Advance copy provided by NetGalley

DNF at 30%

My younger self probably would have dug this, with its flowery language and fairy tale tone.

My cranky, middle-aged self isn’t feeling it.

( )

That's...really weird. It's a completely different story, but the bond between the two brothers is very much the same as Alan and Hal (makes me want to read The Silver Sun again). Scotland, sort of; elves and kings and a magic ring, but the real story is in people's hearts. The damage done to Bard, and the damage he does because of it; hope and despair and strong bonds of love contributing to that despair. It's...well, it's a Springer, as rich as any of her best. Loved it, and I will be rereading it after a while. ( )

I received this eARC from Tachyon Publications on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of this book in any way.

For fans of The Lord of the Rings, The Oddling Prince is a tale of two brothers and their father, the King, and a ring of power that has plans of its own.

The Writing and Worldbuilding

The beginning of this book was somewhat difficult to really get into, as the book was written differently than any book I've ever read before, with a very storybook, almost Shakespearean style. I feel that it would be great as an audiobook, because the 1st person narrative has many asides and interjections from Aric, the protagonist, that it seemed to be a story being told. Once I got used to it, I really enjoyed the writing. There are many terms that might be unfamiliar to many readers, so I would only suggest this to people who are fluent in English and at high school reading level or greater.

I loved the world! Elfland was so intriguing, and the fey elements of the story were very well done. The prophecy of the White King was wonderfully interspersed throughout to maintain suspense without being overbearing or exposition. I absolutely loved the ring! It had the potential to just be a LOTR copy, but instead it was unique and interesting and acted as a great plot driver. It really was a chaotic neutral force sometimes, and almost seemed to be a character in its own right.

The strange bromance between Aric and Albaric really could and should have been done better though. It was insta-love, really, and didn't feel familial until over 50% into the book, because Aric kept commenting on how beautiful and lovely and wonderful and astounding and skilled Albaric was like some lovesick puppy. Some of their behavior, like touching each others hands and cuddling felt like was I do with my sisters, and as men of their era, that was odd though not unwelcome. It was Aric's constant praise of Albaric that was so off-putting. Siblings don't act that way.

I loved how the conflict with the king grew slowly and deeper with each chapter. It really kept me intrigued and on the edge of my seat.

The Characters

Aric: Besides his creepy obsession with his brother, he was a really fun character! I loved his sense of humor and his carefree, fun nature. He was kind of ADHD but I loved that, and found him so incredibly endearing.

Albaric: He was definitely my favorite character! His struggle with being a previously immortal being trapped in a mortal body and with unrequited love for his father was so well done and unique. I've been really wanting a well done fey character ever since I read A Court of Thorns and Roses and found it incredibly lacking in every magical regard (besides other things) and so this character and this book really hit my fantasy spot. Also, his humor and banter with Aric was fantastic! I love utterly clueless but well-meaning characters so much!

King Bardaric: He was so interesting. His dark descent into madness was such a great character study and really kept me guessing and second guessing its origins.

Queen Evalin: She was so great! She is seriously the best, strongest, most elegant lady I've ever read in any book. She's seriously what I needed right now. She's so supportive and wise, and so determined. I really loved her.

Marissa: She was somewhat of a surprise, and I was determined to not like her (given the fact that I didn't much see her point at first) but her girlish charm won me over and I relented.

Conclusion

This might be a new favorite, I'm not totally sure yet (might need to let it settle for a bit) but either way, it was a great fantasy adventure, and really gave me everything I needed when setting out to read a book from such a genre. It made me feel nostalgic, for what, I don't know, but nostalgic nonetheless. I seriously really enjoyed this and I want all of you to read it too once it comes out, because it's totally worth it. ( )

The Oddling Prince by Nancy Springer and Tachyon Publications is available May 15, 2018.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Oddling Prince tells the story of Aric and Albaric, brothers who are born on different sides of the veil. While out hunting with his son and guards, Bardaric, the King of Calidan is noticed by the Queen Theena of the Fey. Because she desired him, she brought him over to the fey side of the veil. Unfortunately for the Fey Queen, while their relationship produced a child, it did not produce mutual love. The Queen allowed King Bardaric to leave, but he left with no memory of his time as a father and lover of the Queen. After becoming mysteriously ill from a magical ring that the King has no recollection of putting on, a mysterious man saves his life. This man turns out to be Albaric, the son of the King and Fey Queen and now brother to the Prince Aric. From here, the two brothers work together to restore the love that Bardaric once felt for Albaric while fending off castle invasions, potential wives, magic, and bitterness.

