Book Review: Moonblood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Moonblood by Anne Elisabeth Stengl
ISBN: 9780761207815
Paperback, 373 pages
Publisher: Bethany House
Retail: $14.99

From the back cover:
Desperate to gain the trust of his kingdom, Prince Lionheart reluctantly banishes his faithful servant and only friend, Rose Red. Now she is lost in the hidden realm of Arpiar, held captive by her evil goblin father, King Vahe.

Vowing to redeem himself, Lionheart plunges into the mysterious Goldstone Wood, seeking Rose Red. In strange other worlds, Lionheart must face a lyrical yet lethal tiger, a fallen unicorn, and a goblin horde on his quest to rescue the girl he betrayed.

With the Night of Moonblood fast approaching –when King Vahe seeks to wake the Dragon’s sleeping children –Lionheart must discover whether or not his heart contains courage before it’s too late for Rose Red…and all those he loves.

This is the third of the Tales of Goldstone Wood series. I wrote a brief review of the second book, Veiled Rose, on my blog. I have read all three of the books thus far and I’d say that in order to understand, really understand, what is going on in this one, you need to read the first two. You could read just this one but you’d have gaps and some parts would not make much sense. In my opinion, of course.

This book, compared to the other two, seemed to have more dark feeling. I was going to say more death but I’m not sure there really was more I just noticed it more.

There are still –quoting myself –“fairie people, dragons, goats, demons, good and evil, right and wrong, struggles against wants and needs,” just like in the second book. This one has the added touch of the ‘other world’ mixed with myths and legends. Some of those legends were downright strange. Such as Hymlume’s children killing her –or I think that is what happened. Her children are unicorns. And not the white, beautiful unicorns. No, they are the unicorns you’d read about in Bulfinch’s Mythology. Horrible and fantastical at the same time; they would make you cringe as well as marvel.

I think after reading all three of these books, the writing style caught up with me (or the other way around) because I enjoyed this one like the others but felt like I could connect a little better with the characters. I did like the allegory that is present although, honestly, I didn’t get it always. Some things are just beyond me unless spoken plainly. Some books that are Christian fantasy heavy on the allegory don’t appeal to me.

I would recommend this book to others that appreciate the Christian fantasy genre. It is good with it’s action and suspense, does make the connection between actions and consequences as well as the message of salvation. Our salvation does not come from ‘making things right’. We cannot do enough –ever – to earn our salvation. It is given by grace.

***Disclaimer: I received this copy free from Bethany House Publishers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. See Disclosure/Policies.***