Rhea is an intriguing main character – resourceful and self aware, she’s resilient without being unbelievable and I liked the different relationships she has with Maria (who lost her magic to Crevan), Sylvie (who lost her sight) and the cruel Ingeth (who lost her voice). T Kingfisher (a pseudonym for Ursula Vernon) has written a clever fantasy coming-of-age tale with strong female characters and a whimsical sense of humour that offsets the dark imagery. With the help of the other wives and a friendly hedgehog, Rhea must complete three tasks, each more bizarre and dangerous than the last and each of which will test her resourcefulness, compassion and courage. He’ll set her three magical tasks to complete and he’ll only marry her if she fails. Whatever Crevan wants from Rhea, he can only take by marrying her.
Worse, on arrival Rhea discovers that Crevan is a sorcerer who’s married six times before and five of his wives are still alive and imprisoned with her in the house. The house is only accessible by a sinister white road that won’t allow Rhea to return home. Everyone knows that something isn’t right, but Rhea can’t turn down a lord, nor can she refuse when Crevan demands that she stay with him in his enchanted manor house before the wedding. Rhea knows that she isn’t particularly beautiful, smart or brave, which makes it all the more surprising when the mysterious Lord Crevan tells her parents that he wants to marry her. With time running out and each task more dangerous and bizarre than the last, Rhea must use her resourcefulness, compassion, and bravery to rally the other wives and defeat the sorcerer before he binds her to him forever.ġ5-year-old Rhea lives with her parents and aunt in a mill leased from the local viscount. In answer, Lord Crevan gives Rhea a series of magical tasks to complete, with the threat “Come back before dawn, or else I’ll marry you.”
Determined not to share their same fate, Rhea asserts her desire for freedom. Upon arrival, she discovers that not only was her betrothed married six times before, but his previous wives are all imprisoned in his enchanted castle. Lord Crevan demands that Rhea visit his remote manor before their wedding.
Since commoners don’t turn down lords – no matter how sinister they may seem – Rhea is forced to agree to the engagement.
Young Rhea is a miller’s daughter of low birth, so she is understandably surprised when a mysterious nobleman, Lord Crevan, shows up on her doorstep and proposes marriage.
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