The Amaranth Enchantment

What’s better than a traditional Cinderella story? One that steals elements from the tale, but forges its own path. The Amaranth Enchantment is about a girl named Lucinda whose parents died in a horrible accident the night of a ball. She goes to live with her uncle and step-aunt, a woman who treats her like a servant. A magical woman—the book’s version of a fairy godmother—is the catalyst for Lucinda leaving to make it on her own. Following the elements of a fairy tale, she falls in love with a prince and winds up at his ball, but that’s where the similarities end. In a way, the novel reminds me of a Disney movie because memorable characters include a lovable thief named Peter and a pet goat named Dog (why Dog, idk, but it’s show more cute!).

The Amaranth Enchantment might read like a fairy tale, but it also has some sci-fi tendencies. The “godmother,” Beryl, is from another planet and has a special stone that gives her magical abilities. This stone is so valuable that an evil man wants it and will stop at nothing to get it back. Beryl begs Lucinda for help, offering to restore everything she lost if she can retrieve the stone, which was stolen by a thief named Peter and sold to the Crown Prince. This is one place where The Amaranth Enchantment succeeds: Lucinda doesn’t wait around for a man to save the day. She pulls it together and takes charge herself despite the consequences. She was the opposite of Beryl, who wasn’t able to solve her own problems.

My favorite character was Peter, the thief. He was the most animated, and stole every scene. He had surprises up his sleeve that I never saw coming, too. I felt he was the most well-developed of all the characters. While I admired Lucinda’s spunk, I felt she was a little too naïve at times and often found herself in bad situations due to this. I also wish Prince Gregor was a little more fleshed-out. There weren’t as many romance scenes as I would have liked, but I’m hoping to see more in Berry’s future novels. For a debut novel, The Amaranth Enchantment had many good ideas, and the story was still fun to read. There were twists and turns I never saw coming, and I loved the fact that despite the Cinderella influence, Lucinda was her own heroine, and not a reincarnation of anyone else. show less

Lucinda is 15-years old and living and working with her aunt and uncle. She is an orphan and was taken in by them, but her aunt (not the blood relative) hates her and does not treat her well. Her aunt and uncle run a jewelry store where she helps and has two unusual customers in a row. One is a woman who brought in what is obviously an expensive jewel, and the next turns out to be the prince. Lucinda is very charmed by him. When Lucinda’s uncle dies, though, her aunt accuses her of stealing and throws her out. Where to go now?

I really enjoyed this Cinderella-like story, with a few extra things thrown in. It was a very fast read with short chapters. I also loved Dog (a goat!). And Peter (a thief turned friend) was fun, too. Lucinda show more was very very quick to become best friends with Beryl and to fall for Gregor, but oh, well. It was still fun. show less

There are some really good elements in this book---strong characters, an interesting cityscape, a touch of magic and romance---and the fact that it’s a quick and easy read will appeal to much of its teen audience. But The Amaranth Enchantment is also very definitely a first novel. The story’s pacing is at times jerky and uneven, and Berry introduces several characters and plot elements that seem more convenient than purposeful. Overall, I found a few too many coincidences when I was hoping for a bit of mystery or complexity, and yet when I desperately wanted an answer or a resolution, not a coincidence was in sight. An enjoyable effort, but not really one of my favorites. Still, I’m looking forward to seeing how Berry’s talent show more progresses. show less

A prince who looked like he swallowed the sun? A princess who looked like she's made from crystal sugar? Those words made me laugh when I read them.And who names their pet goat Dog? Only in this story, I think.This is probably the first book in a while that I devoured reading as soon as I got a copy (and finished the book I was reading before) I had to read and find out what happens next! Who is Beryl? What is she? Even Peter kept me guessing.I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Lucinda is such a lovable character. She's like Princess Sarah and Cinderella combined into one. With Beryl as her fairy godmother. Sort of. Except she's immortal and deathless.My mouth literally fell open while I was reading the ending! I knew there was something show more about Peter! Who would've thought he'd be King? And Gregor's older brother too!This is also the first book I've read (in a while, too) where the Prince cried. He felt more real than all the Princes I've read of. Heroic? Handsome? Sure, but never crying for a girl.The side of the story about Beryl was a bit weird though. The way the angels played a part in the story. Was Beryl like her fairy god mother? With a story of her own?Hmm... But I like the ending. I feel sad for Lucinda and her home, but happy for her and Gregor. I did wish for a royal wedding scene though, at the very least and a bit disappointed it didn't happen.I love Dog!4.5 stars, again! show less

Ever since the death of Lucinda's parents, she has been forced to live under the thumb of her bitter and overbearing aunt and her weak uncle, working at their jewelry store. Within one eventful day, Lucinda's life drastically changes. During this short period of time, she deals with a lovesick prince, a mysterious witch, a charming thief, and a tragedy that leaves her homeless. Things quickly go from bad to worse for Lucinda as she tries to put the pieces back together.

When I picked up The Amaranth Enchantment, it was because I was in the mood for a feel good, happy ending fairy tale. I was certainly not disappointed in that but I was surprised to find that Julie Berry's story had plenty of action as well as unexpected plot twists and show more turns. I enjoyed that each of the characters showed both strength in some areas and weaknesses in others. It made them much more realistic. The prince was a little weaker than I would have liked personally, but he fit so well with Lucinda. The Amaranth Witch was by far my favorite character, mysterious in so many ways yet very apparently flawed and insecure.

I would recommend The Amaranth Enchantment to anyone who enjoys a happily-ever-after kind of story with some unique twists and turns along the way. show less

The Amaranth Enchantment was a really fun, fairy tale sort of read. There was a lot more emphasis on a magical element than I was expecting from the synopsis, but I really enjoyed the addition in the story. The story is beautifully written and the world that Berry created was fascinating, I only wish it would have been further explored. Lucinda was a very relatable character, but I found her to be very naive at times. Allowing a strange thief to come in your bedroom late at night and then leaving him ALONE in your room. If that doesn’t spell disaster I don’t know what does. The thief in question however, was one of my favorite characters of the novel, Peter. Sarcastic and brash, he made the novel that much better. Overall, I was show more expecting something a little more adventurous and exciting but it is still a very fun story that is beautifully written! show less

Ever since the death of Lucinda's parents, she has been forced to live under the thumb of her bitter and overbearing aunt and her weak uncle, working at their jewelry store. Within one eventful day, Lucinda's life drastically changes. During this short period of time, she deals with a lovesick prince, a mysterious witch, a charming thief, and a tragedy that leaves her homeless. Things quickly go from bad to worse for Lucinda as she tries to put the pieces back together.

When I picked up The Amaranth Enchantment, it was because I was in the mood for a feel good, happy ending fairy tale. I was certainly not disappointed in that but I was surprised to find that Julie Berry's story had plenty of action as well as unexpected plot twists and show more turns. I enjoyed that each of the characters showed both strength in some areas and weaknesses in others. It made them much more realistic. The prince was a little weaker than I would have liked personally, but he fit so well with Lucinda. The Amaranth Witch was by far my favorite character, mysterious in so many ways yet very apparently flawed and insecure.

I would recommend The Amaranth Enchantment to anyone who enjoys a happily-ever-after kind of story with some unique twists and turns along the way show less