Kristina Kamaeva
The Orange Curse is a lively, fun fantasy inspired by Italian folktales. A cursed prince, a girl with terrible luck, a parrot, and a cat set out on a journey to a fairy country to look for three mysterious oranges that will remove a curse. On the way, they escape the bandits of Machaon Forest, deal with the devious people of Trappola, and cross a scorching desert. When the magical country opens before them, they find out that the sun has not shone there for many years, and an evil sorcerer has been waiting for the return of the prince.
Reader Reviews
"Thank you for a wonderful, kind and touching tale. Warm, bright, and musical. I could hear the chirping of birds and the melodic voices of fairies, savor the taste of cakes and pastries, and smell the sweet scent of flowers and oranges."
Rshaat
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"Thank you for the fairy tale — it is really fabulous, delightful, and vibrant. It conveys the atmosphere of Italy (and it's not just the Italian names, but the wonderful irony and light comedy mixed with life). Everything is full of style and logic. You evoked a warm and nostalgic feeling and created a magical world I believe in with my heart. I would love to see a beautiful animation film in the style of old fairy tales based on your book."
Szomorú
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"Thank you very much for this good story. I haven't been to Italy, but that's exactly how I imagine it: sunny and joyful. Separate praise for the tree with black flowers and the tangible images of characters’ fortunes. Great ideas!"
Kirra
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"A very pleasant fairy tale, wonderful, kind, full of adventure and magic. It’s good for both children and adults, because it has a second level of perception, philosophical — the influence of fate on our lives and our influence on our fate, the value of the family, the ability to find good even in the most notorious villain.
The story is very well constructed. It has many unexpected turns of events and magical transformations. The author took full advantage of the possibilities of the genre, magic, unusual characters, and various fairy-tale kingdoms.
The main purpose of writing is to evoke emotions in the reader. In The Orange Curse, emotional swings are harmoniously integrated into the plot. Mateo and Tessa in the process of traveling to Magarfala fall into traps and troubles but overcome obstacles showing ingenuity, courage, and intelligence. The plot is quite complicated, but the author expertly copes with the interweaving of the fates of the characters. All their actions are logical and reliable.
A fascinating and easy to read story that immerses the reader in the proposed circumstances and leaves a pleasant aftertaste."
Elena Sola
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"I really liked the depiction of fortunes and the sweet shop! The fairy tale reminded me of the whimsical stories by Gianni Rodari I loved as a child.
This fairy tale will be interesting for children and adults alike. You need to be a very good and sensitive writer to create such a compelling story.
I would like to watch an adaptation of this fairy tale by Studio Ghibli! In my head I saw this story like Spirited Away —, well, maybe with hints of Howl's Moving Castle. By the way, the cover is great!"
Anastasia Steklova
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Once upon a time, The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion inspired me to write my version of the last years of the kingdom of Númenor. In that version, Queen Miriel gained magical powers and fought Pharazon and Sauron. Years later, my story grew into a novel, and my characters left the world of Middle-earth and Númenor. I created my fantasy world—Shambara!
The princess of Sundar, Mireya, secretly attends Lilac Night, the spring festival of love. Here everyone can find a partner for their May engagement. It’s not appropriate for the princess to show up at such wild events. Now she has only blame herself for the consequences.
A fast paced and unpredictable fantasy adventure in a world full of magic, conflict, and danger.
Reader Reviews
"This is a fresh take on enchantment and storytelling. ‘Mireya: The Usurper’ is a lovely book, complete with richly drawn characters who reach into your imagination and stay there. It is a book which would appeal to anyone from their teenage years upwards and who likes to suspend belief in a weave of fantasy."
Kathy Nunn
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"This fantasy novel is a perfect mix of magic, political intrigue, and power struggles, set in a richly imagined world that feels alive with every page. Mireya is a captivating heroine, full of strength and vulnerability, and her journey kept me fully invested from start to finish."
Garima Bais
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"I especially loved the inclusion of magical beings like the jivans and fairies, and the dynamic between the human world and the immortal forces at play.
The romance subplot was beautifully woven in. It was intense yet tender, without becoming cliché. I also liked that there was a clear sense of danger and consequence, which made the story feel meaningful.
Overall, Mireya was a refreshing and exciting read. I’m definitely happy to have read it. Well done."
Sam Timmins​​​​​​
Quotes
Yunier saw that his "May Bride" was a real beauty. Love, overwhelming his heart all day, finally broke free. He quickly sealed their union with an impatient kiss. "Your choice has made me so happy!"
She recognized the rascal, who had run under the hooves of Blackmoon early that morning. Why had not she thought about the consequences of May Betrothal?
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The dancing had stopped, and everyone retreated farther to the edge of the meadow. People with blurred faces stood on the wine barrels and prophesied about something. Mireya understood that the Lilac Couple had been chosen. Airen had told her that the Lilac Couple were married straight there, at a party, in a tent prepared for them. The next day, the entire city would know their names, and the king would provide them with dowries. Along with everybody else, Mireya cried, "Hurrah!!!"
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How dare he? In the palace! A stupid soldier!
"You treat me without respect!" she snapped.
Yunier fell to his knee and pressed her hand to his lips.
"Is that better?"
"People will see us!"
"And if they don’t?"
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For sixteen years, Mireya studied magic with Chaildin, and now she’s ready to return to Sundar and confront the usurper-king and his powerful advisor.
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But a new enemy stands in her way, and he’s eager to take revenge on her for a past she doesn’t remember.
Treasure hunters, lava worshipers, a talking dragon, mysterious bird-people, and more populate a tale of secrets and adventure.
Quotes
Mireya thought giving a man a hope he could not fulfill was cruel. She and the mage often argued. He scolded her for using force in their confrontations with people, while she believed she was saving him from certain death.
"Everyone has a free choice," the mage insisted.
"Everyone’s free choice is to pursue their own good and suppress those who prevent it. These people have never seen a better life and don’t know what to strive for. They don’t need a teacher; they need a king who will ensure justice and stability."
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"Does the name Slayer sound familiar? He is a powerful mage and warrior. He can take many forms. Step back or hide."
The margars readily obliged.
"Hey, come out! I know you’re looking at me!" Mireya’s voice trembled. "It’s enough to play hide-and-seek. Choose any weapon or form, and let’s fight."
In response to her inspiring appeal, the bushes swayed, and Boogie reluctantly came out. Embarrassed, he said, "Excuse me, Your Majesty … I have no other form, only this one. And I would not call this pocketknife a weapon." He showed his knife for all to see. "I don’t feel like fighting either, unless you insist."
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He found himself in a bigger cave and explored it. The only noteworthy item was a massive table in the center. "A troll’s room," Debory muttered. He couldn’t see the tabletop; it was too high. But there was a stone cube nearby. Not sure what all the effort was for, he struggled to climb the cube and stood up.
On the table he saw two books with dusty bindings. He opened one book. He could not read, so he traced the lines with his finger. It tingled. And then the book pulled him in.
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