"Mixed blessings are the theme of this charming young-adult fantasy, which transplants the French fairy tale “Diamonds and Toads” (Charles Perrault’s “Les Fées”) to India." - Locus "A great read for fans of fairy-tale retellings, this book should be very popular with older tweens and teens." - Kirkus a satisfying resolution brings each girl her happily ever after and makes this a both riveting and enjoyable retelling.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Lavish details starkly contrast the two girls' lives and personalities while emphasizing their strength, purpose, and enduring love for each other, despite their predicaments." - Booklist(starred review)
… Tomlinson is a master craftsman, and as in her highly regarded The Swan Maiden (2007), she creates a vivid setting. "Tomlinson's memorable novel employs magic realism to explore a universal truth: an individual's gifts and talents are not always as they might seem. As their fates hang in the balance, each sister struggles to understand her gift.
Yet blessings and curses are never so clear as they might seem.
And when she encounters the goddess, she is not surprised to find herself speaking snakes and toads as a reward. It seems only right to Tana that the goddess judged her kind, lovely stepsister worthy of such riches. Yet she is granted a remarkable gift: flowers and precious jewels drop from her lips whenever she talks. She never expected to meet a goddess there. The floor rose to meet her, then stopped with a jolt.Diribani has come to the village well to get water for her family's scant meal of curry and rice. The world spun around her as her vision took on a crystalline sharpness. Magic tingled the length of her body and down her spine. She took a deep breath and drew on the coat of feathers. The breeze gusted, stirring dried rose petals in a wooden bowl and raising tiny bumps along Doucette's skin. Folding each item, she set it on the bed. Her gown, and the soft chemise underneath. If she dared.ĭoucette sat and took off her shoes. The river Immeluse would lead her the rest of the way to her aunt's castle, to a season of studying magic with Azelais and Cecilia. Like them, she could follow the sheep flocks to a lake in the mountains, then seek the lake's eastern shore. Over the years, Doucette had heard her father instruct her sisters' escort. Soft and warm, the swan-skin offered a silent promise.ĭoucette crossed to the window, pushed aside the embroidered curtains, and stared out of the luxurious room that suddenly seemed a prison.
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