Penelope Book Review

There was a girl who was born with a pig snout (the curse that comes from the Wilhern household after more than 150 years in the making). Her name was Penelope and she was raised in the mansion. One day, when she was 25 years old, she had to discover what she's missing on the outside of the household in order to make a living happen in order to find a husband and live happily ever after. Can the curse be lifted when she's married?

This is the last book review of the year, even though it was the coming-of-age story. It took place in almost a year, but it may be a perfect fit for Halloween (it's my common sense). Plus, the sequence about how her great-great-great-grandfather Ralph had an affection and fell in love with the witch's daughter Clara, and unfortunately, it came to the tragic part when he purposed to Clara, who was obviously pregnant; she said no and committed suicide in the well. That started a plan for the curse: the next girl in the Wilhern household to be born will have the face of the pig. And that what how the curse was caused and has been affected over 125 years later. I think the author did a good job on how the curse began. The time setting for the book is this year, which is 2014 and it took place in the United Kingdom. What a British-American regime this has turned out to be - a movie tie-in novelization! The last media tie-in novelization I ever experienced from last year is Merlin: The Old Magic by James Mallory, which has been adapted from the 1998 TV mini-series (this is the first one). I got two so far as read by me, but I still got nine more to be read by me and remaining in the bookshelf for too long. Throughout most of the story, it was such a very good job with some detail flaws that left me feel a bit apprehended, but am content to hear about Penelope's backstory. It was somewhat okay, but it may be recommended for ages twelve and up. I classified it was a juvenile/YA movie tie-in book, so four and a half stars will do.

My First Ever Book Review - Merlin: The Old Magic

ATTENTION: If you're 11 years of age or younger, please get your parents'/guardians' permission before moving on to the book review.


        Elissa lived in the Avalon Abbey where she's introduced as a princess and novice nun. Ambrosia's the former priestess of the Old Ways. Mab saw that the Old Ways were dying as Christianity spreads, so she decided to create Merlin as her "Champion". While the Lady of the Lake accepts the inevitable, Mab vows to resist. Merlin is created by Queen Mab of the Old Ways and then, Elissa moves out with Ambrosia to Barnstable Forest when she becomes pregnant with Merlin.

        We further see Merlin being born and raised in the forest his 17 years of his young life, until he uses his magic to save Nimue. For saving her life, she grants him a kiss. They exchange names and Merlin vows never to forget her. On the return home, he tells Ambrosia that he saved Nimue. Ambrosia realizes that the time came for Merlin to go to Mab, and tells him of his past. Merlin is taken to Mab's underground palace, where she plans to train him magic until he becomes her "champion" Can Merlin save the Old Ways or can he escape the land of magic?

        I can't say that I was impressed when it comes to nice visual effects and very well-done narration of this novel. I have to say though, much of it occurs in this novel didn't happen in the film, though this book was written to go on a training for magic. It was very simple for me to get into the book after the first thirty pages of familiar parts to the film and more sophisticated details, overall, it was like fairy tales meets King Arthur in this book. If you liked fantasy or adventure genre, pick up this book today from Amazon. 2 thumbs up! xD