Last updated on October 6, 2025
Elisabeth and Edvard’s World Boxed Set by Astrid V.J.
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
So excited about this boxset full of enchanting fairytale retellings. I\’ve read most of Astrid\’s works over the last few years & I know I will keep reading them purely because of her unique writing style & profound understanding of human nature. Her characters display a balance of good & bad that is rarely seen in fantasy books. Her stories are full of wonderful yet subtle messages on life that every reader can relate to as well as appreciate. Highly recommend.
Below are separate reviews of each of the books in the boxset. Only one I haven\’t read due to time constraints is Johara\’s Choice.
Gisela’s Passion
Rating: 5 stars
Still my favourite in this series. Absolutely loved this book. Finished reading in 2 days. Just couldn\’t put it down. The storyline is enchanting, magical & unforgettable. Gisela is a teenage girl from a village whose only goal is to dance as Harvest Queen in the festival. But life has its own plans in store for her. Hilarion is a young gamekeeper & Gisela\’s best friend for years. Vincent is the crown prince visiting the village in disguise. Both young men fall in love with the young girl while watching her dance. The ending was spectacular. I got a free copy of this book as a part of a giveaway with no obligation to write a review.
Aspiring: Part 1 of The Sibling’s Tale
Rating: 4 Stars
Short, enjoyable read. The Story is told from Elizabeth\’s POV, how her life changes after her mothers death. Begins as a sweet romance. Midway it turns rather dark. Although I loved the story, a couple of parts felt lacking. Worth reading if you love dark historical fantasies with magic, witches and princes.
Becoming: Part 2 of The Sibling’s Tale
Rating: 5 Stars
Enchanting retelling of a sweet fairytale. Captivating adventure. Magical romance. Elisabeth & Edvard\’s tale continues after they flee from the palace together & journey beyond the mountains. They are never free from their evil stepmother\’s clutches. But they meet the magical elves of the forest & learn to live in secret until a chance encounter with Richard brings them back to the palace. Elizabeth\’s bravery & perseverance in protecting her loved ones & defeating evil makes up the second half of the book. The ending echoes the original fairytale yet is thrilling to read. This book makes up for the lacking storyline in the first book.
Naiya’s Wish
Rating: 5 stars
“Take heed and be precise in what you wish for.”
Like most fairytales, ‘the nix of the mill pond’ is filled with fantasy, horror & human folly. However, this particular retelling spins an intricate web of love & hope & brings us an unforgettable story.
Naiya is the nix of the Mill pond who makes a wish that impacts the lives of so many people. While it seems like a terrible idea, her motivation makes her a truly endearing character. She is certain that she\’s doing the right thing. How many of us make mistakes believing in our own good intentions & then regret the sorry outcome?
A creature who wants to give birth but can\’t. A young mother determined to save her last newborn. A teenage girl who is terrified of childbirth.
Hilda, the miller\’s wife, bears the brunt of the entire tragedy as she wastes her life away trying to save her son from the nix. Amina, the baker\’s daughter, is fated to undo the curse & save the love of her life while dealing with her own insecurities & biases. Each of the three women face their challenges with pride & strength.
If you love fairytale retellings with a dark twist and life messages, then you must try these stories.
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