Book Review: Fortune's Folly by Deva Fagan

*ARC provided by the author*

Fortune's Follyis not your typical fairy tale. When Fortunata's mother died, her father stopped making beautiful shoes and can only make dreadful mismatched ones instead. Fortunata decides that leaving their home is the only way to escape their shame and make enough to survive. But, when she is thrown into traveling with a fortune teller and her violent master, Fortunata is forced to earn her keep by telling false fortunes. Unfortunately, after making a far-fetched fortune for a prince, she must ensure it comes true or lose her father too.

Things I Liked:
This book was a lot of fun. I loved the characters - Fortunata was resourceful and optimistic. I thought it was great that she never believed in magic or fate, but continued to make her own future. She also realized some things she couldn't quite explain away. The prince was loveable and real, insecurities and all. I especially loved Fortunata's father, even though he aggravated me sometimes. I thought it was a good balance of light humor and the sometimes darker things in life. A layer of reality disguised in a fairy tale.

Things I Didn't Like:
The story is a little underdeveloped. Some of the things that happen don't really seem like they were complete or there wasn't enough information about it. It also seemed like there were some throw-away characters added just for certain things they did in the plot and then they disappeared. The beginning seemed a little slow before it got to the adventure.

Read-alikes:
Thornspell by Helen Lowe
Once Upon a Marigold by Jean Ferris
My Fair Godmother by Janette Rallison
Dragon Slippers, Dragon Flight and Dragon Spear by Jessica Day George

BOOK CONTENT RATINGS:
s-factor: none
(that I recall)

mrg-factor: none

v-factor: ->
a little bit

Overall rating: ***