While there seemed to be a lot going on in the story, it all felt flat and forced. Aric was instantly on the side of Albaric before he knew who he truly was. In fact, their relationship seemed less brotherly and more romantic on more than one occasion. King Bardaric’s wife, Queen Evalin took the entire story in stride like it was perfectly normal for her husband to have a relationship with another woman and then just make nice with the offspring. King Bardaric’s character felt very uneven-he had to act like a King, but ended up throwing multiple tantrums. And Aric, he just seemed unable to see the bad in anyone. This story was not for me. ( )

"My king," said Albaric, "Aric will not die. For if he does, I will go with him, and he knows it."

In a land, far far away, two complete strangers meet on a tragic day when the life of the king seems to be doomed, and with just a glance an unbreakable bound of love, loyalty and brotherhood is born.
This is the story of Aric, heir of the king and prince of Calidon, and Albaric, the oddling prince. A story that shows the power of brotherly love, such a great power able to defy even the love felt for one's parents. Such a great power able to defy even death.

"We were mistaken," I told her. "I was not a marvel, to be so transparent like glass. I was merely incomplete."

I don't even know where to begin explaining this heartwarming/heartbreaking novel, but I do know one thing: Aric and Albaric are one of the most well-written brotps I've ever read about. They're so different in their origins and their "race", one human and one half Elf, but what keeps them together is the trust they have in each other, that sharing of thoughts and feeling, that mutual brotherly love that nothing can break, not even a father. It was truly moving to witness how much they take care of each other, how they can understand with just a glance when something's off, how words are not necessary to convey what they feel.
Sometimes I felt like they were simply two faces of the same coin, two halves of the same painting, two sides of the same personality.
This is why, despite my tears, I couldn't help by being happy when reading the ending, SPOILER when these two separated halves finally become one with that moving image of Albaric transforming into a wave that soaks Aric merging two souls in one single body. END OF SPOILER

"A king is a man who wears a crown, but after a while the crown begins to wear the man."

Despite the brotp being the main reason for my high rating, there's something else that left me fascinated: the depiction of human corruption represented by the king. Or better, how human souls can be corrupted by greed, envy, fear, jealousy, mistrust and... shame. That's right, being ashamed of themselves is the first step for starting envying and even fearing others because we think they're better than us, and the second step is hating them. Wanting them to disappear. Shame can lead to madness even the kindest man, as the story shows. But it also shows that there's always place for redemption and forgiveness.

There's no doubt that Albaric was the one who's stolen my heart with his innocence and yet his cleverness, his courage and strenght and yet his need of love. He's truly an oddling prince, but oddling as "mysterious, heavenly, pure, special, lacking of any vice and sin".
But there was somebody else who caught my attention and, unfortunately, didn't get the space she deserved: Marissa. She's also an "oddling princess", in a certain way. She's different from the other people because she does actually pay attention to the people around her and can understand things that superficiality hids to mortal eyes. And, exactly like Albaric, she's hated because of her "diversity" by one of those people who should cherish her the most: her fater. Despite this and her young age, she proves to be a brave, clever young woman who does not fear to speak the truth to make the good prevail.

"There is poetry in him now," Mother said serenely. "And, I hope, music."

Last but not least, I'd like to take a moment to appreciate the writing style. It had a song-like quality like the old tales, like the ballads sung during the XVII century, full of poetry and beauty and music. As a non-native English speaker, it's been hard sometimes to understand the meaning of some rather unconventional words, but this did nothing but enhance the magical atmosphere of the whole story. I was enraptured. I was fascinated. I was in love. ( )