Book Review: “The Prince of Ill Luck” by Susan Dexter

Summary: The first in a series about Valadan a magic horse who finds the must interesting people to journey with. Today it is Leith (Lay-eth) the self-styled Prince of Ill-Luck wins the ring/princess/duchy, but he doesn’t want them! Instead he wants to get rid of his curse, and The Prince of Ill Luck (Warhorse of Esdragon, #1)the princess wants to find her mother the sorceress. So the story begins where most fairy tales ends following their adventure.

Reviews: I love this story, there’s something about the strong heroine and the ill luck prince which is fascinating. The story is told through both the characters eyes, and the reader gets a good idea of who they are, what they are doing, and how they grow. This book has been on my shelf for many year, read at many times, and its well worth the reread I just had. If you like The Hero and the Crown, The Enchanted Forest Series and The Seer and the Sword.

Books that are not as well known(ish) but loved by me

Like Tamora Pierce, Kristen Cashore, Robin McKinley, Patricia C. Wrede, J. K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, Peter S. Beagle, George McDonald, The Ordinary Princess, The Princess Bride, The Hobbit, Neverending Story, Serephina, Eona, etc. (for my traditional list see my ultimate fairy tale list)

Susan B. Dexter: Warhorse of Esdragon and Winter King’s Wars
Warhorse of Esdragon: heroes who find a magic horse that empowers them to be better! Winter King’s Wars: Reluctant Hero, falls in love, saves the world

Of Two Minds (Point Fantasy)Of Two Minds & More Minds by Carol Matas and Perry Nodelman: Prince who only lives in his mind, Princess who can make her imagination real, an arranged marriage, what’s not to love!

The Great Good Thing by Roderick Townley: Sylvia is stuck in her story, and wants it to change. (SuperWhy for adults??)

Nobody’s Son by Sean Stewart: Young Man follows a fairy tale to marry a princess and discover how love defines you

Dave Duncan: A Tale of King’s Blades (The Gilded Chain, Lord of the Fire Lands, Sky of Swords, Paragon Lost, Impossible Odds, The Jaguar Knights): Parallel Worlds, Alternative Endings, all in a world of Three Musketeer + Magic…

The Seer and the SwordThe Seer & the Sword & The Healer’s Keep by Victoria Hanley: Landen is defeated by his enemy and vows revenge, but the princess is nice + secretly she’s a seer….

Claidi Journals (quartet) by Tanith Lee: Claidi finds a journal and starts an adventure outside her protected world

Wren (quartet): Sherwood Smith: Her best character, this magic girl saves the entire kingdom with her magic

To read about how I read fantasy theologically look at my post on the popular fantasy or my analysis of the best fairy tale ever Beauty and the Beast