The Crown and the Axe

 

A careless mistake. A tale from the past. A journey he’ll never forget.

Seventeen-year-old Dierk Lichtensitz, Crown Prince of Sunland, excels in both his physical and educational training. Not that his father is impressed, but Dierk quit trying to please him years ago.

King Phillip Lichtensitz holds high standards for his children—with good reason. So when selfish neglect on Dierk’s part leaves another squire injured, Phillip delivers strict punishment. Dierk must travel the country as a woodcutter’s son.

Resentful of his father’s decision, Dierk resolves to endure his punishment unmoved—until the tales of a long-dead witch’s power force him to reckon with himself and his God.

As the journey leads him into more danger than his father could have ever foreseen, how much will Dierk have to surrender to become the man he needs—and desperately wants—to be?

My thoughts: I enjoyed this fairy tale style fantasy novel! Dierk is hard to like at first, but that seems to be the point, since the spoiled prince needs to grow up a bit. When his thoughtless actions leave him serving as a woodcutter, he must learn some important lessons about humility and hard work. I really appreciated the themes of faith throughout this book! It was an enjoyable read that is hard to put down as you follow Dierk on his adventure. I look forward to reading more by this new author!

I received this book from Celebrate Lit. This is my honest review.

Purchase a copy here! This post contains affiliate links.

About the Author

Darcy Fornier (pronounced forn-yay) believes the best stories provide clean, compelling entertainment while also provoking the reader to think about life in a new way. She’s been spinning stories ever since she learned how to play “pretend,” and she has seriously pursued writing since 2013. When she isn’t writing, editing, or dreaming up a story, you might find her washing dishes, “dissolved” in a book, playing the piano, hiking in the woods, singing at the top of her lungs, or talking up a storm with her sisters. At six years old, she gave her heart to Jesus, and she lives to know Him more. She makes her home with her parents and two younger sisters, wherever that happens to be.

 

More from Darcy

The first spark of inspiration for this story was Disney’s Sleeping Beauty. Don’t judge yet, okay? 😉

 

I hadn’t yet seen the film, actually, just read a storybook at least three years before I even thought about taking pencil to paper myself.

 

The princess and the sleeping spell fascinated me far less that the prince’s capture by, and subsequent battle with Maleficent. Maybe that’s why the prince is the only character who has the same name in my story.

 

I got to thinking, “What would the story be like without magic?” So there went the sleeping spell. 😉

 

And then I got to wondering, “What happened to the prince and princess after the story ended? Who would their children be? How would those children be affected by their parents’ dramatic past?”

 

That’s when Dierk Lichtensitz, Crown Prince of Sunland, introduced himself.

 

The story is mostly his. But because all of are shaped by those before us, it is also his father’s story. I had fun telling both.

 

The characters walk through several dark places. Life offers us many painful challenges, after all. But they also get to laugh because life offers us moments of joy.

 

And it is a story of victory. Because in Jesus, there is nothing over which we can’t triumph.

 

P.S. If you have any clean or inspirational Sleeping Beauty retellings to recommend, I’m all ears. Pay no attention to my To-Be-Read pile’s protests in the background. 😉

Blog Stops

Debbie’s Dusty Deliberations, December 15

Texas Book-aholic, December 16

Inklings and notions, December 17

For Him and My Family, December 18

Simple Harvest Reads, December 19 (Guest Review from Donna Cline)

deb’s Book Review, December 19

Rebecca Tews, December 20

Library Lady’s Kid Lit, December 21

Locks, Hooks and Books, December 22

Artistic Nobody, December 23 (Guest Review from Joni Truex)

Truth and Grace Homeschool Academy, December 24

Blogging With Carol, December 25

Ashley’s Bookshelf, December 26

Mary Hake, December 26

Because I said so — and other adventures in Parenting, December 27

Sara Jane Jacobs, December 28

Giveaway

To celebrate her tour, Darcy is giving away the grand prize package of $15 Amazon gift card and a copy of one of Darcy’s favorite books, Sir Knight of the Splendid Way!!

Be sure to comment on the blog stops for nine extra entries into the giveaway! Click the link below to enter.

https://promosimple.com/ps/104b0/the-crown-and-the-axe-celebration-tour-giveaway