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

This is a fantasy story with Cinderella elements: a wicked aunt instead of stepmother, a stand in for the fairy godmother, and of course a prince and a ball. The story however is not dependent on those elements, and stands as its own fantasy about a girl changing her fate, helping someone else, and forging a new future. Lucinda is bold and clever, and fights to change her fate.

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

15-year-old Lucinda Chapdelaine used to be the daughter of well-to-do merchants, intimate with the royal family themselves. Then, her parents die in an accident, the family’s wealth mysteriously disappears, and Lucinda is forced to live with her uncle and her horrible aunt. Lucinda lives and works like a servant, never even daring to dwell on the past or dream of a better life.

Then, a beautiful stone sets off a chain of events that changes Lucinda’s life. She befriends Beryl, a mysterious lady with witch-like powers, who gives Lucinda a difficult task. If she succeeds, she may end up with all her former glory restored, and perhaps even more in the way of friendships and love. If she fails, however, it may cost Lucinda and her show more friends their lives.

Julie Berry does an admirable job of modernizing the feel of a classic fairy tale. The tone of the story is lilting and reminiscent of old stories, full of peril and triumph, and then more peril and more triumph. I really enjoyed all the fantastical elements of THE AMARANTH ENCHANTMENT: this is a mixture of beloved fairy tales like Cinderella and more.

The characters, however, were not very easy to connect with. Berry’s storyteller writing contributes to the fairy tale feel of the novel, but also distances us from the characters at the same time. It took most of the book to convince me to care for Lucinda, her ragamuffin friend Peter, and Prince Gregor—although the hint of a love triangle between the three really helped keep my feelings of apathy at a minimum.

Overall, THE AMARANTH ENCHANTMENT will satisfy readers looking for a tale full of magic, heroic actions, wonder, and victory. show less

Reviewed by Ashley B for TeensReadToo.com

Lucinda Chapdelaine has been an orphan ever since her parents left for a ball and never returned. She was taken in by her uncle at his jewelry shop, and must endure her wicked step-aunt.

And then a woman named Beryl came into the shop. Since then, Lucinda's life has changed forever.

All in the same day that she saw Beryl, the Prince comes to the shop, and a thief boy sneaks into Lucinda's room and stays the night. Peter, the thief, steals something from Lucinda, and she must find him to get it back to Beryl, the rightful owner.

But she isn't the only one looking for it.

When she finally finds the thief, he has sold it - to the Prince for his betrothed.

What will Lucinda do to get it back to Beryl? show more What other twists and turns will she get herself into along the way?

This story, overall, was very interesting. It kept me guessing and that made it hard to put down. My favorite character was Peter, the young thief, because he was fun and sarcastic. The only thing I wasn't happy with was the ending. It was very abrupt, and it gives you hardly a hint as to what happens to all of the characters.

Other than that, the story was well-written, and I really enjoyed it. show less