[H3P]⋙ Libro Toads and Diamonds Heather Tomlinson Books

Toads and Diamonds Heather Tomlinson Books

Download As PDF : Toads and Diamonds Heather Tomlinson Books

Toads and Diamonds Heather Tomlinson Books

I was really hoping to like this book and I did. I really enjoyed it. There were spots where I felt a little lost due to the references to culture that I am not familiar with but I was not lost for long and not so lost that I still couldn't follow the story line. I thought this book was rich, creative, full and refreshing. I hated that it was over when I finished it. I wanted to know more. Granted, it was great to read a book for once that was just that, one book. No book one of x# series or trilogy. No having to wait till the next one to find out what happened. But just to say ok, done.
But in this case I would have like a little more just to find out what happened after. The story did end a little on the short side I believe. I felt like I needed more but I still loved the book.


Tags : Amazon.com: Toads and Diamonds (9780805089684): Heather Tomlinson: Books,Heather Tomlinson,Toads and Diamonds,Henry Holt and Co. (BYR),0805089683,Fantasy - General,People & Places - Asia,Blessing and cursing;Fiction.,Fairy tales.,Stepsisters;Fiction.,16th-century India,Blessing and cursing,Children's Books - Young Adult Fiction,Children: Young Adult (Gr. 7-9),Fairy Tales & Folklore - General,Fairy tales,Fantasy & Magic,Fiction,Juvenile Fiction Fairy Tales & Folklore General,Love & Romance,Stepsisters,YOUNG ADULT FICTION,Young Adult Fiction Fairy Tales & Folklore General,Young Adult Fiction Fantasy General,Young Adult Fiction People & Places Asia

Toads and Diamonds Heather Tomlinson Books Reviews

Vastly different from Charles Perrault's The Fairies, in my opinion, Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson is a much-better version of the tale. For those not familiar with the original, two step-sisters encounter a disguised fairy on separate occasions. The younger of the two is blessed with a gift Whenever she speaks, flowers and jewels fall from her lips. The eldest isn't a kind person, so the fairy curses her to spit out snakes and amphibians when she speaks. In traditional fairy tale fashion, the good-hearted, but downtrodden maiden overcomes all while those that put her down get their just rewards. Tomlinson took a fresh look at the original tale and thought, "What if the fairy blessed both sisters?" Both sisters are kind, good-hearted people who honestly love one another despite the fact that they don't share blood. Some parts of the tale remain consistent Diribani is blessed with the gift of jewels and flowers, while her stepsister Tana is given the ability to speak snakes and toads. But which is a blessing and which a curse?

Tomlinson sets Toads and Diamonds in India, where snakes are revered. Tana has also received a gift, not a curse, though there are those who flee from what her lips release upon speaking. Many families own house nagas, snakes that eat the rats and keep pestilence from spreading. While outwardly, Diribani has received a priceless gift and releases a small fortune whenever she has something to say, it's actually a curse in disguise. She's locked up and kept away from everyone; her jewels line the king's coffers and a greedy governor wants her for himself. Toads and Diamonds is told in alternating POVs, so readers are able to follow both Diribani and Tana, seeing what becomes of the sisters and their "gifts."

Overall, Tana was my favorite of the sisters. She's made of strong mettle and goes through so much agony, while Diribani has a much easier life. Diribani's story flatlined a bit, and at times, I was eager to get back to Tana's plight. There was so much heartbreak and misery in her life; Tana was braver than most girls in her situation. As with any other fairy tale, there are also romantic prospects involved, though a relationship is hard for either sister due to their unique gifts. The throne doesn't want to let go of Diribani's riches while Tana feels that no one could love a girl who spits venomous snakes. The setting also played an important factor in the book and was a character in and of itself. I loved that Tomlinson modeled her land on a real country, India, and invented two powerful religions that are similar to ones we have in reality, while still being quite unique. Everything fit together well and created a lovely atmosphere not often seen in literature. Combined with an unusual outlook on what constitutes a blessing or a curse, Toads and Diamonds leaves readers with a lot to think about and reflect on.
This is an adaptation of the classic fairy tale, “Toads and Diamonds”. In this version, two stepsisters live in a country reminiscent of India. While they worship the old religion filled with gods and goddesses, the country is now ruled by those that worship only one god, wear demure white outfits, and practice their faith quietly. After their father died, the family is in difficult circumstances. Tana, who learned her father’s craft of gemstones, is trying to come up with a plan to support the family. Her sister, Diribani, goes to the well for water and is gifted by a goddess to have jewels and flowers fall from her mouth when she speaks. Tana is sent to the well and is given the far different gift of spouting snakes and toads. Their gifts bring them to the attention of the prince who takes Diribani with him to his capitol city while sending Tana in isolation near the well. The clever part of the story is how the gifts twist in value, with Tana’s creatures being a boon for the locals who are infested with rats due to the policies of the local governor. The story also does a nice job of showing both sides for the two very different religions. The author does a good job of bringing a new face to an old tale.
Wow an amazing new book by one of my new favorite authors! I love learning about new cultures and love a good fairy tale and this was quite the spin on the sisters who get bleesed by a fairy and one talks diamonds and flowers and the other toads and snakes. Very enjoyable and educational
I was really hoping to like this book and I did. I really enjoyed it. There were spots where I felt a little lost due to the references to culture that I am not familiar with but I was not lost for long and not so lost that I still couldn't follow the story line. I thought this book was rich, creative, full and refreshing. I hated that it was over when I finished it. I wanted to know more. Granted, it was great to read a book for once that was just that, one book. No book one of x# series or trilogy. No having to wait till the next one to find out what happened. But just to say ok, done.
But in this case I would have like a little more just to find out what happened after. The story did end a little on the short side I believe. I felt like I needed more but I still loved the book.