Helen's Tale

An Otherworld Trilogy Prequel and Companion Novel

Fiction - Magic/Wizardry
225 Pages
Reviewed on 05/17/2023
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    Book Review

Reviewed by Jessica Barbosa for Readers' Favorite

Representative Elder was a title of honor that garnered awe and respect. As the current Representative Elder, Helen Edmunds knew what lay beneath the show of power and glory. Any other Elder would love to have her position but she knew they would quit once they realized the burdens that came with it. Few people knew of the predicaments the Elders were forced to confront in exchange for their seat of honor. Apart from the mountain of responsibilities that Helen must face, she must also abide by the palace rules and lead a decent but smothering life. There were days when she felt as if she was going to burst from all the pressure. A sudden, tragic event caused her to tip over the edge and now she must face a darker reality and her deteriorating mental state. Read Helen’s Tale: An Otherworld Trilogy Prequel and Companion Novel and immerse yourself in Hermione Lee’s vivid storytelling.

Hermione Lee’s fantasy novel Helen’s Tale took me on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. The first chapter introduced the highly stressed Helen Edmunds. I was immediately drawn in by her power and knowledge and intrigued by her bone-deep exhaustion due to her heavy workload. Her story was an enthralling and grim read. The skillfully written narrative was truly addictive from beginning to end. I could hardly put the book down once I started. Lee crafted a captivating tale that delved into the complexities of the mind and heart. I could feel the depth of Helen’s emotions. I felt as if I was constantly holding my breath when Helen started spiraling down into the darkest depths of her mind. Despite the darker tones of the book, underneath all the trials and tribulations was a message of hope and friendship. In the face of misfortune and despair, Helen still tried to fight the darkness and held on desperately to even the smallest glimmer of hope. I couldn’t help but cheer her on. This companion novel to the Otherworld Trilogy is dark, complex, and heart-wrenching. The author has created another powerful gem. Excellent work.