloise almost has him in her grasp but tumbles to the bottom of a steep waterfall. She manages to survive with the help of her traveling companions. Their quest to save Jerome and to recapture the criminal takes them on a most unpredictable and adventure-packed journey. When they are captured by a society of warrior horses, the trail to find Jerome has gone cold and they face an uncertain future as prisoners.

When I read book one, The Purple Haze, I was pleasantly surprised at the author’s ability to write with a unique mix of humor, suspense, and even drama in a Princess Bride sort of way. Book two, The Star of Whatever, was also cleverly devised but had a slightly different flavor and well worth the read. It left me hungry for book 3, and The Light Bearer did not disappoint. I recommend this witty, unpredictable tale to readers who enjoy fantasy with a fairytale feel that’s funny and lighthearted but filled with suspense and drama. I give it 5 stars and highly recommend it.

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The Star of Whatever (The Western Lands and All That Really Matters #2) - 5 Stars

 

Andrew Einspruch’s The Star of Whatever (The Western Lands and All That Really Matters #2) picks up where book 1 in the series left off. I delighted in book one, The Purple Haze, and so it surprised me that I enjoyed book two even more.

The story picks up in the Half Kingdom where Princess Eloise Hydra Gumball III’s quest to rescue her twin sister, accompanied by her champion chipmunk, Jerome, her loyal guard, Lorch, and two royal horses. The deadly Purple Haze edges the Half Kingdom, and fogging has become the mode of execution of criminals. Once someone enters, they never come out, except for Princess Eloise and her twin. They not only don’t come right back out but feel called to delve deeper into the fog. Within the Haze a secondary quest develops. It leads them to a surprising find and a challenge for their lives.

Outside the Haze, Eloise’s friends Jerome and Lorch rot away in the royal dungeon while the horses try to figure out what they can do to get them out. The plot makes twists, turns, and a few herky-jerky maneuvers that surprise, like when the Purple Haze starts to spread. (I put it this way only to avoid spoilers.)

I highly recommend this book to people who enjoy coming of ages stories with strong female protagonists set in fantastical worlds where animals can talk and magic, even weak magic, is real. Think Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz. Einspruch’s pacing in The Star of Whatever is perfect. He does a great job with the ebb and flow of conflict and resolution with doses of subtle humor, suspense, and an emotionally engaging plot. I give this one a solid five stars. I’m thankful for the review copies I’ve received of this series, and I look forward to reading book three in the series, The Light Bearer.

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