The Rogue and the Peasant

I really enjoyed this book – it’s a really nice twist on the princess being rescued by a prince trope. I really like that we get both Esme and Rory’s points of view. Esme’s been told all her life that she’ll be a queen (even though she’s a peasant), so when a woman appears to whisk her off to Finishing School, she’s prepared to go along with things.

Enter Rory, who kidnaps Esme on her journey – and because we get his point of view, we know that this is not the first time that he’s done this. Except this is the first time that the kidnapee doesn’t appear to be in on the game. And that’s where things get interesting.

This was really smartly written to give you exactly the ending you’d expect, but the journey show more doesn’t take our heroes anywhere along a path you’d expect. Loved it. show less

The Rogue and the Peasant by Amberley Martin is a delightful blend of classic fairy tale elements with a fresh and modern twist. As someone who cherishes the power of storytelling, especially those that challenge traditional norms, I found this book to be a refreshing take on familiar tales.

The protagonist, Esme, is not your typical damsel in distress. Raised with the belief that she's destined for greatness but kept in the dark about the details, Esme's journey is one of self-discovery and empowerment. Locked away by a malevolent fairy godmother, Esme defies the conventional narrative of waiting for a prince to save her. Instead, she takes charge of her fate, proving that a woman can be the hero of her own story. This theme resonated show more deeply with me, especially as it aligns with my belief in the importance of self-reliance and resilience—values I strive to impart in my own life and to those I care for.

Rory, the other central character, is equally captivating. His story is layered with intrigue and emotion, drawing subtle parallels to Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Rory's struggle with his past and his quest for redemption add depth to his character, making him more than just a charming rogue. His internal battle and the connection to his father's ghost introduce a compelling dynamic that kept me engaged throughout the book.

The world-building in The Rogue and the Peasant is rich with fairy tale magic—hidden towers, goblin kings, and magical creatures that feel both familiar and new. Martin has crafted a setting that is as enchanting as it is dangerous, providing the perfect backdrop for Esme and Rory's intertwined destinies. The pacing is well-balanced, keeping the reader invested without feeling rushed.

What I particularly appreciated was the book's underlying message: that one's worth is not defined by their status or origins. Both Esme and Rory embody this theme as they navigate their paths, ultimately discovering that their strength comes from within, not from their titles or pasts. It's a reminder that resonates beyond the pages, encouraging readers to embrace their own potential.

While the romance in the story is subtle, it doesn't overshadow the individual growth of the characters, which I found refreshing. The focus remains on their personal journeys and the larger adventure at hand, making this book accessible to readers who prefer their fantasy without heavy romantic entanglements.

In conclusion, The Rogue and the Peasant is a captivating read that reimagines classic fairy tales with a modern sensibility. It's perfect for those who enjoy stories of adventure, magic, and self-discovery, all wrapped up in a well-crafted narrative. Amberley Martin has created a world that feels both timeless and relevant, and I'm eager to see where she takes this series next. show less

So, something I realized about myself, I'm not into fairytale reimaginings anymore. This book was so beautifully written, clever, snarky, really had all the perfect amount of feelings happening, and if I couldn't go nuts for this, nothing would do it. The heroine was someone you could really root for, and all the characters were very multi dimensional personalities. The story telling was absolutely fantastic and it felt very adult without it being 'adult.'
Definitely, worth the read if you love a charming fairy tale without the cheese.

Esme is a peasant, but her mother always told her she’d be a queen someday. So when a noble lady arrives at her cottage to whisk her off to Finishing School, Esme assumes it’s time to fulfill her destiny — but being kidnapped doesn’t seem like part of the plan. Meanwhile, the kidnapper, Rory, has his own problems: He’s paying off a debt to a sinister Fairy Godmother, and he’s literally haunted by his father’s ghost. When Esme and Rory begin to work together, they learn that their fates are intertwined in surprising ways. Based on the book’s cover copy, I thought this was going to be a romance, and it definitely 100% is not. I also thought the author’s influences were a little too obvious — there’s a whole chapter show more that basically rips off the movie Labyrinth. But I did like Esme and Rory as characters, and the book subverts traditional fairy tale narratives in interesting ways. Overall, it’s a decent fantasy read, just not what I was expecting. show less

This was billed as "Hamlet meets Rapunzel," and it does a pretty decent job of combining the two. I think this is meant to be a tongue-in-cheek allusive fantasy, but the tone and humor felt a bit uneven. However, I mostly enjoyed this as a silly romp, though the characters seemed much younger than their putative ages. Allegedly, the protagonists are in their twenties, but they could have easily been aged down by 5 or 10 years for an early YA or middle-grade audience. The violence on- and off-stage is minimal, and the "content warnings" at the end of the eBook place this almost squarely in PG territory. (Personally, I found it a nice change for the male and female protagonists to be (unknown) siblings without any unnecessary romantic show more complications. It's not really asexual representation, but I do appreciate the depiction of a developing relationship that isn't at all about physical attraction. show less

This was a fun, easy read. It was cute but not particularly memorable. It is nice to have an independent peasant girl who does things her way, rather than waiting to be rescued. It was surprising to have a “cruel” fairy godmother. The “Finishing School” idea for finding your true love was amusing.

I found this story a little hard to get into at first--perhaps because of the writing-style? Or possibly because of some worldbuilding choices (the concept of a school guaranteed to turn peasants into royalty apparently strained my credulity, even in a fairytale-styled setting). It probably wasn't was helped by me having--for whatever reason--having originally assumed I was settling in to read a romance.

That said, it did find it an engaging-enough read once the story had gotten itself properly moving (and enough was revealed to the reader for me to put some of my more doubting reactions aside). I was happy to read much of the book in one sitting.

If you like fairy tales, especially ones recounted in older styles, and you aren't looking show more for romance, then there's a fair chance you'll enjoy this. show less