The Tales of Goldstone Woods Continue!

There's a fantasy series that has moved me to tears and enchanted me with its characters and descriptions - and that would be the "Tales of Goldstone Woods" series by Anne Elisabeth Stengl! I'm very excited for the upcoming release of the fourth installment, Starflower (expect a review of the book in November!).

But I'm also very excited to share the cover and book description of the fifth installment, Dragonwitch, which is releasing next summer!

 

An Ancient Evil 

Long ago, Etanun buried his sword in the depths of the Netherworld then vanished from all known history. One day, it is said, his heir will find the sword, and the Dragonwitch, firstborn of the Dragon King, will be finally slain. 

A Desperate Hope 

These stories are no more than nursery rhymes. In a world of cold reality, what room is left for fairy tales? Lady Leta of Aiven is pledged to marry a man she does not love . . . sleepless Lord Alistair struggles to unite the stubborn earls of the North Country . . . Mouse is lost, far from home, slaving as a kitchen drudge . . . 

. . . and the reclusive Chronicler, keeping the records of Gaheris Castle, bears a secret so dangerous it could cost him his life and plunge the North Country into civil war. 

An Impossible Journey 

But when nursery rhymes begin to come horribly true, will these unlikely heroes find the strength they need to fulfill a prophecy of fire? For the Dragonwitch lives. And she has vowed vengeance on all who have wronged her. 

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Coming Summer 2013

Tales of Goldstone Wood 

Timeless Fantasy that will keep you Spellbound! 

(www.anneelisabethstengl.blogspot.com)

~

Isn't that quite the cover?? It's very different than the other books in the series (Heartless, Veiled Rose, Moonblood, and the soon-to-be-released Starflower):

Those other covers are all gorgeous in their hues of blue and fascinating in their depictions of the heroines. (I can't wait to see the cover of Starflower in person!) 

This latest cover sets quite a different tone - much more intense as it draws the eyes upward along the length of the sword, following the trail of smoke rising, and emphasizing the gray, barred windows and the title of the character depicted, the Dragonwitch. No tranquil or even eerie blue here - just gray and fiery red. 

I'm intrigued to see if this very different cover indicates a very different type of story than the previous books in this series. But I'm sure it will be like the first four books in one thing, at least: great storytelling. Anne hasn't let me down yet in the first three installments!

If you're new to the series, I highly recommend reading all of the books in order. I think it's a much richer experience that way (and it probably is easiest to understand that way, too!).

 Which cover out of these five is your favorite? Which title is your favorite? Are you a fan of the series, too, or are you curious to give it a try? I'd love to hear your thoughts!